Do you want to start a sewing business from home? And you are searching for small sewing business ideas? Here in this post, we list down profitable sewing business opportunities along with how to start a home-based stitching business startup guide for beginners.
People who have passion and knowledge for sewing can start a business. In addition, this business is perfect for housewives and moms also. In any case, any individual can make a lot of money from his or her sewing business.
Here is a list of the best sewing business opportunities that can be started from home with low investment:
25 Sewing Business Ideas
#1. Alteration Service
Providing alteration services is one of the easiest businesses to start from home. However, you must have good skills and expertise in sewing.
In addition, you will need to have a sewing machine and different colored threads to start. Firstly, offer your service to your friends, relatives, and neighbors. And gradually expand your client base.
Learn More: How to Start An Alteration Service Business
#2. Children Garments Making
Making garments for children is one of the most profitable sewing business ideas in the clothing industry. Generally, children’s garments come with a wide range of colorful patterns. As the business demands limited infrastructure, you can start from home.
#3. Crochet Knitting
If you are a passionate crochet knitter, then you can turn your hobby into a very successful business from home. Different types of innovative crochet items have high demand in the market. Also, you can start a crochet knitting business on a part-time basis.
Learn More: How to Start a Crochet Business
#4. Designer Skirts Making
Designer skirts have high demand worldwide. And the demand is increasing rapidly. However, you will find a wide range of regional styles and cuts. First, determine your target demographic and create dresses according to their choice.
#5. Designer Upholstery Making
Designer upholstery products are essential items in the home interior. Even upholstery can change the entire look of a room. There is a very good market for this product. And you can consider starting this business from home.
#6. Embroidery Business
To be successful in the Embroidery business, one needs to plan properly and market intelligently. This is a value-added business in the garment industry.
Learn More: How To Start An Embroidery Business
#7. Jeans Manufacturing
Jeans or denim garments are very popular casual outfits among every age group of people. If you have designing and sewing expertise, you can run a manufacturing jeans unit from home too. However, it is advisable to start with a niche item to get immediate success in the business.
Learn More: How to Start a Jeans Manufacturing Business
#8. Leather Garments Making
Leather garments are luxury items. Generally, fashion-conscious consumers buy leather fashion garments. And you must provide a very high-quality product with an attractive design and pattern.
#9. Uniform Making
Uniform making is one of the best businesses to start in the sewing industry. Different schools recommend different types of dress codes. In addition, business schools, hotel management institutions, and several other organizations maintain their own uniform.
#10. Wedding Dress Designing
The primary responsibility of a wedding dress designer is to provide designer dresses for weddings. Nowadays, you will find several popular brands in this industry. Of course, this is a huge industry, and the business demands substantial capital investment. However, you can start the business at home.
#11. Provide Sewing Lessons
There are many people that look forward to learning the art of sewing. If you have the required experience think of sharing the knowledge with beginners and getting paid.
#12. Create Drapery & Home Decor Items
You can also make drapery and home decor items like heavy curtains for doors and windows. The demand for these products exists around the year.
#13. Make Leather Bags
Though the leather bag industry is competitive, still there is a wide scope for new entrants as the market is big and growing. If you can make designer innovative leather bags, there is still no shortage of buyers if marketed properly.
Learn More: How to Start Leather Bag-Making Business
#14. Make Pet Wearables
The pet wearable industry is growing at a fast pace. There are various products that have good demand. It can be shirts, hoodies, sweaters, and many more, and can earn generous income selling.
Industry experts predict good growth of the pet wear market in the coming days and hence it is one of the more lucrative sewing business ideas for people interested in starting a business in the sewing industry.
#15. Start a Sewing Blog
If you have writing skills and a passion for sewing why not start a blog and make money? Many searches online to learn more about sewing skills. It is easy to start a blog and can be started with very little money.
Learn More: How to Start a Blog & Make Money
#16. Create a Youtube Channel
Lots of people are making millions running a YouTube Channel. If you have presentation skills and know about sewing, consider starting your own YouTube channel.
#17. Quilting
Quilting is a special technique for sewing a minimum of two layers of fabric together. It can be done manually by hand, needle, and thread or mechanically with a sewing machine. The demand for professional quiltmakers is on the rise.
#18. Design Sewing Patterns
Sewing experts with creative minds in design can start the business of designing sewing patterns. As a pattern maker, you will be responsible for converting raw sketches into attractive design templates. Experience in design software like Adobe Illustrator comes in handy for pattern designers.
#19. Upholsterer
Upholstery is all about covering furniture with designer clothes. It can be chairs, armchairs, and similar types of stuff. The work can be of padding, webbing, springs, fabric, or leather covers. The more you are creative in the upholstery business, the better the chance of success.
