Re: Pay rate for seamstress
I don't think the pay rate is very good for seamstresses. Most of the seamstresses in L.A. are Thai, Mexican, Korean, etc and get paid a piecework rate which sometimes barely makes them the minimum wage in California.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
Sorry to hear that, but that is good for me. I just want some clothes made that I have drawings for, and some alterations.
Do you know of any shops? Feel free to pm me. Thanks.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
^ eeek, good luck getting a foreigner to make your designs :(
Learn to sew, it's easy and the machine will pay for itself many times over if you make things for your friends and co workers/
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
I second that with Viola...you are better off with a machine and learning on your own...who knows it could open a whole new door for you..
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
What kind of sewing machines do you girls have? Ive seen them at Joann and other local shops going for $300 to 5k (Viking).
I went on overstock and found some Singers for about $150. The refurbished ones were alot cheaper.
When ever I mention Singer, Im told they are junk. They say that years ago they were great.
Whats a girl to do?
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
I looked up in my book called The Pocket Stylist how much things cost to have made by a tailor. (city price average)
Pants hemmed by machine- $8 (although from my experience seems to be more like $14)
Waists taken in $12
pants made $200 and up
jackets made $300 and up
daytime dresses made $200 and up
I've bought stripper evening gowns hand made that run $85. Stripper gowns I think would be tougher to sew because the fabric is stretchy.
The seamstresses/tailors don't earn all the money as they have to factor in the cost of the fabric and storefront but if you sew for yourself the costs would be realativley small.
I want to have a couple very basic daytime shift dresses made because with my relatively small waist and hips and big boobs nothing off the rack is going to fit me unless it's strecthy and I don't want to own all stretchy dresses. But I don't want to spend $200 each for a couple dresses. I spent a week or so trying to sew a top from a pattern and it was hard for me.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
^ it's hard, but it comes easily with practice. Most sewing stores will give you a free lesson with machine purchase. I got a lesson for my regular machine AND my serger.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
I was quoted $650 for a Berina 210 from a shop that will give me 3 free lessons to learn to work that machine.
But that doesnt include the 4 session beginners sewing class.
I just dont want to get ripped off. I want something mid-level, that's strong and will last.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
^ get a Pfaff! I have a Pfaff Hobby and it's amazing.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
Thanks Viola! Your better than google! Im gonna research it once I get off SW
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
There are simple Brother machines at walmart for 70 bucks. If your learning, that's all you need. I taught myself to sew and now have a side business doing costumes for Renaissance Faires. Get Sewing for Dummies for @15 at a bookstore, and you have what the shops are trying to get you to pay hundreds for. I've used the higher priced machines at friends houses and haven't noticed any difference. The only machines I'm willing to spend alot on are industial and embroidery machines.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
^ I disagree. For me, the difference between a wal mart/target bought sewing machine and one I bought at a specialized sewing machine store was enormous. It was seriously like going from a shopping cart to a Porsche.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
^^^ Agreed with Viola.
A lot of specialty sewing machine stores carry used (and reconditioned) machines. If you're looking to save money, this can be a great option for you. You can get great deals on newer Bernina, Husqvarna, Pfaff, and White machines. Buying them new at full retail price is still a good investment though, and for quality you should plan to spend *at least* $300.00 full retail. Stick with it, and it'll be a very, very worthwhile investment.
Avoid new Singers! They're cheap and tend to malfunction easily. Singer used to be thee brand, but from the mid 70s onward they went downhill.
Re: Pay rate for seamstress
OHMYGOSH. i think i just peed myself. One of my favorite subjects. I am so excited that other women out there sew. Every time I tell someone that I sew they look at me like I'm a housewife and crack a joke about grandma's or old ladies or something. It used to bother me, but I tell them about starting my own indie clothing line at 17, and they shut up.
On to useful information. I highly recommend making an initial investment on a solid machine. Unless you are truly unsure about it, don't waste 100 bucks on something that you will toss as soon as you realize that it is a piece of crap. Search for refurbished and old models, but get a good brand, like Husqvarna (my personal favorite).
If you are planning on making gowns (or anything really,) you might look into purchasing a serger, since sewing machines don't do really well on stretchy material. Sergers are the machines that make practically anything you can purchase at the mall for under 40 bucks. Dresses, t-shirts, slacks-- look at the hem of your t-shirt, see that funny 1/4" seam that looks like 2 straight lines on the one side and a crazy interlock of thread on the back? Thats a serger, it can finish seams like that and also cuts and sews at the same time. Unfortunately, you need a sewing machine in addition to a serger, since is it s secondary type of machine, so if you're just starting the sewing machine should be your first choice.
Phew, sorry to sound like a salesman, I just love sewing and being able to claim that you made your outfit! I tout sergers because for me, serging made the difference between my things looking homemade to professional. But I am a little crazy, I have a setup that costs more than my car...
Anyway, try sewing! Your stuff will look better because it is custom made for your body AND original. You will be surprised how simple some of it can be, and through that you will see how much of a ripoff some seamstresses are. Besides, nothing is more gratifying than responding to a compliment with "Thank you, I made it."