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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: bridesmom
Date: 04-21-2007, 01:25 AM (1 of 13)
My almost daughter in law phoned and left me a message today telling me about a woman who is opening up a store and wants people to sell their clothing items for kids in it. And my sweet almost DIL thought of me. I am TORN apart. I would love to do this, but honestly, with working full time I can barely find time to sew the things I want for myself, and I know that right now there's no way I can afford to go part time. This is something that my daughter and I have talked about doing. Every once in a while it comes up again and again and I wonder if I could make it work. I work in a unionized hospital, so the salary and benefits are super, and giving that up would be really hard. Yet I know that making money isn't the most important thing in the world, and I do like my job (except for the last few months) and I got my new machine and it would help pay for it, oh, I'm rambling on and on, but I'm just so torn. And the last thing is I have a whole week off now and my husbands best friend is here visiting and I thought he was going home tomorrow and it turns out he is here for another week and I'm not happy because I have been planning for weeks about how I was going to garden for an hour or two in the morning, then go sew for the rest of the day. I must sound very whiny but darn it I was looking forward to this week off. (Sorry I rambled on so long)
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-21-2007, 05:22 AM (2 of 13)
Laura let me see if I've got this straight.

You have a job which you like most of the time and with good benefits. Has she ever run a business before? Is it a viable business? Locality, demographics, product? How do all of the risks weigh up against what you've got? If it all goes pear shaped can you get your old job (or a similar one) back? What is the worst case scenario? If you can live with that then go for it.

For the other issue - why not "be called back into work" for the week. You can always try having your vacation again when your guest has gone home.
Pauline
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006
Total posts: 901
From: Patty22
Date: 04-21-2007, 08:37 AM (3 of 13)
Laura...

If you are in a union and your job provides great benefits this is something you won't be getting with sewing. While doing what you love sounds glamourous and awakens a deep urge to break free from your current job...hold tight to the job you have.

Have you sold your items before? What is the turnover time? What are your hourly earnings compared to your current job?

If you are really considering this though....why not test the waters before you take the plunge by taking a few items to the shop and just seeing if they're hot sellers.

I just don't want you to throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Patty
User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006
Total posts: 1194
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-21-2007, 10:21 AM (4 of 13)
I'd say stick with the job you know and love.
I don't think you will make much money sewing for a new business and you will certainly miss the benefits.
Wait and see if the store does last a while or you may end up with no job at all.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: dmoses
Date: 04-21-2007, 11:14 AM (5 of 13)
Laura,

Is there any way that you can make things at your leisure, and sell them on consignment through this person's store. That way, there is no real pressure, and you can still enjoy the pleasure of sewing while keeping the security of your job.
Take care,
Donna
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002
Total posts: 964
From: Sancin
Date: 04-21-2007, 04:57 PM (6 of 13)
Laura, can you take a leave of absence from your job for an extended period to try out sewing?

Or some benefit companies allow you to purchase the benefit package when you move on - ie. continue but pay the monthly payments yourself.
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005
Total posts: 895
From: vickki
Date: 04-21-2007, 05:58 PM (7 of 13)
I agree with the girls,stay with the job you have that way when you walk out the door you leave your work where it belongs...If you take this job your job is always with you....Just my 2cents....
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005
Total posts: 374
From: lendube
Date: 04-21-2007, 06:55 PM (8 of 13)
Another vote for hanging in there and seeing which way the wind blows. :up:

Don't want to burn bridges......

Lennie
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006
Total posts: 1548
From: bridesmom
Date: 04-21-2007, 09:00 PM (9 of 13)
See, all I needed was some constructive unbiased comments to make me think this through better. DH and I talked about it today too and he thinks I should find out more information, then if I want to create things and sell them, to go for it, and keep working. If it works out and I want to continue or break off onto my own, or whatever, then I can go casual, work at the hospital when I want, and sew when I want. So, I feel so much better. And the 'company' well, I can't change my holidays unfortunately, but I think it'll turn out fine. I think I was kind of funked out yesterday after rereading my post. Thanks gals for the loving slap up the side of the head - I needed that!!!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: Bama
Date: 04-21-2007, 09:07 PM (10 of 13)
Good luck with whatever you do. :up:
I learned a long time ago that I can't entertain house guests the whole time they are visiting. Especially when I'm supposed to be on vacation too. Take some time to do what you want to do while your DH's friend is visiting.
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000
Total posts: 2116
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-22-2007, 02:33 AM (11 of 13)
Laura can I just clarify something. Are you planning to potentially go and work at this shop as a sales assistant or are you going to sew clothes for them to sell.

When I read your post I thought you planned to sew and wrote a massively long reply (mainly cautious stuff) and then I went back and reread your post and thought it was more about just working there. So I deleted most of it and started again.

Which was the plan you were considering?
Pauline
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006
Total posts: 901
From: bridesmom
Date: 04-24-2007, 12:03 PM (12 of 13)
Well, the deal is, this couple has a little store in towards Vancouver that sells educational toys, and she is now branching out into children's clothing. What she wants is people to sew their 'own line' of clothing and sell it at her store. She wants an idea of what you are bringing in to sell as she doesn't want 10 items of the same thing. My almost daughter in law is going to do some baby things for her. i haven't talked to the couple yet, but I think I may do that in a week or so, I want to get this basket of stuff that has to go out to my daughter before the baby comes, then I will have some time to think about what I can do, or if I want to. I don't know who sets the price or anything or what % she would take for selling in her store, but these are they types of questions I will have to get answered.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004
Total posts: 2026
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-30-2007, 08:14 AM (13 of 13)
Any news or decisions on this Laura?
Pauline
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006
Total posts: 901
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