Finally reaching out for some help...

kerri_dfw

Well this evening I have made a clutch bag, two keyfob wristlets (the first I don't really like though), and need to rethread the machine with black to finish off a card holder. Phew I've been busy! I need to be getting my skates on and making much more though. Now I have patterns I reckon I could do a manufacturing chain so that I cut everything together, press it together, sew it together. I think that would speed things up a bit

Ooh I almost forgot to show you my lovely creations

RosaBernicia

gasp, drool...

*takes laptop over to sewing machine... see, this is what we're going to do in the autumn :T*

Rosa xx

psychopathbabble

I adore the items you have made Kerri!

I made a scotty dog today, but it's not great... although I suppose I'm still just learning! I love the fabrics you are using... I just need to try and make a bit of money back on what I've spent as I can't afford to buy the beautiful fabrics at the moment!

kerri_dfw

Ooh I want to see the scotty dog
I'm buying my fabrics from an American site at the moment as it's cheaper to pay the $8 postage than buy the fabrics full price here.
It works out I get 8 yards for fabric for £45-£50, and I get 16 fabrics as I buy them in 1/2 yards. So it's about £3ish for a half yard. They charge more than that with postage for 1/4 yd over here

Although, being a DFW I'm not advocating spending lots of money on fabrics I'm hoping to at least make back the £12 I've spent on a table at the craft fair, but I have quite a few things still to make in order to reach that target. My Mum has been busy crocheting so I shall charge her half the fee if she makes a profit, as I think that's only fair especially seeing as she's not going to be going with me.

Now to dream.... I dream that I make a £50 profit at the craft fair. It costs me about £3.50 to make the clutch, £2.50 for the coin purse, 50p for the keyfob wristlet, £3 for the e-reader case. Although I haven't researched what these should sell for just yet.

It does start to make you wonder why we ever went for convenience over cost though doesn't it? I can make a gorgeous bag for less than £5, or I can go to the shop and spend £25 on one. Are we really too busy?

ZTD

kerri_dfw wrote: »

It does start to make you wonder why we ever went for convenience over cost though doesn't it? I can make a gorgeous bag for less than £5, or I can go to the shop and spend £25 on one. Are we really too busy?

It's how you value your time. These things come in cycles hence the waxing and waning of DIY programmes.

I would talk about the economics of it, but that would cause your brain to fall asleep with accompanying drooling and slobbering. That can be considered unsightly by some...

psychopathbabble

I was saying exactly that to my friend today... convenience over cost! I only have a photo on my phone... will upload it soon, or pm me your email address. It's technically a westie as it's white!

Totally agree on the fabric front, just need to try and make a couple of decent things to sell in order to buy more fabric. Your stuff is lovely though, you shouldn't have a problem selling it.

The formula for costing is the cost of materials and cost of time plus 10%ish. At least, I think that's right. It makes sense when you look at prices of handmade things :eek:

kerri_dfw

Z, I don't put value on my time spent sewing it's an awesome and rewarding hobby that I'm really pleased I have. If anything it's paying me as I am no longer spending money down the pub at £50 a time that got really expensive hence the debt, it also saved on having to buy new clothes to keep up appearances at said pubs oh and I can share my hobby with others which is invaluable

Psychobabble, I shall pm you straight away I'd love to see. Do you sell your goods online? Thank you for the compliments

I think I will make everything then work out what to price it at based on what other people sell theres for no point pricing myself too high or too low.

kerri_dfw

I've got fed up with not being able to make payments because of my expenses. So I'm declaring £5 off my debt total because I've put it into my L*ds account and won't touch it. This takes me below the £2k mark whoop whoop. Although the milestone was £2k it's nice to have that lovely 1 at the beginning of my total debt

I've spent the evening cutting fabric, well I've cut 3 fabrics in two hours. I've cut out 7 different types of items:
- small clutch
- coin purse
- mp3 cover
- ereader cover
- keyfob wristlet
- card wallet
- passport cover

I've come to the conclusion that I don't like the ninja fabric that I bought, mainly because it's a right pain in the backside to get the pattern on the fabric to work with the pattern of the items I'm making, so I shall not be purchasing that one again, nope nope nope!

So.... I'm thinking prices:
£2.99 - keyfob wristlet
£5.99 - coin purse
£9.99 - small clutch
£9.99 - ereader cover
£4.99 - mp3 sleeve
£4.99 - card wallet
£6.99 - passport cover

I'm not sure whether these are reasonable or not, but looking at other items on the market this is about what other people charge. I'll soon find out if people are prepared to pay it though I guess

psychopathbabble

Got it on the laptop... needs better fabric and eyes, but here it is...

kerri_dfw

psychopathbabble wrote: »

Got it on the laptop... needs better fabric and eyes, but here it is...

Oh wow I love that. Sorry I forgot to pm you with my email address didn't I. I'm not skilled enough to do tricky corners like that yet