Online fabric and haberdashery shop

Home dressmakers, quilters, crafters, small designers and people making gifts or costumes.

Profit on the difference between your buying price and selling price, per metre or per item. Postage, bundles and fabric bundles or sample swatches can add to each order.

• Eye for colour and quality
• Knowledge of fabrics and sewing
• Stock control and packing orders
• Taking decent product photos

• Check distance selling rules, including customer cancellation rights and how they apply to cut-to-order fabric
• Check product safety and labelling rules if you sell items for children's clothing or anything flammable
• Public liability and product liability insurance are worth checking
• Colours look different on screens, so describe them carefully to limit returns
• Tied-up money in unsold stock, so start small

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your initial stock, website or marketplace fees, packaging and photography. These are estimates, and starting small limits money tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your niche, range and how well you attract makers to your shop. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit.

Check distance selling rules, including cancellation rights and how they apply to cut-to-order fabric. Check product safety and labelling rules if you sell items for children's clothing or anything flammable, and look at public and product liability insurance.