A couple weeks ago, a friend contacted me with questions about participating in a craft fair. She was having a hard time understanding the legality of using patterns to make items to sell, and just about the selling process in general. It’s a pretty complicated and gray area, so I didn’t have a lot of solid answers to give her. So when Virginia Lindsay of Gingercake contacted me about reviewing her new book, Sewing to Sell, I jumped right on board. Sewing to Sell is a comprehensive book that guides you through the process of selling handmade goods from establishing your brand and choosing products all the way through to tax reporting. After reading through her book, I can’t even imagine starting a handmade business without this book!
Sewing to Sell is not just informative though, it’s also very encouraging toward handmade artists and incredibly detailed. I was surprised to see that Virginia didn’t skim over any aspect of the process. For example, instead of just saying “you should take pictures outdoors for good lighting”, the photography has it’s own section. She even shows you how to set up a lightbox in your home, and some creative ways to photograph specific items. And instead of saying “You should price your items according to how much value you think they deserve”, Virginia spends many pages talking about all the factors that should play a part in your pricing equation, and she even gives very specific price points for each project in the book. If you’re somebody that is handmaking items to sell, I think it’s safe to assume that you’re a highly creative person and would rather spend your time making than getting bogged down with topics like pricing and taxes. Sew to Sell does the work for you so you can get back to the fun stuff!
I mentioned the projects in the book, and to me this is the biggest value add to this book. Virginia included 16 free projects with patterns and you are allowed to use them to make products to sell! That’s kind of incredible. Technically, you’re legally allowed to sell anything you make with any pattern without paying for a license or committing copyright infringement, but everybody has their own opinion about the subject, and it’s never good to step on toes or make enemies in the crafting community. So to have some really high selling products that are free for use is huge! The projects span everything from baby to housewares and include things like oven mitts, zip pouches, pillow covers, and these very adorable and very useful reusable grocery bags!
I didn’t have a hard time picking a project from the book. I am constantly misplacing and forgetting my reusable grocery bags, so I can never have enough. I made these as a Christmas present for my friends who have a German Shepherd and are kind of a little tiny bit obsessed with her. In the best possible way :) I love that these bags have big blank spaces that you can use to personalize, decorate, or use to feature really special fabric. If you were making these grocery bags to sell, you could use simple silhouettes as decorations like I did that appeal to all kinds of people. I’m imagining a line of dog breeds, sports, biking, trees and flowers, state outlines with cities highlighted…really, the sky’s the limit. And if you’re selling online, it would be really easy to whip up a bunch of these and then cut shapes as special orders because you can apply them after the grocery bag is complete. Because the bags are fully lined, they require a little bit of origami and experience to put together. But luckily for you, Virginia made a video showing you how to make these bags! You can see it here.
We don’t do a ton of reviews on the blog, so when we do, you can bet we stand behind it. If I were thinking about setting up a handmade business, I would buy this book in a heartbeat. It’ll save you so much frustration, second-guessing, and research. You can buy books about doing business, and you can buy books with sewing projects, but you don’t usually see a book with both, and with full permission to use the projects for profit. Sewing to Sell is available in digital or paperback format from Amazon and C&T Publishing.
However, if you’d like a chance to win the book, just leave a comment below telling me what you would love to make for your shop! One comment per person, please, only open to residents of the US. Make sure you leave an email address so we can get in touch with you! Giveaway closes this Saturday at noon EST. {Giveaway Closed. Amanda E, you’re the winner!}
And be sure to check out the other reviews of Sew to Sell to see more projects and pictures from the book!
I was given a digital copy to review, but all opinions are always my own!
I would love to make hair accessories for little girls in my shop
What a great idea! I’ve fiddled with this idea for sometime, since I’m currently home with my kids, but the lack of pattern making skills and pricing, etc has always held me back. I would love this book! Thanks for this chance :)
I’ve been thinking about starting to sell some things at craft fairs and/or Etsy, but I’ve been a bit overwhelmed because I don’t know where to start. But this book sounds perfect! I’d love to win!
I would love this book, but need to improve upon my sewing skills before I sell anything, so… no shop. Right now, I sew for myself and family and getting better at it.
What a useful book. I have had many people tell me I should open an etsy shop and start selling stuff I make but the whole process seems very overwhelming. I really like making bags and purses, they can be simple or very elaborate depending on the person.
