Sewing services: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering sewing services

Clients bring in everyday sewing jobs that need to be done right the first time. Your fabric checks, your thread matching and your clear quote are what win repeat work and referrals.

What customers ask

  • Can you fix this seam without changing the look?
  • Can you replace the zipper?
  • Will you match the thread and the color?
  • How long will the job take?
  • Can you make curtains or cushion covers?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what item it is, the job needed, the fabric type and the date the client needs it.
  • Show photos of similar jobs, with the client's permission, including the seams and the inside.
  • Check the fabric and the damage before you quote, and say if the item cannot take the repair.
  • Test the thread and the stitch on a scrap when the fabric is delicate or unusual.
  • Put each job, the materials and the pick-up date in the quote.
  • Check the finished item with the client before they take it home.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of sewing jobs such as hems, zipper replacements, curtains and bags, shown with consent
  • A list of your services, such as repairs, alterations, home sewing and custom bags
  • The fabric types and hardware you work with most often
  • Your testing and finishing process, described briefly
  • Your business registration and any local permit that applies to your shop

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a seasonal curtain or bedding check
  • Suggest a repair plan for a bag or item that gets heavy use
  • Offer a second job for a client who has a matching set of items

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for sewing services, but rules differ by state and city. Keep your business registration, any local business license your city requires, and sales tax registration if your state requires it for items you sell, and list your registrations on your profile.

Questions

Do I need a license to do sewing repairs for pay?

A license is often not required for sewing services, but rules differ by state and city. Check your local city or county rules for business licensing and keep your registration current.

How do I handle a fabric that tears during a repair?

Stop the work, show the client the tear, and explain the options. Agree on the next step in writing before you continue.

Should I supply the zippers and hardware?

You can, if you stock the right type. Name the hardware in the quote, and let the client know if they should bring their own.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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