What price?

Probably the most common question we see in our group is, ‘What should I charge for this?’

This is a really interesting question and has so many factors to influence the answer. Here are some points to consider:

What is the cost of your materials? Ok an obvious one to consider. What is the cost of your fabric, buttons, threads, glue, hair clips, toy fill, embroidery thread and all the items that go into making up your product. What about your electricity, machine wear and tear and those type of overheads? Website costs, packaging, petrol to get to the post office. It all adds up. Have you ever sat down and really figured out the true cost of your product/s?

What is the cost of your time? I think if all home crafters factored in the true cost of their time, they wouldn’t sell a thing! I guess what I mean by this question, is don’t just cover your costs and add $1 on top. Some go by the rule of double the cost of your materials, some triple. Just make sure that what you add on top of the cost of your materials makes it worth your while.

What are the prices of comparable products? As a general rule, I don’t think you should just charge the same as everyone else does. Not everyone creates in the same way or style. You may use more expensive vintage fabrics and so need to charge a little more to make money. However, doing some research and having a look at what others are charging, might give you an idea of what range you should price your product.

What value do you place on your own work? I think we are the biggest self doubters. We don’t think our products are amazing and often wonder if others would even buy them. Having recently done my first markets, it truly is a thrill when people admire your creations and ask ‘wow, did you really make this?’ (said with a note of awe in their voice). If you price your products cheaply, how does this reflect your brand? Cheap prices to me are cheap quality products. Plus if you price your products cheaply, you simply cannot sustain this and expect to make money. Right?

What do you want to charge? If you spend hours creating a custom designed quilt then you should charge accordingly. What you charge will reflect on your brand. Don’t be afraid to charge what you want. Ok you might loose some people who want a bargain, but in the long run, you will gain customers who appreciate your work.

I hope this helps you to determine what you should be charging for your products. If anyone else has some ideas or points to consider, please comment below. We would love to hear from you!

Jane from Lil Pip 

TSS Photo Challenge - Week 2

Welcome to week 2 of The Sewing Sisterhood Photo Challenge. This week we are looking at the Sister's favourite spaces in their homes.

1. Angela - Perigren Creations: My favourite room of the house-the hammock on deck centres my soul - how could it not looking at the expanse of sky through the trees.

2. Mel - Handmade by 3 Little B's: My favourite space is currently the view from my lounge-room window. A garden that is alive in full summer bloom. I keep finding myself staring at it and feeling a wave of soothing calm wash over me. It is a good place for my soul right now.

3. Leigh - Sakurako: My favourite room in our house is the boys bedroom. I love the bunting flags on the walls and drawers, and their wooden names which I painted myself. Henry's gorgeous cot quilt was made by his godmother. Oliver has a quilt for his bed too but its still awaiting the binding (*blushes*).

1. Jo - 5 Giraffes & a Cheeky Monkey: My favourite room in the house... The Kid's room.... I never thought I would have ONE child let alone TWO.

2. Tracey - My Obsession Designs:  My bed is not actually my most favourite place - I actually don't sleep much at all - but I love what's on my bed and hanging over my bed. Quilt made by my Mum in Browns, Pinks and Greens- Wall Hanging handstitched by me.

3. Tanya - Pumpkin Snitch Designs: This is our favorite spot. 'Cause it's our cuddles and books spot. ;)

1. Michelle - M's Cute Bottoms: My favourite place, the kids playground it's brilliant kids can go out and play till there hearts content, gets them out of the house!

2. Naomi - Ohana Trends: This is my favourite place in my home. My lounge room and my antique lounge. I get to play with my kids and watch them play from this lounge. Lots of happy times. Also love to read on this lounge too.

3. Melanie - MelliMoo Creations: This is my favourite place its kind of the hub of the house and I always seem to be in it.

1. Belinda - Little Sew & Sews: A place to chill with a good book, a comfy cushion and some Margaret River chocolate close by.

2. Tina - The Sewing Fairy: My favourite room is our bedroom, you can’t see it but we often sleep with the blinds open as there is a hill behind the house & we often spot kangaroos bounding about on there. We have a king-sized bed so there is plenty of room for the 4 of us to jump in & have a family chat/cuddle on weekends 


3. Gill - Frilly's Designs: This is my favourite space at the moment, BBQ for Christmas and outdoor area just set up. Loving this space!

1. Jane - Lil Pip: I tried to think of somewhere else but nope, my bed. The huge print above is from when Amelia was 6 days old. She is laying on top of Oliver fast asleep. I still stop and look at this amazing moment in time. Makes me emotional. Just love it.

2. Sharon - Lil Moo & Mee: This is my favorite part of the house. It's a wall in our open living area where we put Maxx's art work from playgroup or early intervention. It's a reminder every day how far he's come.


3. Holly - Or Elsie: Here is my "fav place" - its my hallway. Simply because it doesn't matter how chaotic the rest of my house it is nearly always clean and even when the toys take over its a quick job to regain the calm.

Next week's theme is something cooked - stay tuned for some yummy looking meals and links to delicious recipes!

Product in Focus: Walkie Chalkie from Skip Chasey

Today's Product in Focus is something clever to put the smiles on faces of children and parents alike! This Q&A session is courtesy of Sarah from Skip Chasey.

1. Name of product: Walkie Chalkie
2. What is the purpose of the product: To provide a portable drawing mat while out and about.
3. Who can use this product? Children that are able to draw with chalk - all the way up to adults.  It is also good for those children that are non-verbal and can write or draw their responses. 
4. What is the product made from? Chalk cloth fabric and designer cotton backs. 
5. Where is the product created? It is created here at Skip Chasey headquarters.  
6. How is the product created? With a sewing machine. The binding on the Walkie Chalkies is all made by hand.  Specialty needles are used to go through the thick chalkcloth. 
7. How did the product idea come about? I saw some chalkcloth being sold online and thought about what I could be doing with it. There was a prototype that was posted on the Skip Chasey Facebook page that was very well received.
8. Where can customers buy this product and what is the RRP? Walkie Chalkies are available at market nights on the Skip Chasey Facebook page and retail at $20 plus postage. www.facebook.com/SkipChasey
   
   

What's On!

Sakurako will have a new boys cot quilt listed on Wednesday – 2D Zoo I. A bold, minimalist design showcasing a boyish blue, green and brown animal print and with straight-line quilting, 2D Zoo I is a truly modern quilt for a modern nursery. Available via the Sakurako Facebook page 

Jane from Lil Pip has been busy sewing for her little owlets. 

The joy on their faces when mummy makes something for them is totally worth it (and something that should happen more often!).   Still being challenged, this is the first time playing with stretch knit fabric since high school.  Supposed to be night wear, I have a feeling that they might be all the time wear!

I'll soon be preparing for my first markets for 2012. Keep Saturday 11 February free and come to see me at the Yarraville Markets. Same day as the Yarraville Festival with bands, free kids entertainment, food and of course homemade goodies.

M's Cute Bottoms has enjoyed some time off and is getting back into the swing of things. I've been busy updating all the products on the website and everything is current.  Keep an eye out this week for new items being released, like wet bags and MORE nappies. Head on over to mscutebottoms.com and check out what is available. I’m also happy to announce that I will be a stall holder at The Mummy Tree Market at Morningside, their first market is in February so keep an eye out for more information on that.

It is still all sweet and summery this week at Handmade By 3Little B’s. I will be enjoying a week of creating Sweet Summer Sun Suits in a variety of gorgeous fabrics!

So many fabric combinations whirling in my mind! Watch my wall, this week is all about make and sell. Cheers Mel (Mumma B)

 Pattern design courtesy of Little Lizard King sewing patterns