Sewing Susan

Hi yet again,
Thinking of part time jobs for myself, and being a demon ironer ( used to do it here in the Uk for customers) would it be a viable income earner in Calgary?

Also I have noticed on realter website, most people don,t have curtains at their windows, I make roman blinds, curtains etc, any call for high end curtains, pelmets etc,

Failing all else, how about repairs and alterations on clothes- I can do that, but not my favorite.

Sue

Ben W Bell

Yes people will pay to do it. I remember an article, I think it was in a Readers Digest, charting what you earn and what chores are viable to outsource. Ironing came out pretty high on the list, you don't have to earn too much to make it more worthwhile outsourcing it. They based it on how much you earn per hour, how long chores last and how much someone would charge to do it.

Personally if the price was right I'd pay for it, but not for the entire wardrobe.

calgary2006

I would absolutley pay for someone to iron my stuff - I loathe ironing!

When are you coming to Calgary?

Elaine B.

Ironing what is that?

Zap0ne

I wondered how the cleaners did that!

terese677

Hi,
I pay for my ironing, when I was in 4 part time jobs as well as studying I promised myself that was the one thing I'd have for myself when I passed my course and found a job and thats exactly what I'm doing. I pay £20 for a full large black bin bag and it would be heaven to find someone to carry on where my good friend left off when we eventually make it over there.
Good luck with the venture
Terese

gryphea

I wouldn't pay for ironing as I don't do any! I suspect the ironing market is smaller here as work clothes are not as smart and formal, but I still suspect there is a market.

I have been to a few houses with curtains and expats go for curtains so I would suspect there is a niche market to tap there.

Gryph

hot wasabi peas

From my observations, your average person in the UK is far more obsessed with ironing (and laundry/clothing in general) than the average person in Canada.

I'm from Canada and I have an iron ... somewhere ... but generally if I'm shopping for clothes I follow a rule --> if it needs ironed, I just don't buy it. Most of my Canuck friends are the same way.

I'm sure there will be people who will pay for your services but I suspect there would be less demand in Canada than in the UK.

Bill_S

I don't pay for my ironing. Mrs Bill is delighted to do it for free.

Bill_S

That probably explains why threads about allegedly substandard Canadian/American washing machines go on for 10 pages...

Alberta_Rose

I don't iron. Like HWP I do have an iron ..... somewhere. It gave my mum s'thng to do when she came over to visit!

My MIL even irons socks! She also folds them a certain way so you just have to slide your toes in and unfold them and they are magically the right way up on your feet!

I did it once. Just to prove I could if I wanted to!

Judy in Calgary

Office attire has become less formal in Canada over the years. In many Canadian cities it has become common for offices to switch to "smart casual" attire. For a man that might mean a pair of khaki cotton trousers and a golf / polo shirt. You would think that cotton trousers would need ironing, but the wrinkle-resistent ones that my husband buys do a pretty good job of living up to their claim.

There are some businesses, e.g., law offices, in which men still wear dress shirts and ties. People like that often have their shirts laundered and ironed at the dry cleaners.

People who can afford house cleaners sometimes also get the cleaners to do ironing for them. But I've never heard of a private person who just does ironing (without also cleaning the client's house). I'm not saying a situation like that doesn't exist. I'm just saying I've never heard of it.

As to curtains, I agree with Gryph that there would be a market for your services. It would require some marketing to get yourself known, but I bet you could build up a nice business with that skill.
x

Atlantic Xpat

Gawd love business casual!

In our house I do the ironing but it's limited to dress shirts for me and the occasional blouse for the Mrs. I wear dark/khaki jeans or cords to work with a dress shirt if I'm feeling smart and a T shirt/Polo shirt if I'm not. (Today being dress down Friday for example.) Would I pay someone for it? No - I'd rather pay someone to clean than iron!

Sewing Susan

Wow thanks for so many replies. I am totally mad in that I actually like ironing, and can iron a dress shirt in 1 min 39 secs- I had to time myself to get the money reward I wanted.
I earned £10 a hour in the uk, and had to turn customers away. I know there is a definite cat of people who totally hate ironing- and I help them- but realise that less clothes "need" ironing nowadays. But thanksfor that feedback- loved it.
Will concentrate on curtains and alterations too.....

Coming to calgary in June,

Sue::

Linda P

My Canadian friends think I am mad for ironing....

They seem to get by fine without.......

Linda