Home-based curtain maker
Sew made-to-measure curtains from a spare room for homeowners and local interior designers.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Making and altering curtains, pencil pleat, pinch pleat, eyelet and sheers, from a home workroom, with a visit to measure up and a visit to hang them.
Your first three steps
- Set up a workroom with a large cutting table and a heavy-duty sewing machine, and practise making a few sample curtains
- Ask fabric suppliers and wholesalers about trade accounts and sample books
- Show your samples to local interior designers, decorators and real estate stylists and offer a first job at an introductory price
Who pays
Homeowners, renovators, landlords, and interior designers or decorators who need a reliable maker.
How it makes money
A price per curtain or per metre of fabric made, plus charges for measuring, installation and alterations. You can also earn a margin on fabric and tracks you supply.
Skills that help
- Sewing and pattern cutting
- Accurate measuring
- Dealing well with customers and designers
Watch out for
- Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
- Public liability insurance, especially when you visit homes to measure and install
- Measuring mistakes can be costly, so double-check and agree details in writing before cutting fabric
- Working at height when installing, so use safe ladders and know your limits
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: home-based curtain maker
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a curtain making business from home?
Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the sewing equipment you already own, your workroom setup and how much fabric stock you buy. Treat this as an estimate and price your own needs first.
How much can a home-based curtain maker earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many hours you put in, the number of orders and whether interior designers send you regular work. This is revenue, not profit.
What should I check before making curtains from home?
Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home. Also check public liability insurance for home visits, agree measurements in writing before cutting fabric, and use safe ladders when installing at height.
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