Sewing

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From my studio last week: May 23, 2011

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So I have two things to show you from my studio last week. 

First, a recycled t-shirt dress for the little girl.  Because clearly the little girl is hurting for playdresses. HAH!!  I crack myself up sometimes.

As she grows taller, I find myself having to piece together shirts in order to get enough length.  I used to piece just two shirts, but now I’m starting to add in a wide sashing at the waist to extend the dress a few more inches. 

The color combo on this dress is soooo weird.  And yet I think it works.  The bottom of the dress is a beige and golden yellow striped polo.  The sashing at the waist is some scrap gray knit with itty yellow flowers, and the top is from a minty green t-shirt.  The bow around the neck is from a bright yellow polka-dotted polyester blouse I snagged from a rummage sale. 

Here’s a close-up of the neck detail.  The little girl insisted that I place the bow off center.

And the second project – a simple peasant blouse to wear with my new awesome blue trousers.  It took some doing to make it look right.

I’m sharing the unflattering photo first.  It’s not even hemmed yet at this stage.  I used what I thought was a drapey fabric, but it turned out too poofy and too shapeless through the torso.  Ugh. 

A little experimenting in the mirror showed that it looked a lot better with a belt, but the shirt was too short and flared out all crazy at the hip when I cinched it in at the waist.  Sooo…. 

First, I took in a little on the sides to get rid of some of that poofiness under the bust.  My side seams now have a bit of an hourglass shape, though the shirt is so full that you really don’t see it when I’m wearing it. 

Second, I added an elastic casing to the hem.  The casing cinches in the fullness at the hip.  This is a good thing because my pear-shaped figure doesn’t need ANY extra fullness at the hip!

Now I can wear the shirt two ways.  Here it is by itself, no belt at the waist.  The cinching at the bottom makes it look like it’s tucked in, but actually it’s just sitting free and easy on my hip.

I can also wear it with a sash at the waist.  The elastic casing keeps it from flaring out too much at the hip. 

I’ll be writing up a tutorial showing how I do my casings.  It’s nothing earth-shattering, but there are some tips and tricks that I use to make it easier.  Look for that tutorial either today or tomorrow. 

Toodles!

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Comments

  2. I actually like the colors of your little girl’s dress seeing it all put together (ie I probably wouldn’t’ve put them together myself). Love the bow. I also like the adjustments you made to your peasant shirt. 🙂

  3. Your daughter has a keen sense of style by insisting the bow should be off center. 🙂
    The colour combinations on the play dress is so lovely. Unconventional but I would buy it if it’s at the store.

    Your peasant blouse is cute too!

    Good work on both!

  4. Anne, Wonderful work! I love, love that little dress! Perfect color/fabric combos. And, the bow is in just the right spot. Your dd has a good eye, just like her mama.
    I really like your peasant, too. I can’t wait for the tutorial to see how you tailored that peasant. I’ve been working on a peasant pattern for 2 years and can’t get it to look good on the masses…too much fullnesssssss.

Have you read?

Pricing Handmade Sewing Items Without Undervaluing Yourself

If there’s one topic that makes sewists uncomfortable faster than sewing zippers, it’s pricing. Not how to sew the item — but how much to charge for it once it’s finished.

Most people don’t struggle with making handmade items. They struggle with putting a price on their time, skill, and effort without feeling awkward, guilty, or worried they’ll scare buyers away.

If you’ve ever thought:
 “I’m not good enough to charge that much,”
 “People won’t pay handmade prices,”
 or “I’ll just price it low until I get better,”

you’re not alone. But you’re also not doing yourself any favours.

Let’s talk about how to price handmade sewing items in a way that’s fair, realistic, and sustainable — without undervaluing yourself.

Why Undervaluing Your Sewing Hurts More Than You Think

Underpricing doesn’t just affect your income. It affects your motivation, your confidence, and how seriously buyers take your work.

When handmade items are priced too low:

  • You burn out faster

  • You resent the time spent making them

  • You struggle to restock

  • Buyers assume “cheap” equals “low quality”

Ironically, pricing too low can make selling harder, not easier.

Handmade sewing items aren’t competing with mass-produced factory goods. They’re competing with thoughtfulness, quality, and care — and those have value.

Start With the Real Cost (Not Just Fabric)

One of the biggest pricing mistakes beginners make is charging only for materials.

Fabric, thread, zips, interfacing, labels, packaging — these are your base costs. But they’re only the starting point.

You also need to account for:

  • Cutting time

  • Sewing time

  • Pressing and finishing

  • Packaging

  • Listing, photographing, or selling time

Even if you enjoy sewing, your time still counts.

A simple rule:
 If someone else had to make this for you, what would you expect to pay them per hour?

The “Straight Line” Trap (And Why It’s Not a Problem)

Many sewists worry that because their items are “simple,” they don’t deserve higher prices.

Straight seams, basic construction, minimal shaping — these are often seen as beginner skills. But from a buyer’s perspective, simplicity is often a feature, not a flaw.

Simple items are:

  • Practical

  • Durable

  • Easy to use

  • Less intimidating

  • Often more giftable

A well-made tote bag, table runner, or pouch doesn’t lose value because it’s simple. It gains value because it works.

A Simple Pricing Formula That Actually Works

You don’t need complicated spreadsheets to price handmade sewing items.

A beginner-friendly formula looks like this:

Materials + (Hourly rate × Time) + Fees = Price

Your hourly rate doesn’t need to be high — but it does need to exist.

Even a modest rate acknowledges that your time matters.

And remember: pricing isn’t permanent. You’re allowed to adjust as you learn.

Why “Charging Less Until I’m Better” Backfires

This mindset feels sensible, but it causes long-term problems.

When you price low “for now,” you:

  • Attract bargain-focused buyers

  • Set expectations that are hard to raise later

  • Undermine your confidence

  • Train yourself to accept less

Your skill will improve through repetition, not through underpricing.

Selling handmade items is a skill too — and pricing fairly is part of learning it.

What Buyers Are Actually Paying For

Most buyers don’t analyse your stitching technique.

They’re paying for:

  • Convenience

  • Thoughtful design

  • Quality materials

  • Handmade care

  • Supporting a real person

They want something useful, well made, and ready to use — not a bargain-bin price.

When you price confidently, buyers feel more confident too.

Comparing Prices Without Panicking

It’s smart to look at what others charge — but don’t use comparison as a weapon against yourself.

Instead of asking:
 “Why are they charging more than me?”

Ask:

  • Are they targeting the same customer?

  • Are they selling the same type of item?

  • Are their materials similar?

There is room for different price points. You don’t need to be the cheapest to be successful.

Pricing for Sustainability, Not Just Sales

Selling handmade items should feel rewarding, not exhausting.

If your prices don’t allow you to:

  • Replace materials

  • Restock without stress

  • Enjoy sewing

  • Take breaks

…they’re too low.

A sustainable price keeps you sewing longer — and consistency is what builds sales over time.

The Confidence Shift That Changes Everything

Instead of asking:
 “Is this worth what I’m charging?”

Ask:
 “Would I be proud to sell this?”

If the item is:

  • Well made

  • Useful

  • Finished with care

Then it deserves a fair price.

You don’t need permission to charge what your work is worth. You just need to believe that your time, effort, and creativity matter.

Because they do.

Book Review – Sewing to Sell – The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Craft Business

Selling your handmade items? Here’s how to figure a fair price.