Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective. ETD with PICS

I have been sewing clothes and accessories (for home and personal) for a little over a year now. I've made my DD countless dresses and many things for my home such as pillows, duvets, curtains, cushions, etc. EVERYONE is telling me I should open up my own business and sell children's clothes that I have made.

SO, here's where you come in. I'm trying to figure out if this is a viable solution, as when sewing for my DD I source rather expensive fabric and notions, etc, so don't really end up saving much money. And, each garment takes me about 6-9 hours depending on the complexity.

So a few questions for you:

Can you give me an idea of how much you'd be willing to pay for a beautiful and one of a kind handmade dress? Shirt? Skirt? Jacket?

If you heard about them through either word of mouth, vendor on LIF/Etsy/etc, how willing would you be to give it a try and make an order?

Would you prefer the opportunity to choose a custom outfit or to just choose from pre-made stock clothing?

How important is quality of materials to you? I.e. I could charge much less using lesser quality fabrics, or create something truly special and unique using more expensive/imported/organic fabrics.

Please let me know if seeing pics of some dresses I've made DD would be helpful in gauging price points or hypothetical interest.

I hope this is kosher to post these questions!

Disclaimer: this is NOT a business as of yet, just the beginning germination of an idea I have had the past few weeks and trying to figure out whether it is something I should pursue or not.

Thank you so much for your time in answering these questions!

Edited to add pics:

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Message edited 9/24/2011 9:28:23 AM.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

Honestly? I would go for it if you have the skills.

Look at the moms here who buy custom stuff off Etsy all the time.

I have a friend who sews, she makes pillowcase dresses for people and they pay her to make the dress and many times even supply the fabric.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

6-9 hrs is a long time to make an outfit.

Assume 6 hrs

Minimum wage is $7.25 /hr.

For a piece, that is $43.50 for just your effort without including supplies.

Assume another $10 for supplies.

That comes to $53.50. Most things I see on etsy are a lot less $$ (maybe they are less ornate, ect)... but you catch my drift? Disclaimer: I'm not really an avid on-line shopper. The place where I do see them flourishing is in areas that stores do not supply, like knit hats, personalized items, ect.

I think if it's a hobby & you can spend less time on an outfit & would be happy with a few $$, it's great... but it is hard to compete with good quality mass-produced items price-wise.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

FM

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

Honestly I am not sure.

I went to a craft fair a few weeks ago and saw this adorable handmade dress for dd. When I saw the price it was 70.00. I did not buy it b/c I could not fathom spending that much when she grows so fast. Maybe for an older child where they will get more use. If it was cheaper than maybe. But I love the idea for unique pieces for special occasions.

If it was affordable even a little bit more expensive I would but not for $70.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

I buy a lot of custom clothing for my child. I would say about half of it ends up being junk...falls apart after washing, seams rip, etc. So if you have a serger, and can make stuff that will really hold up, and is great quality, go for it.

I know people that pay $200 for one outfit. So what you can charge greatly varies.

There is a custom boutique group on FB that I can give you the name of if you want to check out what other people pay for things.

Message edited 9/23/2011 11:36:43 AM.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

I like the idea of handmade outfits and I've seen many that are beautiful but they always come with a hefty price tag. I don't like to spend a lot on my DD's clothes because she grows out of things so fast and at age 3, things don't always stay so clean and neat. I like bang for my buck and generally handmade clothes will really cost you. If it was really super affordable I will be all for buying something but I can't really justify spending $50, 60, 70 on an outfit.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

Thank you for the feedback! I really appreciate the insight. I have certainly paid upwards of $100 for special occasion dresses, so perhaps I have a skewed perspective (and not the best financial sense! ). But I fully understand those not wanting to invest the money in an outfit their LO would most likely grow out of in 6 months and/or run into the ground. I could look for ways to shorten my production time and lower my materials cost.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

I am very frugal with spending on kids clothes, very! So for me it wouldn't be a great idea. But if you did christening outfits, party dresses, even holiday outfits that may work. People tend to spend a lot more on special occasion outfits then everyday stuff

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

I have a DS.. so no dresses for us.

If you made clothes for a DS, that where in my taste, soft, comfortable, and made of natural fibers... I would be your best client. I would pay a reasonable amount for good quality casual clothes. I haven't really spent anything on special occasion clothes. Our family doesn't expect him to get dressed up, and my favorite photo shoots are where he is casual.

I highly recommend you get an etsy shop and let me know about it :)
If that takes off, you can be more confident in opening up a business. Just what I would do..

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

Can you post some examples?

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

I think for a special occasion (specifically birthday with a peticular theme) I might buy something handmade....

And I know this isn't what you are asking, but I think if you are crafty like this, making custom bedding and accessories (curtains, hampers, matching lamp shades etc..) could be very lucrative for you (especially baby nurseries !) Something like this, where I could get years and years of use out of I definately would purchase

Message edited 9/23/2011 10:03:51 PM.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective

Thanks everybody. I added some pics up top. I would definitely do boys clothes, as well as nursery and home items. Basically it could be any custom project, within the limits of my skills of course, and some stock items that I had prepared. This is great feedback to get me going.

Lots to think about, perhaps Etsy isn't the best sales vehicle. Have to explore further.

Thank you again, I really appreciate the opinions!

Oh and yes, I only use natural fibers, I'm a stickler for the best materials! Vintage buttons where applicable, and other eclectic details that would make the pieces truly one of a kind and heirloom quality. Unless otherwise requested. With some down and dirty play clothes thrown in for good measure!

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective. ETD with PICS

I would like to put in an order for the coat please Love it!!!! I would probably pay about $50 for a coat like that, especially if it's hand made. I would always spend more for hand made.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective. ETD with PICS

i think the big market could be in girls dress coats - cause a parent will use them alot durring the season, holiday dresses and in christening outfits. which the parent alot of time then saves for their kids kids.... those things parents are more willing to shell out money on.... christiening outfits especially on here.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective. ETD with PICS

Posted by Bops

I think for a special occasion (specifically birthday with a peticular theme) I might buy something handmade....

And I know this isn't what you are asking, but I think if you are crafty like this, making custom bedding and accessories (curtains, hampers, matching lamp shades etc..) could be very lucrative for you (especially baby nurseries !) Something like this, where I could get years and years of use out of I definately would purchase

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective. ETD with PICS

No advice but I just wanted to say those dresses are so beautiful. You are very talented, whether you sell them or not.

Re: Questions about handmade clothing - please give your perspective. ETD with PICS

i think you should absolutely go for it! there are so many outlets and tools available to you today! Facebook is free and could be used to have a "product of the day" it's a great marketing tool! etsy is very popular nowadays. and there are plenty of moms on here who would i'm sure take interest.

as for fabric i would stick between moderate to high quality to give your customers a little range in price...but never lower quality bc you want people to rave about the quality and tell all their friends to build the business.

i think you have something here!