A life lesson for buyers of handmade things: Things are priced for what they are worth, and if you cannot afford that price, this does not change that it is priced fairly.
Artisans deserve a living wage, AT LEAST! People will pay $15 for a lousy hamburger made by a person that has no skills, but makes $15 per hour... I'd be fortunate to get $15 per hour for the items I produce and I have decades of developed skill.
@@kilodeltawhisky1504 cooking is also a skill, and restaurants have high costs. You can support a cook being paid fairly, and also desire to be paid fairly.
Just want to add that you could also do classes for birthdays. We had a sewing birthday party for my daughter and it was a class with a “free sew” where they had access to scraps to make whatever they wanted. Then we ended with cupcakes. It was so fun! Everyone loved it. Another way to bring people in!
Oh…how I wish I had this wonderful information 20 + years ago! I pray this goes well for you and all who get this book. My age and health hinders me from running with this, but, God willing, I can pass on my knowledge to my granddaughter!! Thanks Nikki! God bless!
I fell into alterations for fire fighters, law enforcement, and fire suits for Nascar officials. This is a special type of sewing, as you need to sew with fire retardant threads. It's expensive, so I charge a bit more. I also taught my students in my after-school program the basics of sewing. I am trying to keep the love of sewing going forward
I have offered similar classes at my church, for free. You think, Why?! It's great practice, you know the children, and the parents are familiar with my work. I do arts and crafts with 25 kids and 6 different crafts. This started with Advent Workshop, where kids could make Christmas items. My table always had the most children, and no disciplinary issues as the kids knew me. It was so much fun. Then I would offer the same class at our local and active Parks &Rec Dept. I would teach children and elderly arts and crafts. It wasn't a lot, but kept our heads above water. I could get inexpensive supplies and run with it. I would volunteer at school and teach hundreds of children in one week how to finger crochet/knit and quilting. That required nothing but scraps that couldn't be used in anything else. Parents would see me with all the children, boys and girls. I simply explained that girls/women would sew for family and gifts. Guys learn to sew, crochet/knit and always figure a way to make money, naming many designer labels. That's all it took to get them interested. Then do something similar through Parks & Rec or a fundraising event and charge for a block of time. 😊❤ My point is there are ways to advertise, then charge at a later time.
I had a sewing business doing alterations for years, i quit to go on the road with my hubby for a while and I am so glad I quit. it took a toll on my machines and people asked me to do stupid stuff. like put new elastic in a pair of shorts that were so out dated and then they were going to donate them back to the thrift store. I said no, of course. teaching people to sew, would love to do. but the one time I taught a class, I ended up fixing their machines. I am taking it easy now. I can create what I want when I want. I am making scrap jean quilts right now, didn't want to have bulk so I just stitched flannel in the center of each jean square and I serged all the edges of the jean. 210 blocks each. I wish we could share a pic cause they are pretty unique. Thanks for the videos.
I sold at craft fairs for 10 years when I was home with my kids. I did very well and had a loyal following. 75% of my money was earned at shows between September and December. I did have a certain look to my booth but made many different things so it was not boring.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey with all of us. I’m a scrappy former homeschool mom (both graduated🥳) and appreciate the freedom of a home based craft-centered business. It’s truly is important to tap into your local scene. As a former flight attendant (pre-kids), I made holiday aprons to wear on the flights (back before it was actually allowed😎) and before long I had a thriving side hustle making aprons first for other rouge flight attendants. Then pilots and passengers wanted to buy them too and before long I made enough money to trade in my ancient but free (because it was left behind at the auction) sewing machine that only did straight and zig-zag stitches for a brand new fancy-schmancy loaded machine with funds to spare. I think the teaching idea is FABULOUS and is much need in the community😊
How awesome to learn about your success in teaching and publishing your own book. You, and rightfully so, should be so proud of your success. I applaud people that are successful!!!
You are an amazing young woman!!! Congrats to you on homeschooling!!! I am a quilter/mother/grandma....It's a hobby, but I love your whole idea how to have an income. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you for this information! I can see myself hooking up with after school or home school groups teaching sewing when I’m ready to retire. Retirement is right around the corner for me. I’d love to do something like this.
