If you own an overlock machine—whether industrial or manual—then this article is for you. For four years, I consistently paid for overlock services because I didn’t own a machine. Every week, I had to take my sewn clothes to a woman in my area who provided the service. She didn’t even use an industrial machine; she used a manual one.
The Cost of Outsourcing Overlock Services
On average, I paid ₦5,000 weekly for weaving (commonly called overlocking in Nigeria). Some weeks, I spent more, while others were slightly lower. Regardless, I spent that amount consistently for four years. That means, in a month, I spent around ₦20,000, and in a year, about ₦240,000. Now, multiply that by four years—that’s close to ₦1 million just on weaving!
The woman I patronized wasn’t even the one doing the work most of the time. She had a young boy assisting her, and he handled most of the overlocking. Imagine how much she made from customers like me, week in and week out.
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Your Overlock Machine is a Business Opportunity
Many tailors have overlock machines sitting idle in their shops because they don’t want to offer the service. Some don’t want too many people in their shop, while others think it won’t generate enough income. Meanwhile, their apprentices are sitting idle, gossiping, instead of making money.
If you have an overlock machine, it’s time to turn it into a business. There are many people like me who will gladly pay for the service. Even if you have multiple apprentices, they can handle the overlocking instead of sitting around doing nothing.
This is a steady source of income that you are ignoring. The woman I patronized wasn’t the only one in my area offering this service, yet she still made money consistently.
More Hidden Tailoring Business Opportunities
Aside from overlocking, there are other simple services that can bring in steady income.
1. Buttonhole Services
Even though I now own an overlock machine, I still outsource buttonhole services. The tailor I usually go to runs a ready-to-wear business and has a big workshop. The last time I went there, we got talking, and he mentioned how he likes to give gifts to his customers, especially those who come for buttonholes.
This made me realize how profitable buttonhole services are. For a single shirt buttonhole, I pay ₦400. For a T-shirt buttonhole (which has only two or three buttons), I pay ₦250 per shirt.
Sometimes, I take 50 T-shirts to him, meaning I pay around ₦12,500 in one visit. There are days I pay between ₦3,000 to ₦10,000, depending on the workload. Each time I visit his shop, there are always other customers waiting for the same service.
This tailor has turned buttonhole stitching into a full-time business, and he makes steady money from it.
2. Coverstitch Services
Before I got my coverstitch machine, I also had to outsource this service. At one point, the cost for a single T-shirt coverstitch was ₦100, but as prices increased, it went up to ₦150.
Some tailors offering this service don’t even do the stitching for you. They simply allow customers to use their machines for a fee per hour. Some require customers to bring their own thread!
If you own a coverstitch machine, you can start offering this service and charge customers per item or per hour. If you don’t want strangers using your machine, let your apprentice handle it. This way, they gain experience while you make money.
Monetizing Your Tailoring Machines
Some business-minded tailors rent out their machines. One woman I know owns different tailoring machines and charges customers per hour to use them. Whether she’s a tailor herself or just an entrepreneur, she has figured out how to monetize her machines.
If you have sewing machines sitting idle, consider renting them out or setting up a pay-per-use system.
3. Clothes Amendment Services
A lot of people don’t realize how much money there is in clothing amendments. Many Nigerians assume only tailors abroad make money from this, but that’s not true.
One day, while browsing Facebook, I came across a page specializing only in amendments. This made me remember a personal experience where a customer paid me ₦4,500 to amend a single gown.
The customer bought the dress online, and it didn’t fit. She had taken it to several tailors, but they refused to amend it. Out of desperation, she begged me to do it and asked me to name my price. I hesitated at first, but when she insisted, I charged ₦4,500, and she agreed instantly.
If I had asked for ₦7,000, she would have still paid. The amendment took less than 30 minutes, and I got paid for it.
If you’re a small tailor struggling to get big customers, clothing amendments can be your steady source of income. Many people need these services but can’t find tailors willing to do them. Even if you earn just ₦3,000 to ₦4,000 daily from amendments, it adds up.
Some people even use amendment money to start monthly savings contributions, which can accumulate into a significant amount by the end of the year.
4. Selling Tailoring Materials
If you have ₦100,000, you can start selling tailoring materials. If you already have a shop, stock up on essential items like:
- Zippers (regular ones, not expensive types)
- Lining fabrics
- Threads
- Pins
- Needles
Start with basic items that tailors frequently need. As you make sales, reinvest in more materials and grow your business.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few profitable business ideas for tailors. If you have a manual sewing machine and are working from home, don’t just rely on sewing clothes—explore these extra income streams.
In the next article, I’ll share business ideas tailored for beginner tailors working from home.
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