I absolutely love seeing blog friends succeed in such awesome ways. Just recently, Virginia of Gingercake Sews released a book called “Sewing to Sell” and I was given the chance to review it and share the details with all of you. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end!
Virginia has been in the business for a while with her simply adorable patterns. I have used several of them and they are awesome. So, when she told me she would love for me to check out her new book, I was very happy to do so. Sewing to Sell is a book that I wish would have been around 5 years ago when I jumped into the world of selling online. Oh boy, this would have saved me from so many mistakes, so many missteps and so many embarrassingly bad moves. This book walks the reader through the many steps of starting a handmade business. People don’t realize how much goes into those “little” etsy shops. They take time and research. This book has all of that information in one spot.
Virginia discusses everything from finding your product style, branding, marketing, finding customer base, legal issues and my favorite… photographing your items. I love that she shows tips and tricks throughout the book. Once you have created your items, you need to make sure you know how to market and photograph and get the product out there… and she tells you how to do this!
Okay, so my absolute favorite part is that she has 16 patterns in the book that are copyright free, meaning you are free to sell the finished products in your shop. That is an INCREDIBLE value! She is so generous to do this and her instructions and diagrams are spot on. The patterns include a zip pouch, grocery bags, pin cushions, iPad covers, and bibs and burp cloths. I love making baby gifts to give to new moms, so I knew right away that I would use her pattern for those. They are such an easy and fun gift and I can churn out several in under an hour or two.
This is such a detailed book and took me several hours to read through, and it will be a fantastic resource to have on hand. Seriously, I wish this was around several years ago because it would have simplified my entire business process.
The fact that she offers patterns and tutorials inside of this book is huge. The next thing I make will be the iPad covers for my kids…. Santa is apparently bringing them each an iPad (mini) for Christmas.
One thing I have noticed over the years, is that the colors of my products tend to be fun, bright and perfect for kids. This is definitely part of marketing and product recognition. Virginia goes over all of this in her book. She discusses how to make sure your products are cohesive.
With a soft chenille backing, these bibs are so comfy for babies and are also fantastic at wiping up messes. They just get softer over time.
Instead of velcro tabs, I love using simple plastic snaps. 
I also made a stack of burp cloths. These are not only good for babies, but great for general household messes. It is also a great way to use up scrap fabrics!
Look at that soft chenille.
Don’t forget how important it is to add your labels to each and every product you create. This is what will set you aside and also allow the customer to remember where they purchased it from.
How sweet is this little gift for a new mom? Stack several of these up and she will be good to go!
Make sure to follow along and visit these other great blogs to see what they think of the book! Thanks for having me along, Virginia!
Want to win your own copy of Sewing to Sell? Simply leave a blog comment (leave your email address please!) and I will randomly choose a winner on Friday, November 28th.
Purchase Sewing to sell HERE. There are digital versions and regular versions!
Hayley
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Gingercake patterns are so great – I’m sewing a couple of Xmas lunch-bags for my kids and I also added her new book to my Xmas list 🙂 Looks like a perfect reading!
This book looks great sewing reading. Love gingercake patterns.
Selling handmade can be really tough and a bit (or a ton) confusing! I’m totally stoked to see something like this and really look forward to reading it!
I love this! Thank you for the ton of great information. Resources are vital! Thank you.
This looks like any amazing book for anyone. With a small home based business this book is sure to teach me a lot a new things. Loving all the bibs above!
Hi Hayley,
Love your blog! This book looks fantastic, as I often think about leaving my day job and trying to sell home sewn stuff, but have so far lacked the nerve.
I’m dying to get me hands on this book!
This does sound like an awesome book! I love your burps and bibs, too!
This book sounds amazing and would be such a wonderful guide in helping grow my freshly started business. I know I’ve already made mistakes in advertising (pictures yikes!) and this book would be perfect to help me figure out how to straighten it all out. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like an incredible book! And those bibs and burp cloths are just darling.
The FTC and CPSIA legally requires every fabric item sold to have a tag, so that’s another good reason to be tagging items. The fine for not doing it is $11,000. This book sounds great!
this would be such a great resource for me!!
What a great review! This book sounds super interesting and would be awesome for me to read with my little Etsy shop! 🙂
What a fabulous book, will definitely have to check it out!!