Teaching sewing is a blast. I did it for 3 years. Moved because of my husband's job and it didn't go. Went from 18 students ages 6-63 to none. It was disappointing, but i worked through it 😁🥰
Just discovered you a few weeks ago. You're delightful and obviously quite bright and talented. I like your presentations, I've always loved straight to the point, no fluff, very little music (soothing my preference)... and so needed the laugh at the "palm trees and monkeys" (I'm from Savannah, GA - native Atlanta, GA, and entered culture shock when we moved to SAV from ATL early 80's... and you're soooooo right about that!). Thank you for sharing your time and talent, may get your book next month (recent widow, income cut 60% - but GOD is beyond so good and provides every need and want I can imagine). Take care of you and keep up your dreams and sharing. Best gifts ever, and I look forward to all your YT videos. Such a blessing you are.
Thankyou for making this video. I had a total hip replacement six weeks ago and whilst I was thinking of returning to work, I’m not able to get on the floor so working with tiny children is going to have to wait. I live in a community where I have become part of the craft group and did approach them to do workshops but they have had a change of committee and no one has taken the role of workshop coordinator. We have a town hall that is minimal to hire that may serve as a venue. I was also thinking of going to the customer to teach them in their home. I do have a space but it isn’t very big and we live a good thirty minutes out of town. We do have a thriving homeschooling community in the area which is something I’d like to tap into. Your book will be a great resource.
Got the ebook and read half through as soon as I got it. Answers so many questions. Clear information in a way that made it like you were in the room with me. Teach grands but didn't know how to open it up to more people. Working through it. THank you!
Don’t forget your adult classes in Hawaii!! My friend Annie and I had a great time making our mini pineapple quilts. I still have mine and use it as decor!
An answer to prayer! I have ALWAYS wanted to do this but didn’t know how or when to start. I have an even bigger dream of a chain of Sewing schools.🥰 Sewing is becoming a lost art because it is no longer taught in schools. I had sewing as part of HomeEc in junior high. My mother is a masterful seamstress as well. Some of my best memories as a kid were outfits made just for me. I will be ordering your ebook!
❤You are so precious to share your thoughts and ideas. My mother was the “local home Ex teacher” in our small West Virginia county. She retired in 1971, and I still have people telling me how much they appreciated what they learned from her. I’ve been considering starting sewing classes. I’ve volunteered at adult retreats and found I loved it. As a retired third grade teacher who still misses the kids, I know I’d love to set up teaching camps. I have acquired a lot of fabric. I am in attic right now trying to sort it. Now I know what I can do with it!😀 I’ll be interested in your book too. More later. Love your videos. I’m anew subscriber. ❤
Welcome! That's so sweet. When I graduated high school in 2000, I wanted to find a college where I could major in home ec, but I couldn't find one. So the world needs more sewing teachers! :)
Oh yes when friends find out I can sew and make stuff they start asking for hemming and other basic alterations and I’m like um no please don’t ruin my hobby.
Wow I am so excited to purchase the e book!! I have had multiple people reach out asking me to teach sewing classes for my daughters little friends. Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I’m an older homeschool mom, now helping with the grandkids & was thinking of offering sewing classes. I’ve been sewing for 55+ years & learning is still happening. Thanks for putting it to paper
What a thoughtful person you are! Seriously! Thank you for this video. I love your example of “women encouraging women”. We need more of this. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to make some extra money while not being gone from the home too often. This is perfect. I will be buying your book and putting your ideas to work asap. Thank you!!!
Well thank you Nikki for a great video. I made a real connection with you and immediately bought your book. This is exactly what I want to do & appreciate all the effort you put in to producing the book - just like sewing - it takes time,effort,skill etc and has value. I look fwd to more from you. Oh also browsed your shop - yummy stuff in there too! Keep up the great work. Vanessa, Devon uk
I am loving your videos! You are so talented & have so many great ideas ! I feel the same way about patterns for ideas only… quilting is art! Your eyes are so great!
The advise on a cohesive theme is really great: if all of your items are baby things, there are less decisions for the consumer to make. If they're all cottage core, it's easier for the consumer to imagine them making their home look well decorated, and a similar style throughout is more restful to the eye, making the buyer feel calmer and find the products more inviting. You want the booth to be appealing and draw them in, make them feel welcome and comfortable. A hodge podge of random items, piled up messily reminds people of clutter, of things they need to do, and that does not appeal.
Not just moms with children at home! I am retired and not very mobile but I still need to add to our income and just as important I want to continue to contribute! Looking forward to your ebook!
