1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Sewing school uniforms and tracksuits: your step-by-step start

Sew tunics, skirts, trousers and tracksuits for local schools and parents, and offer alterations in the back-to-school rush.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Skilled sewers with a machine who can work in batches and meet deadlines.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You cannot put about R1 500 into getting started.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: late orders at back-to-school: plan stock early.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How sewing school uniforms and tracksuits worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Make a sample and work out the cost per item3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Write a size chart and order form with a deposit3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Show samples to parents and the school3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Take orders with deposits3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Plan stock for the next term3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Offer alterations and name tags3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R1 500 to R10 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Sewing machine and overlocker
  • Patterns and size chart
  • Order book
  • Fabric supplier

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.