MOOLOO'S Muddling on into 2013

Savvy_sewing

This morning I finally managed to catch up with the social worker that is currently on my case.
I have explained it all to her, (again), and that the situation that the social worker for Twin2 was talking about is now history, and that the times when DGD goes are all risk assessed.
They are all demanding copies of the Guardianship order, and I have reitterated there is nothing on it that says that she cannot go to her Mum. They are basing it on a Family agreement that was set up in 2009 for god sake. I told them she is not 2 anymore she is 5 1/2 and its a very different kettle of fish and that they should be looking at some other child that I mentioned who is in need of thier intervention. I also said that as far as I could tell, the said worker who reported her concerns, is a Student, and is being over zealous, and pointed out that there ofsted reports have already highlighted tht they are not working well, and this is a knee jerk reaction! she was not best pleased with me.
If I was 100% fit, boy they would have had a real problem with me, as I would have been fighting and campainging against them all the way. I am just not fit enough to do the research and the battle. But never say never, one day maybe I will just kick !!! enough too upset thier apple cart a bit.
I invited her to come and meet DGD and she can see for herself that she is a happy bright child who is doing well, and the bond between her and her mum is a good one.
When twin1 gets back from her holidays they intend to go and see her too. (She will not be very happy about thier interference- again-) I am also sure that this episode will cut the trust with the adult social worker who she was working with, and that she will dig in her heels and be obstructive instead of working with them anymore. The girls are really, really stubborn at times.
I havent heard anything from her since she went away last week, and she didnt answer her phone when I tried to call her. I am pressuming that things are OK as I havent had a call.

Time to have a cup of tea. Relax a bit, and then focus on what i want to do for the rest of the day.

Padstow

Mooloo, there is money to be made from sewing at home, by offering an alteration/ repair service. People always need it and in recession would be even more popular.
Easy to market by letting every clothes shop in your area know you exist and on your blog, thompson local etc. Maybe progress to a little shop later, employing others.
You could still do your creative gifts but by commission. If someone wants cushions made from rugby shirts, they will have to pay a premium for your skill.

The other is curtains, but maybe not if you have a weak arm. I advertised once to sew curtains from the customer's measurements and own fabric. I placed the ad thinking I may get one reply if lucky, and the day the ad appeared in the local paper, the phone started ringing at 7 am and didn't stop. I had to make my excuses as I couldn't cope with the volume.

With repairs all you need is haberdashery, electric and insurance.

minimoneysaver

There are quite a few very interesting sites on facebook to have a look at. Freddies Teddies and ip dip sky blue, just to name two of them. I know that ip dip sky blue has a huge wait list!

https://www.facebook.com/IpDipSkyBlue?ref=ts&fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/FreddiesTeddies?ref=ts&fref=ts

Hope this helps. xxx

Savvy_sewing

I am currently recovering a sofa for one of the Mums. I am going to take a picture and sort it out to use as a bit of an advert later.
I should consider putting alterations back on the agenda but I hate doing them to be honest so don't want to get stuck just doing that. It was a hard job when I did the work before when kids were growing ip. I sewed for hours for peanuts. Perhaps I will need to do something about it as beggars can't be choosers so they say.
Back to the machine.

Padstow

Mooloo wrote: »

I am currently recovering a sofa for one of the Mums. I am going to take a picture and sort it out to use as a bit of an advert later.
I should consider putting alterations back on the agenda but I hate doing them to be honest so don't want to get stuck just doing that. It was a hard job when I did the work before when kids were growing ip. I sewed for hours for peanuts. Perhaps I will need to do something about it as beggars can't be choosers so they say.
Back to the machine.

I too hate alterations. I'd far rather make a new pair of trousers than replace a zip, all that faffing of having to unpick the waistband. However, you musn't envisage it being pin money at home, rather the start of a new business where you yourself do not do the alterations.
Perhaps you weren''t charging enough?

I read the link provided by minimoneysaver of the cushion lady and was shocked at how reasonable they are. If they were twice the price, she may only sell half as many, though I doubt it, but she would only need to work half as hard.

Savvy_sewing

Padstow wrote: »

I too hate alterations. I'd far rather make a new pair of trousers than replace a zip, all that faffing of having to unpick the waistband. However, you musn't envisage it being pin money at home, rather the start of a new business where you yourself do not do the alterations.
Perhaps you weren''t charging enough?

I read the link provided by minimoneysaver of the cushion lady and was shocked at how reasonable they are. If they were twice the price, she may only sell half as many, though I doubt it, but she would only need to work half as hard.

Where did you start with prices as I am hopless at charging enough, and still feel that I am expecting to much at times. The lovely bags that i have made take a few hours to do and then the cost of the fabrics and i just don't think i can charge enough for my labour. I suppose I am still stuck in the 80's prices.
See her cushions have a lot of work in them so i cannot see that she is getting Labour charges yet also not sure that they would sell at higher prices? but i am probably basing the price more on the fact that those around me and indeed my purse wouldnt stretch to her prices . If you get what I mean.

Errata

A rule of thumb for pricing is one third is for time, one third is for production and one third is for profit.

minimoneysaver

Maybe they look more complex than they are?

The animals (Freddies Teddies) are made from babygros that are sent in. Apparently each teddies take about 4 of them. Therefore, the costs are obviously the thread & electricity, plus of course time. I've got a price list, I think the price variation is due to the labour cost.
Tooth Fairy Pillows are £10.

Bunting starts from £15.

Dogs, owls, elephants, mice, teddy bears and keepsake cushions are £20.

Horses, rabbits, dragons, monkeys, cows, giraffes and cats are £25 which includes a name.

Cot quilts are £55,

pram blankets and cot bumpers are £35.

The cushions seem to retail at approximately £50. Not too sure how long it takes to make one though. She seems to get out a couple a day though.

Padstow

Mooloo wrote: »

Where did you start with prices as I am hopless at charging enough, and still feel that I am expecting to much at times. The lovely bags that i have made take a few hours to do and then the cost of the fabrics and i just don't think i can charge enough for my labour. I suppose I am still stuck in the 80's prices.
See her cushions have a lot of work in them so i cannot see that she is getting Labour charges yet also not sure that they would sell at higher prices? but i am probably basing the price more on the fact that those around me and indeed my purse wouldnt stretch to her prices . If you get what I mean.

i haven't done alterations for a living, I was referring to altering things for the family.
I'll try and get a price list on Monday from an alteration shop. They sew in the window and are always busy and they have overheads!
You could also start with what £ you need weekly. Divide by expected hours, so say £300 pw over 32 hours is £9.30 roughly. I would guess that is one replacement zip or hems of trousers. you could do that easy!

Just phoned a repair place, £11.40 to replace straghtforward zip in men's trousers. One per hour x 32 = £364.80 pw gross.

FWIW, I don't see how she's making a proper living from the cushions either for the time they must take, beautiful though they are.

minimoneysaver

It seems that things for children are probably the most popular from what I've seen & read on the internet. Especially anything to do with babies!