How to Start a Clothing Alterations Business

If you are good at sewing, you can make a living repairing clothing. Every city or town needs at least one sewing expert to open a business so clients can bring their clothes to have them repaired. Most people need alterations done when they buy new clothing that does not quite fit exactly as they'd like or to adjust clothing that doesn't fit any longer because the person either gained weight or lost weight.

• It is important to understand that just because you can sew good does not mean that you can perform alterations. As far as alterations are concerned, you must be an expert in removing and replacing zippers, taking clothing apart and putting it back together again in a way that it'll fit the client as well as knowing how to create garments either bigger or smaller with no changes to the actual form of the article of clothing. Also, it is crucial that you are experienced in stitching by hand.


• Many junior colleges offer classes in sewing and alterations. You may have learned how to sew and perform alterations from watching your grandmother or having her teach you when you were younger.


• Sewing and alterations are just part of the business.  You will need to have an extensive list of supplies as well as the equipment. There are different types of sewing machines to perform different tasks. For example, regular sewing machines are used for normal stitching where as other types of machines are needed for different repairs. An example would be if a man has a pair of pants that belong to one of his suits and he needs it hemmed, in which case you would need a blind stitch machine. This machine will hem the pants so none of the stitching shows on the outside of the pants.


• You will need to have an area of your house, or preferably a spare room that you can use as your working area. You may want to consider renting a small shop downtown because having the business at your home may cause some issues. For example, if you reside outside of the city limits and should your business be at your home, your clients may have trouble finding your business.


• If you find a small little shop downtown, you will need to obtain the proper licenses from your city, county or state. Contact the courthouse in your area to see if they require any licenses. Other paperwork you will be required to have are estimate sheets, receipt books and record keeping books, just to name a few items.


• As far as supplies that you will need in your shop, you may want to purchase various types of needles and threads, different kinds of scissors, cutting table, yard sticks, measuring tapes, bobby pins, zippers, buttons, chalk and snaps, just to name a few.


• You will need to advertise your new business. You want to have business cards and flyers printed up. Leave them at places such as laundry mats, grocery stores and stores that sell sewing items. Take out an ad in your local newspaper announcing your new business.