I don't want to throw a damper on your endeavors, Pam, but have you tried washing some of the pieces you have made of fleece yet... several times? I fear that you will discover the cheaper fleece pills - a lot!

You might want to test wash a sample several times in with a regular clothing size load to see how it fares. It would be very disappointing for you to discover a problem with inexpensive fleece after you'd put in all that time cutting and sewing something.

In fleece (as with most things) you get what you pay for. Quality fleece costs a lot more, but withstands many washings and still looks like new.

Thanks for the reminder.

DD's jacket is already starting to show a little pilling after being washed once. DS's sweatsuit isn't. DD's jacket fabric came from Walmart last winter; DS's sweatsuit material at $3.99/yard was marked down 50% this week and does feel different.

I think most people are used to that "pilly" look from their fleece things, to a certain extent. I come from a family of cheapskates anyhow, so likely they wouldn't know the difference. :)

And as for the interesting gym print, well, there's not much I can do as far as improving that material's quality. It's the print tht counts.

I appreciate the reminder, though!

Well it certainly sounds like you are on a roll and enjoying your sewing.....you've been bitten now and just wait...you will soon be like the rest of us and unable to move because of all the sewing fabrics, patterns, etc. you manage to acquire. Keep on sewing!

I think you need to charge than $30 for the adult-size jacket - maybe $40. Just my opinion.

Oh, you may have found your "calling", LOL. Sewing has become a passion, Good for you! as long as you are having fun, keep on sewing, as far as the fleece, I love the fabric too, pilling an all, one tip, fleece does not work well with fabric softeners, it is better to wash and dry without them, google the word fleece and see tips for sewing and care. have fun rene

I think you should seperate your labor charges from the material charge. That way you can make something from better quality if asked and not lose money. You also might have someone bring you fabric and you are asked only need to put it together.
Even if you are doing this for you own enjoyment and for friends don't sell yourself short.

http://www.maldenmillsstore.com/e-classroom.asp?id=03210422639811124963913

Check out the link above,it will tell you everything you ever want to know about fleece.
Kathi

I bought some of the $3.99 fleece at my Hancocks last week. It is a mess after a couple of washings.
I'm so glad I tried it before making something to sell.
I don't know if this is the case with all of the fleece at this price, but what I bought is useless.
There is no way I could or would sell anything made with this.
I would definitely wash your pieces before you make anything...several times.

I'm glad you are enjoying the sewing experience. We have long winter here and fleece which pills up won't cut it. A garment made with good quality fleece should look good for years. At least that has been my experience. I've also found quality fleece produces less lint in the machine, although it's still a bunch.

When making items for your own family-no problem with materials, but if you will be selling items, your workmanship will be looked down upon if the materials don't hold up to normal wash and wear. I think people have the right to expect good quality.

One thing to keep the fun in the sewing and increase your learning curve is to donate a couple of outfits for fundraising. You can deduct the cost of your materials. If you don't want to make anymore after that you don't have to, or you may find there is enough interest to do more. I would hate to end up with a ton of fleece and no takers.

Have fun. Now, you've got me thinking and I should make my daughter a loose pair of pants to slip on for dance class.

Gloria

I don't want to discourage you, but please check the prices of ready-to-wear before you start selling jackets.

If you're doing custom-made, it should cost more than what they'd pay in a store-even if you're just starting out. When one sewist "gives away" her services, it hurts the credibility of the skilled sewists in her area. I'm amazed how many people think a seamstress should produce clothes cheaper than they can be purchased retail, and your pricing sounds like it may encourage this kind of thinking. If and when you raise your prices, customers won't think "Gee, I really got a deal when she was starting out." They'll more likely gripe that your prices went up unreasonably.

Of course, you're probably already aware that the fine print on a "Big Four" pattern allows it's use one time only for profit, and each additional garment requires purchase of another pattern.

I appreciate the advice.

I'm not out to do this as a business venture. I'm nowhere near good enough. Probably never will be. I just wanted to be prepared in case someone else asked for one. It seems the correct answer is "no" - to say I just sew for family, gifts, and charity, and that's that.

I'd planned to make fleece jackets & vests for Christmas gifts for a couple relatives, but maybe I'll just take that $3.99 fleece and use it to make a couple of cushioned liners for my dog's crate. HE won't care if it's pilly. :)

Pkock, Don't be discouraged and give up sewing altogether. People expect sewists to produce quality work for the same price as items that are mass-produced in foreign countries. Remember, those stores that sell mass-produced items are still making a huge profit. One reason is that the person making that item is not getting paid very much. When you figured out that you would not even be making minimum wage for the prices that you would charge, that tells you that you would not be charging enough.
Sometimes you can make items out of $3.99 fleece. Every year, I make quick hats & scarves out of it for my daughter. I don't mind using the cheaper fleece because she usually wants a set in a new color within a month -- it doesn't even have time to pill! But for myself or other family, I use the "good stuff"!
Take costumecarol's advice, and check into what other sewists charge in your area. They can be a valuable resource in many ways. If you truly enjoy sewing, you may find someone that could use some help, perhaps on a seasonal basis, in making items that people order from them. Most of all, continue to have fun! bggs

Use some of that inexpensive stuff for crafts....there are all kinds of snowmen, reindeers, etc. that require hats, mitts, etc. You will always find some use for it. For the price use it on your own kids - even if they use it for just play after a few washings, you are ahead and your sewing skills will continue to improve and your stash will go down....and best of all you will have room for MORE, MORE , MORE.........

This is agreat site. I'm also all about helping seamstress make money sewing. Check out my new book, '50 Ways To Make Money Sewing.' This book is packed with strategies designed to help seamstress make money sewing. Best of luck to you. www.makemoneysewing.net

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