Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: simplykimm
Date: 04-12-2004, 12:33 AM (1 of 12)
|
Do you all give your family discounts? If so who much of a discount do you give them? If not, why don't you?
from to the one who shines.......
|
User: simplykimm
Member since: 07-17-2003 Total posts: 13 
|
From: beach girl
Date: 04-12-2004, 09:24 AM (2 of 12)
| I have never charged any of my family for sewing or embroidery. I even send a lot out of state & pay the shipping. They don't ask for much & do offer to pay but I'm just happy to do things for them that they can't. They don't take advantage of me. I've also done things for some people that don't have much & it's a good feeling to help someone in need that wouldn't have it otherwise. |
User: beach girl
Member since: 11-08-2003 Total posts: 72
|
From: paroper
Date: 04-12-2004, 09:26 AM (3 of 12)
|
I did not give discounts to my family. There are several reasons. My prices were reasonable. When I sewed for my family it did not take less of my time that sewing for anyone else. If I gave a discount, I was working for less money during business hours...leaving me less money per hour and you can get a lot of family business. Once you discount, it is difficult not to do it again. That means that it will be expected of you. Also, how do you decide who gets the discount without making others in the extended family mad? In the beginning, you may have more family clients than anyone else. I always priced my products without apology or explanation, it was always a take it or leave it proposition. If someone didn't like my price (I can't remember that happening), they could walk without me being insulted. There was always more than enough business. It is a very good idea to take pictures of all of your projects, front and back with close ups of any special areas of the garment. I used to put mine on the dress form in a pretty lighting spot in the house to take the pictures. (They look better on a dress form than on a hanger.) If I did a wedding with lots of dresses, I would hang the others in the background when I took the picture. Keep the pictures accessible in a scrap book for anyone to look at. Also, keep a few pretty things that you have done (even if you have to make them up special) hanging around the sewing room. People like to see the quality of your work. If you should get any notes from your customers, add them with your project pictures in your scrap book. Invest in a commercial label with your name and town on it (good advertising...gets more customers) and always send your dresses home in plastic bags (you can order those by the roll from Atlanta Thread). I kept a roll of short plastic bags and dress length plastic bags on hand, but would buy a couple dozen formal bags from the local dry cleaners as I needed them(keep any loose bags rolled on cardboard. They don't look very impressive if they are wrinkled. Not only do you want your garment to look high quality, you want to protect it on the way home. If it gets dirty or damaged in transport, you will be blamed. 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: paroper
Date: 04-12-2004, 09:31 AM (4 of 12)
|
Also, invest in a sharp business card, whether you print it or have it done professionally. Keep them out with your scrapbook in a holder. Give one or two to anyone that asks your prices. Take them to the local laundry mat, dry cleaners, and all the local fabric shops. Keep them in your purse because not only will you need to pass them out to strangers, often you will find public notice boards in strange places like grocery stores or restaurants where you can post them. It is also really cool if you need to give your address or phone number to someone (personally); they will always comment on your business...often calling later for sewing projects.
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: Linda in Colorado
Date: 04-12-2004, 11:00 AM (5 of 12)
|
The only people I give discounts to are my mother, my children, my son in law and daughter in law and my grandkids. Period. Everyone else pays my regular prices. This is, after all, my means of making a living. |
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000 Total posts: 102 |
From: simplykimm
Date: 04-12-2004, 08:51 PM (6 of 12)
|
Thanks alot for the info and advice. I've been passing out my cards, but I haven't gotten any orders yet. What do you guys do when things are slow?
from to the one who shines.......
|
User: simplykimm
Member since: 07-17-2003 Total posts: 13
|
From: paroper
Date: 04-12-2004, 10:02 PM (7 of 12)
|
I enjoyed the lull...they didn't come often, although in the beginning it was slow. I had quit a lengthy employment hoping to have time with my small children. A lot of my sewing was done at night when the kids were asleep (bad idea) but it gave me time with my children. I would often have a wedding a week with up to seven dresses a wedding sometimes more weddings a week, sometimes more dresses per wedding. If you end up with bridesmaids, mothers of the wedding party, flower girls, candle lighters, etc, it can be very large. I sent letters to the band directors, choir directors, cheer leader, pom squad advisors, and drama teachers in the local high schools in the spring and fall along with a tear off sheet with my name and phone number and a few cards. To fill in the gaps, I posted tear off strips at the local laundrymats. I mostly got hem jobs and minor repairs from there. I would only charge five dollars to hem a pair of jeans because it was quick and easy work...I got a lot of repeats on those jobs, but often it lead to bigger jobs later...and lots of referrals. I figured it was like paying five dollars for an ad with personal references.
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: MartySews
Date: 04-14-2004, 02:10 AM (8 of 12)
|
You may want to leave a flyer at some of the private schools in your area. Prom season is coming up as well as kindergarten, 6th & 8th grade graduations. Many of the parochial schools have certain dress requirements that cannot be found in retail stores. You also may want to let some of the older members of churches, nursing homes, etc in your area know that you have started a sewing business. Some may have sewn in the past but with arthritis, failing eyesight, and general aging, they are no longer able to sew for themselves. Also, Hancock Fabrics will let you post a business card. They have a section (at least in the stores in my community area) by the pattern catalogs for this specific purpose. That's how I got my first referrals when I had my sewing business. Now I just sew for 2 good friends and family plus community service projects. Happy Stitching! Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
|
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
|
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-14-2004, 04:41 PM (9 of 12)
|
I have been asked by a young lady in my church if I will do some alterations for her. She has gone from a size 14 to a size 8 and would like to have some of her clothes altered to fit as she usually pays high prices for her clothing from Dillards, Foley's, etc. She has asked me what I charge to do alterations but I have no idea at this point what to tell her. I'm not really fond of doing alterations in the first place. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MartySews
Date: 04-14-2004, 06:42 PM (10 of 12)
|
In my opinion, alterations are worse than making something brand new because your fabric is limited and one can only adjust so much for figure differences. That being said, going from a size 14 to a size 8 is almost a complete remake of the outfit. It would have to be something that I really wanted to do before taking apart the outfits. Each outfit would have to have every seam ripped, fitted all over again and then sewn as new. You will be cutting it down 3 sizes if the measurements are correct. I would charge the same as a new outfit if I agreed to do the job. However, I would decline and suggest that she re-invest in a new wardrobe. If she should gain weight and want you to restore the outfit to its original size, we both know that's not happening. This is one of those "she ruined my clothes" scenarios and I avoid them at all costs. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
|
User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
|
From: paroper
Date: 04-15-2004, 08:51 AM (11 of 12)
|
I agree with Marty! I know that she wants to keep her favorite clothes, but it is nearly impossible to alter anything that much! Pockets will never be right, necklines, the works! I hate to do alterations anyway! They take sooooo long and the client usually really doesn't want to pay much, or they'd buy new. If she hurries, this time of year she'll have a blast with the sales! Tell her to forget it and enjoy her new wardrobe!
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: MaryW
Date: 04-16-2004, 07:06 AM (12 of 12)
|
I agree. What are some of those clothes going to look like after you have reduced them by 3 sizes. It's just not practical.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-12586.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft