Sewing

[kateelle]

papergown-super cute shorts! Love the front buttons, they look so professionally made.

 

[The_Ida]

I made this top in 30 minutes with some cheap white jersey.

I'd totally wear it with papergowns shorts B)

 

[Malice]

^ So creative!

Thanks for karma&comments on my dress.
You are so sweet^^, <3

 

[Madde:)]

So sorry for the late responce, but better late than never?

RetroGirl: I just used the pictures and tryed to make it, as like it as I could. I`m not that good with planning and thats the way I do things, just jump at them, but I couldn`t seem to get it done though.

Novella1: Thank you very much!

Tess: Thanks!!! And thank you for the karma too

Katelle: I can only say thanks and good luck with your sewing!

Malice: Lovely!

Papergown: Nice shorts You did a great job!

 

[esskaa]

papergown, the shorts was really cool.
malice and madde, i love your dresses!

 

[kateelle]

The_Ida very cool, how did you close your seams?

 

[Amy Louise]

New Projects

I'm getting ready for a big craft fair and have been adding to my inventory. Also been working on holiday gifts for my Sig. Other's nieces. Sewed 2 dresses, 3 holiday purses, more ribbon hair barrettes and an evening wrap.

 

[BaroqueRockstar]

^ wow! good job
it looks really pretty. the material looks very nice, too!

 

[The_Ida]

The_Ida very cool, how did you close your seams?

There was very little actual sewing going on. It is one piece of fabric - pleated in the front (stitched the green tie-thingy on to the back of the pleats) and then I just closed it at the back. Did some adjustments with scissors, it was almost a mini dress. I didn't do anything with the hem, I was worried that it would prevent the flow of the top that I was trying to create.

Do I make any sense?

 

[kateelle]

Ida- Yeah, I get what your saying, I really like the gathered flowy look on tops and dresses, very pretty. My dress is not coming along very good...actually it looks like crap. Maybe I should just stick to non stretch cotton? Because that stretchy material is a pain to sew with!

Amy- Is this your first time selling at the crafts fair?

 

[criticsdarling]

Great job papergown! Very cool, I like the sailor style! It would be cute to make bellbottom pants with that pattern too! You're lucky b/c in my flat pattern course we had to make our final project for doll sized bust forms.

 

[Rodrigo Lorenzo]

Good Work

I Quite like your shorts I think it would sell

Shorts for my Textiles 12 class. I drafted the pattern myself. My first time drafting shorts! I used denim with a slight stretch and fabric-covered buttons.





Was going to add bound pockets at the back, but I got lazy

 

[IheartNY]

Papergown, those shorts are AMAZING!!!

 

[Amy Louise]

Craft Fairs

Hi, Katelle:
No, I've done a few craft fairs since 2005. I have a back injury, so I kind of dread them, and I can only sign up for 1 day shows, 2 days would be way over my tolerance limit for pain. It's so much prep work and lugging (my Sig. Other tries not to let me carry or pick up anything, but I try to pitch in as much as possible.)

I did phenomenally well at this show last year. I'm hoping... However, I'm feeling kind of bummed out because the holiday shopping frenzy is on, and I had only one online sale today--the first in a few weeks. It's so hard reaching an online target audience. I thought it was going to be a snap, afterall, you keep hearing about the billions being spent online. I was clueless about marketing and budgeting for that.

Amy

 

[Rodrigo Lorenzo]

Hi, Katelle:
No, I've done a few craft fairs since 2005. I have a back injury, so I kind of dread them, and I can only sign up for 1 day shows, 2 days would be way over my tolerance limit for pain. It's so much prep work and lugging (my Sig. Other tries not to let me carry or pick up anything, but I try to pitch in as much as possible.)

I did phenomenally well at this show last year. I'm hoping... However, I'm feeling kind of bummed out because the holiday shopping frenzy is on, and I had only one online sale today--the first in a few weeks. It's so hard reaching an online target audience. I thought it was going to be a snap, afterall, you keep hearing about the billions being spent online. I was clueless about marketing and budgeting for that.