This NEVER occurred to me! I LOVE to teach, but I have always just done it for free! Is someone asks, I just teach them! This is a GREAT idea! I never thought anyone would pay me for this handed- down family knowledge!
Paused this video just to comment: THANK YOU for saying all this! I’m retirement eligible and considering following my passion for making/altering clothes. I love hearing a sucessful woman tell me to take myself seriously as a seamstress!!
I've been sewing most of my adult life. I have an Etsy shop which I've neglected but still have the occasional custom order. My biggest source of sewing imcome comes from memory bears. I also have a student but her lessons are too infrequent for a steady income. I'm thinking of advertising for more students. I can only teach one at a time due to space constraints. I agree that teaching sewing pays way better if i could get more students on a more regular basis. I'll be ordering your book!
I have been contemplating teaching sewing classes for at least 10 years, and I am now getting ready to "finally" do it. I am a teacher, post secondary education and getting ready to retire from that. I live rural but there are kids around not to far from me and 3 small towns close by I can market to. My ideas are starting with sewing camps and building to weekly classes from my home is what I want to do. I also have a 16" vintage RV that I though about offering Sewing Birthday parties from. I can bring my little trailer to their location. My trailers name is Bobbin, lol. Anyway, what is your opinion on this? Do you think it would gain traction? Thank you for sharing, and I will be purchasing your ebook.🙂
This is great. In my small city there is a center that offers classes. If you would like to do this for income but don't have enough snace in your house look for a space 8n your community.
Working on getting my hems professional level so when recital season comes up I can post flyers around all the local dance schools. I'm not ready for that yet tho
if you are doing cosplay, larp, etc (or any formal wear , bridal, etc ) get a deposit UP FRONT, and a written contract that says alterations and changed after x days will cost $$$ and if they cancel they get no refund i cannot count how many people call my friends up half way through making their outfit and want changed- and they NEVER understand the difference between "hem it up a bit higher" and "change the shoulders"
I love your passion for passing on what you have learned that works for you. It is reassuring to have someone come out and admit that they didn't make money right away. I tried the craft fair route and wondered what was wrong with me that I made so little. I tried Etsy and though I had sales, I could never figure out how to get enough sales to keep it going. I tried selling other venues as well, like Shopify and Bonanza, but they were a total failure. So much time working to make a product and I'd end up giving it away. Thank you for shedding some light on a topic that holds so much mystery to me.
This is such good information! As far as sewing goes, I tend to do only quilting. I have made some garments. For example, I made a chemise (which I use as a night gown) and while it turned out okay, I think I would be able to make it so much better now! My husband wants me to learn how to make historical garments for people such as reenactors. That is definitely a business niche, and when the garments are made well, people are willing to pay well for them. However, I have not yet treaded into that territory. On Etsy, would it be problematic to sell quilts that are made from patented patterns? I am not sure what those laws are or entail. Thank you again for this information!!
Historical garments is a GREAT idea! That would be so fun. As for selling quilts, you can always reach out to the designer and ask, or sometimes they say on their site what they allow. Although it’s possible they can’t legally tell you you can’t, I’m really not sure. Even very simple quilts sell well on Etsy though, the key is in choosing modern fabrics and knowing what’s popular as far as color schemes and that kind of thing. I’ve had success selling baby quilts on Etsy for $130 each and they were not very involved designs.
I dont know about Etsy, I have never used it. But I work in a quilt shop. Patterns usually state on them, For Personal Use Only, Not Intended For Commercial Use, or Only Limited Commercial Use For Craft Fairs Or Farmers Markets. The exact wording may vary, but thats the gist of the statements. Some will say you can only make so many for sale. Or if you make them for sale you must credit the pattern maker . its not cuper common, but they can sue you for copy right infringement if they went to be testy. To make certain, most patterns have a business email on them and you can email them for permission. I have a booth at my local farmers market and to be safe I just make up my own patterns. But there are other vendors who use commercial patterns and tell me they haven't had any issues. 🤷
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I too am a homeschooling Army wife. I’ve been really trying to find a good side hustle. I have done numerous things over the years, but this e-book of yours is really exciting. Thank you!
I have been teaching sewing for a few years at a homeschool co-op. Previously, I taught at a 4-H group but have hesitated to teach in my home. I bought the book and am now ready to give it a try. My young adult daughters do a lot of theatre, so a class on making costumes would be perfect, too. The book has a lot of practical information and creative ideas told in Nikki's fun, down-to-earth voice . Get her book if you are at all interested in teaching sewing!
