Change is Good

Did you know you can help people make a change for the better and get paid for doing it?
No, I'm not talking about pedaling the latest diet program or even offering cosmetic make-overs. The service I'm referring to requires much less work and time than either of those possibilities.

If you know a little bit about sewing, you can make a decent amount of money doing alterations.

Because sewing is not as popular a skill as it once was, more and more people must hire someone to hem pants, take in suit jackets or shorten sleeves. Even simple tasks such as replacing zippers or changing buttons may require the sewing-impaired to scan the yellow pages for the closest alterations shop. If you aced high school home economics, then you could be the perfect person for this job.

In order to succeed in the alterations business, you will need to purchase some necessary equipment. Besides the basic sewing supplies and a good sewing machine, you should probably invest in a serger or overlock machine. Not only does a serger make your work easier, it gives the finished product a more professional appearance. You will also need a good quality iron and ironing board, and a full-length mirror. A well-lit area in your home and a designated fitting room will also be helpful.

In setting your fees, charge a set price for small jobs like zippers and regular pant hems. More complicated tasks such as working on difficult fabrics or adjusting waistbands can be charged by the hour.

Advertising should be relatively inexpensive. List your services in the classified ads and yellow pages. In addition, visit high-end clothing stores with your business card and samples of your work. Explain to them that having a good alterations person to refer customers to can sometimes help sell suits. In return, you will be supplied with paying clientele. You would also be wise to create a website for yourself explaining your experience, skill level, and the variety of garments you would be willing to alter. You should list this website with search engines and local online business directories.

Here's another tip. Create an area of expertise for yourself. It could be altering theatre costumes, wedding and prom dresses, or dance and cheerleading outfits. It could be men's suits or leather apparel. Partner up with businesses or organizations that sell or use these items. Another great resource for people needing frequent clothing alterations is beauty pageant contestants. They come with entire wardrobes that need to fit perfectly.

Once you become an "expert" in any of these fields, you can increase your pay rate for your specialized service. Also, if you do a good job for these clients, they will refer you to many others.

An alterations shop is a great at-home business. If you have the skill and the right equipment, you can start immediately. As you bring in the bucks, you'll soon understand why they say that change is good.

Resources:

http://www.local.com/results.aspx?keyword=Tailor&cid=474&gid=Professional_Services-Search_Tailor

http://www.qualityalterationsbymaureen.com/