sewing profit

While the words “recession” and “credit crunch” fill most of us with dread, for one family-run Bristol UK shop they mean a boost in trade. The Direct Sewing Machine Supply Company in Brislington is doing better than ever.

Owner Jeremy Segal, 43, said: “When times are hard, the recycling ethic and ‘make do and mend’ philosophy make a come back. “That’s what we are seeing now. Lots of people are investing in a sewing machine or digging out an old one that they bring to us to get repaired.

“People are also much more interested in designing and making their own clothes – things like wedding dresses and children’s clothes.”

Last year, Jeremy took over from his father Alf, who set up the business in 1963 – when his rent was just £1.50 a week. Alf, 75, still helps out at the shop a few days a week. He says he has seen business improve like this before when the economy has taken a turn for the worse.

“I saw this happen in 1976, and in 1991. Specialist shops like us don’t get hit the same as others – people still come to us as usual,” he said.

Last month, the Bristol Evening Post reported that several other shop-owners on Sandy Park Road, where the Segals’ shop is, felt their businesses were “dying” as passing trade decreased. Although the Segals have noticed less passing trade and are concerned about Sandy Park Road, their own books show that last year was its best financial period since 1978.

Alf and Jeremy also put the recent success down to a new initiative. “For the last few years we have been giving free lessons to anyone who buys a sewing machine from us. “That has definitely boosted out sales,” said Alf.

He said: “Sometimes people pick up some clothes in the charity shop next door and then make some alterations on their sewing machine they’ve bought from us – all in all it’s still cheaper than buying new clothes.”

Read the entire article in the Bristol Evening Post.

From time to time those of us who are in the sewing, alteration, crafting, embroidery or other sewing related business like to check around to see what’s out there that we can make a little extra money from. After all, who couldn’t use an extra couple hundred dollars a month or even a few hundred bucks this fall for Christmas spending, or in the spring for that vacation we’d like to take.

I would like to suggest another alternative to checking around to see what’s “out there” – instead look around your own sewing studio and see what’s “in there” that can be turned into cash.

Ebay selling can be turned into a “cash cow” as they say – you can either put a few items on an auction or do as many do – set up your own eBay store. By having your own ebay store, you can put in clothing items such as t-shirts, children’s clothing or make up those jean purses and promote them in your store. You can use up scraps and make things like baby bibs or scrap tote bags and add them to the store.

Awhile back I talked to Patti at Patti’s Originals about “yard sales” being held on eBay. I’d never heard of that before, so questioned her a little, so I could pass along the information to you. Here’s what she told me about the yard sales —- “I belong to several design groups on eBay and periodically they will host these “garage sales”, “sample sales”, “cleaning out our stash” sale, etc. There is not one person to contact because each group does its own thing. Summer is a very slow selling season on eBay so generally this is the time they will be hosted. There are several groups that are for buyers and sellers and I would recommend highly that anyone who buys or sells handmade clothing on eBay join one of these groups. Each group features a new design daily, there are usually links to auctions starting at 99 cents, designers talk about their newest creations, ask for ideas and you find out about all upcoming promotions. Here is a link to the home page of one of my groups. Anyone wanting an invite just needs to ask.

http://groups.ebay.com/forum/Upscale-Boutique-Designers/Home/1500007397 “

She also went on to say that she makes “samples” of items that she will be promoting, and then makes the “real deal” up in the sizes that the customer needs. Later, after picture taking and logging in the sample, it then just takes up room in the sewing studio, so these are the types of things that will go on those eBay yard sales.

I’m sure you’ve heard eBay’s slogan: “Whatever it is, you can get it on eBay.” The opposite is also true – “whatever you have to sell, you can sell it on eBay”.

Let us know if you already have an eBay store or are already selling on eBay, and I’m particularly interested in those eBay “garage” sales. Pass along any tips you may have for any of these selling methods.

Sewing Shops Experiencing Boom During Down Economy

Add Additional Income To Your Sewing Business – Sell On eBay