Kipling Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Hi ladies, An earlier poster asked about pocket organizers that hang on the wall, and someone mentioned making smaller ones that can fit onto the backs of chairs. I thought this was a really cool idea, so I sat down at the sewing machine this afternoon to put one together. Overall, I was really pleased with the results. My question is, do you think there is a market for this? I am a professional seamstress and have a website where I sell custom-made children's clothes, and I sell on eBay. Should I add this type of thing to what I sell? If so, would you suggest any changes to it? Also, what would you suggest for pricing? It has five pockets - 2 horizontal pockets wide enough to hold file folders and three smaller vertical pockets for pencils, scissors, etc. I would make them out of sturdy material in a variety of colors (probably all solid) and offer them in different widths, since I discovered that that the chairs in my school room are a different width than the ones in my dining room. Any input is appreciated! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfulMama Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I think there would be a market for it, but there might also be a market for your pattern. ;) One difficulty with making something for chairs is the wide variety of chairbacks. I wouldn't be able to use those with my kitchen chairs, as those chairs would need a tie-on style for a non-square shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSICAinMD Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I love it. I would also need a different style due to my kitchen chairs. I think there would be a market of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaHadley Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I think there is a market. I would just make a few samples, and custom make them though so they fit whatever chair folks have. I saw some similar ones on etsy. good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I have a D*** and Jane flannel fabric one that I made for my dd's desk. It has one large pocket that will hold workbooks (it is actually as high as the wkbk itself) and two smaller pockets half the height. They hold crayons, scissors, glue, etc. I agree with the others that you would have to do customs. I had to measure my desk back to get the measurement I needed. There may be a market for it, but the problem I kept running up against is that in order to be competitive I had to charge very little above my expense earning only about $1 per hour. I am NOT a slow seamstress either. Maybe you have access to lesser expensive fabrics and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMama Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 There is a market for it, I think. And like someone else mentioned, making some with ties so they fit oddly shaped chairs would probably be a good idea. :) As for how much to charge.... there's a general rule to sell homemade items for at least twice the amount you spent on materials. Most of the time, you can charge more, though. I saw some on Etsy today that were made with printed fabric for $6 each. There were other ones on there for different prices, but that is the one I remember. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 If I charged twice the cost of materials then cover for ad cost, pp cost, plus shipping my items would never get sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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