Handmade

Sewing alterations and clothing repairs from home

Hem trousers, replace zips, take in dresses and fix school uniforms for people in your area, using your own sewing machine.

Strong evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

People who already sew well enough to do neat hems and zips, with a machine at home and a few hours a week.

In South Africa: Strong in towns, townships and suburbs; works without a laptop or strong internet.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 4 hours a week · age 18+
  • Sewing, crafts or handmade (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R50 to R130 per job

Published SA price lists: trouser hem R50 (CraftiNess), R65 (Ellen's), R100 (Pressed in Time), R115 to R130 (SafiLaundry); zips R75 to R135. Scenarios assume about one simple job per working hour, including measuring and handover.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R0 to R3 500
Every month
Thread, zips, needles, elastic and machine servicing.
Payment fees
Cash or EFT on collection. Take payment before handing the garment back.
Margin
High: materials are cheap; your time is the cost.

How it is paid: Fixed price per job from a published price list. Our viability score for it: 63 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Write a price list for five jobs you can do neatly today
    • Post it on your WhatsApp status and in one local group
    • Success signal: five paid jobs in two weeks

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Check your machine is serviced and has the right needles
    • Write your price list using local shop prices as a guide
    • Do one free hem for a friend and photograph the before and after

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Set regular times for drop-offs and collections
    • Ask a laundromat or dry cleaner to refer customers
    • Keep a job book: name, garment, price, date due, paid

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Run a school uniform season offer in January
    • Decide whether an overlocker would pay for itself
    • Raise prices on jobs that take longer than you thought

Local demand can come quickly once people know you do it; school terms and year-end functions are busy. First income usually takes 3 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Sewing alterations and clothing repairs from home: from your first hem to a steady flow of jobs

25 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Neighbours, working parents, school families (uniforms in January), office workers, people losing or gaining weight.

Clothes that fit and last longer, without buying new.

Is there demand?

Alterations shops across SA publish price lists: trouser hems R50 to R130 and trouser zips R75 to R135 (CraftiNess, Ellen's Clothing Alterations, Pressed in Time, SafiLaundry). It is steady, everyday work that does not depend on trends.

Neighbourhood WhatsApp groupsSchool parent groupsLaundromats and dry cleanersChurch and community noticeboards

Getting customers

Word of mouth and local WhatsApp or Facebook groups. A price list on your WhatsApp status and a sign at a nearby laundromat bring repeat customers.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesResponding to enquiriesIn-person networkingPartnerships with other businesses

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Damaging a customer's expensive garment: start with simple jobs and agree the price before you cut
  • Underpricing your time, especially on fiddly jobs
  • Uncollected garments: take a deposit on bigger jobs

Competition: Moderate: established shops in malls, but many people prefer someone nearby with fair prices.

Room to grow: Time-bound. Growth comes from an overlocker, a helper, or contracts with a dry cleaner or school.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every sale and every material you buy (materials are a business cost).
  • Check your municipality's home-business rules if customers come to your home.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start sewing alterations and clothing repairs from home in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R3 500. Recurring costs: Thread, zips, needles, elastic and machine servicing.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 45 days. Local demand can come quickly once people know you do it; school terms and year-end functions are busy.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every sale and every material you buy (materials are a business cost). Check your municipality's home-business rules if customers come to your home.

Sources (6)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy