General Chat

It doesn't have to have fringing Vivienne but how about snipping some self fringe into it? Or would that fray, remember I'm a novice:) Black and silver sounds great though. Chrissie x

pmsl Chrissie, poor Graham. Had to get my swatches out & I have got a black & silver stripe that might do but I don't have any fringing. If I remember the fringe I bought for my friends stole cost more than the fabric would have done. lol Vivienne xx

Been having a think Vivienne. Have you got any sparkly material and fringing? Those long narrow scarves are popular now, I've bought three. Chrissie xx p.s. Hubby ended up sewing the button on for me. I think he finds it too painful to watch:))

I make bog standard wheat bags (have to be 100% cotton though) and sell them at Car Boots, Fairs, etc. I recently hit on the idea of making an outer cover for them too, which keeps the wheat bag clean, but doesnt go in the microwave. These covers are a simple pillowcase type thingy, with a fold over flap, a doddle to make, decorated in any way you like - and they sell at the SAME price as the basic wheat bag! Having seen people trying to sell handmade stuff at Car Boots and Fairs, I would say - have a good variety of things, some cheap, some expensive and aim the expensive stuff at the Granny market. Dont bother with the Car Boots, as others have said, you wont be able to sell it at the right price. OC

That's an idea Val. I have actually got some 100% pure new wool check fabric that would make lightweight kilts. Don't think there would be much call for them down here though. lol Vivienne xx

Just looked at the photos... They are beautiful.... Love the wedding dress and the bridesmaids dresses.my favourite colour.... My mum was a dressmaker and made lots of toys and dressed dolls for charity. I can't sew a button on !

What about Kilts my aunt was a dressmaker and she made her girls wedding dresses and she made my sister a kilt

Vivienne, have you a local craft or knitting wool shop near you? They may be happy to sell your items for a small percentage of the profts. A woman I met in our local wool shop runs a thriving business of her own with smocked clothes. She does all the smocking on a machine and says she can't make them quickly enough. It's usually christening clothes, special occasion girl's dresses and loads of baby clothes Have you a wedding shop also near you. What about those little bags for sweets that people have on tables at wedding receptions now. They seem to be very popular.

Thanks again for replies folks. If anyone is interested I have put a couple of pics on next gen site, under Viv's brag book. I like the idea for wraps if only I can find a market. Made one for a friend a couple of years ago from crystal organza, she was over the moon. Vivienne xx

Vivienne-don't dismiss the christening gown idea-I copied (well,very nearly) a gown from an American web site about 18 months ago for my first grandchild.It was advertised at about $250 and I made it for about 10 pounds-target the sales to grannies!! My daughter actually wanted a traditional gown,so maybe the fashion is coming back! Good luck

If you have rolls of it... you are already quids in girl... get out there. Make some nice fancy pieces and sell them. Isn't *First Holy Communion time* coming up soon? Waistcoats for the lads too?? With cumberbands.. I can see it already! ;-0) Deanna X Couldn't you have a good work time, make loads and then do a market stall for one day? Just an idea. X

Vivienne - that sounds like a great idea,to use your assets in this way, and I will try and think of things to make too. If you take a look in shops like The Pier, and Evolution (are they nationwide?) or Past times, you will see lots of ideas for pretty cushions, little herb pillows etc etc. Little bags for bits and bobs are nice too. Maybe you could make a batch of things and sell them at a craft fair - these stalls always do well around here and the things aren't sold cheap but they seem to go. Lots of luck, wish I had time and space to do something like that, as I have loads of fabric too. Liz

How about some nice wraps/shawls? They're very popular at the moment, with some nice beading or fringing? Otherwise I agree the smaller 'household' items would be popular - small fancy cushions for on beds, tissue box covers, nightdress cases, etc. I wouldn't do car boots as everybody wants something for nothing. I'd seek out local craft fairs - people expect to pay more at those. AL

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm that was disapointing. Just spent an hour looking round Ebay. Lots of items but very few bids. The prices in the fancy dress section wouldn't even pay for the fabric, let alone time spent making. Thanks Ann & Linda, but thinking about it, the fabric I have wouldn't be suitable for bedding. when my kids were babies we would put a satin or tafeta quilt on the pram but would not be suitable for cots. Deanna I have rolls & bolts of fabric, may make a couple of christening/ first communion gowns & see what happens. May also have a word with local fancy dress shop see if they would be interested. Thanks again folks Vivienne xx

You can do so many things with that sort of material. I have dressed baskets... to sit on dressing tables... to hold make up etc. and pyjama cases to match. Us a small (cheap) teddy bear, and dress it up as a 'princess', 'bride'... anything which needs a big dress. The PJ's then are put in the skirt from underneath. Sell like hot cakes! Hot water bottle covers... make them as you would make a dolls bed! and slip a teddy in the bed. I made them for my granddaughters and ended up having to make for everyone who saw them. A decent piece will make beautiful christening gowns and will sell at better prices than if you made them to order. People are inclined to expect a low price when you make it for them, but are willing to pay a decent price when buying them! If you do dress making, you will know what I mean. Good luuck. Enjoy yourself and make a little fortune. :-0) Deanna X

vivienne, prams are not used but cots are (I checked back and I did say cots!) Also single bed covers for children are very popular. How about cushion covers Or advertise a dressmaking business. some people who are taller/smaller etc than average would probably use it. ann Glos

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

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

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

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