Clothes are not just a daily need they are also a part of culture and pride. People wear new clothes during Bihu, Durga Puja, weddings and family gatherings. Children need uniforms for school every year. Women always look for well fitted blouses and salwar suits. Because of these regular needs opening a clothing and tailoring shop in a village or small town in india can be a very reliable business idea.
Some people may wonder if tailoring is difficult. The truth is, with proper training and patience anyone can learn tailoring and open such a shop. Here we will discuss how to become a tailor.
Why Tailoring and Clothing business works
A tailoring and clothing shop has two sides , ready made clothes for sale and stitching services. Customers who want quick purchases can buy readymade shirts, kurtas or frocks. Customers who want special fitting or school uniforms can give stitching orders. This way income comes from two sources.
Also this business is always in demand. Even if people reduce spending on the luxury items, they cannot stop buying or stitching basic clothes. That is why this shop gives steady income throughout the year.
Investment needed
The good thing about tailoring is that you can start small.
- With Rs 20000 to Rs30 000, you can buy a sewing machine, table, iron, scissors, measuring tape, and some basic cloth pieces.
- If you want to add ready made clothes then the investment increases to around Rs 50k to 1 Lakh depending on how much stock you keep.
- Renting a small shop in Guwahati outskirts or a village town costs Rs 3000 Rs5000 per month, while in bigger market areas it can go higher.
If money is tight, government loan schemes like PM Mudra Yojana ( Shishu Loan up to Rs50,000 ) or cooperative bank loans can be useful. Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Assam also help women borrow small amounts for starting tailoring.
How to get Clothes for selling
If you want to sell ready made clothes along with tailoring, you need suppliers.
- Wholesale markets in Guwahati ( Fancy Bazaaror Paltan Bazaa r) have large cloth and garment wholesalers.
- In Silchar and Dibrugarh, there are smaller wholesale markets where shopkeepers can buy in bulk.
- For West bengal Burrabazar in Kolkata is a famous hub for cheap wholesale clothes.
For the school uniforms, it is best to contact schools directly and offer stitching or supply service. This ensures steady orders every year.
Learning Tailoring – Training and Courses in Assam
Tailoring is a skill that needs both practice and guidance. In Assam, there are many ways to learn tailoring:
1. Government Training Centers
- ITI (Industrial training Institutes): Many ITIs in Assam, including in Guwahati, Silchar and Jorhat, have Cutting & Sewing or Fashion Design trades. These courses run for 6 months to 1 year and provide hands on training. Fees are very low, and sometimes girls from poor families get free seats.
- ASDM ( Assam skill development mission): They run different short courses under skill India programs, including tailoring, garment making and embroidery. Training is free or very low cost and sometimes they even provide sewing machines to successful trainees.
2. NGO and Self Help group programs
Many NGOs who are working in Assam villages give free tailoring training to women and youth. They usually arrange 3 to 6 month courses. For example in Guwahati and Nagaon, some women’s welfare societies regularly conduct sewing classes.
3. Private tailoring Schools
In Guwahati city, there are many small tailoring and fashion design institutes. These schools charge Rs5000 to Rs20000 depending on the course duration. While expensive, they provide better exposure to new designs and modern sewing machines.
4. Shop Apprenticeship ( 1 Year Practical Training )
This is the most practical way to learn. A young person can join a tailoring shop or a small stitching unit as a helper. In the beginning they will be asked to cut threads, iron clothes and assist the tailor. Slowly, they will be allowed to stitch simple things like petticoats or uniforms. Within one year the person becomes confident enough to start their own small shop.
Many tailoring masters in Guwahati and other towns accept helpers, sometimes paying them Rs1000 to 2,000 per month while teaching. This is a great option for those who cannot afford formal courses or even after completing the course needs practice.
Running the shop
Once trained setting up the shop is the next step. It can be a roadside small stall with a sewing machine or a proper shop with shelves for ready made clothes. customers in rural areas prefer shops that are neat and keep both stitched and ready made items.
Tailoring services can include these things:
- Blouse stitching
- salwar kameez stitching
- school uniforms
- Simple alterations (tightening, shortening and also repairing)
The key is to deliver on time and give good finishing. If customers are happy, they will always return.
Licenses and Permission
For a small tailoring shop, usually no license is required. If you also sell clothes, then a Shop & Establishment License from the state government is needed. It is a simple process done through the Labour Department. For wholesale purchases having a registered shop also helps.
How to get the Customers
Word of mouth is the best marketing in villages. The first few customers must be treated very well. Discounts for students uniforms or a free small service like attaching hooks or buttons can make people spread good reviews.
In Guwahati suburbs, some tailors also distribute small pamphlets in schools and markets. Another smart way is to keep sample stitched blouses or uniforms on display so customers can check the quality.
Challenges in the Business
Like every small business, tailoring has many challenges:
- seasonal demand: Work is more during festivals and school admissions will be less in other months.
- Competition: If there are many tailors, you must focus on quality and punctuality.
- Credit system: Some customers ask for udhaar! Be careful and give credit only to trusted people.
Growing the Shop
Once stable the shop can be expanded into:
- Adding embroidery and decorative stitching.
- Selling accessories like buttons, threads, dupattas and readymade kids wear.
- Offering package deals ( like school uniforms with full stitching etc ).
Some tailors in Guwahati have even tied up with online platforms or boutiques to supply stitched clothes.
So to end with
A clothing and tailoring shop is one of the best rural businesses because the demand never ends. With small investment and proper training, anyone can start it. For those in Assam, guwahati and other towns provide many opportunities to learn tailoring through ITI, Asdm or even practical training in local shops.
Once trained the journey from being a helper to becoming a shop owner is possible in just one or two years. By stitching blouses, uniforms and simple clothes while also selling ready made garments, a family can earn steady income and respect in the community.