I'm very new to sewing as a hobby. What's the easiest, fast, cheapest item I can make and sell realistic the quickest too? I'm really really hurting on the financial situation and I figured I could probably make a couple dollars, which means more than imaginable. Please help me out! I greatly appreciate it, thank you!
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Realistically speaking:
If there was a sewing project that was; cheap, easy, fast, and quick to sell' there would be so many people doing it that the market would be flooded in a few weeks and everyone would be in the same boat; looking for something new to try again.
Take a look at 'masks'; for a few weeks everyone was selling all kinds of masks but how long did it last?
Sometimes it is best to look for ways to make money within your area; whether it is sewing (maybe alterations/hemming jeans, etc), house cleaning, delivery and pick up (almost all local stores now hire 'outside drivers' to pick up items at store and deliver to residential addresses), etc.
There are a lot of online sources that advocate 'quick money' but it you read the negative comments you will usually find these 'jobs' do not deliver what was 'promised'.
If you feel that sewing is what you would like to do then you need to go online to eBay's sold site to see what is selling and how much it is selling for - that is about the only way to figure what it would cost for you to buy material, sew the item, take pictures, fix pictures, list for sale, wait for sale (weeks/months?), pack and ship, pay fees.
I know this may sound discouraging but many members on this site have been selling all sorts of items - some have been selling for many years - and I believe most will tell you this is a hard market and usually takes years (slowly building a supply) before any significant money can be made.
If you belong to a church you could try asking around to see if any members need some personal sewing done - repairs, hemming, etc - just be sure to have a list of what you can do and what you will charge; this way everyone will know what to expect.
You can also place an ad on Craigslist, USA4Sale and other sites.
If it were me and I still felt that 'hobby' sewing is what I wanted to try, I believe that I would learn how to make doll clothes as even-though dolls have 'fell from favor' doll clothes still seem to sell.
Hope someone comes along with better suggestions.
We have two members; PGHgirl and Sandi who may be able to offer more sound advice.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Sewing is a wonderful hobby, however, unless you are an expert tailor or have a truly amazing and unique product, it is not one where you will make a lot of money. I feel bad having to say this, but I can tell you this from experience as I have tried in the past. The closest I came to any success was in the 1980s, I made about $100 in one year making Cabbage Patch Doll clothes. I made (at the time) very unique patterns and sold to all of my friends whose kids wanted something different. Now that was long before the internet. Sadly in the internet times it was even harder to make money because everyone was/is doing unique--and my work got lost.
You may make a few dollars here or there, but most likely it will be very challenging to make a livable wage with it.
You can try making masks--there are tons of free patterns online, but I will tell you this market is over saturated so unless you make something very unique, probably not a good way to invest time.
You can try making unique stuffed animals--again, tons of free patterns online, but also easy enough to make your own patterns and if you have an amazing imagination you may be able to come up with something very unique to sell. Think really out of the box and find a unique niche audience who would love it and maybe you can make a little extra.
Doll clothes are another option--if you are extremely creative, you can make Barbie or American Girl doll clothes that are very unique--you may be able to make a few bucks per outfit. You have to really be out of the box here...like there is a doll in a wheelchair--if you could learn how to make adaptive doll clothing--that may sell to a niche of parents whose kids are in wheelchairs and have these dolls and who themselves where adaptive clothing.
Wishing you all the best on finding something unique and creative!!
Here are some ideas of easy crafts to sew:
*padded placemats and coordinating napkins from cotton or cotton blend fabrics -especially fancy Holiday prints for different seasons.
*Rice or dried bean filled fabric tubes people warm in the microwave and put around their neck or other "sore muscle" area or a stiff neck.
*Padded table runners or single layer table cloths.
*Insulated pot holders and/or table hot pads (like trivets).
*Canvas reusable grocery bags...I buy 5' by 12' canvas drop cloths from Harbor Freight when on sale for $5.99 (or less). You can get quite a few bags and handles cut from one drop cloth. Sew them up and decorate with painted decorations or cut out pretty fabric designs and iron onto bags using Heat N' Bond cut the same size as fabric.
*Fabric covered elastic headbands...can hand stitch on pretty flowers or other decorations.
*Cotton cloth face masks in sizes S, M, L, XL -find patterns on-line.
*Fleece blankets - use 2 big matching sized pieces of fleece laid out back to back with edges matching, then sew around perimeter about 5 inches from edge. Now go around perimeter with sharp scissors and makes cuts through both layers every 2 to 2 1/2 inches and in towards sewn line about 4 1/2 inches... do not cut through what you sewed!!! Take the matching upper and lower cut tabs and tie together with a double overhand knot, working around the whole blanket. Then take some yarn or 4 layers of thread in a large-eyed needle, and leaving a 4 inch tail on top layer, hand stitch through top layer through bottom layer, and then stitch back through to top layer about 1/4 inch away, and tie at least 3 double knots. Clip off extra yarn or thread to leave about 1 inch long. Do this all over blanket about every 10 inches apart. You can do the same thing with flannel.
CDC here, has listed some good sites for easy crafts. You can also do a search for others. Good luck and let us know how it goes and what you made to sell.
You are not the only one having money problems. This means that the number of potential buyers is rather decreasing. But I think you need to try. It doesn't matter if you are new to sewing or not. The most important thing is to come up with something original. The internet is full of lists of things that are profitable to sew. For example: Electronic Cord Organizers, Quilted Coasters, Envelope Pillow Covers, Fabric Keychains, Laptop Sleeve, Reusable Snack Packs, Hanging Organizer, Reusable Totes, Bento Bag / market Totes, Pencil Pouches, Car Trash Pouch, Passport Holder, Chair Cushion, Sofa Caddy , Sleep masks, Hand Sanitizer Jacket, Pet Leash, Drawstring Backpacks, Kitchen Apron, Phone Charger Holder, Handbag Organizer, Diaper Bag, Lunch Tote, Hanging Phone Charge Station, Bedside Organizer.
Review the sales of others, but try to come up with something new. Pick a few items, come up with an original design, and try to sell it. But don't rely on instant profits. Be prepared for the worst case scenario, as there is always the possibility that no one will buy your item. Don't put a lot of money into it. Try to look for another way to make money. Being busy will help you to mentally withstand the current situation. Good luck!
Here are some ideas. There are some free patterns included in some of the links, as well:
so-sew-easy.com/
www.alandacraft.com/
www.smartcentsmom.com/
www.sewcanshe.com/
www.applegreencottage.com/
diyjoy.com/
www.diyncrafts.com/
If I were you, I would make face masks, especially cute ones for children.
I agree with making mask, they are simple and fast. They need to stand out from all of the others, is your Fabric choices. They have to be eye catching and fun, because wearing a mask ,for the most part , is not fun. Cater to the younger ones, the market doesn't seem to have as many. Make sure that your selling slogan is strong , to draw in buyers!
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