I would love to open my own shop & I would love to sell scarves. rocknrolla28@live.com
I’ve wondered a lot about this kind of thing. I’m not at the point yet where I would be comfortable selling the things I’ve made, but I hope one day I may be at that point. Looking at the Amazon link I can see I would most likely make lots of bags (grocery, slouch, kids’ messenger) that I could personalize. sam dot r dot rose at gmail dot com
I would love to make some bags to sell. I’ve wanted to start making my own stuff to sell, but haven’t known where to start. Thanks for reviewing this book so that I now know about this excellent resource!
I’m fascinated by this book and would love a copy! If I did have an Etsy shop, I would focus on baby items. Cute and easy to make. :)
I’m getting into printing in addition to sewing, so I’d love to make baby items out of fabric I printed myself.
I’d like to make and sell stuffed animals and baby items!
I would love to make blessing/baptism outfits for infants!
Yep — I keep being told I should sell the things I sew and I keep debating about maybe starting on etsy. Not sure where I would start but I would probably make tote bags among other things.
I’d love to have a shop selling stylish but not cutesy useful household goods made from organic fabrics.
My dream shop would be filled with baby clothes and sewing accessories.
her lunchbags are simple and cute!
I would love to make the tote bag.
Bags – I love bags of all kinds
I always like Gingercake’s patterns. I am always giving my sewn items as gifts. I have never had a clue how to price them. This would be great. Thank you. I hope her book is a “bestseller”!!
I would absolutely love a copy of this book! I love all Gingercake patterns and hopefully soon I will open an Etsy shop.
I’d love to make the grocery bags. I haven’t started a shop yet.
I had an Etsy shop for a while and I’d love to know how to make it more successful. I sold mostly children’s items, toys, hooded towels, dolls, etc. Thanks!
Oooo! I know who those are for! They’re going to love them. I love them and I don’t own a German shepherd.
I feel like you can NEVER have enough bags! I would love to whip up some reusable bags for my shop! I love choosing fun fabric combinations and so far it’s a hit. :-)
My daughter and I recently started selling some of the kids clothes I make. This book sounds like a must. I hope I win. Thanks for the chance to give it a new home.
I would love to read the section on photography and improve my product photos
I’d love to open an etsy shop but don’t know where to start. I’m a newly sewer of 6 months, but love my sewing machine! Id like to learn how to sell what I love to make…kids aprons, bags, and anything that will make people smile when they see it.
Hi Amanda! You’re the winner!! Can you please email us so we can get your information? Crafterhours@live.com
If I start a shop I will get my toes wet with small items like placemat sets and work my way up to larger items.
I don’t have a shop….yet, but plans are being worked on to start one! Right now I have an outlet for hair products and baby items so that would be my main focus at this time.
I already sell reusable bowl covers so the idea of reusable grocery bags really appeal to me. Trying to be as green as possible!
i would love this book. I want to sell more but getting the hang of online selling has been a hard and not successful road. Limited time is a huge issue for me, so a book that has the trial and error part down…..
I love your bags!
I would love to make reusable lunch bags/ sandwich wraps. I’m always needing something like this for my own family.
I plan to open my Etsy store in January. I’d love to win it but if not, it’s going on my Christmas list. I make baby and kids stuff.
Little boy clothes
What a great idea for a book! I think I’d like to make some reusable lunch bags/snack baggies.
i like the grocery tote…. and insulated lunch bags…ok that was two ;)
Mens trunks! So cool and so easily customised!
Virginia’s book is amazing. I, my kids and husband are big fans of hanging out at the public library, right around the corner from our house. The library staff often display books on shelves at the entrance to the library to highlight new titles. Virginia’s book was there the other day. I swooped in, checked it out, and ended up reading it, cover to cover, staying up well past midnight. I couldn’t put it down. I know that I will eventually have to return it. That day will be a sad day. Okay… So, knowing I’m posting this after the deadline to receive one of her books, at any rate, I wanted to let you know how neat.o it is that you supported Virginia by highlighting her wonderful accomplishment by sharing your super cool take on her grocery bags. Oh and by the way, I’m only just now thinking about having my own shop. I’d like to see jewellery cases. :)
thanks!
Thanks! When she emailed about reviewing the book, it was a no brainer :) She’s a genius, and I knew there was a huge market for this type of book out there!