I taught a few sewing classes when I homeschooled my kiddos also. I bought a few used sewing machines from the thrift and had the charter school pay me. It was a blast!
Well..none of these suggestions work for me. I'm not into teaching and don't want to make clothes or costumes. I am a bagmaker, and my stuff is really good. It looks like it came from the store. The problem is how to sell my makes and where.
Hi dear. Good that you’re a bag maker . I too am interested in making them . I live in LA , I need your suggestions and advice regarding sourcing , equipments etc . How could I reach you please ? Email ?x thanks
I had a couple sewing machines when I started and had students share. Then I used the money from the first two classes to buy a few more. I still had students share, though, it just works better that way!
Thank you! Great informative video! Have never seen one like this. I’m wondering how much you charge to teach? Great idea. Your ebook sounds very interesting. I will take a look. ❤
The ebook goes into great detail about what to charge! It can depend on some variables, so what I charged may be different from what you should charge!
Thank you for the mention!!! 🥰 I wholeheartedly agree that classes and private lessons are the fastest way to make the most money and quickly. You should buy her book!!
Soooo, I just watched a video on batching gift ideas and that led me to this video that answered the question that came to mind 6 mo ago “ what if I teach kids and teens to sew” “I wonder if the homeschool community has a need for this?” “ I should teach kids and teens to sew, I’ve always wanted to do that”. And now I’m watching this and I’m so grateful to find your content because you wrote an e-book!! is the title “Serendipity “? I now understand why I have Acquired a few sewing machines in the past few years!!! I’m going to need them for Sew camp!😊 YES!!! Thanks for the boost of encouragement and common sense!
You are singing to my Saul. I have been Thinking of teaching kids to sew for a long time now. Thank you for writing this e-book and it is well worth the price thank you! I couldn’t bring myself to use the coupon code because you’ve done all the hard work! I recently found your RU-vid channel and have really been enjoying your tutorials. I’ve purchased a few of your patterns and want to tell you they are just great. Thank you for sharing such great information.
I sew simple garments (nothing intricate or I don’t enjoy it) on a regular basis. But my real passion and talent is painting/art. I wonder if you think your book could translate to other ideas besides sewing. 🤔
I loved the idea of teaching how to sew. How many machines did you have at home? Did you have a big space? How many students could you handle at one class?
I did not start with a large space at all, I started in my dining room. I had three machines for 6 students to share. These and lots more questions are answered in great detail in the ebook!
I would love to teach but have a very small home and live with 2 musicians( think lots of instruments) and a strong aggressively friendly dog and long haired cat. Do you have any creative suggestions for a teaching space? Renting in my area can be very expensive!
craft fairs are disappointing, yep. When I stopped doing craft fairs I still had people call me on the phone and ask if I could make x number of certain items. I actually made MORE money NOT doing craft fairs. There is a uniform shop here in my town that keeps my name and number on record for first responders who need pants hemmed quicker than their turnaround ( shop turnaround is a minimum of 2 weeks- mine is usually 2 or 3 days) I don't make a lot of money doing this, but throughout the year it is enough for me to say that I paid for my hubby's Xmas gifts each year. I mostly do quilting now and love when I get 3 or 4 commissioned quilts a year. That is enough for me to say I had a good year. (My hubby makes really good money so I don't need to worry so much anymore) The year my hubby was in Iraq though I really counted on the extra $$ I made.
Just found your video, and suscribed. I´ve learned to saw with my grandma , and my mother. I´ll retire this August and was looking for something interesting to do. And your video gave me a good option.
I am so glad I found your channel! I love your videos, I love listening to you teach, I love your down to earth attitude. Thank you for sharing! I have now watched almost all of your videos.
Is it supposed delightful. I wish I would have thought of something like this myself when I was homeschooling my children. I used to do so many things for free. We would have baking camps and everyone went home with their own apron that I had sold we had all kinds of fun things going on in my house and I never thought of making a camp and rightfully charging for the things that I did. I would create the most amazing parties for birthdays with activities. I could have very well had a camp or classes. Instead I struggled and I cleaned houses and try to fit being out of the house cleaning houses and homeschooling at the same time brilliant brilliant brilliant
Thank you very much! I suffer from a disability and I've been trying to make money by selling my products but while everyone seems to love my creations, nobody seems to be willing to pay for them 😅
This is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. The first person I thought of was my mom. I shared this video before I finished. 😊
Nikki: ohhhhh how I loved this content and You👏👏👏 you are so energetic, encouraging and blessing so many of us by sharing your knowledge on your channel!!! I will be checking this book out😀😀😀 Congratulations to the graduate and mom n dad💐🎉 God’s continued blessings until next time 🥰🙏🏻✝️❤️😀
You can print it out, yes, or read it on an iPad or computer, or phone. It’s 65 pages, so I think most people read it on a device rather than printing it.
