I have found that my type of sewing business, machine embroidery, sells better when people are watching the item being sewn. People are fascinated with machines that they do not see everyday. I found this out last Christmas when I took a dozen ready made Christmas stockings to a local craft sale and did on the spot personalization of those stockings by just adding a name to the top cuff. People that would normally be just walking on by my table would now stop and watch. They in turn would end up becoming customers. At one point I had a line of people wanting a stocking.
That worked out great for an indoor craft sale but I am in the Northwest, land of the rain cloud, so when there is an outdoor event I am a bit leary of attending. I would also like to attend outdoor sporting events that would welcome my personalization on items.
A few weeks back I was in Corvallis offering personalized fly masks, embroidered with the horse's or barn name. I was told it would be an indoor event but it ended up being outdoors in the full sun. The event turned out to be a success for me but I had to make sure that my machine was kept cool and the items to be sewn kept clean.
When I got home I decided to try and make it it to more events where I could sew on the spot. Now I am looking into the idea of getting a used travel trailer and converting it to a mobile embroidery shop. I want it to be small trailer, one I can gut the insides to accommodate my machine, items to be sewn and a place for customers to wait and watch. I figure a small bumper pull trailer no longer than 19' would do the job. I don't want to deal with any gooseneck hitches because that would mean changing the bed of our truck.
Who knows, maybe you'll see me at your next event soon with wheels.
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