Small-batch lingerie sewing studio

Independent lingerie and loungewear labels, fashion school graduates, Etsy and Shopify brands, and designers who are too small for overseas factories.

Per-piece pricing for cut-and-sew work, plus fees for sample making, pattern fixes and small-run production. Repeat orders from the same brands are the steady income.

• Industrial sewing, including elastics and stretch fabrics
• Reading patterns and tech packs
• Consistent quality control
• Meeting deadlines

• Check whether your city or county allows manufacturing under a home occupation permit, and review HOA or lease rules
• Check general liability and product liability insurance before you ship finished goods
• Clients may need care labels and fiber content labels that follow FTC rules, so confirm who is responsible for labeling
• Check whether you need a state or local business license and sales tax registration
• Confirm that you're clear on fabric sourcing and who owns the patterns and designs
• Order sizes are small and uneven, so make sure you aren't dependent on one client

Our estimates put startup costs at typically around $2,500 to $10,000, depending on your machines, fabrics and trims, and the workspace you already have. Industrial or heavy-duty machines are likely to be your main expense.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your rates, batch sizes and how many clients you have. Orders are small and uneven, so avoid depending on one client. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week.

Check whether your city or county allows manufacturing under a home occupation permit, and review HOA or lease rules. Confirm who is responsible for FTC care and fiber content labels. Check liability insurance, any state or local business license, and sales tax registration.