selling what you sew..

[blueribbon]

I am thinkning of making special occaision children's clothing.

Has anyone sold their items to specialty shops?

What can you tell me about doing this? How many samples, need stock?, how to price, any info appreciated.

TIA

[thejanet]

I've been thinking along these lines, too. Mainly thinking about creating logowear for the business I own, which would involve buying wholesale T-shirts and polos and that sort of thing, then custom embroidering the business logo plus the individual's name.

Now in other things I've sold, I've started out setting the price at wholesale price x 2, then adjusting for how much I think the market will bear, plus how much of my own time/talent will go into each finished piece. So I'm fairly comfortable with setting prices, what is stopping me now is my true hatred of having to go to the post office to mail packages.

[kmccrea]

I'm a tailor so I charge the cost of materials and a rate per hour for my labor. The more involved and difficult the project is, the higher my hourly rate.
The purses and accessories are also based on labor and cost of materials and what the market will bear. But, if there is any handwork (embroidery, applique) I charge a little more.

[techitoes]

Janet, I hear you! I seem to remember hearing that now the USPS will do scheduled pick ups, you might give them a call. The branch by my office is a nightmare. You not only have to take a number, but there is never less than a 15-minute wait. Yeesh.

I would love for you ladies to check out a website for crafters and artists to sell their work, www.underonewinggallery.com

We are putting the finishing touches on the shopping cart pages and should be going live soon (search engine submissions, first marketing wave etc.) and invite you to take a look at what's up on the site so far, and contact us if you would like to be part of it!

[adens]

If you are serious about learning more about the apparel industry read www.fashion-incubator.com and buy the book. It has helped me so much, and so has the forum.