Replies

1. 
   Darlene_ | Feb 01, 2002 07:23pm | #1

   *
   This site may help you with pricing

   http://msucares.com/pubs/pub1667.htm#pricelist1

1. 
   silkscape_ | Feb 04, 2002 06:39am | #2

   *Kathy,Does this mean you haven't been charging your friends and relatives? There's a place in heavan for you!! In any case, its likely your prices will change a lot over the first year or so. Most people price too low and end up frustrated and hating what they're doing. You have to remember....you could be sewing something fun, something you want to sew, something for yourself or your family. So, do you really want to spend several hours a day sewing for Mrs. "this is a simple thing and I really can't fathom why its so EXPENSIVE" for enough money for a trip to McDonalds?Try to make a list of common alterations. You can't list them all of course, but list chinos hems and hand-stitched hems (with or without cuffs and linings), skirts with linings and vents. jacket sleeves. Things like that that you've probably already been doing. Then try to reason how long it'll take and charge according to how much you want to make per hour. I can tell you that when I started $20 an hour seemed like a lofty goal, and now it seems like slave labor. It costs a LOT to run a business. And of what you make most will go back into the busines and to Uncle Sam. You keep very little. don't hold yourself to the prices you set. Though it does make you look more professional to have a "list" to refer to, its your list and you can cross out and raise prices as you see fit. Especially after doing an alteration for the first time, you'll need to re-evaluate the price for it.Best of luck!!!

1. 
   whitesew | Feb 04, 2002 05:40pm | #3

   *Thank-you Darlene [from message #1. She wrote; "This site may help you with pricing '] for this information. The prices are rather cheap don't you think? Who wants to work for $6.00 to 8.00 per hour plus expenses and equipment? I think this chart must have been figured up several years ago. At least it is good for giving you an ides of how much time it might take to do different sewing jobs. Paula

1. 
   Darlene_ | Feb 05, 2002 07:53pm | #4

   *I use the suggested time for each alteration or construction technique and then put my own $/hr. (some things take me way longer - maybe I just work slow). I printed out a price list and show it to customers as they can see that taking in a jacket involves alot more than just a couple seams!! When I print out their invoice, I detail all alterations on it. That sure has made them realize the time involved.