Benefits of A Sewing Side Hustle

Have you considered turning your love affair with your sewing machine into a sewing side hustle?

A sewing side hustle isn’t just a fun hobby. It can actually be a great way to create extra income, especially in uncertain times like these. In this article, we explore why turning your sewing hobby into a business can offer more financial security in difficult times. Here are some of the benefits of working from home with a sewing business.

Benefits of A Sewing Side Hustle

Benefit #1: Extra Money

A sewing side hustle can easily transform into a sewing business and bring in some much-appreciated extra cash. You don’t have to be an expert sewist with years of experience to do it. Sewers at any skill level, even novices new to the craft, can turn their sewing skills into income.

As your skills improve, your profits will grow right along with them. This might surprise you, but some savvy sewists turn their hobby into a full-time business.

Benefit #2: You Get To Do It At Home

Since you can easily run your sewing business from home, this income stream is coronavirus-proof. It’s also super affordable. Why? For a start, there’s no need to pay transport costs to get to and from work.

Do you have kids? A sewing business offers flexibility, so you have the choice to send the child to daycare or take care of them at home.

With your own business, you won’t need to buy new work clothes or pay for lunches. Instead of finding a part-time job outside your home, you can work part-time from the comfort of your own home, doing what you love.

Benefit #3: Flexibility

Starting your own sewing business means you’ll be your own boss. You’ll have the freedom to work when you want, for however long you want. If you need to chaperone your child’s field trip, go on a family holiday or recover from a cold, you can take the time off you need, sans guilt, without worrying about a manager breathing down your neck.

How To Start Working From Home Sewing

Step #1: Invest in Sewing Equipment For Your Business

To get started, make sure you have a strong foundation for your business with the following sewing equipment:

Look for a high quality sewing machine if you can afford it. Make sure the sewing machine you choose comes equipped with the stitches you’ll need. Features found on a computerised sewing machine like auto-threading, start and stop buttons and automatic tensioning can make your life easier. Attachments and feet will be specific to what you want to sew. Garment sewists should look for a zipper foot or overcast stitching foot.

Choose patterns and fabric that reflect your target market’s desired style. Missy Rose offers an extensive range of high-quality woven, knit, rayon, swim and double brushed polyester fabric — with adorable prints perfect for women’s and kids clothing. Our playful and colourful fabrics will make sure your items stand out and sell.

Have an array of sewing needles on hand to make sure you can use the best sewing needle for a certain sewing project. Here’s a helpful guide on how to pick the right sewing needle so you can have professional, even stitches every time.

If you plan to specialise in sewing clothing, a serger will come in handy.

An indispensable tool of the trade, your sewing scissors should be good quality for precise and even fabric cutting.

Designed for cutting woven cloth, your shears should be sharp and sturdy to limit fraying.

A measuring tape comes in handy for fitting fabric on a three-dimensional human, while a ruler is best for cutting large pieces of fabric when lying flat. Both are a must.

Pins or pattern weights are invaluable for keeping all layers of fabric in alignment when sewing. Don’t underestimate their importance in helping you work faster.

Precisely cut multiple layers, straight lines and shapes with a variety of different fabrics.

Step #2 Set Up Your Sewing Room

A comfortable workspace is crucial and will go a long way to help you feel like a professional business.

First, set up a system for organising supplies, patterns and fabrics. Storage cabinets with drawers can be a lifesaver for organising sewing tools. Keep fabrics organised and within easy reach by folding them into squares and displaying them vertically on a bookcase.

Consider ergonomics when designing a sewing workspace. Remember, you’ll need to design your workspace to be comfortable for long hours sitting. Look for a sewing table with an adjustable height and an adjustable chair that provides back support.

Step #3: Build An Online Shopfront

Set up an online store through eBay, an established service for crafters like Etsy, or buy a domain and set up your own ecommerce store with a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce. An online store will allow you to sell your goods to people all over the world.

When setting prices, be sure to factor in the cost of your time and your materials to make sure you can make a profit. To grow your online business, offer coupons to customers who give you consistent business, such as shipping discounts or bulk purchase promotions. Surprise and delight your customer by making a small, quick gift out of left-over materials from their sewing project.

Step #4: Grow Your Business

Invest in your personal growth as a sewist by keeping up to date on the latest sewing trends. Research the internet for new patterns. Join an online sewing community and seek advice and helpful suggestions from successful sewing businesses.

Build a portfolio to showcase your completed sewing projects and illustrate to clients what you offer. Take high-quality photos of projects that you’re particularly proud of. Often, you’ll find clients will look at a previous project and request to have something made just like it.

Resources If You Need Help

If you have lost your job due to the coronavirus, you can apply for financial assistance through Centrelink.

If you are experiencing anxiety or depression, please call the Beyond Blue Hotline on 1300 22 4636. Beyond Blue provides short term counselling via by phone and web chat.