Recently I had the opportunity to read Sewing To Sell by Virginia Lindsay. It is a newly released book that covers just about anything you ever wanted or needed to know about selling your handmade items locally and/or online. The book covers everything from how to start up a business and/or an etsy store, to the equipment you are going to need and how to price your items.
The book not only talks about starting up your own business but it also shares photography tips, ways to organize your craft space and how to present yourself and market yourself. Plus the book has a ton of copyright free patterns to help you get started. I really wish a book like this existed when I was starting up my etsy shop years ago. It really would have made things much easier! It took me years to learn what I could have learned in a few hours of reading this book.
To help promote Virginia’s Book I decided to sew up one of the patterns in her book, The Grocery Tote. With Christmas right around the corner I thought these would make great gifts! Everyone loves and needs a bag right?!
The Grocery Tote is a really quick and easy sewing project that only takes one yard of fabric to make. As you can see below I made five bags. I find it much easier to make a few items while I have the pattern out. The more you make the faster you will get. Plus you learn new little tips and tricks that will make the process go smoother.
You may notice that the construction of my bag is a tiny bit different then how it is done in the book. I used a technique that I learned from this pattern for the handles instead. It is just how I have done it in the past and find it easier for me. In her book Virginia encourages you to come up with your own unique designs or techniques. She gives you the basic foundation with the patterns but then you can customize them to meet your own personal style.
And that is what I did with these bags. If you look really close at them you will see that three of my bags have handles on the same side and two of my bags have handles going on opposite sides. Again, make it your own and what works best for you.
For each of my bags I used either a medium weight interfacing or a fusible fleece to give it a little more shape.
I also ended up adding a pocket to the inside of the totes. Nothing fancy but a pocket big enough to hold keys and a small wallet.
My littlest heads off to kindergarten next year and I plan on selling my handmade creations again. I have been a bit nervous about it and wonder if I will make any money…or if I should take a job elsewhere. By reading this book it has helped me better understand the business aspect of selling my handmade goods and how to actually make a career of it. I felt like I was ready to get started with this whole sewing to sell business thing once I finished the book and that I could really do this. I love seeing another mother take her passion for sewing and make it into a business…and even better she shares her tips and tricks for doing so!
If you are thinking about selling locally or online I would highly recommend you reading this book first! Seriously, it will save you do much time and effort. You can focus more on the making end of things instead of the set up and logistics of the business.
Now here comes the fun part! How would you like to win your own copy of Sewing to Sell by Virginia Lindsay? Simply enter the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway is open to US residents only and will end November 25th.
And don’t forget to follow along with the rest of the blog tour. I am sure you will be seeing some other amazing creations!
You can purchase a copy of Sewing To Sell through C & T here or from Amazon here.
Yes I’d like to learn how to sell my handmade items, thanks for the chance to win the book.
What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for hosting, Christina!
And yes, I do sell things now, but am always looking for new tips and learning opportunities. 🙂
I sometimes do sell my creations but have a hard time determining cost. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
Thanks for this giveaway. I am at the same place than you, thinking about it… this book might be just what I need !
I have an etsy shop but haven’t sold on it for years. I’ve been selling locally in a kids really shop, but it doesn’t really do well with handmade prices!
I would love to start my own business and sell my items, but everytime my husband runs the numbers on cost per item I tell him no one would buy at that price. Still hoping to ind my niche someday!
Yes, I do currently sell on Etsy, but I’d love to learn how to sell more effectively.
This book sounds very interesting. I have been approached by people in my little community to help with quilt projects but have turned them down for various reasons one of which is I have not idea on pricing and the logistics part of sewing for others. Thanks for the chance at the book.
I have always dabbled with the idea of selling my sewing goods. This book might be the starting point I need!
I would LOVE to win this book. The lunch bags are awesome. I DO sew and sell items…I make custom, heirloom memory keepsake bears. Thank you for the chance to win
Would love to learn more about selling online. Looks like a great book.
I have been toying with the idea of selling online. This book would sure come in handy!
I’m currently trying but this book would be world’s of help!!!!
I’ve been selling a few things through a local shop but I’m hoping to expand and this book would be an awesome help!
I would love to
I would love to sell online and do craft shows. I love making things and have enough fabric to fill a truck, lol. Thanks so much for the chance.
I would love to win this book! I have been selling my kid’s clothing at shows and the local farmer’s market for five years now. I could really use some advice on how to expand my business. Thank you for the giveaway!
I don’t sell my handmade items at this time, but have been seriously thinking about doing so. Thank you for the chance to win this book!
I love these beautiful bags Christina! I finally see how you changed up the handles. You should have seen me straining my old lady eyes to try and see the difference. haha! thanks so much. Great post 🙂
I would love to win this book! I have yet to venture into sewing to sell, but have ideas for items I could sew and sell if I knew how to do it and actually make a profit.
I have sold before at craft shows but feel the homemade from then is so much different than now…reading a book like this would def help get me back out there, thanks for the chance to win!
I would love to learn everything I can..this book would be wonderful to win! I just started selling and would love to learn all I can!
I would love to sell my crafts someday. 🙂 I really admire people who make and market their projects as I believe that if you make your hobby your job, you’ll never work again! 😉
The book sounds like a wonderful source of information!
