Sewing

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From my studio this week: July 19, 2011

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So last week I said my goal was to make a princess seamed t-shirt, with the idea that one day I’d use that pattern to make a bathing suit.  Well, I skipped all of the middle steps and went straight to the bathing suit.  The original was a tankini top two sizes too big.  I made a muslin out of some ugly knit fabric and kept resewing all of the seams until I had a perfect fit.  Then I cut it apart and made a pattern.

And here’s the suit top I made.  It’s decidedly shorter than a tankini, but that’s what I wanted.  I was going for a sporty sports bra kind of look.  The black and white gingham was a bit boring so I added a big ole flower applique.  The flower is from some 1970s polyester with a 10,000-year half-life so I’m confident the chlorinated water won’t affect it at all.

I haven’t gotten brave enough to try to make a shelf bra and sewn in cups.  In theory it shouldn’t be too hard – just have to buckle down and make myself do it.  Happily, though, the princess seams in this little top give enough shape that I don’t need the extra support.  How awesome is that!

And also a shirt for the little girl.  The price increase on the long-sleeved Gymboree shirts was enough motivation for me to break out the knits and make them myself. 

The sleeves are made from knit yardage (Hobby Lobby) and the body of the shirt from a repurposed tee.  The original tee had a hole in it so I added a funky little applique to cover it up.  The moon shape is actually the bit of fabric I cut from the top to make the deeper neck in the front. 

As I was ironing down the applique I realized that there was an awful smell coming from the iron.  Turns out there was some icky black gunk on it, which was now transferred down to the shirt – directly underneath the applique I had just placed to cover up the hole. DOH!  The old lady who swallowed a fly came to mind.  You’ll notice the slightly darker spot in the photo?  That’s the wet spot where I scrubbed out the fresh stain.

Little girl loves her new tee.  I have a few more planned and I’ll be putting them together this coming week.  I also have plans to create a bottom for my swimsuit so that I can actually wear my handmade bathing suit before summer is over.

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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.