I have done formal wear alterations professionally for a long while but I draw the line at making things for people. They just dont want to pay custom prices and they can be so picky. They dont understand that what you see in a pattern picture isn’t always what it turns out as once it is sewn depending on the fabric. etc. etc.
But I am considering it for this one customer, but what is the going realistic rate for making such a thing. I know it depends on what style of dress it is but does anyone do this and have any tips or advice on what works for them? I would be thankf ul for your help and I know there are some of you out there! :o)
Flax :o)
Replies
Good morning, Flax!
I'm sorry it took me soooo long to twig to having seen discussions about this in the past. And I still haven't found the posts that discuss *how to set your rates*. But it may be in the thread around this post number: 6670.21 .That is krichmond's contract between herself (the sewer) and the client, regarding payment , fittings and timing. Equally valuable, but not what you asked for!
Plug that number into the "Search for an Archived Message" box, on the "Home" or "Post New" page.
Hah! Just did that myself, to see if it worked ~ yep! And the whole thread is very interesting, regarding 'starting a sewing business', but as I suspected, it doesn't include the "figure out your rate" info.
Here's the whole thing...
What Else Do I Need???
ineedaserger329 on Mon, 04/23/2007 - 05:16 General Discussion
I'll keep looking for the formula.
Khamin
what do you charge to make a formal
I read somewhere that the formula is the amount you want to make per hourXthe amount of time plus the cost of overhead (which I do not know how to figure). Personally, I would not do this unless the customer is high end and really appreciates quality. A couple of years ago I had a young woman come to me with a picture of a formal she wanted me to duplicate. I drafted the pattern, did numerous fittings, and the end result was a gorgous silk charmuese halter, backless, empire waisted gown that she adored, fit her perfectly and was the best bargain she'll ever get in this life time. Me? Well, I got bragging rights and less than half of what I should have charged. By the way, I remember Sandra Betzina relating the story of a frind of hers who had moved to Paris to do colture sewing. When she told Sandra that she had just earned $400,000.00 dollars for a gown she had created, Sandra exclamed "how many customers are going to pay that!" To which her friend replied, "Well probably not many but I only need one a year."
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