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?

I agree about the colours but DD loves it (so I let her lead - who knows if it will sell) the turquoise is actually a raw silk I think, quite heavy weight - I thought it was a tweed at first

I really appreciate you being honest - pandering to my ego is not ideal - and while compliments are lovely, I really need the truth

The ones I am doing now are to get my speed up and practise different techniques - that is the first I'd be happy with selling (even if it doesn't) - I have about 10 tablecloths coming which are more pretty florals and a couple of Mammia mia type cottons

It's actually getting a collor (I think) and maybe a pocket....haven't decided & a band of the blue at the bottom as it's a bit short!

That last dress is actually my favourite that you've posted! Would definitely dress my DD in that.

Haha, DD wants to keep it for when she has children so you aren't alone!

I love how different people like different things -- I often buy the dress in the sale that there is 20 of left at a greatly reduced price!

Now I need to decide between Facebook, Etsy and something I haven't heard of called Depop (which DD says is the next new thing)

I am getting about 9k reach and 2k engagements on Facebook so it seems a good idea to start there & I guess I need to work on Instagram a bit as that is a bit pathetic! But to be fair I don't really know what that all means (FB reach etc) and how it affects me

I'm not going to start trying to 'sell' until i have about 6-8 things to put up and I'm going to have to read up about the ins and outs of selling on fb - eBay seems to be geared towards the buyer so I may leave that alone

I suppose a stand alone paypal would be a good idea (already set up as a business with HMRC) as up til know I have only done bacs payments

I think you need Facebook AND Etsy OP....they do different things. If you sell on Etsy, then you use Facebook to garner interest and advertise....I've used Paypal for years for my business and it's great. I have a business account. They make you do that once you make over a certain amount of money if I remember correctly.

Your clothes are interesting but your photography (other than when modelled, though be careful the background is too distracting. There’s a big difference between editorial and advertising pix) makes it look unprofessional. Maybe you were just illustrating it for here but I’d really recommend either buying a mannequin (even a cloth dressmakers) or using an actual child. And sort the background and lighting. You’ve got to make the psychological leap from ‘hobby’ to ‘business’.
Also check out your nearest adult education centre - they may do a short course on selling your products online with business tips.

Can you not sell on FB?

Oh god I'm going to have to have a website eventually aren't i? Poop!!

I'm just thinking my personal paypal should be separate? Or does it not matter?

Etsy is apparently very expensive (off to check)

I really like what you are doing .
Quite agree on pressing and presenting .
I love buying old table clothes and cutting away the stained bits so they can be loved again .

Here is smallest granddaughter wearing a bonnet and dancing costume I made ( bonnet from old tablecloth )

I have an adult mannequin - but I'd need about 5 for the children's clothing!

So I'm working on creatig a plain background and some sort of framework I can put into the dresses for little ones - the lighting is also an issue - I have seen some light/white boxes but they won't be the right size for clothing

I'm using this morning to work out if my camera or my phone is better

These are phone? which are better?

I need a spot to reduce shadows & I have a tutorial to look at styleshoots.com/product-photography-tutorial/2016/8/how-to-style-and-photograph-kidswear-and-childrens-clothes-flat-lay-for-your-ecommerce-store-1

I thought to wait until I have things a bit more sorted before doing Etsy and start selling on Facebook?

I have a lot to learn

Paypal fees will be less than £2 per item at least initiall (unlikely to sell above £50)

Etsy is 16p+5%+4%+20p? is that right? or is it either 5% or 4% plus 20p?

Phone are brighter I think . Such a steep learning curve isn’t it !

Tried taking pictures in the hall and the sewing room as well as the kitchen and the kitchen is definiely better

So basically on £50 price I will lose about £7.....that is so interesting

On £25 it will be nearly £3.50 - so it's about 14/15%

mind you it's less than the passive costs of running my nursery!

I guess I'll need to start making my own Bias binding at £1 a metre it's a cost I don't need plus making my own increases the recycling element! - so at least one morning a month will be making bias!

Always bloody is Trumpton - who'd have thought I'd be reinventing myself again at 51! How many bloody careers will I have?

Depop is SO expensive!

You could just sell on Facebook but I think it's better to have both. I didn't realise Etsy was expensive though.

I don't think mannequins are needed for children's clothing. Much better hung or on an actual child.

The pics you shared...the brighter ones are best imo.

A word of warning re. Facebook...you will need to pay for some ads if you want more attention.

Read up on marketing via Facebook. it used to be a free for all and you could get lots of likes and follows just by posting regularly...but they messed with the algorithm so you have to pay. But ads aren't expensive.

You will need to read up on how to make the most of the ads though....and the best methods of getting the most for the least money.

Have you got a bias tool / best gadget in the world !
Hey I learned how to put an invisible zip in last week . I’m 67 !

Some of these are lovely. I have another suggestion-disney bounding (colour palates/styles/ materials etc rather than dress up) for adults or children, or Disney type costumes for children-Alice in Wonderland etc. I’m just back from Disneyland Paris, and it seems a big thing. For children, many people love original costumes as the kids stand out and get attention from characters etc. They also like proper materials so can be warmer in winter or cooler in summer than dress up costumes. Also many plus size people love Disney type clothing which is harder to find in bigger sizes. As you’re not putting Disney pictures on the clothes I don’t think you have to worry about copyright.
www.pinterest.co.uk/meghanstarr1/disney-bounding/

You mean like this @trockodile ? Good idea - as long as I don't use the word Disney I think I'll be OK - this is a wedding dress, a prom gown, some curtains, a reused tiara and half a tonne of craft foam) & voila Tiana appears (available for parties)

I need to grow each brand idea carefully - the princess stuff is not very eco/green - craft foam is an enviromental disaster! and felt is not a slick replacement

& need to think about posting to america as I thing they will go down well there

Trumpton - no I use 2 long needles and an ironing board it's really easy just fiddly!! Zips can be a nightmare!

There is so much to learn - I reckon dive in & see what happens! (nice studied careful planning then.....who'd have thought I'm a systems analyst/project manager)

OK
Phone is better than camera
Etsy is cheaper than eBay or Depop

I suppose I should actually do some sewing today......after I hang the washing out!
(I could have cursed I was irining the top to take a photo to sell and found a small stain so I had to re-wash it - poop!)

Katy I think Trockodile is really onto something for you there. Your DD's tinkerbell inspired dress is gorgeous. Regarding craft foam...what do you use that for in a princess style dress?

It's Tiana not Tinkerbell (although she uses the over dress as a fairy - I just need to make wings

Craft foam for the leaves on her bodice, the waterlily & leaves plus the tiara - they cost more than the rest of the materials added together

You could use silk flowers? Or fabric ones from Ebay and the like. I don't think craft foam would be nearly as nice as that. Too plastic....

And regarding the leaves on her bodice, could you not use batting or fabric reinforcing stiffener? Can't remember what it's called but it's used to make stuff stand up!