Selling handmade/upcycled clothing/projects

[KatyMac]

I know it's really hard to make a living at selling handmade and upcycled projects and I make them alongside alterations, repairs and making home furnishing

So where is a good place to sell, what do I need to know to be legal (like the inners of cushins must have a fire retardent label but the cushion cover doesn't)

What do you do about washing - most of mine would be hand wash I reckon so just a label?

Help?

Etsy and Facebook.

Facebook is a good place to begin if you're not ready for a website yet but don't expect to get lots of followers just yet...you'll need to pay for a few adverts.

Etsy is easy to use and helps you with keywords...you need to know what keywords to put in to ensure that people find your stuff.

Etsy offers a lot of guides for newbies...read them. Learn about how it works and how to market your work.

There are guides about safety and labels on there too.

When you package your things, include a guide...just a printed sheet of paper....A5...and on it say something about "Thank you for purchasing this handmade cushion cover by Katy." and then the washing instructions.

"Hand wash with a gentle detergent such as Woolite" or whatever you recommend.

On Facebook, start a business page and then join lots of groups...there are tonnes on there for makers and crafters. Just enter things like "Selling crafts" and "Crafty sellers and you';ll get suggestions.

These groups are useful...you'll learn a lot from them. Invite all your friends to like and follow your page.

Oh and got any pics of your stuff? Might be helpful. I work in a gallery by the way. Not in the UK....but we sell handmade clothing, jewellery and so forth.

Thanks so really just what I'm doing already - I haven't tried etsy yet bit scared I'm not good enough

Pictures hmm I have a few

Poor DD has to wear them all!

I love the idea of a printed sheet/booklet - fabulous as I can explain why I do things and how they need washing etc

Your DD is gorgeous Katy....you've got an in-house model!

Can I give you a tip? Your designs aren't really cohesive enough as they currently stand.

The sort of client you want won't be interested in the formal style of the dresses....the tablecloth top is nice...you could also do plainer patterns in that style.

I recently bought a top made from a vintage 60s tablecloth...printed not embroidered...and it was a shell top. Plain and not at all fussy.

With the jacket...the contrast is a bit much. The lace against the black doesn't quite work but it's well done.

Could you do something like this on denim jackets? Jeans? I've seen some beautiful jeans which a woman had embroidered in a few areas and added a bit of applique. Less is more though.

The shell top I bought...she's had a few things through our gallery and the tops always go well. I've added a pic of the style of top she makes...but they're mostly printed tablecloths from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Should add...the image I added is not the top I bought. But it's the same shape as that.

And can I suggest you use tablecloths which are more vintage and hand done? The one you've used in that top seems to be machine embroidered and they don't have the charm of the old hand-done ones...they start to look a bit like those cheap Indian made tops which you buy in some markets..

I really appreciate any comments as it's difficult with only DD to bouce ideas off - & she loves 'everything' I do!!

Yes I was concerned about the jacket it's dark green - but it was useful to try out ideas for use on a denim jacket

I agree about hand embroidered table cloths but I've just been offfered one at £15 and realistically I could only sell for about £15 so it wasn't cost effective - if I can get them from charity shops it's fine

I had decided on concentrating on table cloths this morning and have leafleted some charity shops asking for them to keep them for me & I will maybe have another range of ballroom and latin wear but maybe leave some of the more outrageous upcycling I haven't linked to some of those photos!

This issue will be getting the tablecloths really

This dress was well received but DD won't part with it!!

This afternoons project started about 5 so just 2 hours - to be sold for about?

I don't have a clue

Next time I'll place the embroidery lower!

I learn from each one

You could sell that for about fifty to 70 pounds but you must get it photographed properly and styled....there are loads of tutorials on Youtube re. how to make your designs look pro in a photoshoot.

With that sort of child's dress, I'd suggest that you choose either the bodice OR the skirt to showcase the embroidery. It's a bit much otherwise....a bit random. A plain bodice or skirt with the other half embroidered will look better and save your embroidered cloth.

Have you seen on Ebay there are often bundles of old tablecloths....I visit charity shops daily looking for cloths and other fabrics and doubt leafleting the stores will result in them keeping things for you.