This book looks like a wonderful resource!
I would love to win this book! I’ve done a few craft fairs with my crocheted and sewed things, and would love to figure out how to sell more/better!
This book sounds like an amazing resource!
courtney(at)lifetab(dot)com
Those bibs and cloths are so cute!!!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
What perfect timing!!! I mean, I’m going to buy this right this minute BUT would love
To have a copy to share! My shop launches in January! Thanks!!
Looks like an awesome book to have in my library!
Love your brightly colored bibs and burp cloths! Thanks for the inspiration.
Would love to win this book! I love sewing and knitting and would love to share it with others! This book would be a great help.
What a great resource! And I *love* the prints you used for the bibs and burp cloths – they’re awesome!
This book looks amazing. Love your colorful bibs and burp cloths too. So cute!
I would love to have a copy of her book!
would love to read the book! I actually just have a table booked beginning of Dec. and, this seems very relevant!
I have been eyeing this book, its a great idea!
I would love to read this!!!! About time someone write a book about it!
What a great book! I just recently opened a etsy shop and I’m sure could definitely use the information in it 🙂
Looks like a beautiful book. I’m feeling a little lost in my creative business and would love the opportunity to get back on track. Thanks for the opportunity!
Would love to have this book. Thanks for the review and the contest.
I would love to read through this book! I’ve been a stay at home mom for over 8 years and have picked up sewing along the way. My youngest will start kindergarten next year and I’ve been looking at ways to earn a little extra cash. Thanks for a chance to win!
It looks like a great book and resource, especially for us Stay at Home moms that wouldn’t mind bringing a little extra income through our love of crafting and sewing
Yay! Nice giveaway! I would LOVE to win this book!!!
Wow what an awesome resource! liza.young@yahoo.com
Oh this book just sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review. I hope I win a copy.
Love those sets and your bright colors. Great review!
This book has my name written all over it!! Can’t wait to read it;-)
That is awesome! My husband is always telling me I should start selling things and I’m always resistant. Maybe this would give me that push I need!
The book sounds like exactly what I need. Love the bib pattern.
Love the idea of that book! Thanks for sharing.
Love those baby ideas. I have a shower coming up soon and should make some like it.
This book sounds like a really great resource. I’m in the middle of trying to expand my customer base, and this looks like a great place to start for ideas!
Oh this book looks wonderful, would love a copy
What a wonderful resource to read! Have a happy day – Heidi
I love Virginia’s patterns and would love to win the new book!
Nothing like making baby things. It always makes me want another one of my own. ♥
I am 83 and finding that going to craft shows is getting too physically challenging so am looking to the web to sell my products. Would love the book!
I have had my shop for almost three years and I’m looking for help to grow it. I love her patterns and blog, I really look forward to her book.
This book looks great! Fingers crossed!!!
I have been following you on IG for awhile now, came here via your post on this giveaway. This book sounds like everything I want…need and more to push me into following through with my handmade business.
I’m a huge fan of Gingercake patterns and love making them for my kids. I recently wrote to Virginia to tell her how wonderful she is for sharing her tips on running a successful business. Great to read your review and now I have your blog on my radar too which is awesome.
Thank you xx
This book looks like it’s packed with information needed to sell handmade items. And with patterns!
What an awesome book! We love Gingercakes here. I have been hesitant to sell my items, because there is sooooooo much involved. This would be perfect!
I would love a copy! Planning to open up my own etsy shop and I’d love to learn how to make it an easier process.
I would really learn a lot with this book. I am in the beginning stages of selling my “wares”. I make personalized bibs and children’s totes. People just love them, but I need to know more of the business side to expand.
This book looks great! I sew all my baby gifts to new moms and have been sewing all the cousins Christmas gifts for a few years. Always entertaining the idea of making my hobby a business. 🙂
This book looks amazing. I would love to learn more about starting a business on etsy. Thanks for the chance!
Also, those bibs are super cute.
I would love to learn more about selling my work. I have been thinking about opening a “little” etsy shop for a while now.
I would love to win the book !
This book looks so good, I’d love to win it!
I have been toying with the idea of selling my sewn items (encouraged by friends and family) for years, especially since my retirement looms. I would LOVE to get the advice contained in this book to help me get started!
Wow excellent review. I have the book on my Christmas wish list!
