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: weB2cats
Date: 03-07-2003, 10:42 PM (1 of 8)
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You know the expression, "We careful what you wish for"? How do I handle a growing demand for my apparel? I am the only one doing the manufacturing and there is currently limited stock on hand. I am gearing up for an online mall to promote my line but fear I won't be able to keep up with demand. Are there jobbers for small manufacturers? I love the sewing end of this process the most but realistically, I don't think I can replace a working crew. Any advice? |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-14-2003, 05:39 AM (2 of 8)
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Why not hire one person to help you? Post that you need experienced sewing help and interview only those who you think are serious about their sewing. Ask to see some of their sewing to find out if they are qualified. Take baby steps, it is your business to take care these important issues. You can post a hiring post on the Fabrics/Machines For Sale board until I get a better forum set up. Just a suggestion. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Linda in Colorado
Date: 03-14-2003, 12:49 PM (3 of 8)
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Mary is right! Hire someone to help you. Try to get someone within your region, if possible. And hold off a bit on that website. Let your business grow and hire one or more people to helpyou lsew -- THEN work on the website. Take your business in small, easy steps, and soon you will have a large company! Please keep us posted on how this works out for you. |
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000 Total posts: 102 |
From: stitchmd
Date: 03-15-2003, 09:44 AM (4 of 8)
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I live on the other side of the country, but would be interested in working for you. It might be a problem to send samples back and forth to get started, but once we worked that out I could just as easily ship directly to your customers as you could. I have a relative who sells a line of clothing sewn by people working at home for him and it seems to work out very well. I'd work for him except he's in Scotland and the shipping would really get rediculous. Write me at <email address removed for privacy> Judy |
User: stitchmd
Member since: 02-25-2003 Total posts: 226 |
From: weB2cats
Date: 03-16-2003, 06:55 PM (5 of 8)
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Judy, thank you for your suggestion and offer. The pattern designing step in this process has taken some time, as I have had no pattern-making experience. Fortunately, my serger has tripled product output and I can construct the basic dres, including the hem, in about one hour. In one weekend I can produce up to 6 dresses. Contracting work out of this area is not something I've considered yet. As business grows, I'm sure my concerns will change and then I'll be able to get a better feel for this end of the business. I have learned so much about running an apparel manufacturing business in the past few months. I love it!
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User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: weB2cats
Date: 06-19-2003, 08:34 PM (6 of 8)
| My ultimate goal is to somehow bring stay-at-home moms into the construction end of the business. But that would bring on other paperwork and day care considerations. Would the work be done at my home or theirs, or in a building with a day care center possibly. Definitely, I am not yet prepared all these new scenarios. So, I just keep on sewing. |
User: weB2cats
Member since: 11-07-2002 Total posts: 232 |
From: wazoodle
Date: 06-21-2003, 01:25 AM (7 of 8)
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When you business is growing, there is a lot of stress to deal with. Customers, facilities, suppliers employees... I've been through a bit of a growth spurt in the last year and the best advice I can offer is this: 1) Invest wisely. If you are going to buy bigger, faster equipment, make sure it will increase your productivity and be sure you have the time to keep it working for you. 2) Try to grow with variable overheads. For instance, if you need space rent it month to month. If you need staff, try to contract them rather than hire them. Its a real killer to have a bad month (sick, no orders) and have to cover fixed overheads like building rents and equipment leases. Once you establish a regular cash flow, you can look at reducing expenses by converting more of them to fixed. 3) Set customer expectations carefully. It's alway better to offer realistic delivery dates rather than deal with frustrated customers and cancelled orders. 4) Have a plan. This makes you think through getting to your goals and maps some of your future decisions. Ask yourself lots of what if's? What do I do if I get too busy? Nothing -- raise prices to slow demand -- or turn away business? Thinking through these scenarios ahead of time will help you deal with growin pains in a timely manner -- not after they stress you out! LeeAnne
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User: wazoodle
Member since: 10-17-2002 Total posts: 29 |
From: MaryW
Date: 06-22-2003, 03:19 PM (8 of 8)
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I agree, fixed costs should be kept to a minimum. Also, don't ever promise something you are not sure you can deliver. If there is even the tiniest chance that something might go wrong, it will! Have a goal, that will keep you focused and keep going back to that goal. There is a short time goal and a long time goal. These change frequently. You have to stay on top of everything. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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