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Industrial
A small sewing workshop that makes high-quality decorative pillows and cushions for households, furnishing shops and hotels.
Where it fits:TürkiyeSyriaMoroccoIndonesiaYemenNigeriaThe Gambia
Industrial
A small sewing workshop that makes high-quality decorative pillows and cushions for households, furnishing shops and hotels.
Where it fits:TürkiyeSyriaMoroccoIndonesiaYemenNigeriaThe Gambia
Pillows and cushions are in steady demand because they are used all over the home, in bedrooms and living rooms, and also in hotels, shops and offices that receive customers. The more elegant a pillow looks, the more it adds to the room.
The original study suggests opening a small showroom that sells only premium pillows, then, after about one year, setting up a small sewing workshop so the owner becomes both maker and seller, lowering costs and supplying other furnishing shops.
Because İktifa funds productive tools, this model starts directly with the workshop (estimate): an industrial sewing machine, an overlock machine and cutting and filling tools. Products are sold to furnishing shops, through custom orders and on social media, with the option of opening a small showroom later.
One skilled tailor with two machines can finish 15 to 25 decorative pillows a day, about 350 to 550 pieces a month over 22 working days (estimate). Capacity grows with a second worker or a fibre-filling machine.
Check local municipality and trade registry requirements for registering a workshop or shop, as well as invoicing and tax rules. If you start from home, confirm local rules for home-based work.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial straight-stitch sewing machine | 1 | Main sewing and zips; ≈ $350 to $500 (estimate) |
| Overlock machine | 1 | Edge finishing; ≈ $400 to $600 (estimate) |
| Small electric fabric cutter | 1 | ≈ $120 to $200 (estimate) |
| Cutting table with scissors and measuring tools | 1 | Can be made locally; ≈ $100 to $200 (estimate) |
| Steam iron | 1 | ≈ $50 to $100 (estimate) |
| Small fibre opening and filling machine | 1 | Optional, faster and more even filling; ≈ $400 to $800 (estimate) |
| Storage and display shelves | 1 set | ≈ $100 to $200 (estimate) |
Industrial straight-stitch sewing machine
Quantity: 1
Main sewing and zips; ≈ $350 to $500 (estimate)
Overlock machine
Quantity: 1
Edge finishing; ≈ $400 to $600 (estimate)
Small electric fabric cutter
Quantity: 1
≈ $120 to $200 (estimate)
Cutting table with scissors and measuring tools
Quantity: 1
Can be made locally; ≈ $100 to $200 (estimate)
Steam iron
Quantity: 1
≈ $50 to $100 (estimate)
Small fibre opening and filling machine
Quantity: 1
Optional, faster and more even filling; ≈ $400 to $800 (estimate)
Storage and display shelves
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $100 to $200 (estimate)
Source: Fabric wholesalers
Cost: $3 to $8 per metre (estimate)
About 0.5 m per decorative pillow
Source: Upholstery supply distributors
Cost: $2 to $3 per kg (estimate)
0.3 to 0.6 kg per pillow
Source: Sewing supply shops
Cost: $0.2 to $0.5 per piece (estimate)
Buy in bulk to lower cost
Source: Fabric wholesalers
Cost: $0.3 to $0.6 per piece (estimate)
Plain cotton or non-woven fabric
Source: Local printers and packaging shops
Cost: $0.1 to $0.3 per piece (estimate)
Gives a professional look
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Collect design ideas online, follow trending colours and pick the most requested sizes, such as 40×40, 45×45 and 50×50 cm (estimate).
Buy fabric, filling, zips and thread from wholesalers after visiting them and comparing quality and prices.
Cut the fabric with templates, keeping the pattern direction consistent.
Overlock the edges, sew the cover and attach the zip, buttons or trims.
Sew the inner case and fill it evenly with polyester fibre.
Check seams, filling and cleanliness, iron the cover and pack each pillow in a bag with the workshop label.
Supply furnishing shops, take custom orders and show products on social media with clear photos and offers.
Applicable countries
Large home textile market with easy access to fabrics and supplies.
Good demand for home furnishings; secure power for working hours.
Active furnishing and décor market; adapt designs to local taste.
