Does anyone here make a living (or just supplemental income) from sewing? If so, what do you make? Thanks.

I don't, but my sister-in-law has for years. She does alterations, some for a dry cleaner, and some privately.

I did alterations for awhile and made a couple of bridesmaids dre should have just given it all back to her and said no. but I learned my lesson I stayed up some nights until 4:30 am and then didn't get a cent from her..never again. I had made 6 brdesmaids and a flower girl dresses a few years ago and had to send muslim patterns all over the USA, but the dresses came out beautiful, because we had the right amt of fabrics. and the fabrics were velvet and satin and still came out beautiful. Wish I could make a living at sewing...sses. One didn't pay me, the alterations weren't too bad, but trying to get a really short fat bridesmaid into the pattern that was one someone had given the bride and purchased the fabric for and there was no way....I had to add insert side seams, it was terrible, I

My friend's older sister does alterations and custom sewing of wedding and prom dresses. She also is a part time school bus monitor (apparently that means make sure everybody behaves on the bus so the driver can pay attention to driving).

Fat seems to be a pretty harsh word. . . .

I only make wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses IF it is family and / or that is going to be their gift!!!

I do alterations, window treatments, make toss pillows, dust ruffle, even recovered huge patio chair cushions a few times. I've been doing it for 15+ years in Mass and FL. I've been a domestic goddess since my 1 st baby, so it gives me some spending $$$. I first started working for a small local cleaners in MA , then did it on my own and I also made dresses, petticoats, etc. for a lady who had a small business making American girl doll clothes and matching little girl clothes. I also made all the baptism robe/bibs for our church (for free). I have'nt gotten rich on any of it though, LOL

Well I long arm quilt as my full-time job now. I would say it is supplemental income. My DH supports our family ...I use this to buy the "extras".....I have 6 children...so I have no idea what a full-time or supplemental income would be... We all have different expenses??

Do you still sew American Girl Clothes?

I used to do about 30 days worth of craft shows a year. This was about 20 - 25 years ago (before hubby & kids), and while I still worked a full-time day job. I would guess that I was able to earn about half as much from the sewing as I did at my day job.

Downside: I was REALLY TIRED. During the busy pre-Christmas season, I'd work all day, then sew till 2 am, drink a full cup of coffee, then lie down and immediately fall asleep. My alarm clock was set for 5 am and some of the caffeine was still in my system, so I could get 2 1/2 hours of sewing in before leaving for work.

I don't think that craft shows are as good now as they were then. "Country clutter" was still in vogue, and there weren't as many Chinese imports as there are today. Meaning that I don't think I could be as profitable now as I was then.

At the time, I made braided wreaths, little stuffed animals, Christmas ornaments, baby bonnets, table linens, and appliance covers. I still make the last two items, but now I sell them online instead of at craft shows.

I could never make a living sewing because the spirit hits me at such odd times :) I have no discipline ;)

Nope, I couldn't sew, knit, crochet, etc. for money. Too much time and money goes into creating and not enough profit. Besides, I have too many family members to make for. And, if I did it for money it wouldn't be fun anymore.

DITTO!!! That quilting mojo sure is a flibberty-gibbet!

I haven't made a living from it, but I have used my sewing skills for bartering before. One time traded LR and DR curtains w/ an electrician in exchange for some wiring work. Another time made a king-sized quilt for a painter who did all of my first floor and the 4 bedrooms on the second floor. I have also made curtains for money. Quilts, too. But never enough to make a living out of it. i think it would take the fun out of it for me.

have for 30+ years-
mending-
alterations-
clothing-
totes/purses-
home dec items-
and of course
quilts...
sometimes i get so tired of replacing zippers- hemming pants---thank goodness i have quilting/creating as an escape.
i actually do not (encourage) the mending/alterations work---charge what i consider a ridiculous price (that i would never pay) but gosh darn it- people are still willing to pay---and still bring me those pants with broken zippers-
or clothes that need some alterations...oh well- i might not make a living at it- but it supports my (quilting addiction) :)

I do some and am hoping to make it full time soon.

I used to sew tents

DH suggested this to me years ago but I told him "sewing is my pleasure I don't want it to be a job". My answer would be the same today. Not to say I haven't done sewing and been paid for it. I was commissioned to do a quilt several years ago and was paid $300.00. I was told to charge at least $500.00 but as it was a friend of DH I couldn't charge that much.
At the moment I'm making 8 Bowtucks Bags that I will be paid for. I'm not making any money though by the time I count fabric, threads and my time.
I get far more pleasure from the charity quilts etc. I make. Made 10 pair of shorts in a day last week that gave me pleasure to make as they were for Project & Care.

The only way I would do it is to make quilts, have a good selection, then sell them. A friend of my mother's did that years ago, I have 3 of her quilts. She was 91 when she quit.

Before I became too stressed out to work I was making good money doing home dec sewing for an interior designer. I did window treatments, bed skirts, pillow shams, tablecloths, etc. I averaged between $15 - $20 an hour.

I do simple alterations such as hems, zippers, mend and take of some seams. I also do crafts, aprons, tote bags, crochet and some home decor. Nothing to complicated. Here are some pictures.