Much better to go in regularly and build a relationship with them. They might put things aside for you then.

www.etsy.com/au/shop/PrettyUnusuall?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=554518794

This seller seems to have cornered the market in tablecloth tops and she concentrates on making stuff for plus sizes. I expect she might have some loyal customers...quite a few reviews.

Here's a tablecloth dress for a child...priced at 169 Australian dollars which is about 90 pounds. It's beautiful and the collar adds a bit extra.

www.etsy.com/au/listing/691469918/little-girls-red-dress-vintage-fabric?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=childs+vintage+tablecloth+dress&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&organic_search_click=1

I've only left my number with the ones that already know my name, and I've had a phone call already (from today!)

I think you are right about the plain/embroidered ratio - not made a baby dress for decades! Plus I think the skirt was too full - next one on it's way just waiting for measurements

Surely you are joking about the price! I was thinking 'would it be cheeky if I asked £20/25'?

I've picked up one on eBay for £4.40 - I've had £5 as my budget so I've been being careful (and the listing descriptions are laughable! Hand embroidered my ) maybe I can splurge on an £8 one!!

I need to get my act together and get some these made

I know how to do product photography - I just haven't for ones that are 'sold' before I make them!

I'll practise with the next one despite it being sold....

Thanks so much for all this - I will keep nagging you - sorry in advance

My 'trading' name is "byKatyMac"

So I can split the different types of things and have:
Dancing byKatyMac
Upcycling byKatyMac
"Something about children/vintage" byKatyMac

Maybe

Artists and crafters ALWAYS ask too little. 20 pounds is an insult to your work.

On Etsy and in galleries, the prices reflect the work and knowledge.

But you need to add little extras such as plain, acid free tissue to wrap the garment in for delivery, get some stickers made with your name on them to seal the package.

Really, gosh

I will get labels sorted for packaging - I have sew in labels - not sure about tissue paper, I'd rather have something reusable - I wonder about material or reused tea-towels or something

I am learning how to do hand button holes (I'm sure I used to know!) And re-use buttons - I think I should buy some embroidered table cloths for lining

And the area I need to work on is the straps to make sure they match (I love the collars - i'll see if I have a pattern)

Thanks again - should have another one soon

Plus I accidentally bought this (oops)

This isn't as good quality fabric as it's a poly coton bed sheet plus and piece of table cloth

But it's better made

You are super talented @KatyMac! Love what you've done with those embroidered tablecloths, we see a lot of them in the charity shop where I volunteer and i'd never thought of turning them into clothing.

Are you active on social media?

don't like Upcycling byKatyMac because to me that says your materials are something that weren't good in the first place (even though we know they are, but its the implication)

something like prelove to newlove by KM maybe

I love your stuff, I would be best friend with the iron though, and make the creases nice and sharp. I'm going to make one of those tablecloth tops, you're inspirational

I like "ByKatyMac" as it's simple. Too long a name and it becomes forgettable.

Thank you OtraCosaMariposa
I suppose I am semi-active - trying to get better!!

I agree about ironing the next one is better (- think) some scrap material and a tea-towels; I wonder if I should get a steamer? Or some sort of mini iron? Ironing before sew helps but sewing does re-crush

Maybe I should play with the name a bit - this is all very new/emerging

I have a chance of buying a job lot of cloths but it's a big investment for me (£50)

Is that last dress made completely of cotton? the blue section seems man-made.

I'd avoid man-made fabrics entirely. Also, well made as it is, the colours are a bit dismal. Sorry to be so blunt but I think it's more useful to you to hear genuine opinions...and it IS only my opinion. Others might think differently but having sold a lot of handmade children's things in the gallery, I note people prefer pale or bright colours.

An autumnal coloured dress would be ok if the print were prettier or if it were all checked.

Again...my opinion...it's a lovely dress. one of the most popular style of dresses for children that we sell is a really simple pinafore style.

Goes well with leggings and top in winter and with nothing in summer.

Also, super-easy for someone like you to make. You can make them plain and add a patterned pocket or trim. Floral prints are always well received especially those that appear to be 1960s-70s or 30s-50s.