Step-by-step plan for tailoring business
Pick a simple business model
Buy a reliable sewing machine
Look for a used mechanical Singer/Janome/Brother or a simple electric head on local classifieds (Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Jumia, local markets). You can often find workable machines in the $50–$150 range depending on country and condition — aim for $100 max. Jiji NigeriaJumia Kenya
Tip: inspect for smooth stitching, intact motor (if electric), straight feed, and test a couple of seams before paying.
Buy a tools & consumables kit
Scissors (tailor’s & small), thread spools (black/white + a few colors), measuring tape, tailors’ chalk, pins, seam ripper, needles, thimble, spare bobbins.
Small iron/pressing board if you can borrow; if not, press with a hot pan or local pressing service until you can buy one.
Buy initial fabric stock
Purchase a small, high-demand assortment (e.g., 8–12 meters total) of cotton/Ankara or plain cotton in neutral colors. Retail and online listings show yard/metro prices in the ~$6–$15 per yard range for many prints — shop the local market to get the best per-meter price. EtsyAfricanFabs
Start with small quantities so you’re not stuck with inventory.
Set up a workspace (Day 2–7)
Home corner or market stall. A simple sturdy table + chair ($30 budgeted) and good daylight (or a small lamp). Home-based avoids rent until you prove demand.
Basic branding & marketing
Print 50 simple flyers / business cards and post them at local markets, barber shops, churches, and door-to-door in neighborhoods. Create a WhatsApp profile, a simple Facebook/Instagram post with before/after photos and ask early customers for referrals.
Price your services & start selling
Example starting prices (localize them): basic hem $2–5, zipper replacement $4–10, simple dress/ shirt tailoring $10–30 depending on fabric & time. Charge for fittings and factor in materials.
Offer a small discount for first customers and ask for referrals and a photo testimonial.
Recordkeeping, quality & upsell
Use a notebook or a free phone spreadsheet to track each job, cost of materials, time taken, and customer contact.
Offer quick add-ons: button replacement, tweaks, matching accessories.
Reinvest profits
After you hit ~$50–100 profit, upgrade machine or buy an iron/table, increase fabric variety, or buy a better sewing foot. Scale to small production runs (copies of a popular design) as demand grows.
Senegal Tailoring Workshop - Sunu Jàmm Humanists
Dear HuMAN,
On behalf of the Sunu Jàmm Humanists in Senegal, I want to express our sincere gratitude for your generous support. After receiving the $250 for our Tailoring Workshop Project, we immediately got to work bringing the plan to life.
Project Implementation and Use of Funds
The first and most important purchase was a manual sewing machine, which we secured for $120. This has become the heart of our workshop. We also bought basic sewing tools, scissors, measuring tape, needles, threads, chalk, and more for $45. These gave us everything we needed to start offering mending services and practicing tailoring right away.
We spent another $60 on starter fabric and materials, which allowed us to take on small sewing jobs and start creating garments. The workspace is currently based in the home of one of our members, supported by a $25 rent contribution.
Progress So Far
Three members with prior experience in tailoring took the lead and began guiding others through hands-on learning. Just few weeks after starting, we began receiving small jobs mostly mending and clothing adjustments. In cumulative, we had already served over 20 people.
Our early clients include neighbors, and local youth. Word is spreading, and we're starting to build a good reputation in the community.
Community Impact and Group Benefits
The workshop is already making a difference:
Women in our group especially Mame Coumba Gueye, Adama Diatta, and Mariama Oumar are actively involved, gaining skills and building confidence.
Young men like Habib and Abou are learning quickly and contributing to the workshop's growth.
Community members have expressed gratitude for the low-cost services, especially those who can’t afford new clothes.
More than anything, the project has brought us together with a shared sense of purpose and pride. As open humanists in a religiously conservative environment, that sense of unity means a lot.
Next Steps
We plan to:
1. Keep improving our skills and the quality of our services
2. Reinvest our earnings into another sewing machine or electric tools
3. Start offering basic training to other youth interested in tailoring
4. Use the workshop as a base for future humanist outreach and community projects
Thank you again for making this possible. Your support didn’t just fund a tailoring workshop, it gave us a way to build skills, income, confidence, and community.
With appreciation,
Patrick Corea