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Would you purchase an all-in-one sewing pack?

12 replies

chestnutlady · 08/05/2009 17:12

Hi,
I posted a similar thread in the Arts & Crafts section but thought I;d repost here as well for some more guidance. I have been planning to set up an online shop selling all-in-one dress kits: ever been put off sewing by the need to go around choose everything individually - the pattern, the material, the thread, the sundries? Well my plan is to offer all these items in one "kit" so that you buy all of the materials, ready to go. If its successful I would offer the ability to "customise" the kit so that you can choose different fabric/thread combinations, etc. That's a bit of a way off though!! But just before I finalise all my plans I am having last minute doubts. Hubby is pretty sceptical and just doesn't think there'll be demand, but then again he isn't a sewer. Am I barking up the wrong tree and should I quit while I am ahead?? Or should I place my orders for supplies and not look back?! Argh!

Would anyone here be tempted to purchase such a kit? Thanks for any feedback

OP posts:
Thandeka · 09/05/2009 08:43

I'm afraid I wouldn't to be honest as part of the reason people buy patterns is to make an outfit maybe they can't find on the high street. Part of the beauty of that is choosing a fabric they love/suits them and thats the best bit of the process. (I speak as someone who buys patterns and fabrics sometimes but erm never ever makes them because probably doesn't know how!)

A service where I bring my pattern and fabric to you on the other hand.....

(oh erm I think they are called dressmakers aren't they- rubbish so not a niche market!)

Sorry its not a positive for you, but remember I am just one poster and others may disagree. Best of luck with it though!

Littlefish · 09/05/2009 08:46

Sorry, but I agree with Thandeka - for me, the fun is being able to choose my own fabric, thread and fixings.

Perhaps this would appeal to someone who's never sewn before.

PortAndLemon · 09/05/2009 08:49

I think there is a market; Clothkits (who used to this in the Seventies) relaunched last year, for example. I have bought one of their kits. BUT I'm not sure there's a big market.

Could you test the water by offering a couple of kits on etsy and see what level of interest you get, before setting up a whole Internet shop.

Thandeka · 09/05/2009 08:50

I'm afraid I wouldn't to be honest as part of the reason people buy patterns is to make an outfit maybe they can't find on the high street. Part of the beauty of that is choosing a fabric they love/suits them and thats the best bit of the process. (I speak as someone who buys patterns and fabrics sometimes but erm never ever makes them because probably doesn't know how!)

A service where I bring my pattern and fabric to you on the other hand.....

(oh erm I think they are called dressmakers aren't they- rubbish so not a niche market!)

Sorry its not a positive for you, but remember I am just one poster and others may disagree. Best of luck with it though!

Thandeka · 09/05/2009 08:51

man stupid computer! So sorry for the double post.

littlelamb · 09/05/2009 08:53

I wouldn't purhase a pattern with a fabric tbh as the whole reason I but patterns is so I can pick the fabric. BUT my dd is almost 5 and we have been buying some fab kits from a shop near us with felt, thread a plastic needle etc to make litle bags and purses. She can keep herself occupied all day and really enjoys it, so I do think there might be a market for childrens craft kits. I would say though that ours only cost 1 or 2 pounds so I think they would need to be priced extremely competitively

lucykate · 09/05/2009 09:13

this is what clothkits do, so, as others have said, there is a market out there, but, the reason the clothkits kits work, and can fetch the prices they do, is firstly because of the brand name and the reputation that comes along with that, and secondly because of the fabric. their fabrics are printed specifically, and only available in these kits, which is a feature that makes it unique. they are also designed by well known designers.

the problem you would have, is dressmaking is a skill not all people have. while there are many who would be interested in giving it a go, there are even more who would simply not be interested in a kit, above just a pattern on its own, as they already have a stash of fabric at home to use, and don't need a customisible kit.

i don't mean to sound too negative about your idea, i'm all for you giving it a go! i worked for a company called coats craft uk for 12 years, they make all sorts of craft kits under the brand name of anchor, and have also been freelance and started my own business myself last year.

you mention placing orders for supplies, before you do that, have you made any headway into how and where you are going to market the kits?, advertising?, packaging?, photography is going to be a key thing to show off the pattern the kits makes.

again, please don't feel i'm trying to put you off, i'm thinking more if there is any advice i can give you, any contacts i have that might be of use to you.

rasputin · 09/05/2009 09:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lucykate · 09/05/2009 10:21

just to give you an idea of the kits already out there, on etsy there are some skirt kits and some dress ones too

price wise, it's quite a competitive market, this childs skirt kit for example, has a choice of 8, pre cut, pre overlocked fabrics, and is $14 (about £9.30). on the other hand, the clothkits kits go for about £45!

chestnutlady · 10/05/2009 07:58

Hi, thanks everyone for all the feedback, it's really helpful. I definitely agree I need to test the market before jumping headfirst into an online shop... and it's still very early days so I haven't worked out suppliers, pricing etc (ie is a decent margin achievable?). I think the key will be to choose really good quality and unusual fabric but to retain affordability. I have ideas re packaging but again I haven't met any suppliers yet , so still got a lot of work to do...

Lucykate I'd definitely be interested in any contacts you have that might be useful, esp. re fabrics / packaging supplies, or generally for advice re running a crafts business!! (it's quite a big leap for me - I am currently a web designer wanting to do something different)!
thanks everyone for your help

OP posts:
lucykate · 11/05/2009 10:09

right, lets have a think of tips i can pass on, firstly, there are a few specifically craft based forums you could join, i am editor of the business board on 'crafteroo'. there are lots of others there who make stuff to sell, patterns etc. you will be able to get more specific advice from there about suppliers, and also online venues for selling, like etsy, folksy, dawanda, big cartel etc.

it's a shame to say this, but the cheapest place to get things like packaging, paper (for if you are going to print your own leaflets, patterns etc to go in the kits), thread, will be the far east, although, you may need to buy in bulk.

there is a place that is uk based called craft creations who i have bought packaging from before, they are pretty cheap.

for business cards and other bits of stationary, i use moo, their mini cards are very reasonable, £9.99 for 100.

for fabric, have you thought about going to the festival of quilts at the nec in august? i went last year, it's mainly fabric suppliers. it's an excellent opportunity to see lots of fabrics, all in one place,and be able to talk direct to the shops who have stalls there about deals on larger quantities.

one thing you can do, is think about sending a press pack to all the uk sewing and craft magazines, send them a free kit, they might review it in their magazine, free advertising if they do!

hope that helps!

chestnutlady · 11/05/2009 10:27

Hi Lucy,
Thanks so much for this! That's all really helpful information. I can't wait to get started!! (Unfortunately I have my day job to do today and tomorrow, boo, I've already spent all morning procrastinating...). The festival of quilts sounds interesting, though the name perhaps a bit misleading - do they have many dressmaking fabrics there too? Rightyho I'd best get back to work but I have set Wednesday aside to get back to research on this - so excited! Thanks again for your help

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