Small-batch sewing studio for local brands

Independent fashion designers, online clothing brands, makers, cafés and local businesses needing aprons or uniforms.

Price per piece based on sewing time and complexity, with minimum order sizes. Repeat orders from the same brands provide steady work.

• Industrial machine sewing
• Reading patterns and tech packs
• Quality control and consistent finishing
• Quoting and scheduling production

• Commercial lease terms, zoning and municipal business licence rules for your premises
• Commercial general liability and property insurance for equipment and materials
• WCB/WSIB registration if you hire sewers, rules vary by province
• Clothing labelling rules (fibre content, care, bilingual labels) if you supply finished goods, check Canadian requirements
• Slow payment from clients, consider deposits before starting a run

Estimates put startup costs at typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your premises, industrial machines and materials. Lease terms and the type of work you take on will affect the total.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size and number of runs you win. The estimate assumes at least 20 hours a week. Slow client payment can affect cash flow, so consider deposits.

Check your lease, zoning and municipal business licence rules, plus commercial general liability and property insurance. If you hire sewers, check WCB/WSIB registration in your province. If you supply finished goods, check Canadian labelling requirements, including fibre content, care and bilingual labels.