We love what we do.  But it is expensive to create any homemade item.  Seamstress/crafters work hard with loving hearts to make special things for you.

  Most seamtress or crafter I know are very particular on material and supplies they use. Pay utmost attention on their skills and details.  And do extrememly beautiful work with top quality.

  So when you see an outfit listed at a low starting bid price, you are probally bidding on a outfit, below cost of supplies.  Many times the seamstress/crafter takes a lost on selling an outfit.  But they want to share their creations with others and are willing to take a risk when listing an item.

Many, do not know how expensive it is to buy supplies for sewing, knitting, crafts, etc.

I just wanted to help buyers understand what it cost the seamstress to make an item.

Cotton matetial cost between $4.99 to $8.99 per yard.

Blend materials cost between $6.99 to $15.99 per yard.

Specialty materials cost between $10.99 to $45.99 per yard.

Zippers cost between $2.99 to $4.99 per zipper.

Thread cost between $1.99 to $3.99 per spool.

Simple trims cost between $1.79 to $3.99 per yard.

Luxuray trims cost between $3.99 to $15.99 per yard.

EXAMPLE--> Size 3 twirl dress takes 3 yards of material, 2 spools of thread, 1 zipper, 4 or more yards of ruffle(not counting lace or extra frills)

  EXAMPLE cost in making an outfit using minimun amount of supplies -->$25.00 to 35.00

 Time in making one twirl dress size 3 runs between 15 to 25 hours

 If you had to pay someone at just the mimimum wage, just for sewing - that would be roughly $80.00

Hope this was helpful to both buyers and sellers.

P.S. - I am not writing this guide for any contest.

The only purpose of this quide is, hopefully help buyers understand and get the most information they can from a crafters point of view.

These are my personal words and opinion.