Generally, I do not sew for others. I make exceptions, small alterations for people I know. And I'm open to making cosplay/halloween costumes. But if you asked me to make you a dress, a new suit, anything of that sort, I'd say no.
There's a variety of reasons. I don't have the time, I underestimate my abilities, I think your idea is boring. I also have trouble knowing what to charge for things. A lot of people think that sewing is cheaper than buying new clothes. Sometimes. But not often. You can go to walmart and buy a sundress for $10. It might last you through the summer before falling apart. But to sew a dress, let's say you get the fabric on sale, plain cotton for $3/yd. A basic a-line might take 3 yards depending on the size. Add $3 for the zipper, $2 for thread, assume the pattern was on sale for $1.99 and you've already spent $15.99 on your dress. That's not bad. And there's a great chance that if the person sewing knows what they're doing, the dress will last for several years (if you don't grow out of it). But labor isn't free. If you are sewing it yourself, you might not factor that in. But if you want me to sew it, it'll cost you.
I sew a lot of my dresses because the quality and perfect fit, and it being something *just right* that I couldn't find in stores, outweighs the extra cost. I'd rather spend say, $100 making four new dresses for myself (materials only) that will last until they don't fit, than to spend $40 on four new dresses I'll have to replace in a few months.
I was recently coerced by my mother and her friend Cherry to sew some dresses. Cherry wanted sundresses, a-line, sleeveless (wide straps), knee length. We went out and bought all the supplies and she said she'd "pay me whatever I needed when I was done."
Yeah. Right.
I've now finished the dresses. I looked online for guidance for pricing. Multiple searches showed that women charge a MINIMUM of $10/hr. Lots charged even more (20-40) and all of that took into consideration that materials were separate. I felt that even though I've got quite a few years under my belt sewing, I'd start at the $10 mark. I considered minimum wage ($7.25) but as someone else stated "minimum wage is for UN-skilled labor. It's what you get paid for flipping burgers." For something anyone can do. Sewing takes skill. You don't just learn it overnight With that information in hand I felt $10/hr was fair.
I'd tracked my time with these dresses. I'd had to prewash and iron fabric, trace and alter the pattern, make two muslins (two different dress patterns were being used), and then sew the actual dresses. All of this took my just over 14 hours, totaling $140.
She was not thrilled. I haven't spoken to her yet, just mother has. This woman, however, seems to think that $5/hr is *very reasonable*
If you haven't guessed yet, she doesn't sew.
I'm thinking just to get her out of my hair, I'll settle for minimum wage on this one, it'll come out to about $100, but I will NOT be sewing for her anymore, and I'll make sure she knows that.
Ladies and gents, PLEASE be firm with your pricing. Do not underestimate your skills. Trust me, you're worth it. If sewing were so simple, everyone would be doing it. And you can see, they aren't.
I'll leave you with this. In my pricing research, a woman said that on her door sign with hours and such, it has a note at the bottom. "If you do not sew and you insist on telling me how simple a project is going to be, there will be no charge for that item. You can take it home and do it yourself."
I fully agree.
