I hate this town. I hate this fucking town.
I just want to sew. I've been looking for local sewing jobs for fucking ages!!! Everyone in my area is looking for upholstery work. There's a fuckton of boats in my area that people want done. But every single upholstery shop has told me "no". Four local shops. Have a fuckton of work they want done, but they don't want to pay me the amount!!!!
A local shop finally called me back. Guy gave me 4 outdoor cushions to make and said he'd evaluate my work & pay me when it's done.
I worked on 4 cushions, 2 different sizes, complete with piping & zippers on all of them. Took me 3 days. Approximately 6 hours per day of work, a total of 18 hours, and that's the low estimate.
Got it done. Looks awesome.
He gave me 100$. Then he said I could compete with his current seamstress for jobs and he'd choose the cheaper of the two estimates we give.
I want to fucking cry. I have to take this job. Any job. I need the money.
I'M ONLY ASKING FOR LIKE 300$ PER WEEK IN ORDER TO SURVIVE???? Am I crazy????? Is that too much????
At least he gave me the job where I quoted 35$ each for 2 vinyl boat pieces.... that's 70$.. I think I can get it done in day.... wow.... 10$ an hour.... fucking wow......
I hate this. I fucking hate this so fucking much.
God, I want to cry......
EDIT: Start my own business?
During a looming economic crisis + ridiculous foreign tariffs + with real estate currently at an all-time high?
Don't think I can take the risk that right now, as much as I'd like to.
That truly sucks.
Do you have the passion, skillset, and tools to do commission cosplay outfits? That can be pretty lucrative, but somewhat hard to get into if you can't get a reasonably influential cosplayer to rep your work.
There's also furries. Apparently they pay out the tail for their goofy getups.
It's a different skill set I think, but prom, quinciñera, and wedding dresses are surely lucrative.
Find a car modification place and make new seat upholstery?
I bet cute handmade pet clothes are a decent price per hour, sold on Etsy.
Drycleaners often have a little tailoring side business. Find a new drycleaner and see if they need an in-house or as-needed hem and dart person? Burlington coat factory and some department stores also do light tailoring.
Rich people pay for custom curtains, I'm sure.
I don't know if any of these are feasible in your area or with your experience, but I'm throwing spaghetti here. Hope things turn around for you, friend.
I've actually made fursuits before.
Unfortunately, there's apparently an oversaturation in the market right now..
I'm looking for some place where the income is stable & I don't have to seek out clients on my own. Done my own stuff for years now. I'm too tired trying to "market" myself & my work.
Maybe you can attach yourself to some clothing designers? They often need help making their visions come to life.
Sorry you're having this trouble. At least you got paid for the cushions - I've heard too many stories of people having to make a sample of whatever and getting stiffed.
I feel you. But being on your own is where income gets generated. It's also a pain in the ass.