General Chat

I have a housefull of fabric & haberdashery. Mostly silks & satins, fabric to make wedding outfits, including veiling & dress net & some childrens fabrics & toy making stuff.------------Can I have some suggestions please for things I could make to sell at boot sales or if I can pluck up courage, on Ebay.----------------Vivienne xx

taggies - small pieces of material with bits of ribbon sewn around the edges. my friend makes them and sells them at car boots and local toddler groups. great gift for newborns etc.

what about bespoke christening dresses- or are they too fiddly?

Hi Dolls clothes, dress up a bride and sell it or raffle it. Marion

Sorry, I don't understand taggies! Jess, I love making christening gowns but didn't think they were worn these days. I did think of making communion dresses to be ready for May. Used to make them when I had the shop, with the little veil. In fact I think I may have my sample one somewhere. Marion, I've thought of dolls clothes but I do find them very fiddly. Still if they would sell, maybe I should have a go. Thanks for the suggestions Vivienne xx

Vivienne, What about fabric animals, not too large, or mini animal beanbags? Little silk cushions, etc would be lovely. good luck. Sue

just had another thought - Ring pillows for page boys to carry weding rings. Bride rag dolls as bridesmaid pressies?

childrens clothes or baby clothes. Trouble with boot sales is that people expect something for nothing so Ebay may be a better bet. How about cot duvets or covers? Ann Glos

Vivienne, if you are a dressmaker, why not advertise an alteration service? I used to work with somebody who did very well taking up trousers and altering items of clothing. Ann Glos

Little things like covers for tissue boxes. covers for toilet rolls (it looks like a strip of material machined together at intervals so that toilet rolls can be inserted). Packets of material for children to buy to make doll's clothes - trimmings can be used for card making - very popular. Anne

jeSS, Ring pillows are those things that go off when you sit on them arnt they. Rod

Thanks for suggestions folks Jess you & I seem to be on the same wave length, I had thought of ring pillows but I am so out of touch that I don't know what is in these days. I left the shop twelve years ago & have been carrying this stuff around from place to place ever since. Keep the ideas coming, maybe I should look at a few boot sales to get an idea what is selling in this area & prices before I start. Vivienne xx

Hi Vivienne, Childrens fancy dress costumes like sleeping beauty cinderella etc with your interpretation of the originals would sell well I believe I am always looking out for dressing up costumes and I believe the craft shops sell templates for them also!! XXX

Definately children's costumes, princess outfits and all that, you will be amazed at what is being sold for a fortune, but the quality is very poor. You would do very well, on e-bay. catherine xx good luck.

Hi Vivienne, dont suppose you could run up a Wedding Dress for Gaynor Bear can you? Lol. Seriously I would pay you for it. Jenny xx

Vivienne everyone seems to be coming up with some good ideas. What about the lovely prams sets for Silver Cross prams dolls and full size for babies. Then put them on ebay they seem to sell well don't seem to go cheap. Don't be scared of ebay once you get going on it you will be hooked won't need to get another job will be too busy looking for stuff to sell. Germaine x check this item no. 260002035404

Sorry Vivienne, can't help as I'm waiting at the moment for hubby to thread a needle for me and watch me while I try to sew a button on:)) Just wanted to remind you though not to book a car boot for Sat 9th Sept as you are otherwise engaged:)) Love Chrissie xx

Seem to be lots of good suggestions here - make different things and sell them on Ebay. You may also get some money for sheets of fabric on ebay. Have a look at the sort of thing that's already on there. Kaye x

arrrggggghhhh I just spent ages typing out a reply only to get thrown off the site. It went something like this if I remember right. Pmsl Chrissie, I think I was born with a needle in my hand so find it very odd that other people can't sew. My Mum was a home dressmaker & as machines in those days didn't do blind stitching I used to help with the hand finishing from about the age of eight. Mind you the blind stitch on my machine is wasted as I still can't bring myself to trust it & hand finish everything. Ann, sorry I forgot to answer your suggestion earlier. I hate doing alterations. Don't mind turning up hems but some alterations are more work than making a garment from scratch. I didn't think prams were used these days, more's the pity. Think maybe I should spend a few hours on Ebay looking at what is selling & then if I get some good compensation from the hotel, splash out on a digital camera. Keep them coming folks, I'll print them off & work through them. Vivienne xx

Christine, can I sell you some ribbon, I have rolls of it. lol Jenny I just realised I didn't answer you, with being thrown off site. I would love to make a bridal gown for GB & wouldn't think of charging you but I'm no good without a basic pattern to work from. Do you know what size other people used to make her dresses? I've got quite a few dressing up patterns but when I see the price Woolies sell them for, it doesn't seem worth it. I don't think people worry about quality these days. I got shot down in flames when I said on here that Monsoon clothes were poorly made for the price they charge. Vivienne xx