Online fabric and sewing supplies shop

Home sewists, quilters, crafters, small clothing makers and costume designers who want choice without driving to a store.

Profit on each sale: you buy wholesale or in bulk and sell by the cut length or in bundles. Add-ons such as pattern bundles and sewing kits raise the order value.

• Knowing fabrics and sewing supplies
• Photographing products clearly
• Stock tracking and packing orders
• Basic online marketing

• Register for GST/HST when you pass the small supplier threshold, and check how provincial sales tax applies to your sales
• Tied-up cash in unsold stock, so start small and reorder what sells
• Shipping costs across a large country, and cross-border duties if you import fabric
• Fibre content and care labelling rules for textile products, check with the relevant federal body
• Commercial general liability insurance and the chance of colour variation complaints, so describe fabrics carefully

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how your website is set up. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $500 to $4,000, depending on your niche and marketing.

Check when to register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and how provincial sales tax applies to your sales. Also check fibre content and care labelling rules with the relevant federal body, and cross-border duties if you import fabric.

Useful skills include knowing fabrics and sewing supplies, photographing products clearly, tracking stock and packing orders, and basic online marketing. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week, depending on how many orders you handle.