The book looks great! I would love to win it!
Thank you for the giveaway and also introducing this book to me. I think I will have to buy it if I do not win it. I could use this kind of information because I want to start a small sewing business and sounds like the guidance is valuable. Thanks again, Mickey
This is exactly what I need!! Perfect timing!
I love everything I have been reading about this book. Hope I win. Since I retired and have been sewing almost full time I would love to try and sell some of my products.
Hi! not sure if I can participate since I live in Belgium, but this book is EXACTLY what I need! If don’t win, I’m sure Santa will bring me a copy 🙂
Would love to win this. Tried to retire early and it was boring….. This could open a whole new career. And with a brand new baby Grandaughter….. Lots of options Thx for the chance to win! Love your blog!,
I´m sure I would love this book! It would be so useful.
Looks like a great book and I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win. I’ve also shared your giveway on my Giveaway List for sewers & crafters at WowILikeThat.com. Thanks again.
Would love to have this book-a great resource for sure!
Would love to win this book….one cannot have enough Quilting books…..
This book looks invaluable!!
This book looks pretty good, I’m a craft book junkie so it would be awesome to win. Have a great day!
Awesome tips. Experienced or not we can all share our knowledge and benefit from. Thank you for sharing Hayley, you’ re most generous.
Very nice review; thanks!
What a great book for those aspiring entrepreneurs! Can’t wait to read this!
What a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!
This book would be invaluable in helping me reach the next level with my sewing business. I thank you for the great opportunity!
nubiannut100(at)earthlink(dot)net
This would be such a great book to learn new things with
This would be a great book to learn new things with and get great ideas!!!
This sounds like a wonderful resource.
I have eyeing this book! Would love it! If I don’t win, it will go on my wish list!
Looks like a great resource! Those bibs are darling!
This book looks great, as do your bibs 🙂
What a fantastic resource! My Etsy shop has been slow these last few months, so I could really use some tips. Thanks for the fun giveaway, Hayley! 🙂
would love to win!
This sounds like an excellent boom! Love what you’ve made from it!
This book would be so helpful! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
This seems to be a great book. I would like to see it very much. 🙂
Would love to win! I need bibs for my daughter! 🙂
Would love to win! I need bibs for my daughter! 🙂 coralbunnyandlo (at) gmail (dot) com
I need this in my life since selling my handmade items is quite a struggle for me.
What an awesome book!!! I would love to read this and get an idea on how to sew and sell. Thanks for showing us this book. Adding it to my wishlist 🙂
I would love this to make all sorts of cuteness for my nieces and nephews!
Wow….that my dream to be able to sew for others! That book may be very precious for me 🙂
thank you so much for the opportunity, I love your patterns& could really use this books advice!!
The book looks great. Thanks for the giveaway.
This would be amazing! Great timing, as I am thinking about starting to sell:).
Looks like a great read. I’ll take all the advice I can get. : )
This book looks wonderful. I’m in the process of rethinking my Etsy shop and sounds like the stuff in here is just the ticket! Thanks for a lovely giveaway.
emsewcrazyatyahoodotcom
I need this book! I’ve been trying to start my own sewing business but it hasn’t been working the way I’d like it to!
I would love a copy of this book. In fact. This is actually what I am trying just now- turning my hobby into a wee business… This would be much appreciated help! Thx for the opportunity. Laura
This would be a great reference to have!
Such cute ideas! I would love to win.
I just made my first foray into selling some of my items at a few local Christmas craft fairs so this would be perfect!
This looks like a great read!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for doing this giveaway.
This looks like a really helpful book.
The book looks fantastic, and seems to cover so many aspect of a home business!
I would love to sell more of my items! This book would be a good start to helping me do that.
Would love to win this book!
This looks uber helpful. I have a Facebook business selling homemade items to support our mission endeavors.
This would be an awesome book to help me tweak my business which I’ve just recently started and want to do more markets!
Love this! thanks for the chance!
I love everything from Virginia!
OMG!!!! Thanks so much for reviewing this book. It seems as if you ladies are in my head as I was just at the library searching for a book that would help start selling my things. I am glad I found your blog, thanks!
I have been working to get my little shop off the ground since January, and while I am doing fairly well selling mostly on FB, this would be such an asset.