The creator of Gingercake Patterns shows you how to share your passion for sewing with the world by starting a successful home business.
Maybe you started sewing just for fun. But now you've developed the skills and vision to turn your creative outlet into something more. Making the leap from hobbyist to professional can be intimidating-but Virginia Lindsay is here to help you get off the sidelines and sew your way to a job you truly enjoy.
Drawing on her own experience, Lindsay guides you through every aspect of starting your own craft business, from finding your personal sewing style to creating a product line, identifying customers, equipping your studio, pricing and selling your work, marketing yourself, designing your own patterns, and handling the business and legal side of sewing. And that's not all! Virginia also shares 16 projects (all customer-tested) that you can personalize to start sewing and selling right now.
Autorentext
Virginia Lindsay is a self-taught sewist and lover of all things fabric. She is the author of the popular sewing blog, Gingercake, and the designer behind Gingercake Patterns. She has had several patterns published by Simplicity. Virginia lives in Freeport, Pennsylvania. Visit her at www.gingercake.org
Inhalt
Introduction
Finding Your Sewing Style
Authenticity . Using Sewing Patterns to Get Started
Interview: Jessica Rider from A little Grey
Identifying Your Customers
Be Selective . Sewing for Kids and Babies . Sewing Fashion Accessories . Sewing for the Home . Sewing for Fundraising
Essential Equipment
Your Sewing Machine . Machine Accessories . Thread . Cutting Tools . Additional Tools . Serger . Computer . Camera
Interview: Vanessa Hewell from LBG Studio
Buying and Using Fabric
Have a Plan . Use What You Have . Building a Stash . Making Smart Fabric Buying Choices . Quality Counts . Coordinating Fabrics . Try Something different
Interview: Monica Donohue from Little Pigeon Crafts
Sewing
Change Your Favorite Patterns to Work Even Better For You . Keep Good Notes . Organize Your Pattern Pieces . Organize Your Workspace
Selling
Selecting a Name
Selling Online: Setting Up an Online Shop . Taking Good Photos for Online Sales
Selling at Craft Shows: Setting Up Your Booth . Making a Plan
Consignment Sales
Promoting Yourself: Business Cards / Postcards . Using Social Media . Keeping a Mailing List
Pricing and Packaging
Pricing: Materials . Time . Price . Show Pricing
Packaging: Packaging for Show Sales . Packaging for Online Sales
Interview: Candace Todd from Sparkle Power
PROJECTS
Projects That Are Useful
Boxy Pincushion
Craft Apron
Lunch Bag
Oven Mitt
Placemat and Napkin
Projects That Make Best Use of Materials
Drawstring Backpack
Grocery Tote
iPad Sleeve
Trimmed Messenger Bag
Half-square Triangle Quilt
Projects That Are Great Sellers
Baby Set
Handy Organizer
Great Big Tote
Professional Pillows
Slouchy Purse
Zippered Pouch
Appendix: Business Basics
You're In Charge . Keeping Your Look Fresh . Inventory
The Legal Aspects of Setting Up a Shop: Doing Business As (DBA) . Get a Tax ID . Set Up Bank Accounts . How to Pay Sales Tax . Income Tax
Making it Work For You
Resources
About the Author