The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
This is the first in the series of the 3 books (The “Business” Of Sewing). The two newer 2004 editions and the original, have all received rave reviews from: Nancy Zieman of Sewing With Nancy, McCall’s and Simplicity, LA Times and more. This book is a comprehensive and informative guide for the novice as well as the seasoned sewing professional, teacher and student. Learn how to get paid what you are worth through a detailed analysis of 3 pricing methods, and the pros and cons of each. It offers detailed instructions on business plans, financial planning, marketing and advertising, how to attract clients, how to expand your business, and much more. It even addresses teaching for profit, writing articles and making videos using your sewing knowledge. It has it all.
Rating: 
(out of 8 reviews)
List Price: $ 19.95
Price: $ 16.95
5 Responses to “The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success”
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Review by CMondine for The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
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I have been so happy with my business since I started using the this book. The book is very thourough and well put together. There were things I had never considered for my business, that were suggested in the book. These ideas are all easily implemented and very easy to follow. This book is also an unbelievable confidence builder, the author not only clearly states what information you will need, but goes the extra step of telling exactly how to go about getting help and information. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is in business or planning to go into business. I keep this book close at hand at all times.
Review by for The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
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A Simply Excellent Reference for new and current sewing
businesses! In easy to understand terms, it covers all
the bases for the “business”, leaving you free to
concentrate on sewing! Though I have had my business for
three years already, this book helped me smooth out any rough
edges. It also was very encouraging and a quite a moral
boost to finally be confident that I had all my bases
covered.
Review by Yvonne Higgins for The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
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If you want to make money sewing, get this book or Volumn 2. Volumn 2 and 1 are exactly the same, but 2 has info for home interior work.
This book helps you understand that if you want to make money sewing, it must be run like a business, not a hobby. Excellent charts and tips on how and what to charge for your work.
Review by Zuzana Kraemerova for The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
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To tell the truth, I was a bit disappointed by this book. I am just at the stage of turning my hobby to a business and I thought I might find some hints and tips. I must have laughed at the way Sykes encouraged to start a business and not fear anything, as if everyone could be able to be successful in such effort. The motto was: “If you want it, you can do it!” Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. You’ve got to have certain qualities, such as sewing talent, sense for aesthetics and ability to talk with people and managing things. It also surprised me that the transition between sewing as a hobby and sewing for profit was proposed (more or less) in such a way that one day you quit your job and the other you start the sewing business. Of course, a long self-confident text as how to overcome your fears followed. In reality, you should never do it this way if you don’t want to fail. The transition should be as smooth as possible and usually takes a long time.
A much better text was written by Alexis Black on the yourwardrobeunlocked site (a free article). At least it made much more sense to me.
So, although I am a positive person, I found this book to be too optimistic and unreal. Most of the things written were common sense, I expected more concrete things like how long does it take to do all the various garments – instead there are price lists of some sewers, which really doesn’t help as you have a different per hour rate. I also expected more numbers and more formulas for calculating various things.
This book is, nevertheless, not a waste of money. You can still find good tips there, but check the content first before you buy it to make sure it will tell you something new.
Review by Mimi Jackson for The “Business” of Sewing: How to Start, Maintain and Achieve Success
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As a custom dressmaker for overe twelve years, and a mentor to many who are just starting out, I highly recommend this book for all of the details a person who might be thinking about a sewing business might nothave considered. After reading this one, I would recommend reading other business books that cover business principles for ANY type of business. Creative, custom businesses come with their own unique challenges, and she covers these issues well. The only information I think should be updated for today’s markeplace is the advertising advice, and, since sewing is really a local pursuit, a bit more regional/demographic information would be useful.