While I don't have any direct experience selling custom clothing, I do have with quilts. My husband and I owned a tourism resort. I decorated the cottages with quilts, wallhangings etc. of my own making. Regularly had inquiries for custom work. When I quoted the cost of the fabric only, without any of my time included, the one common remark was "I didn't know it cost so much".

People who can, do, those who can't try to buy as cheaply as possible. You might like to try making something for yourself. Keep track of the time involved and cost of materials, then you'll have a rough idea of what you would have to charge and if you have a market for such a product.

Another point to consider is people's reaction to the finished product. If you work from a provided selection of materials and don't use them in the way the customer thinks they should be used, how does one deal with complaints of the "you ruined my expensive fabric.. ". I learned an interesting lesson when I once made a queen size quilt as a wedding present. It was received with a thank you and only several years later did the now divorced "bride" comment that she had taken up quilting and only now realized how big a project such as her present had been. I offer these as points for your consideration before you invest your time.

Like Swansprite, I too am looking for a new machine. Threads Issue 102 has a "line up" of 31 machines but that was done a number of years ago so the info will be far from current. I've noticed that doing the research isn't the same as looking for a new computer. There are very few comparisons that rate all brands. The March issue of Consumer Report has a two page item but no list of criteria used in the evaluation process. The manufacturers retire products very quickly as they upgrade to meet the market demand. So a recommendation about a particular model that came out 2 or 3 years may not be valid.

I guess it boils down to what kind of sewing you intend to do and how much you want to spend. I live in a medium size town with two Vacuum/Sewing Machine stores. Because I am looking to buy into the new technology (to a point) I feel I should buy where I can get after sales service and help.

I have learned that some of the owners manuals leave a great deal to be desired so relying upon them may mean that there will be features I wont be using to their best or even find.

We are snow birds so I will have to wait until we get home in April but since on line research has not yielded too much in the way of concrete help, here's my plan for what it's worth. In my case, I will be using a new machine for garment and home decor sewing. I want some capacity for decorative stitches (my 35 year old machine has none of that). I am going to take samples of the kind of fabrics I usually work with and actually sit at the machines in my price range and try sewing. One valuable test will be how hard a machie has to work to top stitch through 4 thicknesses of a double sided wool that has been waiting to be made into something. Then I'll try the built in button hole features on the same fabric, then check out what fancy stitches the machine has.

I am sort of a purist about embroidery. While I would prefer to do small repetitive motifs used in home decor by machine, larger pieces I like to do by hand as I find quilting or stitching, very soothing.

Like Swansprite, I too want a machine with some substance. I hate having too light a machine for the job. One thing I want to look for though is a large amount of space under the "harp". While I don't machine quilt, I do top stitch garments and having space to manoeuver the garment around under the needle would be a good thing. Something to be considered with your "alternative" pieces. That sounds intriguing. ; > )

So Swanspite. I would suggest that you scope out the stores in your area, bring along samples and try 'em all. While the sales people will want to make a sale, a good one will ask what kind of sewing you want to do, and make suggestions from there.

If you find some reluctance to letting you try a machine for your own fabrics, then ask why? It's your money, and yours is the only opinion that counts. One thing I have learned from my research to date is that everyone I've spoken to has their favourite, usually a machine they've just bought. But if the comment is coming from a friend, ask to try her machine for 15 minutes or so. If you like the feel than you can head out to the stores looking for a particular brand. Take your time and don't be rushed into anything. It's an expensive purchase and any high pressure tactics, if you encounter them, should be viewed with suspicion. Like shoe shopping, I don't care how much the sales lady gushes and tells me they look terrific, the only opinion that counts is mine, I'm paying for 'em and I'm wearing 'em.