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: LoveSewin
Date: 02-07-2006, 09:43 PM (1 of 17)
|
I have only one poster hung so far since I am just starting to get this alterations thing going. I checked on it the other day, and about 5 of my numbers had been torn off already - but I hadn't received any calls yet. Well last night I got my first call! She inquired about my price for hemming jeans (I quoted $10), and she asked about repairing a jacket zipper. I advised her I would have to see the jacket first to give a quote. She advised she had to call me back regarding the jacket since it wasn't hers. She did call back right away, but wanted to wait a couple days on the jacket. I got the impression that she may have thought $10 was too high for the hemming. She did say she was going to keep my number though. I am not going to be discouraged by this. I have actually been running a print and copy centre for the past 12 years and have learned that people will pay for quality - not all, but the ones that will are your best customers. I am going to go hang a few more posters tomorrow and see if I get more of a response. I based my price on quotes I got from the closest city which is an hour away. I live in a small town, but it is filled with wealthy people (pretty much a resort town), so I don't want to underprice myself. Sorry, but there is no point or question to this post - just wanted to see if you all agreed with my pricing and philosophy. Kim Kim
|
User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103 
|
From: Becka
Date: 02-08-2006, 07:15 AM (2 of 17)
|
I have a suggestion. My daughter did (does sometimes still) alterations in our small town in KY. She charges by the hour; her fee is $10 per hour (it is worth more). She uses a stopwatch that she starts whenever she is working on a project. If she has to stop in the middle of it; she keeps an index card with the customers name on it and logs the time worked on the card. Then when she has finished the project, she has a record of the time worked and can show her customer if need be. It has worked out well for her maybe it will for you.. I admire those of who do alterations; I would rather make something new than remake Have a great day |
User: Becka
Member since: 02-06-2006 Total posts: 20 
|
From: purselady
Date: 02-08-2006, 08:55 AM (3 of 17)
| I do have a question, are you charging the same as the local city or a tad less? And do the places that you call have a huge overhead (like their own store?)? |
User: purselady
Member since: 02-03-2006 Total posts: 19 |
From: LoveSewin
Date: 02-08-2006, 03:01 PM (4 of 17)
|
I called multiple places in the city - all which I think have a store. Although I am not sure since I didn't physically go into them. I have been doing hemming for a friend for a couple years and she suggested the $10. She has no problem paying it and says it is usually more in the city. I would say I am charging a tad less than the city. I hung a couple more posters today so I'll see what kind of response I get and then maybe reconsider the price. Kim
|
User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
|
From: mozeyrn
Date: 02-08-2006, 04:39 PM (5 of 17)
|
About 4 years ago the local dry cleaners quoted me $10 each for a pair of pants to be hemmed (I had 2 pairs - I did them myself instead). So, I think for today, $10 is decent - especially if it's done to look professional. Mine didn't have that professional look but they were casual pants anyway. Just my 2 cents..... - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: sewjem
Date: 03-20-2006, 07:56 PM (6 of 17)
|
Hi I wouldn't think $10 would be too much considering the economic boom going on in Alberta. Here on PEI where the economy is pretty poor, I was thinking of charging around $8. I have to charge no less than $15 an hour. Hope all the young men get there jeans hemmed here before they go West. Janet |
User: sewjem
Member since: 03-10-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: Carol in ME
Date: 03-21-2006, 11:25 AM (7 of 17)
|
She uses a stopwatch that she starts whenever she is working on a project. If she has to stop in the middle of it; she keeps an index card with the customers name on it and logs the time worked on the card. I found a kitchen timer that can be set to count up. (Oster brand) So I can push the button to start and stop, and hit the "clear" button when the project is through. The handy chart above converts minutes into % of an hour, for projects where I charge by the hour. Not only does this record keeping help to justify the price to the customer, it's useful to you, too, when someone asks for an estimate. |
User: Carol in ME
Member since: 01-27-2003 Total posts: 105 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-21-2006, 01:15 PM (8 of 17)
|
Timers and index cards are the answer. Otherwise, you can easily forget a few minutes here and there. Next thing you know, you have done the job for next to nothing.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: LoveSewin
Date: 03-21-2006, 10:56 PM (9 of 17)
|
Thank you for all your responses. I stuck to my price and have since gained some business. I've already had 2 repeat customers! So I am glad I didn't lower my prices. And to be honest I have only posted my poster in one location. If I wanted to be busier I don't think it would be too hard, but for now it's all good!
