Are you looking for ways to make some extra money? Why not sew? There are many interesting items that you can make and sell, online, in craft shows, or possibly at a crafter's open house at your home. Craig's List is a good resource for sellers as well as a good resource to purchase supplies at a low price. Ebay has a wide audience and can be a good resource as well, though with a few more rules to follow, or to open an ebay store.
Backpacks are a useful item that all ages can use, from toddlers to adults, and there are many sites with tutorials to help you get started. www.sewingsupport.com has free patterns for all kinds of backpacks, from simple to more advanced, and there are 40 styles to pick from. Each pattern comes from a different site or blog and the easiest pattern found came from the blog www.mamaurchin.com. How to make a backpack, from .blogs.babble.com/family-style/2011/09/01 contains 30 free patterns, many of them different from the previous site.
How about making rag dolls? These are tremendously popular with children and adults and are used as a favored friend or for home decor. They come in many different styles, and there are many sites that teach you how to make them as well as patterns to make them. www.sewingfreebies.com/dolls.html has free doll patterns and they range from beginner to intricate, some for display and some for a cuddle. www.tipjunkie.com/homemade-gifts/ma contains 20 patterns to make a doll out of sewing, paper, or crochet. And for some really cute babies, visit http://ragdollpatterns.blogspot.com
Other sewing ideas for profit include dressmaking, curtains and slip covers, bags and pouches, or perhaps clothing repair. The possibilities are endless, only limited by your skill level and desire to succeed. You could target one type of item, such as baby bibs, or expand into children's clothing. Or how about sewing for pets? This is a huge industry, as people purchase unique items for their loved furry little ones.
Just keep in mind that many patterns are copyrighted and need permission to reproduce for profit. There are also many patterns that come with a disclaimer that allows them to be reproduced for sale, but with credit for the pattern given to the owner. And some can be sewn for any purpose. Please check before selling!
If you need fabric, check out Hobby Lobby which has a weekly sale and a good variety of fabric. Or go online to fabric.com, Fabric Depot, or Joann Fabrics, which is online as well as local. All have a huge selsction of wonderful fabrics and some have discounted pieces of leftovers or remnants. Happy and profitable sewing!
Comments