At a Glance
We share practical tips to help hobbyists turn their passion into a profitable venture with the right tools and support. We’ll walk you through how to start a sewing business, from choosing your niche and setting a budget to sourcing quality sewing supplies and organising your workspace.
If you’ve been sewing your own garments or working on other sewing projects for a while, it’s natural for you to think about turning your passion into a business.
However, a challenge that many hobbyists face is not knowing where to begin when it comes to starting a sewing business. It’s a completely different experience than working on a single project, requiring far more planning, management and budgeting.
When you’re running a business, the quality and quantity of your supplies are an essential component. Being able to rely on your supplier for quality products and fast delivery is a must for your own peace of mind, and your customer’s satisfaction.
That’s where Realm Wholesale comes in. We work with traders and small businesses, providing high-quality sewing supplies at competitive prices. We’ve helped many hobbyists take the leap, allowing them to run their own workshops and produce products efficiently.
From their experience, we have created this guide on how to start a sewing business. Let’s dive in!
Define Your Niche & Business Model
The first step to starting a sewing business is figuring out what your speciality is and how you plan to earn from it.
There are several niches available in the sewing and tailoring industry, and narrowing down your product range can sometimes be the hardest part! You may want to create garments for children, focus on pet accessories or make everyday bags. Whatever it is, make sure you can recreate the product with the same quality every time.
Perhaps you want to provide home decor and upholstery services, or, if your strength lies in repairing garments, on clothing alterations. Once you’ve figured out your niche, it will become easier to determine the sewing equipment you’ll need and the price range you should work within.
It’s important to decide on your business model early, as you can establish whether you’ll sell through online platforms like Etsy or supply to local shops. Having this clarity from the start will help you set a budget and plan your purchases effectively.
Create a Solid Business Plan & Budget
You don’t need to have a business degree to make a well-informed plan. Start with initial start-up costs, expenses you foresee, and a projected income.
Your business plan will help guide your budget. While it’s tempting to buy every tool and material at once, it’s wiser to start with the essentials and gradually expand your collection as your profits grow.
How Much Money Do You Need to Start a Sewing Business?
The good news is that sewing businesses typically have much lower start-up costs than many other trades. If you already own the essentials, such as a sewing machine and basic tailoring tools, a few hundred pounds should be enough.
If you want to work with a more professional setup, you may need to set aside a budget of at least £1,000 to £3,000 depending on your chosen niche.
What Licences & Permits Do You Need in the UK?
In most cases, you don’t require a lot of complex licences if you’re starting a sewing business in the UK. That said, there are a few essentials you should keep in mind:
1. Register as self-employed with HMRC so you can file taxes.
2. If you have customers visiting your home or studio, check your local council’s regulations regarding it.
3. If you’re selling children’s clothing, you must meet UK safety and labelling standards.
4. We also recommend getting public liability insurance, especially if clients will visit your workspace.
What Sewing Supplies Do I Need to Get Started?
We recommend starting with the essential tools that you’ll reach for every day. At Realm Wholesale, we stock a range of quality sewing supplies that hobbyists and professionals find useful. Here are some tools you should prioritise:
1. Threads (Gutermann Sew-All and Cotton Threads)
A reliable thread is the backbone of every sewing project. Gutermann Sew-All thread works for most kinds of garments, and cotton threads work with natural fabrics. You could keep a few neutral shades, and that will help with your initial orders.
2. Needles (Hand & Machine)
Different projects require different needles. Stock up on assorted hand-sewing needles for repairs and finishing, plus machine needles for repairs. A good set of machine needles also helps when you’re working with denim, stretch, or lightweight cotton.
3. Fabric Chalk & Marking Tools
Tailor’s chalk or chalk pencils help mark cutting lines and alterations without staining fabric. Our fabric chalk glides smoothly and brushes off easily.
4. Tape Measure
A soft, flexible tape measure is very important to carry out body measurements. You should ideally look for metric and imperial markings for convenience.
5. Seam Rippers
A sharp seam ripper lets you remove stitches cleanly without damaging fabric. Keep one at your sewing station and one in your bag; you’ll be surprised how often you use it!
6. Tracing Wheels
Tracing wheels transfer patterns onto fabric without permanent marks. They’re especially useful if you plan to make repeat products or work with detailed designs.
7. Fabric Scissors
A pair of fabric scissors is very important for clean cuts. However, you should avoid using their paper, because it dulls the blades quickly.
Connect with our experts at Realm Wholesale, and they’ll be happy to help you find the right sewing products.
How to Store and Organise Your Sewing Supplies
Once you have all your materials, it’s important to organise them for easy access. Investing in a dedicated storage box for sewing supplies can help keep essentials like needles and chalk neatly in one place.
If you have a larger workshop, consider clear drawers or labelled jars. A good organisation system can help you prevent purchasing the same things twice and help you save money over time.
Contact Realm Wholesale to Buy Quality Sewing Supplies Online
Setting up your own sewing business is a big step, and for it to be a success, you need reliable partners. At Realm Wholesale, we have supported many hobbyists by showing them how to start a sewing business and providing them with high-quality sewing supplies at the best prices.
The experts in our family-run business hand-pick every item in our haberdashery product range and we only stock products we’d use ourselves. If you’re unsure about what products you need, get in touch with our team of experts, who’ll be happy to help you.
We also make bulk buying simple. If you’re stocking your curtain-making shop, or launching a workshop space, we’ll help you find the right quantities at competitive trade prices with fast delivery across the UK.
Check out our full sewing range today and get started on building your passion business.