#20. Sell Sewing Equipment
The sewing machine and tool industry is huge. People having selling skills can consider selling sewing equipment and make a good profit. Other than a sewing machine, items like scissors, needles, measuring and masking tapes, pins, pincushions, water and iron sprayer, thimble, threaders, threads, rulers, pattern weights, glue, rotary cutter, and many more are regularly needed to finish sewing jobs.
#21. Become a Costume Designer
People having sewing skills have a big advantage in the business of costume designing. The demand for professional costume designers is surely going to rise as more and more people are getting fashion-conscious.
#22. Create Toys
Toy making is a multi-million dollar industry worldwide. You can make uniquely-designed dolls and toys and sell them to the local market. The online market is also huge for toys.
#23. Write Sewing-Related Books
If writing is what you like with a passion for the different aspects of sewing, writing books can be a good source of income. There are many bestselling books on the sewing business that you will find on online marketplaces. It is a wonderful way of earning recurring money working once.
Learn More: How to Start a Profitable eBook Writing Business
#24. Provide Sewing Business Consultancy
If you have coaching skills with sewing experience, sewing business consultancy can be a profitable home-based business.
#25. Start a Tailoring Business
Tailoring is still one of the most profitable sewing business ideas across the globe. With just one sewing machine anyone can start this business at home or from a small retail space.
If you are planning to start a home-based sewing business, here are some important tips:
How to Start a Sewing Business
a) Create a Business Plan
The first step towards starting a sewing business is to create a business plan. Write in detail about your products, startup and recurring costs, profit margin, and marketing strategies in a way that can be used for a roadmap in the coming years.
b) Procure the Right Sewing Machine/ Equipment
The most important tool in this business is the sewing machine. Check with local machine vendors and buy the best as per your budget. You can also check online marketplaces to buy a sewing machine.
While buying a sewing machine, you need to consider two important aspects. They are budget and features. For example, if you are into embroidery, an embroidery-featured sewing machine will cost you more than a normal sewing machine.
If you are a newbie, start with a low-budget sewing machine and when money starts coming in, go for costlier ones with more features and functions. We recommend reputed brands like Brother and Singer for first-time buyers. If you have a low budget, check out the two most popular sewing machines below:
Model | Stitches | Body | Rating(/5) | Feet | Computerized | Where to Buy |
Brother CS6000i | 60 | Plastic | 4.5 | 9 | Yes | Buy at Amazon |
Singer 4432 | 23 | Metal | 4.3 | 4 | No | Buy at Amazon |
c) Create Distraction Free Sewing Workspace
Developing a distraction-free ambiance is critically important for sewing work. More so if it is a home-based business. Try to create a separate workspace so that family disturbance is less. Remember, sewing work requires a lot of concentration and dedication. Sometimes it becomes too tiring when working for long hours.
d) Set Proper Pricing
For any successful business, a proper pricing strategy is very important. It holds true for the sewing business too. While pricing your items, you need to consider certain costs. They are the fabric cost, labor cost, overhead cost, and taxes. After adding your profit margin, set the price.
For the right pricing of products, it is essential to check out what other sewing business owners are charging for a similar item. Accordingly set your price structure.
e) Decide What Sewing Products to Sell
If you are starting from home with a low budget, it is wise to make not many sewing items initially. There are many sewing-related niche categories. They can be making handbags, providing alteration services, tailoring services, costume designing, making home decor items, and many more. you can choose
f) Where to Sell?
This is the most critical part of making your sewing business profitable. Other than traditional markets like garment wholesalers, clothing retailers, fairs, and exhibitions nowadays there is a big online market you must plan to explore.
Social platforms like Facebook, and Instagram is a low-cost platforms to sell your creations.
Creating a website nowadays is a must. It not only helped you to reach a wider audience but also helps in developing a trusted brand among customers.
Online marketplaces are another place you must explore. List yourself as a vendor on platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and many others. The best part is that it is free.
The success of a sewing business hugely depends on the quality of the product and personal branding. So never comprise with the product quality. And try to build a good brand image.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sewn items sell best?
There is a wide range of sewing products that has a good demand. Some of them are listed below:
- Purses
- Pot Holders
- Clothes for Dolls
- Embroidered Clothing Items
- Baby Clothes
- Clothes for Cats and Dogs
What are the 3 most important tools in sewing?
Other than the sewing machine, the 3 most important tools for sewing work are a pencil, ruler, and rubber.
About the Author: 99businessideas.com led by Rupak Chakrabarty is committed to helping beginners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in starting, managing, and growing their business. Our aim is to educate the entrepreneur on the various stages of entrepreneurship.