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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Apron Makers/Sellers...I've got a question for you  |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 4:28:00 PM
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I am going to a craft show with my homemade aprons and want to market that I can also do custom orders. I sell my double sided aprons for $35 and for people that want me to get the fabric for them that will still be the price but for someone that wants to pick out their own fabric and get it to me I am not sure what to charge for my time on the apron. I charge the $35 for all of my double sided aprons, even if the fabric for some cost less than others so it just evens out and that makes it so I don't have a set price for my labor.
If you were doing something like that, where people were getting their own fabric, what would you have as your set price for the labor. I also home make all the bias tape I use because I can't stand store bought anymore.
Thoughts?
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
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EastTXFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
731 Posts
Victoria
Farmgirl #549
TX
USA
731 Posts |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 6:55:05 PM
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I would agree with Monica I would take only about $5 off. If anyone thinks they should get more off remind them that they will be supplying only the fabric that you still have to supply the thread, bias tape, fresh needle for the machine, and any adornments you might add. It's not just your labor you are figuring in, you have electricity, water, use of your washing machine, use of your iron, wear and tear on your equipment, pattern expence, pins and needles...Don't sell yourself short.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
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laurzgot
True Blue Farmgirl
1669 Posts
Laurie
Alvin
Texas
USA
1669 Posts |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 7:13:37 PM
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I agree with the gals. Don't sell yourself short. My husband has always told me that you have to figure in your time, electricity, water and everthing else Victoria has mentioned. Besides sewing up garments or aprons or altering I would ass that all in. Same would go for my decorated cakes.
Laurie
suburban countrygirl at heart |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Oct 11 2009 : 11:32:08 PM
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Yup, lol I agree with all of the above gals as well. You still have to do all the work, and time is expensive! I had the same thing happen to me long ago. I made things peeps loved and when they asked my price, and I told them they backed out and told me they could make it themselves cheaper. I told them "go ahead but count every single minute, gas, water, electricity etc. as well". Well they never came back but they also didn';t make it themselves lol. Figured it was worth the money I asked but just didn't want to spend it on ME. DUH!! AH well, they lost.
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2009 : 05:49:32 AM
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Thank you all for your thoughts on this! I have yet to have someone tell me they could make the aprons cheaper but I can see how some people would say that when they don't consider in all of those things. Though at the farmers market a friend of mine sells her cage free eggs and she's had people tell her they could buy the same thing in the store...I'm waiting for her to comment back that they most definitely can't get get her eggs in the store or anything even close to them...lol
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2009 : 09:55:29 AM
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I so agree with the other ladies
Don't sell yourself short
People think that just cause you sew ;you won't charge them as much.
I think needlework is getting really popular
and those who don't know how to sew etc.
think that those who do ; will not charge them as much
I have an on-line friend that lives in the state of Washington
she makes bags like those you carry grociers in etc and aprons
to sell
I told her she is not charging enough.
All that work and her time
I think those who sell their work is worth just as much as those who paint etc.
Our needlework is just as much work if not more. hugs sheila
www.ohkayteagirl2.blogspot.com
http;//www.sheilascreativewritings.blogspot.com |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Oct 13 2009 : 8:13:08 PM
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To make your apron styles available as a custom order I would create a price for custom orders...such as "Custom Orders....starting at $35.00 and go up in price depending on the style. If someone wants a custom *anything* it's due to them wanting something to match their decor, their clothing, their personality, etc..and it's usually worth the $$$ to them to pay extra to get it.
You want to service your customers and retain your integrity....set it up simple and tell them what their choices of *custom* are..they will either be interested or not...you keep your integrity and may make a sale.
Most that don't sew do not have a clue that ready to wear (bought out of a department store) is normally less expensive and less attention to details then custom made.....they don't think about where that ready to wear garment was mass produced..China, India, Vietnam, etc.....
Made in the USA is always a compliment so please don't allow your precious and valuable time to be reduced to sweatshop practices. 
Have fun with it!! Your joyful attitude and a solid approach to what you are willing to make available to customers up front is always the best way to start...make a nice sign that is easy to read concerning your custom order details...the rest will take care of itself and you always have that sign to fall back on if they try to debate about details with you. 
Good Luck!
Stephanie
 Queen of Dreamsz ~ keeper of dream kingdom
* * * * * * www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com * * * * * *
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Albert Einstein ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Apron Makers/Sellers...I've got a question for you |
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Apron Makers/Sellers...I've got a question for you
