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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: MaryW
Date: 06-30-2005, 10:40 AM (1 of 10)
This lady contacted me regarding pricing. Please post here if you can help.

Can you help me. I am just getting started back in the sewing for profit business from home. I need to know pricing for several items. I live in the Midwest. Thank you.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: shelly53
Date: 08-09-2005, 02:25 PM (2 of 10)
I Live In The Midwest And Have A Pricelist That I Wil Send You For An Example If You Give Me Your Snail-mail Address.
User: shelly53
Member since: 08-09-2005
Total posts: 7
From: christie-in-KC
Date: 10-07-2005, 12:05 PM (3 of 10)
I have recently moved to the midwest and have aquired an account. However, I have no idea what to charge. I moved from south Florida. I know what I would charge there. I am wondering where to start. It seems that the prices should be less considering overhead ect. Could I compare or get a ball park idea of what others are charging? In this business, I feel it is important not to undermind others, if working from home or a work room situation. I think sticking together keeps the trade lucrative for all us.
User: christie-in-KC
Member since: 10-07-2005
Total posts: 1
From: Linda in Colorado
Date: 10-07-2005, 12:54 PM (4 of 10)
One thing you might do (and I know this sounds sneaky) is to call several local seamstresses and ask them for a ball park figure on what they would charge for a certain service.

I know this works because one of our local seamstresses used to do that. She would call me every so often before she fessed up and said she was in the business, too. She has turned out to be a cherished friend, and we are two of the founding members of our local sewing association, so it isn't all underhanded.

Of course you could do this above board and tell whoever you are calling why you need this information. You also need to keep in mind that another seamstress may be more experienced or less experienced than you are at the moment. You need to take that into consideration when setting your own prices -- the more experienced you are, the more you can charge.
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000
Total posts: 102
From: janetwolter
Date: 10-18-2005, 07:41 PM (5 of 10)
I'm doing machine embroidery at home and trying to get a small business together, but have trouble with figuring out pricing. I live in South Florida, and will be targeting 3 markets (I think!). One is the catering, party planners, wedding trade as an outlet for the free standing lace items that I make. Another is book stores and such for embroidered bookmarks. The third is the pet market with pet bandanas, etc.

I really could use some guidance.

Thanks, Janet
User: janetwolter
Member since: 10-13-2005
Total posts: 8
From: Sewspecial
Date: 10-19-2005, 06:21 AM (6 of 10)
As most of you know I am pretty new at this Embroidery stuff....I've been doing a lot of research....I don't know if this is any good or will help, but I have been seeing software designed for Quoting embroider....like this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Best-Invoice-Quote-Software-For-Embroidery_W0QQitemZ8227146978QQcategoryZ41383QQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem

Maybe someone has tried it and they can review.

Marie
SewSpecialCo
User: Sewspecial
Member since: 09-24-2004
Total posts: 30
From: Linda in Colorado
Date: 10-19-2005, 11:05 AM (7 of 10)
Janet and all,

In my area people doing embroidery on a commercial machine charge $1.00 per 1000 stitches.

Hope that information helps!
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000
Total posts: 102
From: threadingerin47
Date: 01-11-2006, 07:23 PM (8 of 10)
what a great way to provide a quote, per stitches! I was trying to price lace embroidered ornaments and had no idea how to price them!! Thank you.
Erin from NH who says GODoodlesNQuilt!!!
User: threadingerin47
Member since: 12-18-2005
Total posts: 10
From: beachgirl
Date: 01-12-2006, 02:38 PM (9 of 10)
I phoned a commercial embroidery place last year for my sil in another state. She wanted a 9 letter word embroidered on a sheer ribbon. I didn't think I had time to do it for her. They said it would cost $20.00 & I bring in the ribbon of course.WOW. I did the embroidery for her,stuck it in a regular envelope & charged her nothing. That's over $2.00 a letter. I wouldn't dream of chargeing those rates. I know they have the big comerical machines & overhead but that's still too much I think. Just how I feel.
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004
Total posts: 615
From: kameline
Date: 03-14-2006, 03:59 PM (10 of 10)
I have recently moved to the midwest and have aquired an account. However, I have no idea what to charge. I moved from south Florida. I know what I would charge there. I am wondering where to start. It seems that the prices should be less considering overhead ect. Could I compare or get a ball park idea of what others are charging? In this business, I feel it is important not to undermind others, if working from home or a work room situation. I think sticking together keeps the trade lucrative for all us.


I live in Michigan and have been doing alterations for 1 year now... although I have been sewing for ten years. I have found that pricing per hour is easiest because of all the possible things that you could run into while working on something that may seen simple. It allows for "take-apart" time, especially on delicate fabrics.
Last summer I was able to do some work for a dress shop, where I was charging $15 per hour for work done on my sewing machine, and $18 per hour for work done with my serger, since it was brand new. Now that I am no longer working for the dress shop, my prices have gone down a little, but I am slowly bringing them back up as I gain experience.
It really depends on who you are doing work for... when people are buying new clothing from a dress shop, they don't blink at $18-20 per hour. One thing I have learned is to convince yourself that your time is worth the money you are charging... if you don't believe it, no one else will.
hope this helps!
Do all to the glory of God!
User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006
Total posts: 41
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