Home studio small-run clothing maker

Independent clothing brands, market sellers, small retailers, theatre and dance groups, and individuals wanting custom pieces.

A price per item or per batch, based on materials plus your time. Repeat orders from a few steady brands matter more than one-off jobs.

• Industrial or domestic sewing
• Pattern cutting and sizing
• Quality checking and consistent finishing
• Quoting and keeping to deadlines

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to running a business from home
• Public liability insurance, and product liability cover if you sell your own finished goods
• Clothing and children's products have safety and labelling rules (for example flammability and drawcords), so check Trading Standards guidance
• Home insurance may not cover business equipment and stock, so check with your insurer
• Protect clients' designs with a simple written agreement

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your machines, materials and workspace setup. Treat this as an estimate and cost your own equipment list before buying.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree, and that your home insurance covers equipment and stock. Look at public liability cover, plus product liability if you sell your own goods, and check Trading Standards guidance on clothing safety and labelling.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,500, depending on the size and number of orders. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week, and revenue is before costs such as fabric and equipment.