Great Big Leather Tote from Sewing to Sell
My blogging bud Virginia from Gingercake Patterns just wrote a book called Sewing to Sell, and it’s about exactly that… helping you to launch or improve your handmade business. I took a look at this book, and I made one of the projects to share with you.
I was super impressed as I went through this book. Virginia has covered pretty much everything from A to Z in regards to starting a handmade business. Not only that, she has included 16 projects that you can make and sell at craft fairs or in your own shop.
I made the Great Big Tote, but I put my own spin on it. The basic look is the same, but I decided to use leather, and I didn’t have enough to make it as “great big” as the project in the book. So I made a Medium Big Tote. ;)
The projects in the book also include tips for sewing a bunch of them at once and for highlighting your product to sell. If you need a few more tried and true handmade goods to add to your inventory, you have a wide variety to choose from a few different categories: useful items, best use of materials, and great sellers. There are projects for kids, babies, women, or the home, covering a range of customers.
Even though I don’t have any plans to sell my handmade goods, there are so many great tips in this book, about photography, finding your personal style, even having the right sewing equipment. I learned a lot, and plan on going through the book again to glean some more of Virginia’s wisdom. :)
Plus, Sewing to Sell covers the business side of selling handmade, which is an invaluable resource. You basically have everything you need in this one book!
I think one of my favorite parts of the book, though, are the interviews with bloggers/handmade shop owners. I love reading through the experiences of others and hearing what has or hasn’t worked for them.
I love how this tote worked with the leather, and you know my love for bags, big and small. All of the projects in this book are perfect to customize to your own style. The book is available in hard copy or as an e-book, and I get to give away a hard copy of this book to one of my lucky readers! Yay!!
Click here to enter the giveaway!
(open to US residents only, sorry!)
Make sure you check out all the other fantastic bloggers on the book review tour!
My goal would be to use a lot more of my stash in 2015!
I want to figure out how to add a zipper pocket to the camera cases
My goals are toi learn how to do my own binding and to make pillowcases!
Love your tote sewn with brown leather and floral print in aqua, green, gold & white with the pattern in Virginia Lindsay’s new craft book: SEWING TO SELL. I’d like to be the winner of ths book. Thanks for sharing. Sarah in Minneapolis
My selling goal for next year is to really commit to what I want to sell and get into some more shows than I did this past year.
I would love to gain more knowledge on widening my customer base and implement proper marketing strategies.
I’d love to learn FMQ (and be confident enough to actually do it on a full quilt), and figure out some fun projects to do with my stash. Thanks for the chance :)
My goal is to just get started. I’m still feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Your leather tote looks great! I would love to learn more about pricing and finding items that sell. Looks like a great book!
I am currently finishing a princess dress ANNA Frozen for my niece.
Congratulation, your tote looks great.
My goal would be to get more organized and to develop a more streamlined process as I work through projects. Also, finishing what I start would be nice, too. 😉
I want to use my supplies!! I can’t turn down a good deal, be it leather or fabric, but I have such a hard time sitting down to create! Step one to starting a handmade business!
I’d love to try out some simple projects with my daughter!
One of my handmade goals is to stop buying patterns and make things from the ones I already have! Thanks for the chance to win this book! jacklynnsteven at netzero dot com
I currently sew for family and friends and want to start actually selling products :)
Love the bag! And the book sounds like a great resource!