Mindy, it is so nice to see you out and about!! We have missed you, but truth be told I had to take a break due to my new job, but I quit to have more time w/ my dis friends
The round neck pattern is from YCMT. I just know you'll make something great w/ it!
Well, the big news... I guess it's just news now, it's probably going to be a let down now that it's been built up.
BUT... I was approached by a woman in Joann fabrics (I was deciding between 2 different colorways for Little's 4th of July outfit) about selling some stuff on her online boutique. I am definitely going to have to get out the serger and stop being a chicken!!! And I am finally going to have to optimize my ruffler foot.
But anyway. What she would like is for me to come up w/ a few outfits that I can recreate in sizes 2t-5t.
My MIL may be doing some crib bedding for her as well.
I had been practicing my sewing skills to get ready to open my own E-Boutique after I finished school and started teaching. But this opportunity came at a really great time. I am working for my mom again and can take off work as needed to fill orders. Financially I am able to make the investment to start a small business, deciding what I am comfortable investing is another.
The biggest reason that I really wanted someone to gab w/ was just-well first of all... the outfit Lily had on that she loved was her AK twirl top. Which was only the first clothing I EVER sewed. I told her not to look too closely at it while she was admiring it!!!
But also the business aspect of it. I am a perfectionist so I don't like to do things partially. Also I have seen a number of friends and family start a small business venture w/ what they could afford to do or "get by" with and fail. While I have to think smart w/ my money I also need to be sure that what I'm doing is the best I can do and what I want to put out w/ my name on it.
ie: Fabrics. Her website touts only the finest "premium fabrics" I've noticed some of the other vendors use stuff I've seen at Joann's. But I always knew if and when I started to do some boutique stuff I wanted it to be a great product.
Of course I've had a name in my head for ages and a girlfriend who does graphic art working on my logo.
I've spent all week researching items on e-bay and patterns and copyright stuff (I won't be doing any applique, or character items, but was concerned about patterns/fabric licenses) B and I have been looking into Enviromentally friendly screen printing organic tee's since we couldn't find anyone locally to do it for us and I think some screen printing w/ add a nice little edge to some kid couture.
Currently I'm deciding whether it is worth the investment for me to buy into a wholesale account w/ a major fabric designer or to pay double the price per yd and order just enough to have onhand for 2-3 outfits in each of the 4 colorways I want to use. But you start to look at the profit that you are losing etc. If I get stuck w/ fabric I can always sell it online by the yard. On e-bay or wherever if I list it on craigslist for 4.75 a yd it'll probably go fast and cover what I paid for it...
Anyway it's all those insane businessy things that were wanting to spill out of my head. The creative side of me wants very much to have a "thing" of my own. DH is a musician (did I mention his debut CD is available NOW?!?!?) and his mom does interior design and his dad does custom woodwork and our friends are, architects, graphic artists, artists, singer/songwriters, photographers....The list goes on w/ all of their creative talents and I feel so overwhelmingly un-special around all of them that if pulling together a really great fabric combination is what I do best I want to do something great with it.
Mostly I want to do something that my husband and our family can be proud of me for. When people say oh, what does your wife do? I want him to say, she makes the most exquisite childrens clothes! That's dorky, but there it is.
I hesitated to post anything about it b/c I know everyone who sews has friends or family that say "you should sell that" and we all know it's not as simple as that- First off our friends never know how much money we put into some of our projects. I really do know how deep of a puddle I am stepping into, how competitive of a field it is now.
I do however think that there is room for all of us to make money doing what we love (BTW, I saw "someone's" Alice outfit going for a pretty penny
Congratulations) There are more of them than there are of us. We have a talent. Whether we can make patterns or applique or have a good eye for fabrics we should all be able to put our talents to the best use possible.
As excited as I was I was also concerned about sharing. What if I get cold feet and back down then what do I say or what if I put stuff up and don't get any orders or....a million what if's, right? But that's just me. I hate to think that someone I like or admire is thinking "oh, she doesn't know what she's doing." or "That'll never work" So most of the time I don't try. But this time I really feel like it is the right opportunity for me so I am trying to push past all this doubt and do something GREAT!
There, you have it. Not as exciting as you thought,huh? My girlfriend thought I was pregnant and was severely disappointed
...t.
Still trying to figure all of the new gadgets on it
Still have so much to do. When my models are home from school, I'll post some pics!
But I had to laugh because my MIL had the same reaction! We should know later today how the stress test turns out.
.COuld you PM the seller, those look cool. Thanks.
