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From: MaryW
Date: 04-10-2004, 12:23 PM (1 of 8)
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Please respond here if you can help, thanks. My Daughter is getting married soon, and over the past months, we've visited thousands of sies selling favors for the wedding. I've come up with a novel idea of my own for a favor, and we've seen nothing even remotely close to it at the endless bridal sites available on the internet. I've made these favors for my Daughter's wedding, and wonder what I would have to do to sell these commercially. Can you give me any advice? I appreciate your direction. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 04-10-2004, 09:34 PM (2 of 8)
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Several people I know have done crafts and things and sold them on E-Bay. People buy on that site usually if they are looking for something unique they go there and browse. Your items will certainly have a vast market on EBay. Just my thoughts. Amazon.com started in a garage with a computer and look where they have gone. EBay is a place where you can advertise with pictures and if I'm not mistaken they also don't charge you for selling unless you sell your product. Hope this helps. Good luck. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: MartySews
Date: 04-11-2004, 08:49 PM (3 of 8)
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Selling items commercially involves doing one's homework first. One should have a marketing plan and do the research to see if it's an item that people will want to purchase. Then check your community's ordinances plus county and state rules regarding home based businesses. Do you have the proper licenses and sales tax numbers to start this venture? It takes about 3 - 5 years to show a profit. Is your equipment and available time for sewing sufficient to handle large orders? Have you patented your pattern design? Have you the start-up cash to make and ship items until your business begins to show a profit? These are questions that come to mind. I would recommend that you check out some books from your local library on starting a home based sewing business. "Do You Sew for Profit?" "Marketing Your Sewing Business" "Pricing Without Fear" and my all time favorite is "Sew to Success". Good luck! Happy Stitching! Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: paroper
Date: 04-12-2004, 02:31 PM (4 of 8)
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Marty's right about all the above. However, if you want to just do a little bit on the side, you might see if you can market through a local bridal planner or bridal shop. If your idea is truly unique, you may need to see about applying to make it yours with a trademark or something...that may require a legal consultant. If you find the idea is too big for you to handle, you may want to try to "sell" your idea commercially to a large company. It amazes me how many people I have known (including my daughter) who have had a fashion idea that they did for themselves and saw it stolen and marketed commercially...it can happen very fast.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: tania513
Date: 06-08-2004, 09:31 AM (5 of 8)
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I was thinking of doing a placemat pattern, but how do i know it is unique so I can put a trademark on it.as far as the scrubs are concerned, how do you get a unique pattern out of that? they are pretty basic. I am going to get those books you are all suggesting.Tania
Tania
be happy life is too short |
User: tania513
Member since: 06-07-2004 Total posts: 6 
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From: paroper
Date: 06-08-2004, 09:58 AM (6 of 8)
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My daughter is just entering the Respiratory Therapy field. There is a lot of interest in her "home made" scrubs. Of course, I can use patterns because I am not selling them. We have found that there are all kinds of really cute scrubs out there. There are, of course the old fashioned kind but a lot of people are getting tired of the same old thing so the market is getting really interesting. There are scrubs that wrap and tie, some with yolks, there are cute one with ruffles, some plain ones that are trimmed in bias (some hospitals will not let the staff wear anything but certain colors or no patterns...the bias contrast allows those people to have something a little different). Some of the scrubs button down the front...they have yolks, there are all kinds of interesting patterns out there. You may want to check with the hospitals/and doctors offices in your area to see what kind of regulations they have on their scrubs. Some hospitals may have certain colors for each branch of "service" (nurses might be pink, physical therapists might be yellow, orderlies might be green, etc.) Also, don't forget to market to vets and eye doctors in your area....you'll be amazed who wear scrubs at work
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-08-2004, 06:29 PM (7 of 8)
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Pam, please forgive an old proof readers correction.... Eggs have yolks.. Garments have yokes, like oxen do.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: paroper
Date: 06-08-2004, 07:47 PM (8 of 8)
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Thanks Mom...my mom was an English teacher for 49 years...I had a two year old jumping up and down on my lap and distracting me (forgive me).
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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