Quilted items, such as quilted tote bags, quilted boxy bags, quilted book sleeves, etc., are currently popular. So this may be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think most handmade businesses should sell quilted products. (My opinion on patchwork design is the same, which is often used in quilting and applied to other types of products, such as bags.) >> Can selling quilted items work for a business? Yes. >> Is it harder to build a profitable business? Yes. Let me explain why, and how to make it work for your business if you want to sell quilted items. …
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Continue ReadingIf you want to sew products to sell at craft shows or online, it’s important to choose the right products to ensure you’ll be profitable and can build a sustainable business. Here are the 5 questions I considered when deciding what type of sewing business to start. 1 –…
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Continue ReadingAs a sewist, there are many products I can make to sell. However, after years of sewing, running a handmade business, and selling at craft shows, these are the top items I stay away from. This article isn’t to say you can’t sell these items. It’s simply my personal preference…
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Continue ReadingI love this style of clutch bag because it can be made more or less dressy depending on the fabric you use. You could sew this bag using denim or canvas for a more casual bag, or layer satin and lace for a bridal-worthy clutch. Whichever fabric you choose, you…
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Continue ReadingBags and purses are good items to sew and sell. There are so many patterns to try, from beginner to advanced and many different markets you can target (e.g. school bags for students, diaper bags for new parents, etc.). This bundle is for a smaller bag, such as a clutch.…
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Continue ReadingIf you’re sewing bags and purses to sell, a zipper pouch is a must-have for your product line. They’re quick and easy to sew and can be made in a variety of sizes to fit in different bags. Smaller ones can also use scraps of fabric to increase your profits.…
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Continue ReadingWhen I’m sewing, I feel like I spend just as much time searching for my tools and moving them around as I do actually sewing. So I decided I needed to add a bit of organization to my sewing room with baskets. These fabric baskets are easy to sew and…
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Continue ReadingThis article is going to explain how I would build a product line around aprons, and the types of products I would add to round out my business. When starting a business, it’s important to think about how you can increase your units per transaction (UPT) and revenue per transaction,…
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Continue ReadingAlmost everyone wears sunglasses, so a sunglasses case is a great item to sew and sell at craft shows. This sunglasses case is zippered, so it is a bit more of an advanced project. I made mine with a vinyl exterior, which adds another level of trickiness to this pattern.…
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Continue ReadingI created this free pattern based on an old clutch I have that has seen better days. This clutch is a simple design with a couple of (optional) features that elevate it. The magnetic snap ensures the fold stays in place, the exterior pocket adds organization, and the tassel adds some…