How cool! I need this book. . .
Love these projects! Thanks for giving us a chance to win the book – it looks awesome!
This book is exactly what I need. What I don’t know is holding me back. Even if I don’t win it, I will buy one myself. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win one. I have no doubt you will be successful selling your crafts!
I have thought about selling stuff I make.
I have sold bags and aprons …I love being able to find the perfect material and make something I know someone will love getting or giving. I usually do custom orders. and would totally love to win the book..Christmas is around the corner!
I love these shopping bags. They are so cute.
I would love to read this book.
Yes, I am wanting to start selling!!! I’ve been overwhelmed just thinking about it the past six months.
I would love to have this book! I have a small Etsy shop, but there is so much I don’t know yet, I think this book would be very helpful.
Would luv this book! I have been wanted to do this but didn’t know where to start!
I have done some very small scale selling – once a year local art fair – but I would love to scale up!
I have sold my items in the past, but currently I am not.
I sew. I sew all day long when I can and I love it. What I have difficulty with is how to sell them! I’ve been online for almost 3 years on and off and recently I’ve been putting my pieces in local small shops. I have no idea what I am doing. I am just doing what seems to be the most logical thing, but I would absolutely LOVE for something or someone (in a book or otherwise) to say, “Hey, you might want to do this next!” or “Ya…that’s actually a horrible idea.”
Although trial and error is a wonderful learning curve also!
I would love to learn how to start selling my items.
I don’t know if I would ever make things to sell. But my sister would love this book. This is just what she wants to do! Thanks for sharing some great information.
I’ve always thought about doing a craft show, but have never tried it.
I do not sell yet, but I have been considering starting an etsy shop, so this book sounds very helpful.
I lo ve the idea! I’ve be en selling for a while, but this is a great opportunity!
This book would be the perfect Christmas present for my daughter. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi I love your bags and that fabric is beautiful! Yes I do sell handmade goods, but I would like to start adding some handsome items to my shop.
I have mostly been giving away things that I made. I am just starting to sell them, but don’t charge nearly enough.
Yes I would love a copy of this book. People have always asked me to sell the things I sew but I’m still not confident.
I have sold some items in the past. Hoping when I retire in 2 years I can get back to that! Very satisfying!
I have made so many things…bags, clutches, wallets, organizers, apparel, etc., but either chicken out or psych myself outta actually going for it. I’m hoping if I win this book I’ll take that last step, off the diving board and into the pool!! lol
I keep thinking about selling some of the things I make, even on a small scale just to pay for the hobby, but I hem and haw and then life gets busy and I realize I haven’t the slightest idea how to sell things anyway. I would absolutely love to have some clue what I’m doing when I try to sell things!
can always use a few good ideas, no matter what you sell!
I’ve been making things and giving them as gifts for many years. I’d love to be able to sell some of my items! This looks like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
I sell my handmade infinity scarves each year!
I would love to be able to make things to sell. I have only made a few things to donate to the local summer festival. They requested reusable grocery bags for next summer and I think this would be a great pattern. Thanks!
It looks like a great book. I would love to make a living selling crafts. Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve also shared your giveaway on my Giveaway List for sewers, quilters & crafters at wowilikethat.com. Thanks again.
I would not only like to, but I plan to as soon as I finish physical therapy. I had thumb reconstruction surgery so that I can cut and sew again!
No I don’t sell any of my projects….I am not that experienced enough to do that YET…….
I want to sell things! I have this book on my Christmas list if I don’t win for sure, because the information looks invaluable!
I would Love to sell the things I make. I have never really thought it over but I would LOVE to!
I don’t know if I would want to sell my own handmade items, but I am intrigued. 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
Oops, it posted before I put my name in. Olga Becker.
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I am interested in selling, but I have never done it.
I make personalized bibs with applique and baby’s name, plus personalized zipper pouches. I sell them to friends and sometimes just give for gifts.
Love these! I’ve never sewn a bag, this one might be a good one to start with! The pocket is an essential little feature, I hate digging through to find my keys!
I just did my first craft fair. More work than I thought to get all set to go. Had fun, though!
I would like to sell my crafts. I tried etsy for a little while without any success, so I’d love some tips for trying again.
I have sold lots of aprons in the past, but find that fad is kindof over in my area:)
I would love to sell my items!! I’ve only sold to my friends so far, and grossly underpriced.
I have thought about selling my creations for a while now but haven’t taken much of a step towards fulfilling that dream.
I would love to sell some of my hand crafted items. I have tried, but have not been successful yet. This would be a great book to read.
I would like to sell, but haven’t had much success lately 🙁
I love to sew and if I could figure out how to make a little extra money with what I”m making that would be great!
Yes I would absolutely love to sell my handmade goods. Right now it seems I’m giving ’em all away as gifts or thankyous. THe book would be so insightful to me. Thank you so much.
I would love to learn about selling my work! I’ve been thinking about setting up a shop for a while now!
I haven’t sold my things yet. I have considered it. It’s hard to decide if it is worth the time/money though.
I would love to win! I love to sew and like the idea of making money doing it
That book looks like exactly what I need! I have been selling my things for a few years, but I need guidance to be able to do it better! Thanks for the chance to win this amazing book!!
Great article! Adding this book to my Must Buy list. Loving your bags!
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