jenncox30
Member since 1/14/13
Posts: 1 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/16/13 0:26 AM I need help ladies. I have been asked to help someone put together a clothing line for a mommy and me type concept.
She has her designs and sketches and wants me to put samples together. I have started on a few which seemed simple. So how do I charge her? I would prefer to charge by the piece but looks like a couple of her pant designs might need "tweeking" on fit and getting them to look the way she envisions. Any suggestions?
|
Vicsguy
Advanced Beginner
OH USA
Member since 5/17/09
Posts: 143 |
Login to reply to this post
 1 member likes this.
Date: 1/16/13 9:13 AM Not a lady so I can't help. Sorry. |
lca
Intermediate
CO USA
Member since 6/4/07
Posts: 503 |
Login to reply to this post
2 members like this. Is there a lady or "gentleman" who has some information to help her out?
-- Edited on 1/16/13 1:40 PM -- |
PattiAnnJ
Advanced
OH USA
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 5000
|
Login to reply to this post
4 members like this.
Date: 1/16/13 1:43 PM Quote: Vicsguy
Not a lady so I can't help. Sorry.
Can't use gender as an excuse if you sew and you know how much time is involved. 
How valuable is your time might be a reasonable answer.
I could quote $15.00 per hour. And $30, if I don't want to do it.
-- Edited on 1/16/13 1:47 PM -- |
MariaESchneider
Beginner
Member since 11/30/12
Posts: 34 |
Login to reply to this post
1 member likes this.
Date: 1/16/13 1:52 PM I would say: Price as you want for long term. In other words if you want a long term relationship to work out, you don't want to lowball yourself early unless you're clear on what your 'real" pricing will be later. And if you do that, sometimes you'll find a client may be happy to use you at your starter rate, but not your later rate.
If you charge by the piece, you may find you have more ability to charge different prices per piece (because a suit jacket is not the same as a hanky). And if she is used to that idea, she will ask prices before either of you start. I wouldn't charge a flat rate "per piece" because you're likely to find more and more complex pieces and fabric selections as you go along.
And if you charge hourly, she may get the idea that when you made x for 15 dollars, it's all going to be 15 dollars...so you'd still end up explaining that each piece is going to have a different cost associated with it.
I've been no help at all, have I??
------
I don't sew, I just shout and plead with fabric. Sometimes something wearable results. BearMountainBooks.com |
Vicsguy
Advanced Beginner
OH USA
Member since 5/17/09
Posts: 143 |
Login to reply to this post
1 member likes this. Now that I'm welcome  , it's really a matter of how much capital she has to invest in your samples and whether you're willing to do it for that amount. As a start up business, I suspect she has limited financial resources. You can give her a break early and ask for a piece of later profits or a piece of the company. Or you can charge her a reasonable rate based on your self-determined value and hope she has the cash. |
solosmocker
Advanced
NY USA
Member since 1/23/06
Posts: 1265 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/16/13 4:32 PM It sounds to me like you are vital to her success. Price accordingly or ask for a part of the business. Where else can she go to get these samples done? Does she have a realistic idea of what sewing a garment entails? Probably not. These are all questions you need to ask yourself. Is she taking your samples to pitch to someone else? someone who can hook her up with the eventual fabrication? There is a lot here to think about. Don't let a simple mommy and me idea cloud the value of what you bring to the enterprise. Is this a onetime commitment till she finds a "real" manufacturer? So much to think about before you decide on a price. Get these details all worked out or you could be left with nothing later on up the road. ------
http://lasewist.blogspot.com/ |
Tbird
Expert/Couture
CA USA
Member since 8/8/05
Posts: 95 |
Login to reply to this post
1 member likes this.
Date: 1/16/13 6:30 PM This might help. Remember she's going to make money over your efforts so you need to make money of it too. Though actually you shouldn't care if she makes any money since thats her task.
http://fashion-incubator.com/archive/sample-cutting-and-sewing-costs/ ------
http://sewunnecessary.blogspot.com |
Michelle T
Intermediate
BC CANADA
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 4181 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/16/13 11:01 PM I was going to suggest the Fashion Incubator site too. Kathleen has a wealth of knowledge.
If you plan to do more of this sort of work you may want to invest in Kathleen's book. ------
Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student |
NonieA1
Advanced
FL USA
Member since 11/3/10
Posts: 75 |
Login to reply to this post
Date: 1/17/13 8:23 AM I composed an instruction paper for my clients that wish for a custom-made article. I ask for their budget and present a list of all the steps in making said garment. Since most of my clients have no idea what is involved in garment making, this gives them an idea of the process.
I let them know up front my hourly rate so they then have an idea what is involved. Sometimes I lose a client but then sometimes I do not.
At least I am upfront. When I am told that a similar RTW garment costs much less, I try, in a kind way, to explain that a custom fit garment is not the same and that we live in America with it's cost of living and not in a third world country where the seamstresses make pennies a day.
My daughter shudders with this, as she is my business partner, although I am fine with it. The majority of my clients are also fine with my explanation. |
|Login|Help]
Printable Version