Hi Nikki, thank you so much for your valuable content. I love that you mention the option of sewing for ballet, in fact, that’s what I would love to do but would like to improve my skills first. After more than a decade of sewing experience I applied for a training position at various theaters without any success (have a feeling I am too old already) Now I wonder if you know any alternative ways to obtain the required skills for that particular field. Where did you get all your knowledge from? Thanks a lot.
This is a great question! But I definitely don't think you're too old ;) I think I'd start practicing those skills by sewing costumes. I feel like I learned a ton of skills sewing a huge variety of costumes for my kids over the years. It was good practice at sewing fine fabrics and in problem solving. Do you have any kids in your life who jsut want some dress up clothes or halloween costumes? Second, I know that most ballet companies are happy to have volunteers to come help alter costumes, especially during Nutcracker season. When I helped out at my daughter's company last season, I sent an email with my experience, what I felt I was good at, and some photos of my work. You can learn a ton through the alterations of these costumes and just by getting your hands on them to see how they're made. Third, you can start altering for prom! Altering prom dresses is something I find super satisfying and it is a great education in how things are made! Otherwise, community theater and youth theater can almost always use help, so I'd try volunteering for some places first, then you'll have experience built up for those paid positions. I hope that helps!
@@PinCutSew Thank you, Nikki for your fast and detailed reply. What I realized when reading your answer was that I just need to built the confidence to offer my experience. In fact, I do have enough contacts to the dancing scene and just need to start small volunteering, gaining the required experience for the paid jobs as you mentioned. Kids are unfortunately, neither part in my own life nor in my friends life, but I‘ll find some ;). Altering is also a great idea but living in Austria prom is not as fancy as in the states… Here the Dirndl is a big deal ;), you know? But I do have an idea now what road to take, so thanks again for taking the time to answer my question and being an example to show that it‘s possible.
Yup, i taught sewing for 15+ years. I did workshops for fabric boutiques, fabric shops, then went on to teaching kids at the district park near where I lived, every summer. At the same park, I taught a couple of quilting classes, one traditional patchwork and the other Hawaiian quilting. It was a fun ride, but I stopped to work for the state so that I would be sure to get retirement benefits for my future retirement. When I did retire, I thought about going back to teaching sewing again and the basic aspects of pattern making, but I got lazy and stayed retired. At 71 I still have my sewing room, I still use it and teach my grand children how to sew. I’m also a knitter, that’s quite an addicting skill to do. Learning is a lifetime endeavor and I love it. I love that people still want to learn different skills. Your blog and youtube channel will encourage people to want to sew and maybe even teach sewing; don’t want it to turn into a lost art. Thank you!
I have had the exact same journey!! Make no money, people don’t want to pay for your stuff. have wanted to teach kids to sew and wanted to figure out how! Thank you I am excited for your book!
Yep, done the craft fairs, sell stuff to my mom, considered just standing on the street with my tote bags selling them to passers by HAHA! Have made costumes and that is really fun for me also love the creativity.
Please make another video on Etsy and also on content creating Also, I want to teach! Thank you for this. It’s so much easier to have the knowledge of how to do it rather than just figure it out on my own
Thanks for this great and encouraging video. I have had similar struggles trying to make money from sewing and came to the conclusion that teaching was the way to go and I had moderate success with that. I was teaching adults and it was fun but what killed me was the marketing and getting new students, I found that really hard, basically I didn’t have a business mindset so doing that side took up so much time and energy and didn’t get the results so I had to give up, I was paying for premises so I had to make a certain amount each month before I got any ‘pay’. Although, a friend did tell me the other day that the classes I did were the best ones she had been to, so that was nice to hear. Teaching kids would have been fun but here in the UK the rules around doing that independently are complicated and quite expensive. I’m retired now so just sew for my pleasure but I wish you and everyone well who wants to do this. Thank you for your generosity of spirit to share you ideas and advice ❤