Kim
|
User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
|
From: paroper
Date: 03-22-2006, 07:03 AM (10 of 17)
|
I used to hem jeans for $5.00 but the reason is because I am a seamstress, not an alterations lady. Often I would just hem the jeans while the people were there because I could get them done so quickly. That way, if I had 50 dresses waiting, I didn't have a pair of jeans in the way. I always considered my jeans just a promotional item....a way to get my name out in the community, tell people where I lived, and get further business. I got a lot of additional sewing business out of my jeans. I also had a lot of repeat customers. I didn't mind because I could do them so fast and it was quick, easy money. However, if I had an alterations business, I wouldn't do that...unless you wanted to say something like "I have a special introductory price of $X for up to X number of jeans." or you might say for the first X customers or for a limited time. Again, it might be a nice way to get your name out there. 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: SandyGirl
Date: 03-22-2006, 10:34 AM (11 of 17)
|
Not to be rude, but hemming "alters" the length of the jeans, so why do you differentiate the "seamstress" and "alterations" tags? I think of seamstress as total construction of a garment: start to finish. Alterations makes adjustments to the existing garment...hemming for instance. I found it interesting that you seem leery of the alterations tag. Again, just curious, please set me straight... Sandy |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-22-2006, 11:17 AM (12 of 17)
|
Who? Me? That is why I differentiate. There are people who specifically specialize in alterations. I hate alterations and only did "light" alterations work, hemming, taking up waists, etc. I much prefer to construct an entire garment. I never advertised for alterations and I only took those that I wanted to do. When I started out, I was told by many who were in the "game" to specialize. In fact, that is really the way to go. If you want to construct just eveningwear or bridal garments, costuming, magician/clown clothing (which is where I almost went), square dance, home dec, alterations, tailoring whatever. I did a little of every thing and I never did specialize. Most of my work ended up being cheer and pom squads, choirs, wedding parties, square dancers with some alterations and home dec. The reason I did not specialize was my location. I was way out in the country and just to get customers attention was a work of art. Therefore, I often took whatever came my way. I usually ended up doing one or two wedding parties (not brides dresses) per week depending on the size of the wedding, and a few misc alterations. However, alterations were not my area of expertise (and certainly not my first love). Many alterations people hate to construct entire garments or tailor as much as I hate to alter. Personally, outside of a little hemming, I'd rather donate my garments than alter them.
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: Helen Weiss
Date: 03-22-2006, 11:07 PM (13 of 17)
|
I think you have to consider that most pople want the alterationist to fit the pants prior to hemming. That takes extra time, therefore I have no qualms about charging $10.00 per pair. One must also take into account the price of thread, whether it be regular sewing thread or specialty jeans threads, none of it is cheap any more. You must also carry thread in quantity, so that you have a variety of colours on hand - there is a cost to carrying inventory.
sewhappy
|
User: Helen Weiss
Member since: 10-16-2003 Total posts: 69 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-23-2006, 03:10 AM (14 of 17)
|
I think that is true of slacks but my experience with jeans is that people usually know the inseam amount so it has always just been a matter of measure, remove or cut of hem and do it. Slacks are a much different story. Men know the inseam, ladies don't. Of course, skirts require fitting too unless they are square dance skirts, then the person knoss the length because those are purchased by standard lengths.
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: 03-23-2006, 03:14 AM (15 of 17)
|
I don't think that $10.00 is unreasonable. You have to consider the market. Most of the people who don't call right back will eventually call again. They may just be shopping for prices or waiting for pay day. Besides, if one customer won't pay your price, the next one will. I think your price is reasonable. Sometimes people think that if you are too cheap you must not be any good while others really don't want to pay for anything anyway. Getting your business off the ground is rather a toe-tapping experience, no matter what the business is. 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: Sewspecial
Date: 03-24-2006, 02:32 PM (16 of 17)
|
$10. for a hem is not unreasonable. With many thanks to all in this arena who have helped me. Last year I asked for help with alteration pricing, I was under charging everything, and when all was said and done I never managed to end up with a paycheck at the end of the week. If you consider 1. there are 2-3 generations of people who dont sew, and 2. if they could do it themselves they would, then you should have no problem asking for 10.00 a hem. I have since last year opened a small shop. Actually, I've combined two of my favorite things, Sewing and Antiques. The front of the shop is dedicated to antiques, and antique consignments. I use my skills to make drapes and home deco pieces that will accent the antiques and I sew custom window treatments and do alterations from the back rooms. To my surprise it's going quite well. Also, There is a drycleaner right next door that does offer alterations.....I've picked up 20 new alteration customers since December 15th....not too shaby considering the competition. To get back to my point.....I have the antiques...(ebay if needed) as a back up, thus allowing me to stick to my pricing for my sewing. The way I feel about it, anyone who has been sewing for close to 42years.(since Im 5) has enough experience to assure a customer that doing a job well, is worth paying for.Never sell yourself short! |
User: Sewspecial
Member since: 09-24-2004 Total posts: 30 |
From: Marti
Date: 03-31-2006, 07:37 AM (17 of 17)
|
Dont under sell yourself, Paroper is right, if they dont want to pay the $10. then they dont really need your service. (not what paroper said, but still..lol) I only sew for myself and grand-children. Just started that recently and love it...I have taken pants to be hemmed, and belive me..it was worth the money to have it done by someone who knew what they were doing. I have taken pants to a dry cleaner's once before. I was so mad when I left, I was charged then $8. and the hem looked as if my 4yr grand-daughter had done it....so I was very glad to find someone that knew what they were doing after that...and yes, at that time, I was charged $10...and glady paid it....Good luck and never under sell yourself !!!! Marti
Marti Eldridge
|
User: Marti
Member since: 02-21-2006 Total posts: 31 
|
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-18139.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft