tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post343421808179357346..comments2024-03-27T12:49:24.590-04:00Comments on Sew Many Ways...: I Need Your Opinion...Karen from Sew Many Ways...http://www.blogger.com/profile/05258367030113873230noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-10866941190296252212011-09-22T05:13:05.219-04:002011-09-22T05:13:05.219-04:00I make thing with fabrics I like... I'm so sor...I make thing with fabrics I like... I'm so sorry but fr me is impossible work with some thing if I don't love it...<br /><br />I need to love the work I do! And I need to love the things I use to do this work :-DRaquel Blascohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07005798055135410169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-76384962794133395942011-01-19T21:35:41.803-05:002011-01-19T21:35:41.803-05:00I really think it boils down to why you are sellin...I really think it boils down to why you are selling the items? Do you consider this a business? or Are you selling items to pay for your passion? There are years of experience in the above comments, please take mine with a grain of salt, but if I want lots of sales, I'd try appealing to more customers. If I'm paying for my passion I'd be myself!HuckleberryKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000708845233960533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-68958841132066233082011-01-17T07:53:04.993-05:002011-01-17T07:53:04.993-05:00I have the same issue and I've found that, for...I have the same issue and I've found that, for something to be a successful creation, it has to be something that I love.<br /><br />I do, once in a while, try new things and find that I do like it and count that as my "growth spurt." <br /><br />I enjoy special orders because they force me to try to get inside the customers head to make sure we're on the same page about results. For me, pricing is the biggest challenge. <br /><br />Love your room. My DH and I just finished my sewing room. He's a carpenter and made all my furniture. I have a cutting center, and ironing center, a hooping center, an office center and three sewing centers. It's beautiful and I love having my own space.katzberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05638942393946610633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-31268411301133427832011-01-12T15:27:44.332-05:002011-01-12T15:27:44.332-05:00Do what you love otherwise you will hate what you ...Do what you love otherwise you will hate what you do.<br /><br />I tried to appease the market and ended up hating the things I was making. I craft now more for sanity (I have two kids with one being autistic) and I love what I make. If someone wants to buy something then so be it. If not, I know I made something that brought me great satisfaction.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03880195270413589514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-6291169847803035372011-01-11T11:55:31.484-05:002011-01-11T11:55:31.484-05:00I have been making & selling my hand crafted i...I have been making & selling my hand crafted items for more years than you can imagine! Here is my rule of thumb.<br />#1- NEVER make anything that you can not give away when it does not sell<br />#2- NEVER follow a trend...IE: those Geese of the 80's! See rule #1!<br />#3- NEVER try to GUESS what might sell. Do your homework. It easier today than ever simply go to Etsy and see things that selling!<br />Attend shows in your area and in surrounding areas...see what others are doing that is selling.<br />#4- NEVER expect to make money at this! You will never be paid for your time and supplies, so price it to sell....<br /><br />I have found over the years that the items that will always sell are Heirloom quality baby items and EVERYTHING Christmas! The rest is a gamble...aprons, tote, hair bows..are all over played as is cheap gaudy jewelry and SCentsy pots!<br />Selling your stuff takes a skill. Both in making the items and knowing your market to sell them in. If you live in a rural farm community with a large Mennonite influence, then you probably are not going to be selling A ton of Amy Butler or Kaffe Fassett fabrics made into pinafores, aprons, totes, etc....<br />If you live in an upscale Denver community, you probably are not going to sell many hand crochet pot scrubbers and kitchen towels...jaciqltzb4uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14098401943868599900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-33026286219526045532011-01-11T04:33:52.357-05:002011-01-11T04:33:52.357-05:00I think if you buy what you love the sewing will g...I think if you buy what you love the sewing will go much faster! I think they will be plenty of people that will like it too! Or buy on sale then maybe you will love to make some profit on it, but you probably still have to like it! I love modern fabrics as well, but it's harder working with them since they are usually very busy and large prints. <br /><br />Happy sewing!Zlatyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715393711678667957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-75597290834441452852011-01-10T23:55:19.685-05:002011-01-10T23:55:19.685-05:00i just read a great article on this. what i got ou...i just read a great article on this. what i got out of it was to target an audience with your product. make what your audience wants....<br /><br />on a side note. you could always place a note on all your items you post saying that they are customizable. so if someone sees something they love but don't care for the pattern/color.. they can email you asking if you could make it in such and such pattern/color scheme =)kristanlynn @ adelynSTONEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04456406906603456073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-36889708462201675072011-01-10T22:16:18.365-05:002011-01-10T22:16:18.365-05:00I understand your dilemma for you have to make wha...I understand your dilemma for you have to make what people will buy, but I have to tell you that I think you are in luck! As far as I am concerned, the fabrics you listed above as those you love are trendy! If they aren't, then there are a whole lot of frumpy French General lovers out there! I see that stuff everywhere!Melissa ;-)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14733647867832856001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-49576451452899309952011-01-10T20:57:37.838-05:002011-01-10T20:57:37.838-05:00I would suggest starting with the fabrics you love...I would suggest starting with the fabrics you love but also add in some that attract you that you don't normally work with. I find that when I am making shop models, even if I don't think I will like the fabric, it expands my horizons. I often end up liking the fabric. I think it is good to step out of our comfort zone. You will quickly find out what your target audience will be.Marlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06499962588988035057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-48474273795274613712011-01-10T20:56:25.736-05:002011-01-10T20:56:25.736-05:00I must say, I love everything you showed us so I w...I must say, I love everything you showed us so I would say yes to what you like and might like too..Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11645925151381510065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-76207274196087240662011-01-10T15:16:14.427-05:002011-01-10T15:16:14.427-05:00I tend to make what I like and when I have a custo...I tend to make what I like and when I have a custom order I buy a little extra material/yarn for whatever project I'm doing and use it along the way.Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised when you actually have the fabric in hand as to how well it compliments something you already have in your stash and then you have a whole new look.Good luck,and don't wear yourself out.The Hobbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689995726270083268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-28029106628419117472011-01-10T13:58:32.880-05:002011-01-10T13:58:32.880-05:00I would say make things you enjoy making or you mi...I would say make things you enjoy making or you might get tired and bored very soon. If you enjoy your process and projects it will show through.Nina Lise@Mrs Moenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943912994076653225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-17963273789886247112011-01-10T13:28:59.104-05:002011-01-10T13:28:59.104-05:00I say that you make them with both..that way you a...I say that you make them with both..that way you are liking it and making it appealing to a lot of people too.<br />MickiMickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09075827547379051762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-50134145817793895912011-01-10T13:21:41.179-05:002011-01-10T13:21:41.179-05:00I'm not a buyer of already made craft projects...I'm not a buyer of already made craft projects, nor a seller, so my advice isn't worth much, but I would simply use my favorites - and do things I love. As I start selling things, I will get a better feel for what people like, and then tweak that along the way. Whatever doesn't sell, you can use yourself (or use to drive traffic by giving away). You don't want to get into moving so far out of your comfort zone that you do not enjoy making your products.Shelina (formerly known as Shasta)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03290945204269323129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-24680719811370694132011-01-10T12:26:15.001-05:002011-01-10T12:26:15.001-05:00Love your blog! I would make things that appeal to...Love your blog! I would make things that appeal to you. I have made and sold beaded jewelry but I found that it took the fun out of it when I made jewelry that appealed to others rather than myself. Plus, I think it makes your products more unique because it reflects your individual style.Laceyhttp://www.laceywilson15.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-14687431249390628042011-01-10T12:05:11.453-05:002011-01-10T12:05:11.453-05:00I didn't take time to read all the other comme...I didn't take time to read all the other comments, but just from browsing quickly I can see that you're getting lots of answers. I honestly think you can go either way....make only what you like, or make what you like and what sells...BOTH will work!! I do both and have no trouble selling anything! Above all, have fun!!Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05238331730157203557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-63963867567168120152011-01-10T11:57:56.641-05:002011-01-10T11:57:56.641-05:00My type of sewing and business is different from y...My type of sewing and business is different from yours, but some of the same principles apply. At one time, I tried to please everyone -- going outside my own preferences. For me, it ended up being an expensive mistake, and one that I am still paying for. <br />My love is in heirloom and classic clothing for children. It appears you love the classic and traditional fabric designs. While I do sometimes fall for a trendy popular fabric, I find it quickly becomes more dated in a store. At least for me, they have a much shorter shelf life and appeal. The more classic designs never seem to go out of style, and the colors usually continue to coordinate over time with newer fabrics. That is not always true of the trendy designs. I say go for what you love, and love what you do.<br />I live only a few miles from the Moda warehouse. It is an amazing and inspirational place!Jan Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876568604399905934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-59184723155726402912011-01-10T11:15:18.186-05:002011-01-10T11:15:18.186-05:00On one hand, if you make something and it doesn...On one hand, if you make something and it doesn't sell, you don't want to be 'stuck' with something you don't really like. However, making something with a particular pattern (or design) that you do like with fabrics that are a little out of your comfort zone could be a nice compromise. It's so hard to anticipate what someone else might like! And, sometimes, when we start doing something we love to do for money, it can take all the joy out of it. If you don't 'have to' do it, just make sure you do it in a way that won't rob you of that joy! <br /><br />I'm sure you'll make the right choice! :o]<br /><br />Doris...a/k/a DJScrappiness...https://www.blogger.com/profile/06711281863101331507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-74323760740941285162011-01-10T11:11:11.029-05:002011-01-10T11:11:11.029-05:00I would go for what you like/love if you enjoy wha...I would go for what you like/love if you enjoy what you make it will be beautiful..!<br />Good luck!Holly saveurnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-3443650733483879082011-01-10T10:41:12.629-05:002011-01-10T10:41:12.629-05:00Hi there!
One of the things we have to learn in a...Hi there!<br /><br />One of the things we have to learn in a business setting is that we have to think outside the box of our own personal tastes. That's frequently hard to do, because our knowledge of ourself is so strong--but if we want to really make money pleasing other people, we have to take their personal preferences into account, as well. <br /><br />As Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true..." Make designs you love, with craftsmanship that you can be proud of, and certainly make the majority in fabrics that you would choose if you like. Never work with ugly fabric. Just realize that if we want this to be a legitimate business, we need to try to reach as many potential buyers as possible, not just those that agree with our color and pattern choices. <br /><br />Anyway, that's my two cents' worth, and these days, that won't even buy you two pieces of penny candy!!<br /><br />Best of luck!<br />Dot<br />dminshall67@yahoo.comDothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12923216232251226201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-56863708711751186192011-01-10T10:10:06.691-05:002011-01-10T10:10:06.691-05:00Thanks Karen,
Really nice of you to stop by, as yo...Thanks Karen,<br />Really nice of you to stop by, as you can see I am new to quilty blogs. I was in Rhode Island last April for the quilt show, Did you go, are you going this year?<br /><br />I have changed my status to show email now -- thanks for the tiplynneUSAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01791158093414054008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-19321271382433859242011-01-10T08:49:41.850-05:002011-01-10T08:49:41.850-05:00Make what you love with the materials you love. I...Make what you love with the materials you love. I think that's the only way to end up with something fabulous. I really think people can tell if something is made without that love.Angela Nashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08264664659789446452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-69698394818689072832011-01-10T08:31:16.992-05:002011-01-10T08:31:16.992-05:00Hi
I would mix it up to go for the broader audie...Hi <br /><br />I would mix it up to go for the broader audience but try and group them by type so the eyes don't get overwhelmed<br /><br />LynnelynneUSAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01791158093414054008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-83240021719783165152011-01-10T08:22:16.155-05:002011-01-10T08:22:16.155-05:00I work at a wonderful fabric store in Michigan. I...I work at a wonderful fabric store in Michigan. I love Moda also, but the more I see of the contemporary fabrics, the more they are growing on me (except Kaffe Fassett ;) Do what you like, experiment a little, but most of all have fun! There is a lot of mixing of old and new. You'll find your niche.Lori VKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-444221130150558371.post-11480927598494502772011-01-10T08:06:11.092-05:002011-01-10T08:06:11.092-05:00I have the same dilema. I, too, want to start sell...I have the same dilema. I, too, want to start selling my crafts and not sure how to go about it. But I think going mostly with fabric you love, whether it's 'right' for your home or not. That way you get both traditional and contemporary fabric in there. If you really like some Amy Butler, but it wont fit in your home. That's ok, make something out of it to sell. Good luck!Dorianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05161301722715338900noreply@blogger.com