A lot of Americans nowadays, are turning to their skills and talents for additional income. In the present financial situation, people are not just relying on their day jobs to get through, some would even do some part-time work or additional projects which they could do in their homes. Just like dressmaking.
Dressmaking used to be just a skill which is best applied for family clothes repairs and easy sewing. But currently, these skilled and talented people are turning their skills into something profitable.
If you are planning to start a dressmaking business, what kind of equipment do you need?
• Sewing machine- Of course! You are not really planning to sew everything by hand, right? Sewing machines are no longer just for straight stitches. The modern sewing machine comes in with different functions. It can sew hems, seams, zigzag stitching, buttonholes and a lot features.
Sewing machines usually range from $300 to $6000, depends on the model, brand and functions. Is you are just starting, then you can buy a second hand sewing machine.
Just make sure that it is still in good quality. If you are using your sewing machine regularly, then have someone professional check on it yearly. This would be necessary, specially if you would be using your sewing machine heavily and frequently or if dressmaking is your livelihood.
• Tape measure – They are available in different lengths, you can just have the standard 60 inches long. It can be in paper or plastic, so you can just pick one. Aside from measuring customers, tape measures are also used to measure fabric.
• Dressmaker shears and paper scissors- The dressmaker shears or scissors is completely for fabric only. Do not use them for paper or thread. They have edges that are ideal for cutting any kind of fabric, whether it is leather. It is really important to keep the condition of the blades and edges of the shears, so put them inside the plastic sheath after using.
Paper scissors are also needed especially for cutting out patterns and threads. They should be in the same size as the dressmaker shears. You can just buy the regular scissors.
• Pins and needles – There are mixed packs of needles with different sizes, you would need them specially if you would be putting some hand-made detail on the clothes or if it requires you to hand-sew. Dressmaker pins are also important to keep the fabric in place before sewing. Any blunt, rusty or bent needles and pins should be thrown away immediately. They could cause some damage to the fabric.
• Pencil, rulers and tailor’s chalk – Pencils and rulers are important for making paper patterns. While the tailor chalk would be helping you to mark the parts of the fabric that needs to be sewn or cut.
• Iron and iron board - These would come handy when you will be displaying items or selling out products.
• Dress form- Some would say this is necessary and some would say that you could start a dressmaking business without one of these. Actually, these could help us make adjustments on clothes and see how it fits. This would give us a general idea how the clothes we made would look when it is put on.
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