Starting a business - sewing - where do I start?

[Katymac]

I have a small part-time job which covers my basic expenses.

I have always sewn - I can do basic repairs, make clothes, do simple alterations, make home furnishings, and do upholstery. I can also embellish things (dance wear, clothing, household objects)

I need a name and I need an advertising plan

I am always know as "DD's Mum" and at the Ballet Show last year (Large Theatre) it was announced that the costumes were done by person's name, person's name and of course DD's Mum who did x, y, z

So do I use her name? or my name? or my nickname - which came about because my Nana's knitted and had little labels embroidered with "Handmade by Joey Mac" & I loved them so much she had some made for me "Handmade by Katy Mac"

So far I have.....from a brain storming session with one of DD's friends

......maybe handwash?" as a sort of name for making/embellishing stuff?
Or maybe "By DD's Mum"

As I may be embellishing clothes already made with washing instructions I feel I need to mention handwash somehow

Making dance clothes, costumes and embellishing bought clothes
Crystals, applique etc

edited by

I don't like the words "Dance Wear" etc or sewn by

"made pretty by"

"Embellished by"

"Decorated by"

"Improved by"

"Improved by KatyMac" & "Suggest hand washing" / "Wash carefully"

"Amended by KatyMac" & "Prefers handwashing"

"Tweaked by KatyMac"

"Enhanced by KatyMac"

So as you see I got precisely no-where - I thought I'd put it in Start-ups too as it's their sort of thing....

HELP!!

She did. Got another comp in 5 weeks... She has 8 dances for the next one - luckily I have all the costumes hse needs at the moment, although she WANTS a new lyrical dress and modern unitard...

The lyrical dress might be this week's project, actually. Although I really wish I could find some white and silver powernet for less than "40 a metre... :S

Is that a mix of white & silver?

Anyway - didn't mean to barge into your thread, but I recognise you from dance forums etc and thought it was a strange coincidence you were setting off on a similar path to the one I was considering! We will have to keep in touch.

Like this

Her dance is to a piece of music called Porcelain - I was thinking of a silver crop top and shorts joined in the middle and over the shoulders with white/silver power mesh, and with a - possibly empire line - skirt from mesh too...

Buy white & sequin it?

I dunno what everything is called yet

I might have to. I just liked the slightly glittered one - more subtle. But shockingly expensive!

Would something like this work - it's stretch lace with crystals?

don't really have a clue yet

It is very pretty. I don't know how well it would flow - what site did you find it on? I could maybe get a sample...

I crystalled it from the stretch lace few many years ago

is this too plain?

or this?

It is not what I had in my head... but I think I am going to have to adapt the idea in my head. What with it being a very expensive idea.

I wonder how stretchy it is - I might email the vendor and ask. If I am making shoulders and waist from it it will have to be stretchy enough - and floaty enough for the skirt - though it looks like it might be nicely floaty.

Last one (off to bed now) like this? shame it's out of stock

They are only selling a 45cm length of the second one... And I think it would be itchy...

Yes, the fabricland one is perfect. Naturally! thank you for your ideas!