Sewing Services Business Is an Easy Business to Start from Home

A sewing services business is an ideal business for anyone who knows how to handle a needle and a thread, and who wants to work from home, either full time or part-time. It is one of the first businesses devised by man, and even today it has tremendous earning potential.

Start up costs
A sewing services business is easy to start. What you need is a reliable sewing machine that costs around $1200, an overlock machine which costs around $650 and a tabletop press which may cost around $500. The rest of the needs are regular office needs like a telephone, a computer with an Internet connection, a table, a chair and a filing cabinet. You will also need business cards, and some sewing inventory like threads, buttons, needles, zippers, etc. The overall cost for putting all this together should not exceed $5,000. You can cut this cost by half, if you buy a second hand sewing machine and a tabletop press.

Earnings
And what can you hope to earn? An average sewing service business that specializes in alteration and low-end work can earn $20,000 per year while a high-end sewing service business can earn anything up to $80,000 a year.

Skills
A sewing service business needs no special skills unless you want to tailor garments for a high-end boutique. In that case you need to undertake a course in fashion designing. Otherwise, it's your common sense and your nimbleness in handling a needle and thread that can make your business a roaring success.

Based on your interests, skills and time, you can specialize in any one of these areas: sewing and fixing costumes; sewing and fixing evening and formal wear; sewing and fixing men's suits and pants; or sewing and fixing casual wear.

Alteration especially is a very large area where you can never be short of work. However, you should be willing to take up minor tasks like hemming, making button holes, fixing zippers, mending fabrics, altering sizes, rejuvenating old garments, rejuvenating denims etc. This may not be very creative, but it is a regular source of income.

Target market
You need to enter into contracts with local dry cleaners, apparel stores, formal wear rentals, etc. which need darning and alteration work. You can connect with schools and offer to stitch all school uniforms. You can even take contracts for weddings or local stage events. You will find that your business starts growing on its own, as people discover a nimble seamstress that can be depended upon.

Points to ponder
You need to explore the market before you start a sewing services business. The questions you need to ask yourself are: What are the chances to make profits? How tough is the competition? How big is the market? What kind of money you can earn? Do you have the necessary business skills? Or will you find it difficult to approach customers and sell your services?

You also have to decide on the form of ownership. Should it be sole proprietorship or should it be in partnership? Both forms of ownership have their advantages and disadvantages. You best bet would be to consult a lawyer or a business consultant who can apprise you of the laws of the state, and help you take a decision.

Finally, you have to fix your charges. Should they be the same as the market rate or should they be less to start with? Are you going to charge by the hour or by the job?

The biggest advantage of a sewing service business is its flexible schedule. You can work out of your home. Your family life is not disrupted. You do not lose time commuting or waste your energy in office intrigues and backbiting. However, there may be days when you may be required to deliver work on a short notice. On these days, you should be ready to tear your away from your family and work long hours.

But when all is said and done, a sewing services business is an easy business to start and manage.