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[LynetteScavo]

A few months a go I started producing some really lovely baby bibs. I'd now like to start selling them for a profit, but have no idea where to start.

I don't actually make them my self, I pay MIL to sew them, so the cost of producing each bib is £4.50. They are very well made, and come with a lable with washing instructions.

Any ideas on how much I could/should charge, and how best to get them onto the market?

There are a couple of pictures of DD wearing the bibs on my profile page.

Any ideas much appreciated!

Well most retail prices would be at least double cost so say a £9.99 inc vat price point which seems a bit pricey for a bib tbh, lovely thoguh they look. You could approach either a retailer like Mothercare or Boots - send a sample and covering letter to the Baby Accessories Buyer - or maybe a distributor but can't help thinking your profit margin would be tiny through them. Alternatively , you could sell them yourself at fairs and markets.

Thanks LIZS, - I forgot a title aaaaaaaaaarrg!-

Are buyers used to having samples sent to them? Is this what I should do? It sounds quite easy.

Can't imagine anyone would pay cost price let alone double that. They do look lovely but why spend lots of money on an item that gets covered in food and stained from day one? They also don't stand out particularly from what you might already see in the shops.

I guess you could market it that it is ethically made (not mass produced in a chinese sweat shop) but could you keep up with demand if it took off?

Just trying to be realistic, sorry if it sounds negative!

Yes a buyer would want samples, of both the finish article and other fabric swatches. However bear in mind if they thought it was a goer they'd want to sell 100's if not 1000's to make it viable.

I think chocolatekimmy is right about the price. oviously I'd like to make as much money as possible on each bib, but if I double the cost, would the reatiler then double the cost to make it a £20 bib I know I wouldn't pay that. Personally I think they should retail at aound £9.50. I know they do sell at this price, as I had a stall at a craft fair before Christmas.
Would I be better off setting up my own web site?

Bib looks lovely and for gift GBP9.50 would be OK. Website sounds like a good idea and I think to make a go of it you would need to add other items ... then people will visit the site frequently. I've seen these kind of products at gift fairs before ... other associated products could include...

• pretty blankets in a similar/same style

• white towels edged in the same fabric (and flannel)
• hats, mittens in coodinating colours.

(Then people will buy a set for GBP50 for a birth gift.)

• Then for older kids ... shoe bags, ballet bags, sports bags,
• dressing gowns edged in the fabric
• cushions to decorate bed
• bed linen etc

Or you get your costs down . How does £4.50 break down ?

I pay MIL £1.80 to swe them.

The bibs themselves consist of:

2 piesces of cotton
1 piece of soft waterproof inner lining (not plastic)
Binding
1 popper at the neck.

If I order the fabric in a huge quantity I will get it cheaper. At the monent I'm paying just under £4 per meter, and Having it imported form USA.

I've bought the best quality materials at the lowest price I can, and don't want to skimp on quality.

Dh is home. I'll be back!

Bibs look lovely and very generously sized. Could you call the large ones overalls or messy aprons instead of bibs? I would feel better about paying 9.50 for an apron than for a bib (very illogical, I know)

The bibs are generously sized, as I was so frustrated I couldn't find any big, attractive, easy to wash bibs. We have worked on a pattern for a very pretty girls apron, but so far have only made 2.

Is a web site the way to go?

You could try but think you'd need a wider range or usp to get any publicity for it.