How to Start a Dressmaker Business
The order of work for turning sewing skills into paid commissions, from setting up the business to billing a finished piece.
A dressmaking business turns sewing skill into paid commissions: made-to-measure pieces, bridal work and alterations. Before the first commission, sort out registration, a tax ID, any local licenses and insurance, then decide how you will take deposits and bill. How to invoice fittings, fabric and alterations is covered in the dressmaker invoicing guide linked below.
Where you work matters. The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "You’ll need to register your business, pay taxes, and get licenses and permits in the place you choose to locate your business." If you sew from home, ask your city or county about its rules for home-based businesses.
Example first commission (sample figures): a made-to-measure skirt at 1 × $240.00, three yards of fabric at 3 × $18.00 = $54.00 and one alteration fitting at 1 × $35.00 make $240.00 + $54.00 + $35.00 = $329.00. The prices are placeholders; use your own.
Step-by-step startup guide
Follow these steps to launch your dressmaker business on solid footing.
- 1
Choose your work and your clients
Decide whether you will focus on bridal and occasion wear, everyday made-to-measure pieces or alterations. That choice shapes your pricing, your deposits and the insurance you look at.
- 2
Pick a structure and register
The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "You’re automatically considered to be a sole proprietorship if you do business activities but don’t register as any other kind of business." A lawyer or accountant can explain the trade-offs.
- 3
Register your business name if you need to
If you trade under a shop name, the SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "Registering your DBA name doesn’t provide legal protection by itself, but most states require you to register your DBA if you use one." Check with your state for its rules.
- 4
Get an EIN
The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your business’s federal tax ID number." The IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) says "You never have to pay a fee for an EIN."
- 5
Check local licenses and insurance
The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "You also may be legally required to purchase certain types of business insurance." Ask your city or county about local licenses, and an insurance agent about cover for client garments in your care.
- 6
Set deposit and billing terms, then invoice
Decide how much of a made-to-measure price you take up front and when the balance is due, then bill the first commission. The dressmaker invoicing guide shows how to set out both.
Tips for starting your dressmaker business
- Price with your tax bill in mind; the IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 30, 2026) says "The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%."
- Keep fabric and notion receipts with each commission, so you can show a client what the materials cost.
- Write the measurements, the design and the number of fittings into each quote, so changes later are easy to price.
- Photograph the design sketch or swatch the client approved and keep it with the quote.
How Billed helps you get started
Features to look at as you set up your business.
Estimate Attachments
Billed's features page says: "Attach important files and images with your estimates."
Convert An Estimate To Invoice
Billed's features page says: "Convert your estimate to invoice with a single click after getting approval from your client."
Due Dates
Billed's features page says: "Set due dates for payment on your invoices so your clients know when they have to pay you."
Payment Receipts
Billed's features page says: "Send payment receipts to your clients after they have paid for your invoices."
Frequently asked questions
More Startup Guides
Invoice Your First Commission
Create invoices, track payments and keep your clients' details in one place with Billed.
At a glance
| Step | Where to check | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location rules | Your city or county | SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) |
| Business name | Your state (DBA rules) | SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) |
| Tax ID | An EIN, with no fee | IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) |
| First invoice | Piece, fabric, fittings, deposit, due date | Dressmaker invoicing guide |
When this isn't for you
Sewing on staff at a bridal shop or alterations studio? This setup guide won't fit; the shop owns the registration, insurance and invoicing.