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Recouping costs of the Viking Designer I

KashaAnna | Posted in Machine Embroidery on

Hello all! I am new to the Gathering but have been sewing on and off for 30 of my 40 years and have tackled many projects including fitted velvet dresses and plaid suits, kilts, etc.. I am in need of a new sewing machine so that I can get back to sewing clothes for myself (I’m 5’11” and the options for finding clothes which fit are depressingly limited.)  I am “coveting” the Husqvarna Viking Designer I (ESS?) and would love to be able to justify the expense to my husband and myself. I have some really great ideas for embroidered sweatshirts which I think would sell, though I need to do a bit more research in my area. I don’t go to many craft shows, so don’t really know what I can expect to sell them for and what my profit margin would be, as I’m unsure of how much thread would be needed for many of the patterns. Do any of you have an experience in selling your embroidered creations, esp. clothing? Can I at least recoup the cost of my machine over the course of several years? Can I make a profit?  I am currently a full-time homemaker with no children and a large enough home to spread out. I also have a great head for figures and am very organized. A woman who wrote a review for the machine on Epinions.com claimed the machine paid for itself in the course of a year.  That sounded too good to be true, considering the cost of the machine.
Thank you and happy sewing/embroidering!

Replies

  1. SewingSue | | #1

    I only have limited knowledge in this area.  I live in Florida and tried making and selling crafts at craft shows for about a year and gave up.  My experience with craft shows in Florida is that they are more like glamorized flea markets.  The booths that seemed to being doing best sold painted t-shirts.  But then I guess that Florida is probably the t-shirt capitol of the country.  They sold for less then the upscale department stores and quality was questionable at best.  The t-shirts themselves were definitely not hand made just embelished.  Scrunchies and hair accessories seemed to also sell very well.  This may be different in larger areas of Florida with more affluent shoppers; Miami, Key West, etc. or other parts of the country.

    Also, I have seen the Viking Designer I on sale in eBay with the stated reason for selling that the machine was bought for home sewing business but it could not handle being used for that purpose and they upgraded to industrial machines.

    Sorry I couldn't provide encouragement.  I am sure others will provide more positive feedback.  Have noticed there are a few individuals who indicate they have a home sewing business.  If I wasn't dependent on receiving a certain income I would try again.  However, I think I would try selling through eBay or some other on-line venue.  I would not do the craft show circuit again.  Best of luck.    Sue

    1. GinnaS | | #2

      Check to see if the warranty is valid if you are using the sewing machine in a business.  Frequently warranties don't cover anything other than normal home usage.

      Ginna

      1. SewingSue | | #3

        Interesting point but I think that was meant for KashaAnna.  I don't think I ever would have thought about that.    Sue

      2. rjf | | #4

        I wonder how they would define "normal home usage".      rjf

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