what do you guys have luck selling?
 

My sister recently purchased a little grocery store. She wants to put in a consignment shop and asked me if I would make somethings to sell in the shop

I have zero desire to make things to sell, but I will attempt to support my sister. I am going to make 2 or 3 quilts (which I know won't sell)

I figure if nothing else this will be a good way to use some of scrap and stock pile :) I can't really afford to put a lot of money into this venture

What else has anyone had luck making and selling?

bags - do they sell?

people always rave about my scrap quilts. i don't sell, i don't do commissions anymore either. but, if i were to venture into a help the sister thing ..i would scrap up my least fave fabrics, use up all least favorite scraps ..any block will create fabulous scrap quilts and be fun doing. and i think lap size will sell nicely. you may even fall in love with scrappys made from your least favorite fabrics! :) if you don't have much money to invest in this adventure i wouldn't be making bags to sell ..the needed notions for bags such as the interfacing etc are expensive. even tho there are kajillions of free bag patterns on net that don't require things like zippers, snaps, or hardware for slides etc ...i still wouldn't put time & energy into making bags and expect people shopping in a craft store to pay enough to compensate you for your investments in time and money.

* 3 dish towels in a set. Find a cute patch of fabric and zig zag on corner. Tie in a set with selvage or ribbon.
* pot holders
* table runner in seasonal fabric
* patriotic lap size quilt for a veteran
* kids quilt (flannel back but no batting to keep cost down)

Tea bag wallets are a good little seller for me and there is a great tutorial here from Mamabird.

Our Mission Sewing had good luck selling cosmetic bags. PM me if you think you might be interested.

thank you so much for your thoughts... I will have to check into tea bag wallets. Patriotic quilts may be good. I will have to go through my fabric and see what I can come up with

I sell every summer in our senior snoop shop. My best sellers are dishcloths, mug rugs made with strips of scraps, pot holders, table toppers with 2 layers of batting for a hot casserole from the oven and last summer I added microwave bowl cozies but they are costly. Also sold sleep masks, and little bags from kids fabric and put a few items from $ store. Called them travel activity bags. They sold well.

at our show boutique (which draws many non-quilters too)the big draws are mug rugs, microwave bowl covers, tote bags (like for groceries, not fancy) table runners, seasonal wall hangings and crib quilts. Basically those things that make good gifts. With the mug rugs you could get your Sis to get some non-chipped, different mugs and see if you have scrapes to match for mug rugs.

Pot holders! And anything with a theme like Christmas ornaments. I saw the cutest mini blocks that were framed in picture frames once. The lady said (novelty shop) that they were a top seller. You could pick up frames at garage sales, thrift store etc. You're a good sister for supporting her but learn to say No when needed.

Small items sell better than quilts because they are cheaper for people to buy. Tote bags from scraps comes to mind as it is a grocery store. Quilted sunglass cases, throw pillows, etc. I would make a variety of small items and see what, if anything, sells. They'll be quick to make and you won't be out much time or fabric.

"Snap" bags. The ones with the retractable ruler in the top of the bag (small size for coins sells best). Potholders. Small tabletoppers are all some of the things that sell in an antique/collectible shop that I consign to. Recently pillows have sold. Make them with the envelope back and seasonal.

I would do table runners, or table mats. Less material is needed, they make up quickly. You can take a couple of your quilt patterns and only make two or three rows for a table runner. Bing, Bam, Boom done!!

Since it's a grocery store, maybe you could try re-usable grocery bags....and use up your scraps to make them. Maybe pot holders or other kitchen items. I would start with small things.

Checkbook covers, microwave bowls, tissue holders, table runners, purses and bags, placemats, mug rugs, throw pillows or pillow covers, pillow cases
Eyeglass cases, baby quilts, Christmas tree skirts, ornaments, potholders, walker bags, wallhangings.

A red/black Checker board with a box of checkers.

I sell quilts - BUT - i only do throw or lap size and I have a system for how I buy, what I make and where I sell so that I can make a profit. This has taken me years and years to develop. (I have been selling many different items in a small shop and online for over 10 years.) My suggestion is that you make smaller items and tie them into what your area/market will want. This is a shop attached to a grocery ?? Make sets of placemats, table runner, pot holders, wine bottle bags. Make some out of the same fabrics so folks could buy a couple matching items to give as a gift. For the last few years I have been selling lots of the fold n' stitch wreaths in various styles. I have a small tag showing the different ways to use them (wreath, centerpiece with candle or vase, holding cutlery at a buffet table or with a raised cake plate). One thing we sell dozens of is the soup bowl microwave potholders. Make sure you have a shelf label saying what they are and attach a small card stating they are for reheating, not long cooking, as a safety measure. Another big seller for us is the full body bibs for babies (they have longer legs with a button strap to go around leg). We make them reversible will cotton on one side and flannel on the other. Start out with most of your items being $10 - $20 with maybe one larger ticket item to draw their attention. But - you still need to be very good about your purchasing of materials. You will not be able to make any profit by buying fabric and notions at retail pricing. You must get super sales, clearance, after season purchasing. I rarely, rarely pay more $4 per yard of fabric and often a lot less. For pricing, the 2 basic rules are take ALL your materials cost and times it by 3 or take all of your costs and add an hourly wage. These formulas depend on the product, but you will find they often result in very close numbers. Just try to keep it fun and interesting, do not overwhelm yourself with trying to get a lot of product quickly, your quality will suffer. Make a few items and group them in a small display, grow the display as you complete more items rather than start with a big space and try to fill it. Good luck - it is a really good feeling when someone gives you money for something you create!!!!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and advice! I do appreciate it all. Now I have plenty of ideas, I just have to do the work ha ha ha

Baby blankets...pin cushions???

I sell a lot of refrigerator door handle covers and wine coasters.
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sorry, pictures were smaller when I previewed them.
 

I do love my refrigerator handle covers and so does anyone who sees them. Also, I think kitchen mats for hot things. Think about things you would buy. Most people probably would not buy big ticket items. Just my opinion.
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I do farmer's market this will be my 4th year, I sell tote bags, purses, handbags, embroidery towels and aprons, table runners, table toppers, car trash bags, animal head plastic bag holders, and this year I will have backpacks (as many people have asked for them) and small cross over bag with adjustable straps. Most people like things for their kitchen I did very well last year making the bowl cozy for the microwave they were my best sellers. This year I am making place mats. Go on pinterest or youtube and search for craft fair ides that what I did to get an idea. Hope this helps.

I have had good luck with aprons, sock animals and stick horses. These aren't quilting items, but appeal to a "back to homespun" minded clientele. Also, those cute fabric boxes made with two fat quarters are eye-catching.

I don’t sell anything.. but I made frogs and all the kids and grandkids loved them so much I had to make more! The pattern is frog patch by Me and My Sister designs. I’m not affiliated in any way, just saw the videos on you tube and needed a break from doing quilts.

If you decide to do place mats and table runners, I suggest that you make them two sided. i.e., Thanksgiving and Christmas, Easter and Spring, patriotic. Women love table runners and they are usually affordable. I did some place mats and I foundation pieced the tops and then put a matching back on the other side so that they could be turned over. They were easy and fast. Wal Mart fabric. Good luck. Keep it fun.

No one mentioned dog and cat toys and small dog clothes. Oh and also dog leashes. My girlfriend sells these all the time in her booth.

I did a craft show , made so tea wallet holders sold very well .

Southern Maryland

Love it! they are so cute and original ... I've never heard or seen those before!

I enjoyed this post! Fun to see all these great ideas. I do one show a year for fun! Mug rugs sell well for me!