How much do I charge people???

[Mom2LonelyOnly]

I have a question.
I make things for people. They either buy the fabric or I buy it and they reimburse (sp?) me. What I want to know is what should I charge them to make them. I am going to make an ankle length coat for one person and window curtains for another person.
Do I charge by the hour or what?

I have made things before and was at a loss to what to tell them. I told them $5 or $10. Is that a lot or not enough?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Since your making such a wide variety of items, I would charge by the hour. I would charge them $10 an hour. Even though they buy the fabric, you still have expenses such as thread and sewing machine maintenance.

Last year, my son's teacher said she paid $2 to someone to hem a dress. I was appalled!!! Even if someone told me they charged $2, I'd pay them more.

Happy Sewing!
Raine

[janet]

I think $10.00 an hour for your services is cheap...I think anyone would be willing to pay that price. I agree with rainequilts..you do have the upkeep of your sewing machine, thread...and your time is important too!

Good luck

janet

[Mom2LonelyOnly]

Thanks for all the help.

I never even though about the thread and the sewing machine upkeep.

Now I have a little better idea about what to charge.

[adamsmom]

I sew for people too, and I consider my services to be cheap, but I enjoy the sewing, as long as I'm not working under a deadline!

I charge $5 for hemming, and $10 for making a skirt, pants or top, as long as the pattern is simple and the fabric is easy to work with. I usually have them pay for the thread, buttons, zippers, etc that go along with it too. I charge $15 for dresses, unless they are very simple or a easy child's dress, then I charge $10. For curtains or home decor, I just try to estimate a fair price.

I like to keep my prices low so that I can get more business. I figure if I charge too much, the people can just go to the store and buy what they need. And the people I sew for can't afford a lot anyway, so I consider it a favor too.

Janey

[mominga]

I had a neighbor who would charge $1 a pattern piece and it was alot but then it is a lot of work to sew a dress or coat. That was 10 years ago also.
Cindy in OK

[bowlergrl2000]

I am not a seamstress by any means! I have trouble putting a button back on! I begged my ex hubby 25 years ago to get me a sewing machine for mom's day, cuz I was pregnant with first child, and thought I could handle making "little" clothes! Well, I made 2 outfits! (still have them!) But for christmas she got a Cabbage Patch doll, thats when they were new and expensive, I had cut out about 20 different outfits for the doll, and 24 years later, they are still cut out! Thats as far as I got! !
Well, I gave my sewing machine to my sis in law (and it was top of line Singer in those days).

Now the real reason Im writing here! I have a question.

When I got married 14 years ago, I had a Big wedding dress. I bought it about 6 months before the wedding. MISTAKE!!! Happy "fat" set in! I had to have it let out 3 times before the wedding! So I had to take it to professional streamstress. I have always wondered, and no one ever knew, and I was a bit embarrassed to ask her, But do you tip the seamstress? Its a bit late now, but just wondering! Do you tip dry cleaners that also tailor?

Thanks for any help on this! Now I have lost so much weight I have to have things shortened and taken in, so Im back into that situation if I tip or not!

Thanks again!

[adamsmom]

Well, I've never had anyone do any sewing for me since I do it myself, but I wouldn't expect a tip.

Janey

[emajmom]

Both my mother and myself both sew and sell stuff..... My mother always told me....

"You take what ever it costs to make..(material, needles, thread etc.) then double it."

So if it costs you 10$ for supplies then you charge 20$. Its always worked for me and have never had anyone say I was charging too much.

[Jeannie]

Hi Talented one....

I certainly wouldn't do it for nothing. Hems and shortening pants for 5 dollars is a bargain.

I would think you'd have to judge the complexity of the pattern and the time it takes to do it.

But you need to bring in the cost of all materials, thread, buttons, pattern, material, needles etc. And remember your sewing machine needs to be taken in for upkeep as well.

I'm lucky...my husband sews better than I do...he makes all my dresses and hems all my slacks and jeans. He puts those team patches on for my son....etc ....and has been making aprons for us gals in the family. The old fashioned kind....the pretty ones...
that you can not buy at any price in stores anymore......