What are the topics a sewer needs to master

Miss Bonnie what do I  need to know to be able to sell? It’s usually followed by
“I saw this, article that…”

The fact is when you plan to move from Hobby to business, your approach, the very way you sew, changes and there is a lot to be cognizant of, to learn and to decide.

I will tell you this, It’s not “just 5 things”! It’s not simply selling on  “Instagram” or “Etsy”.

It’s deciding who you sell to and learning to reach and sell to them on your own site, on Twitter, on Etsy, on Instagram, on your personal facebook page, and then on Linkedin. It selling in a group vs your page or profile… it’s selling without seeming to sell.

Even then though, what you sell and how you make or supply what you sell changes.

SEW SHIRLEY’S sewing circle are about  how you make to sell, and specifically how you make to sell at a profit. It is about supplying others within the local and especially within specific niches.

Our first addresses the black supply chain hence 

“Je Ko DuDU Si”™

Roughly translated, it means make it blacker… All are welcome. However we hope to address the high unemployment rates affecting communities of color.

I’ve taken MOST of THE THINGS successful apparel makers need to know and /or understand  wrapped them into a six month course and added a pattern instructional library  that will remain permanently available to participants.

I have a very good technique showing women who want to learn to sew how to do so, quickly efficiently and well. I taught the lady in our header image the art of the my flare. someone inevitable asks her how much, or “make one for me.”

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So how do we take a new sewer to the level where they can competently sew to sell for others!  How do we do so in less than a month. Sewing for others is not the same as sewing for your self, and as such even experienced sewers SHOULD participate in a sew circle such as this.

In moving from hobby to starting a business, in learning to build a successful business using your design or apparel making skills, are you confident in what exactly one need to know, learn? 

1- Handmade does not mean only YOUR HANDS. LEARN TO CHOOSE MANAGE AND KEEP GREAT SERVICE PROVIDERS.

2- Do you understand  Business and Revenue models ( there are about 100 on one list), Targeting,  Marketing/ & Scaling

3- Business is the logistics, tools and resources you need  and how you execute. There are tons of business models. The term Revenue models refers to how you earn a profit from your business. Target Market is who you serve and scale is how much if that market share you are targeting

4- Your “why”, even for your own clothing is the need or desire you are trying to fill 

5- Audience info is crucial to correctly delivering  product or service that satiates or satisfies.I

n the Apparel/sewing the info you need are facts data

• measurement, budget how much and when are are few data points
• Style or Aesthetics preference. These are tribal, cultural as well as personal

6- You need skill sets to execute and an understanding of theses skill sets so you can manage your PLM. These can be 

• Creative
• Technical
• Business

Under technical for example there is

Design communications or drawing graphics

Patternmaking, Sample making, production, finishing

Then there is all the myriad ways to market & sell, distribution & shipping

these fall under PLM- product line management is part of design business. It’s part of home sewing , cottage and indies design business, it may look different and there are many ways for people to participate and earn. There are consumers to court define and analyze. There is  trend analysis, and forecasting, predicting common trends colors theme.

There are those who source… fabric trims color inspiration, designers creative, designers technical, pattern makers and graders, textile makers, designers, printers and finishers…
Sample makers & manufacturers – including those who do blanks, Warehousing, Sales- marketing, wholesale options..

Wholesale options and terms Consignment to  licensing – understanding your trade options.
Retail options & business models- stores, pop up spaces, flea markets, mobile vehicles, digital commerce, apps, direct mail,

Warehousing & Distribution – drop shipping, shipping and fulfillment – customer support…
Putting It in Black and what- what you need to have your legal consultant  ensure. On top of this you need to understand how and when those you work for, those who service your needs, and the general industry sector function so that you meet deadlines to take advantage of opportunities.

• You’ll need to change your understanding of time.
• You need to understand how to make the consumer a priority without sacrificing yourself
• You’ll need to know how to respect your talent, without being rude to a customer.

 

Left:- line item by then 15 year old student design business

RIGHT – Why Not Build your own top off this one shoulder handkerchief top Instrucard™

 

 

 

 

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