[Regia-NA] Vendors

[Linda Rice]

Kim and all~

Thanks so much for the feedback regarding tunic prices. Not that I'm hanging out an official
shingle or anything, but it's always good to know these sorts of things, and to find out if I'm at
least in the ballpark. Happily, I think I am.  I think I arrived from a different direction, but I
ended pretty darned close to what Kim said, taking into account finished vs unfinished product. I
don't see the demand here for half finished, although it wouldn't hurt to have a few out to see if
they sell or not.  On my ancient machine I can't begin to do 3 tunics an hour, but even 2 isn't so
bad.  All I need now is the demand! 

Thanks again for your help,

Pax,
::Linda::
Virginia

-----Original Message-----
From: list-regia-na-bounces at lig.net [mailto:list-regia-na-bounces at lig.net] On Behalf Of J K Siddorn
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 4:36 AM
To: list-Regia-NA
Subject: Re: [Regia-NA] Vendors

Ten years ago in Wessex, we used to have a policy of getting our new members into very basic kit
from stock. Tunics were
a tenner, trousers seven quid and shoes fifteen. Obviously, these were artificially maintained by
bulk purchases and
people  - frankly, mostly me! - contributing their labour for nothing. Nonetheless, a *simple*
woollen tunic (or dress)
absorbing three metres of cloth can easily be cut out and run up on a sewing machine in twenty
minutes, leaving the
visible seams at neck and hem to be sewn by hand by the purchaser. God knows I've made enough of
them to be sure of my
facts!

Taking into account that cloth has risen a bit in price, suitable woollen cloth can easily be
obtained from various
sources ( I recommend Anwar Ali at Herts Fabrics) at £5 per metre and therefore should be readily
capable of supply at
£25. Working steadily, you would then be able to produce three an hour, showing you a profit of
£30.00 an hour at point
of sale. Thus, one might easily make 20 + tunics in eight hours, giving one £240 for a day's work.

This in NOT applicable to a hand sewn tunic, but we were getting modern untrained people into the
hobby in next to no
time and it worked! Really, I suppose it's a case of how you cost your time ................

Regards,  Kim Siddorn