Would you rather she had said morbidly obese. I am a BIG woman and I would rather be called fat. Just my opinion.

You look to young to have 6 children!!!

Same with me.

I sew to help supplement my early retirement. I have made everything from doll clothes to wedding dresses to Nomex racing suits, but it is getting harder to make a profit. Craft shows are fun, but so much work and I think the thing that has hurt sewing for a living the most in my opinion is imports. Even making beautiful quilts for sale there are so many imports being sold for a minor amount of money the profit margin is really effecting the home crafter. Currently I am making quilts from tee shirts collected by my customers... Untill you get customers who can't pay after you have put in 100's of hours. Like many of the others have said the joy of sewing for friends and family keeps me stitching. I love the crocheted Teddy Bear, Sewfine, it is very cute.
and... Fat is relative, when I talk of myself I say fat, when I talk of others I say fluffy... ;-)

I made dolls that resembled the Cabbage type,made stuffed puppies-never tried alterations-have no patience for that. Made halloween costumes also. Not a lot of money.So I kept my day job(RN) Ha Ha

My daughter does. She is a stay at home mom and didn't want to go back to work after her little girl was born, so she started making diaper bags and went to a lot of shows. I helped her get an embroidery machine and she has been embroidering all kinds of designs of t-shirts, sleepers, onesies. She has made a couple of brides maids dresses, curtains and blinds. It's a lot of work and she is very busy but she loves it. And she can be there for her children. It takes a while to get started. She started out going to a lot of shows to get her name around, And Facebook was a big help. She posts her items on Facebook and still goes to shows. She is always trying to think of new things to make to keep people interested. All you can do is try and hope for the best. Good luck!

I believe that's the cutest plastic bag holder I have ever seen! I want one!!! LOL!

Donna

When people ask me to make something for them, I figure out the cost of the materials including the thread, interfacing, notions and how long it takes me to make it. Whatever the cost adds up to, they have to put down a deposit (half of the cost, no checks). Deposits are none refundable. I don't do clothes for others; just myself, children and grands. I have a fun and part time job.

Since I first started quilting about a year ago, I've spent Lord only knows how much money on a sewing machine, all the notions I have, a tool box to keep them in, fabric, thread, batting, etc., etc., etc. But everything I've made so far has been for gifts. The only money I've made off of it was the whopping $2.00 check I got for winning 3rd place in the county fair. LOL! I agree with some of the others.....it would take a lot of the fun out of it if it was a job rather than something I do for fun and stress relief. :c)

Donna

[quote=katesnanna]DH suggested this to me years ago but I told him "sewing is my pleasure I don't want it to be a job". quote]

I would never make the same $$$ as I do at my day job. I love making and quilting as a hobby and I think if I did it for a living I wouldn't enjoy it as much. I think it may take the fun out of it. I have done quilts for $ but that was for people I don't know. Generally if it's someone I know or for charity my quilts are priceless as my DH says. I'm fortunate to do that.

Not that I'm good enough to even try with sewing and quilting, but I made that mistake once with photography. It was a hobby I loved and I ruined it for myself by trying to make money at it. Never again!

I like all of your beautifully crafted works......especially the patriotic bear :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

It is a simplicity pattern, found under the craft section.

Thanks!

I don't any more but did for a number of years to supplement my income. I sewed for a little shop in a tourist town and made children's kilts. Darling, easy and boring, but the money was a blessing.

Later, I made canvas covers for futons for a local store. I made crib, twin, double and even some kings. Not hard but hard on my machine. Each had zippers on three sides but that got to be an easy-pesy thing todo. Can you imagine how long a zipper is on three sides of a king? Good money. Paid for my kids athletic shoes, marching band trips and music lessons for a good number of years.

My advice is work for a store or business. I tried the craft show circuit and did not make enough to account for my time and investment in product.

I sew but not for personnel income. I sew baby apron bibs and all monies go to "Autism Speaks"
The pattern is my own and everyone loves them. Hope to sew many many more

I have four children and 12 grandchildren. When I make things for us, I get compliments on them and requests; have not problem. I do alterations and with that money I buy fabric on sale or with coupons. I make stuff for family members, we buy fabric together to ensure they purchase the right kind, they give a generous donation or buy fabric for me to use later. This is a couple of projects I made for my dad, he pays for the fabric. Most of my crochet projects are made will doing personal home sitting. I like the weekend overnight shift. Can get a lot done while they are sleeping.

I don't like to do alterations and if it is beyound what I think I can do and make it acceptable I just tell them it is not something I can do. Have replaced many zippers in mens coveralls and heavy jackets and almost ruined my machine with a coat zipper and said I just couldn't do those anymore. Get lots of hemming jobs and "small mending' I am the only one in our office that sews. Have had some really badly torn things they want repaired and tell them there isn't enough to sew it back together and have at times simply placed fabric under area and zigzagged the heck out of it and they seem OK with that if it was something they really liked. I didn't like the outcome-but when you look at "designer jeans" that look like they have come from the rag bag - what do I know? :lol:

I am the only one in my office that sews also. I make all my holiday decorations for my office. Get plenty of orders that way also