Turn Your Passion Into Profit: How to Make Money Sewing

Ekaterina said:

• How to know if sewing is right for you
• What affects income
• How to cope with difficulties at the beginning of the journey

“I was drawn to invent and sew something”: about the beginning of the journey and work

— Tell us your story: how and when you came to sewing, why you chose this profession.

I have been sewing since my school days. I have always been attracted to handicrafts and creativity. At school, I embroidered, knitted, and weaved from beads.

But the big story and love for sewing began in the eighth grade. Then my parents bought me a sewing machine and I started sewing. I tried it on myself. The first project was a pleated skirt. I don't know how, at 14, with minimal knowledge, I figured out how to sew it.

By the time I graduated, I was thinking about where to go. I was drawn to inventing and sewing things. So I chose Grodno State University of Arts and Design, specializing in Costume and Fabric Design.

I wasn't disappointed with my choice. While studying, I earned money by custom-tailoring clothes and making accessories. Tassel earrings were in fashion back then.

I'm still working as assigned. I'm a technologist in a garment factory and I love my job.

— As a child, you sewed skirts. And did this carry over into adulthood and work? What direction did you choose?

Yes, it influenced! The main direction is women's clothing, second-layer clothing. I sew dresses, business suits and tracksuits. I like to add individual embroidery to clothes. In general, I sew everything: from dresses to coats.

"Income is influenced by the client and their request": about earnings

— How to make money sewing? For example, creating a brand, starting your own business and sewing to order. What is more profitable?

• Sewing is always an investment. Investments in equipment, fabrics, accessories. And you also need someone to work for you. This is also difficult, because there are few good seamstresses.

• A clothing brand is more like a story. A lot of investment in marketing. The story must make the client buy from you. There are many brands, but it is difficult to interest and surprise.

• Wholesale customers are the fastest way to earn money. A specific model is sewn for clients in large quantities according to their wishes.

You can only calculate all investments with specific conditions.It is easier to do this using the example of sales on Instagram. On Instagram, you know that a profile is worth nothing. But on marketplaces, you need to invest a lot of money into an online store: promotion, shipping, and storing goods in a warehouse.

It's easier to make for yourself or earn money from services. Services, that is, wholesale customers.

— What influences income?

• Season. In the spring, seamstresses are well loaded. March 8th comes right away, and then graduations. In the summer, it's weddings. In winter, there are fewer orders, not counting the New Year.

• Request. Income is affected by the client and their request. For example, many clients with simple and quick orders or one client with complex products.

• Employment. It all depends on how the seamstress works. The sewing workshop is always busy during the spring and summer. This means higher wages because there's no downtime. When it comes to your own brand, there are many factors involved. The sales method alone brings in significant profits. Especially if it is an offline store and a point for rent.

"You need to make sure the buyer remembers something important and comes to you": advice for beginners

— What difficulties might beginners face?

I advise beginners to immediately consider these questions:

• Decide where you will offer your services and earn money.Online or offline. For me, online is easier. Many rental issues are eliminated: rent for premises or difficulties with moving.

• Find a team, if you need one.If it is a clothing brand or a workshop, you need to find people. I live in Grodno and there is a big shortage of seamstresses here. It is difficult to find good ones. You need to be prepared that it will take a long time to find employees.

• How to stand out.There are many brands and businesses. Standing out is difficult. You need to make sure your customers remember something important and come to you specifically. This could be pleasant service or a brand story. It could be positioning or simply high-quality materials. All the answers are in your target audience, which you need to identify and understand.

The course "Cutting and Sewing" will help you solve problems and start earning money. The course will also teach you how to:

• Work with sewing equipment and fabric drawing tools;
• Understand materials for the top and lining of a garment;
• Combine materials;
• Take measurements;
• Understand body types and correct their features with clothing;
• Sew shoppers, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, joggers, skirts, blouses, trousers, and dresses;
• Create a capsule collection;
• Plan your seasonal wardrobe.