Amy

Hi Amy I sympathise with you it is very difficult to work shows and i the condition you talk about it must be extremly hard. Also customers feel like you should always be standing at fair and you have to speak to everyone customer service always turns into sales so I feel for you. I think you will have to pay an energetic young girl or find another designer that would work and compliment what you do and introduce her to the business. It will work in you benifit as well.
Good Luck,
Drigo

 

[kateelle]

I've never heard of craft fairs, sounds very interesting. What is it and when and where is it held? People stand in booths and sell homemade items?

 

[RetroGirl]

I did phenomenally well at this show last year. I'm hoping... However, I'm feeling kind of bummed out because the holiday shopping frenzy is on, and I had only one online sale today--the first in a few weeks. It's so hard reaching an online target audience. I thought it was going to be a snap, afterall, you keep hearing about the billions being spent online. I was clueless about marketing and budgeting for that.

Amy, I used to do craft shows also, They are so much work and I honestly didnt make that much profit in the end. I think people really enjoy talking
to the designer, so that might be part of the appeal at craft shows.
what about consignment shops or small boutiques that are independently owned?

 

[Amy Louise]

Well, the show is over. I did fairly well--much less than last year, though. It was disappointing. Almost every vendor was saying the same thing--so it wasn't just our booth--it was a trend.

Kateelle: Craft fairs are exactly what you imagined. You're with outside or inside at some venue, with or without a tent, and you lug all of your merchandise, set up, sell for one day or more (whatever the dates are for the show), chat with customers, and try to get your name, brand, website...whatever out in front of customers. You usually either pay a fee to participate, and sometimes you have to pay the producer a portion of your sales at the end. Some shows are "juried," where you have to submit photos, and they either select you or don't depending on whether a committee likes your work or if they limit the number of artist/crafters allowed in the same field (i.e. too many jewelry booths already, so you're out).

It is hard work, and it makes for a long day(s) because you are up and down on your feet, doing your best to sell, and there's all the lugging to-and-fro. Sometimes, you have to put on a great cheerful act, even when sales are flat.

I like meeting the public and chatting with everyone, and I really try to work my booth and interact with the crowd. Some people are shy, and they glance over but don't come over. You have to lure them in with your comments.

I absolutely dread trying to go to shops to sell. I find that very intimidating and I really hate it. I know that's what I should be doing, but I just don't..except for once in a while when I get my courage and confidence up.

I have very unusual, one-of-a-kind clothing, fashion accessories, jewelry, etc., and I think some shops would like to at least try to display my wares, but the thought of lugging it over, presenting it in some organized fashion, negotiating a contract (if it's consignment), etc. is a put-off. What I need is a sales rep who loves doing that....but I can't really afford it and am not sure how you go about finding one who's honest, reliable, etc.
Amy

 

[Rodrigo Lorenzo]

One again I sympathise with you Amy because I find myself in the same situation. I recently closed my boutique and moved to another city and my boutique was not going bad I just hatted the city. So I am in a new city with years of retail experience and design creative One Of A Kind Pieces as well. But I have found that alot of small boutique either on rip off your designs or just feel themselves intimidated when they meet me I guess I am a little too confident. I also feel really disrepected when a store owner brushes you off before they even view what you got to offer. But I guess that's just the business and maybe when I had my boutique I was just to cool because al the local designers loved me, and the local boutique owners as well. Compition is very good for business but some owners are already not who they portrait to be so get up your confidence get really dressed and go in there with the attitude that your items are the best no matter what they say. PEACE

 

[kateelle]

Amy- So, you havent approached any local boutiques or department stores yet? Have you made a lookbook? If not, I think it would be ideal to make one to sent to buyers, clients and just contact a list of stores and show your stuff. Ah, well if they turn you down; it could be a learning experience of how to improve your products. I thought they usually took a percentage of your sales, about 25%, so they try to jack up the price as much as possible to create more profit for themselves. (and for the designer) At least that is what I've heard. I have a friend who is an aspiring designer and shes creating some "sample" pieces to showcase, then I suppose try to make contact with buyers who would be willing to sell her stuff.

Rodrigo- how did you go about selling your designs? Did you debut your clothing when you opened your own boutique or did you have luck selling to shops before that?