Sewing custom curtains, draperies, and shades is a profitable home-based business for many women. Some began by using their sewing skills to decorate their own homes and then expanded to friends, relatives, and eventually customers' window treatments. Others have worked in curtain and drapery workrooms and discovered they could make more money in their own businesses. If you think a window treatment business is one you would like, try sewing for yourself, family, or friends. Check with your local sewing center to see if they offer special classes on making curtains, draperies, and shades. Start off your business part-time, before you invest in expensive equipment. You should be well-award about all current categories of curtains and shades for the unique designation and stitching styles to get the attention of the potential customers.

* $ 1,000 if you own a sewing machine.

Pricing Guidelines

* $300-$ 1,000 per window treatment, depending on the style, size, and material chosen * Consult trade publications for pricing guidelines.

Marketing And Advertising Methods And Tips

* Place classified ads in local publications.
* Encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
* Contact local interior decorators for referrals.
* Put together a portfolio of windows you have done.
* Leave business cards and flyers at sewing centers, on community bulletin boards, and in drapery hardware stores.
* Send direct mailings to owners in new housing developments.

Essential Equipment

Professional sewing machine, workspace and table, sewing notions and supplies, samples of materials

Recommended Training, Experience, Or Needed Skills

* Take sewing courses, workshops, attend seminars.
* Sew your own curtains, draperies, and shades.
* Work for a drapery company.

Income Potential

$20,000-$40,000 a year

Type Of Business

In-home for sewing; out-of-the-home to meet with customers

Best Customers

Owners of newly built homes, people remodeling their homes, middle- to-upper-income couples.

Helpful Tips

* Charge a fee to give an in-home estimate, which is refundable and can be used toward the purchase of curtains, draperies, or shades.
* Keep up-to-date with others in the industry.

Variety Of Curtains And Shades

Window handling hardware has the decorative and well-designed gears that twist simple curtains and drapes into fine-looking and ornamental window coverings. Curtain rods and hardware are presented in a variety of fashions that consist of wood, metal, iron, ceramic, and even glass. Window curtains are the very important decorative items with the fine texture, exquisite color combination and design to reflect the personal selections and cultural trends. Window shades are very prominent ornamental items of the home with the reflection of the personality of home owner, based on the exquisite shade, style and fabric choice. You may give the unique creative touches for the designation of window curtains by taking the ideas from the home décor magazines and online relevant data. Shower curtains give a different look to the embellishment of bathroom with the beautiful designs and styles. Shower curtain is used to cover the shower enclosure in a very luxurious style. Country curtains should be designed according to the traditional trends of the country areas with the old-fashioned look.

Lampshade should be designed with the nice color scheme, style and stuff that enhance the very look of your room settings in a unique manner. Roman shades are very premium quality shades with fine fabric textures and color scheme. There is a myriad of curtain rods with the unique styles and designs to décor the room settings. Iron curtains are the symbol of the primitive tradition of the Eastern Europe and central Europe with the classic designs. Lace curtains are designed with the boundary line of beautiful laces to décor the curtains style fantastically. Stunna shades are very beautifully designed and you would be able to take this style for your curtains. Patio curtains are styled according to the patio s’ size and design for the different patios. You have to review all such kinds of curtains with the different styles and designs to ensure the first class supply of variety of curtains for the customers which may boost up your business to high levels.