The Sewing Room

pauleyc

hi there
would just like to ask if it is worth investing in a dummy? i am planning on doing a sewing course in sept and possibly going to make my bridesmaid dresses for my wedding nextt year.
Thanks in advance

Justamum

pauleyc wrote: »

hi there
would just like to ask if it is worth investing in a dummy? i am planning on doing a sewing course in sept and possibly going to make my bridesmaid dresses for my wedding nextt year.
Thanks in advance

I'd love a dummy! If you are going to make loads of clothes for yourself I suppose it would be worth it, but it might not be if you are only making a couple of dresses.

cuddles123

buggalugs wrote: »

Hello everyone I lurk on this thread daily ( sometimes three or four times a day just to keep up you understand ) But i had to come out of lurkdom to ask Cuddles123 where did you get the pattern for the ear flap hat please? I have a new grandson coming in september and I love tha pattern.
Pootleflump the pjs sound lovely
Nuttywoman I love the fabric and totally agree with others that it would make amazing cushion covers. Even dining chair seat covers maybe?
TIA

I was given the pattern by a neighbour, and it's quite old. I love the traditional knits.
If you PM me with a name and address, I'll happily send you a photocopy

r.mac_2

PootleFlump wrote: »

Thanks for this R.mac (Im in Edinburgh too!!) I try and avoid buying fabric from John Lewis because its so expensive and once I start I just know I wont stop(!) If I cant find it online though I might just pop in and "treat myself" again. Thanks Hart, useful to know the name of it. If I do find it online Ill post a linky. Currently in love with loads of the Michael Miller stuff too at the moment. (R.mac, have you been through to rejects in Kirkcaldy? I was there last week and they have loads of nice stuff! :drool: :drool: :drool:

Welcome to the thread Jerez.

oooh - I saw an advert for rejects, but haven't been. Always good to have a recommendation. Thanks

flea72

pauleyc wrote: »

hi there
would just like to ask if it is worth investing in a dummy? i am planning on doing a sewing course in sept and possibly going to make my bridesmaid dresses for my wedding nextt year.
Thanks in advance

i think unless you are into designing or adjusting/making patterns, then you wont have the need for a dummy

i bought one thinking it would be useful, 8yrs on and ive still not got round to padding it out

F

Tete_en_l'Air

I'd love to have a dummy just to stand in the corner, even if it has to wear a Primark dress!!


Much as I try to keep up with this thread I do miss bits, and I'm getting around to wondering about maybe possibly trying to peddle some of my wares at a/some Christmas fair(s) ... does anyone sell their stuff either at fairs or online and if so, how do you know how much to charge? Fabric certainly isn't cheap and when you take into account the hours you put into it, is it worth selling them? Obviously they'll need to be priced reasonably enough to sell at all! Just wanting ideas really as I'd really like to at least attempt a stall if I can, but haven't the foggiest where to start!

Sarahjovi

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

I'd love to have a dummy just to stand in the corner, even if it has to wear a Primark dress!!


Much as I try to keep up with this thread I do miss bits, and I'm getting around to wondering about maybe possibly trying to peddle some of my wares at a/some Christmas fair(s) ... does anyone sell their stuff either at fairs or online and if so, how do you know how much to charge? Fabric certainly isn't cheap and when you take into account the hours you put into it, is it worth selling them? Obviously they'll need to be priced reasonably enough to sell at all! Just wanting ideas really as I'd really like to at least attempt a stall if I can, but haven't the foggiest where to start!

Your best bet would be at village or school fairs. A stall normally costs between £5 and £15... I try to pay less than £10. I also share the table with my neighbour who sells Jewellery. If you read my blog the last post tells you about our efforts last saturday.

I don't personally take much money, the Jewellery does much better... but I keep going because I enjoy making things, my ethos at the moment is to make things without buying any more materials... I read recently you should charge 3 x your costs plus 10%.

I also don't like fairs or fetes that last all day, a couple of hours is perfect for everyone to come in buy and go home. I begrudge sitting in a hall for hours with little or no customers after the initial rush!

Your best bet is to have a go and see what sells!

Sarah:D

Tete_en_l'Air

Thanks for the info Sarah, this particular one is quite a big local fair at a racecourse and is £35 for a 6' table, not convinced I could fill 6 foot of table to be honest! And your makes are amazing, loads better than mine! I'm not so sure now, might just keep doing it for pleaseure rather than trying to make any money out of it!

Sarahjovi

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

Thanks for the info Sarah, this particular one is quite a big local fair at a racecourse and is £35 for a 6' table, not convinced I could fill 6 foot of table to be honest! And your makes are amazing, loads better than mine! I'm not so sure now, might just keep doing it for pleaseure rather than trying to make any money out of it!

I think proper craft fairs are a different kettle of fish. People attending do it to make a living and their prices reflect that and the stall charge. The paying public maybe inclind to pay a bit more for the craft items at a proper craft fair. The volume of items needed to fill a stall would put me off too! Another reason to share with my neighbour.

Maybe you should go along on the day to have a look at whats being sold, and decide whether you think your items are comparable. From what I've seen of your items they look great and easily as good as mine! Seek out the autumn and christmas fairs at £5 - £10 a stall for a try out!

Sarah:D

Tete_en_l'Air

Yeah that's what I'm worried about, the 'professionalism' of it. I would like to maybe try going along to a boot sale with a little table as a tester but I myself am never interested in 'new' items at places like that and I don't think it would go down too well. I might do as you say, go along to that one as it's only at the end of October anyway, then maybe try and find a smaller one nearer Christmas. I think things like those little pinnies could sell quite well for say a fiver, which could be a profit if I use fabric from charity shops etc. I think I could maybe fill three feet!