Large market; adapt fabrics and designs to local taste.
Possible; check fabric availability and buying power.
Possible; check fabric availability and buying power.
Small market; demand needs to be assessed first.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Pillows and cushions are in steady demand because they are used all over the home, in bedrooms and living rooms, and also in hotels, shops and offices that receive customers. The more elegant a pillow looks, the more it adds to the room.
The original study suggests opening a small showroom that sells only premium pillows, then, after about one year, setting up a small sewing workshop so the owner becomes both maker and seller, lowering costs and supplying other furnishing shops.
Because İktifa funds productive tools, this model starts directly with the workshop (estimate): an industrial sewing machine, an overlock machine and cutting and filling tools. Products are sold to furnishing shops, through custom orders and on social media, with the option of opening a small showroom later.
One skilled tailor with two machines can finish 15 to 25 decorative pillows a day, about 350 to 550 pieces a month over 22 working days (estimate). Capacity grows with a second worker or a fibre-filling machine.
Check local municipality and trade registry requirements for registering a workshop or shop, as well as invoicing and tax rules. If you start from home, confirm local rules for home-based work.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial straight-stitch sewing machine | 1 | Main sewing and zips; ≈ $350 to $500 (estimate) |
| Overlock machine | 1 | Edge finishing; ≈ $400 to $600 (estimate) |
| Small electric fabric cutter | 1 | ≈ $120 to $200 (estimate) |
| Cutting table with scissors and measuring tools | 1 | Can be made locally; ≈ $100 to $200 (estimate) |
| Steam iron | 1 | ≈ $50 to $100 (estimate) |
| Small fibre opening and filling machine | 1 | Optional, faster and more even filling; ≈ $400 to $800 (estimate) |
| Storage and display shelves | 1 set | ≈ $100 to $200 (estimate) |
Industrial straight-stitch sewing machine
Quantity: 1
Main sewing and zips; ≈ $350 to $500 (estimate)
Overlock machine
Quantity: 1
Edge finishing; ≈ $400 to $600 (estimate)
Small electric fabric cutter
Quantity: 1
≈ $120 to $200 (estimate)
Cutting table with scissors and measuring tools
Quantity: 1
Can be made locally; ≈ $100 to $200 (estimate)
Steam iron
Quantity: 1
≈ $50 to $100 (estimate)
Small fibre opening and filling machine
Quantity: 1
Optional, faster and more even filling; ≈ $400 to $800 (estimate)
Storage and display shelves
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $100 to $200 (estimate)
Source: Fabric wholesalers
Cost: $3 to $8 per metre (estimate)
About 0.5 m per decorative pillow
Source: Upholstery supply distributors
Cost: $2 to $3 per kg (estimate)
0.3 to 0.6 kg per pillow
Source: Sewing supply shops
Cost: $0.2 to $0.5 per piece (estimate)
Buy in bulk to lower cost
Source: Fabric wholesalers
Cost: $0.3 to $0.6 per piece (estimate)
Plain cotton or non-woven fabric
Source: Local printers and packaging shops
Cost: $0.1 to $0.3 per piece (estimate)
Gives a professional look
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Collect design ideas online, follow trending colours and pick the most requested sizes, such as 40×40, 45×45 and 50×50 cm (estimate).
Buy fabric, filling, zips and thread from wholesalers after visiting them and comparing quality and prices.
Cut the fabric with templates, keeping the pattern direction consistent.
Overlock the edges, sew the cover and attach the zip, buttons or trims.
Sew the inner case and fill it evenly with polyester fibre.
Check seams, filling and cleanliness, iron the cover and pack each pillow in a bag with the workshop label.
Supply furnishing shops, take custom orders and show products on social media with clear photos and offers.
Applicable countries
Large home textile market with easy access to fabrics and supplies.
Good demand for home furnishings; secure power for working hours.
Active furnishing and décor market; adapt designs to local taste.
Large market; adapt fabrics and designs to local taste.
Possible; check fabric availability and buying power.
Possible; check fabric availability and buying power.
Small market; demand needs to be assessed first.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Türkiye
Syria
Morocco
Indonesia
Yemen
Nigeria
The Gambia