Online cotton fabric and yarn shop

Home sewists, quilters, knitters and crocheters, craft sellers, and small clothing designers who need small quantities.

Markup on fabric sold by the yard or cut, and on yarn sold by the skein or cone. Bundles, swatch sets and bulk discounts raise the average order.

• Knowing cotton types such as poplin, lawn, canvas and muslin
• Organizing stock and orders
• Product photos and clear descriptions
• Customer service

• Check with your state about a sales tax permit and how to use resale certificates when buying stock
• Textile labeling and fiber content claims may be regulated, check the FTC's rules for sellers
• Be careful with claims like 'organic' or 'certified', and check what proof you need
• Check whether your city or county requires a home occupation permit, and your HOA or lease rules for storing stock
• Money tied up in unsold stock, and color differences between screens and real fabric causing returns

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,500, based on our estimates, depending on how much stock you buy and your setup. Remember that money can be tied up in unsold stock.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many orders you ship. You could start at around 10 hours a week and build from there.

Check with your state about a sales tax permit and resale certificates for buying stock. Also check the FTC's textile labeling and fiber content rules, proof for claims like organic or certified, and any home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules.