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!

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?

Craft Fair vs Etsy: Where Beginners Actually Make Their First Sales

If you’re thinking about selling your handmade sewing items, this is usually the first big question that pops up:
 Should I start with a craft fair… or open an Etsy shop?

It sounds like a simple choice, but it’s one that trips up a lot of beginners. Some people jump straight into Etsy and feel disappointed when sales don’t roll in. Others book a market stall and come home exhausted, wondering if it was worth it.

The truth is, neither option is “better” across the board. But one of them is often far easier for beginners to make their very first sale — and that first sale matters more than almost anything else.

Let’s break it down honestly.

What Beginners Really Need (Before Making Any Sales)

Before talking platforms, it helps to be clear about what beginners actually need — not what sounds impressive.

Most new sellers need:

  • Confidence that people will pay for their handmade items

  • Feedback from real customers

  • A low-pressure way to test products and prices

  • Proof that selling is possible before committing long-term

The goal isn’t to build a business overnight. It’s to make that first sale and learn from it.

Selling at Craft Fairs: Why They Work So Well for Beginners

Craft fairs, markets, and local stalls are often where beginners make their first real sales — and there are some very good reasons for that.

Immediate, In-Person Feedback

At a craft fair, people can see, touch, and feel your items. They can ask questions. They can pick things up and imagine using them at home.

That removes a huge barrier to buying — especially for handmade goods.

You also get instant feedback:

  • Which items people pick up

  • What they comment on

  • What they ask about

  • What they actually buy

This kind of insight is incredibly valuable when you’re just starting out.

No Algorithm to Fight

One of the hardest things about Etsy is visibility. You can have beautiful products and still get buried under thousands of listings.

At a craft fair, everyone walking past your stall can see your work. You’re not competing with search rankings or keywords — just attention and presentation.

For beginners, that’s often a much gentler learning curve.

Easier to Sell Simple Items

Straight-line sewing projects often do particularly well at markets.

Things like:

  • Tote bags

  • Pouches

  • Table runners

  • Baby items

  • Reusable fabric goods

These items make sense immediately in person. Buyers don’t need a long explanation — they can see the value straight away.

Lower Emotional Barrier to the First Sale

That first sale hits differently when you hand an item to someone and watch them smile.

It builds confidence fast and reminds you that your work has real value. For many beginners, that moment is what makes selling feel possible instead of intimidating.

Etsy: Why It’s Appealing (But Harder at First)

Etsy is often the first place people think of when selling handmade items — and it can be brilliant. But it’s not always beginner-friendly in the way people expect.

Etsy Is a Long Game

Most Etsy shops don’t make consistent sales right away.

New sellers often underestimate how much time goes into:

  • Writing listings

  • Taking photos

  • Understanding keywords

  • Learning Etsy’s search system

  • Driving traffic

It’s not just about making the item — it’s about being found.

No One Sees Your Shop Automatically

Unlike a market stall, Etsy doesn’t bring customers to you just because you’ve listed something.

Your shop competes with:

  • Thousands of similar items

  • Established sellers with reviews

  • Shops that have been active for years

This can be discouraging for beginners, even when their products are good.

Pricing Feels Harder Online

Pricing handmade items on Etsy can feel more confronting.

You see cheaper listings, mass-produced items, and sellers underpricing their work. It’s easy to second-guess yourself or feel pressured to charge less than you should.

Without real-world feedback, confidence can take longer to build.

Where Beginners Usually Make Their First Sales

Here’s the honest pattern many beginners experience:

  • Craft fairs tend to bring first sales faster

  • Etsy tends to bring long-term, scalable sales later

Craft fairs give you:

  • Proof people will buy your work

  • Practice talking about your items

  • Confidence in your pricing

  • Clarity on what actually sells

Etsy works best once you already:

  • Know which items sell

  • Feel confident in your pricing

  • Can create consistent stock

  • Understand your customer

That’s why so many successful Etsy sellers started with markets — even if they don’t sell there anymore.

The Hidden Costs Beginners Don’t Expect

Both options have costs, just in different ways.

Craft Fair Costs

  • Stall fees

  • Transport

  • Display setup

  • Time commitment

But you often get immediate returns in learning and confidence.

Etsy Costs

  • Listing fees

  • Transaction fees

  • Payment processing fees

  • Time spent learning the platform

The cost isn’t always money — it’s time and patience.

A Smarter Beginner Strategy (If You Want Less Stress)

If you’re brand new to selling handmade sewing items, a gentle approach works best.

Many beginners find success by:

  1. Testing products at a local market or fair

  2. Learning what sells and at what price

  3. Refining their range

  4. Opening an Etsy shop with proven products

This way, Etsy becomes an extension of what you already know works — not a guessing game.

So… Craft Fair or Etsy?

Here’s the simplest way to decide:

Choose craft fairs if you:

  • Want faster feedback

  • Enjoy in-person interaction

  • Sell practical, tactile items

  • Want confidence before scaling

Choose Etsy if you:

  • Prefer working behind the scenes

  • Are comfortable learning online platforms

  • Want long-term, flexible selling

  • Can be patient with growth

Neither choice is permanent. Many sellers use both at different stages.

The Real Goal Isn’t the Platform

The platform doesn’t make the sale — your product does.

Whether it’s across a market table or through a screen, people buy handmade items because they’re useful, well made, and thoughtfully created.

If you focus on that first, the right selling path becomes much clearer.