Mooloo's "Making my future, one stitch at a time"?

greenbee

Stop comparing yourself to the mass market.

Think 'bespoke', 'artisan', 'handmade'.

Look at sites like etsy or facebook sites for handmade items to get an idea of pricing.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/256365246/personalised-embroidered-santa-sack?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=embroidered%20santa%20sack&ref=sr_gallery_4

dktreesea

People who buy handmade items aren't into buying "Made in China" cr*p. They are two different markets.


If I wanted a jumper everyone else is wearing, then Asda at £22 a time beckons. If you want a similar size item handmade, you'ld be thinking more along the lines of £122 and maybe even keep thinking higher than that depending on the type of yarn.


I still think a quilting workshop might work. I did consider this one, thinking of your place, and was shocked when for £49 (which seemed reasonable to me for a beginning day course on quilting) I had to lug my sewing machine with me.
http://mybearpaw.co.uk/mybearpaw-full-day-quilting-patchwork-classes-edinburgh/free-motion-quilting-workshop-sunday-13th-September


I was thinking more of something like this:
http://mybearpaw.co.uk/mybearpaw-evening-sewing-quilting-classes-edinburgh/modern-medallion-quilt-thursday-17th-september-to-26th-November


Though, £189 and bring your own sewing machine isn't what I had in mind. Nothing wrong with the price, but the idea of dragging my sewing machine half way across town....I don't think so. Still, plenty of people do just that, given it almost sold out.


I did ask about it though. You could buy the patchwork bundles and material from them or bring your own. The £189 was just for the lessons, i.e. not the materials or having the sewing machine supplied. This particular company has only been around for three years, so not much older than yours.

vandanfc

Mooloo wrote: »

I can't compete with mass market items.
The fabric alone would cost me that, never mind the labour and the embroidery threads etc.
I would be hard pushed to make any under £10 and that wouldn't cover my time.

But you could compete with these though surely ?

https://santasacks.co.uk/

sillyvixen

Mooloo wrote: »

I can't compete with mass market items.
The fabric alone would cost me that, never mind the labour and the embroidery threads etc.
I would be hard pushed to make any under £10 and that wouldn't cover my time.

you are offering a bespoke product - make up a sample product and price it - if people want a special bespoke product they will order - if not they will buy cheap (and possibly twice).
We have a family friend who has made a living altering clothes and making curtains etc all her married life. She trained and worked as a seamstress but when she married and started a family found it easier to work from home. I asked her to make my wedding dress and she was thrilled, we provided fabric, sundries and a pattern and i got the dress i wanted - when her bill came in we paid a lot more than she charged us (knowing the time she had put in - she was charging less than minimum wage!!) She had put off other work to do my dress. I did not expect mates rates.
You have a skill - expect the going rate!!

Savvy_sewing

vandanfc wrote: »

But you could compete with these though surely ?

https://santasacks.co.uk/

Omg! Yes I could do that. The names are on the hearts not the sacks.
Funnily enough today the local dry cleaners owner came in to order a sack!
Also has two cushion covers to make.
So this week I have a Roman blind, a jacket, a skirt, two cushion covers, and the Santa sack, as well as a personal stocking. All on top of the usual selection of alterations.
It's going to be a very busy week.

vandanfc

I have just had a quick look at some of your site Mooloo.

On the sewing classes page the thing that stand out is the first photo of your sewing machines, the room looks really dark and that would make me think that I would have trouble seeing what I was doing if I did a class with you.

Also you need to keep on top of removing classes for dates that have gone.

Obviously photos for your other classes are a must.

Could you add feedback from previous attendees to encourage people to give them a try ?

Savvy_sewing

The lights were not on when that picture was taken!
I think I had just used a picture that was on my laptop that wouldn't twist sideways! Every time I tried to improve the picture they rotated sideways! It was so annoying.
I will try to get on to the website on Monday when I do the accounts and see if I can access the site and change it.
Re the testimony of previous people's, I will have to ask them.

Savvy_sewing

Today has been blitz the housework etc.
I spent all day doing the house from the kitchen, bathroom and front room, the hall, my room and changing the beds, and doing the washing, drying and mending!
Now it's time to cook the evening meal as I have a friend for tea as well as DGD.

tired_mum

Have you looked on your local facebook page there are loads of people advertising xmas wares on our local sites unfortunatly most of these are homeworkers so can afford to charge a lot less than someone with overheads stockings with name are £10 and sacks £20 here in my bit of Essex
Edited as just checked prices
Personalised Christmas stockings £4.00 each 3 for £10 or 4 for £12

duchy

Why not make up a sample santa sack and or stocking so people can see what they'd be getting (samples are tax deductible I presume as they are sales tools) put it on display with a price that reflects materials. time and profit......and see what response you get to putting them in the window ?