Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms

Ever wondered how long it really takes to quit your job and go full-time as a freelance fashion designer? For Candice Stokes, it was less than a year. She went from working as an embroidery tech to earning *more* money on her own—working with dream clients and building a business that aligns with her values. In this episode, she shares exactly how she did it, from leveraging Instagram to streamlining her workflow, and what she’s learned since walking away from her 9-to-5.Resources:250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 DaysAbout Candice:Candice Stokes is a technical fashion designer who transforms creative ideas into expertly crafted garments, thanks to her hands-on skills and years of sewing experience. She’s passionate about how clothes tell stories—both cultural and personal—and loves geeking out over why fabric matters as much as fit. Whether she’s sketching, sewing, or decoding a tricky pattern, Candice brings humor and heart to her work (and plenty of coffee).Connect with Caroline:Visit her websiteEmail her at [email protected] on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn  Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price

Imagine being so booked out as a freelancer that you can’t take on a single new client—so you start building a team. That’s where Louise Ryan found herself. In this episode, she shares how she went from solo footwear designer to scaling toward a full-blown agency. We talk about the mindset shifts, growing pains, and strategic moves that helped her evolve beyond a one-woman show. If you’re feeling maxed out and wondering what’s next, Louise’s story is the blueprint you’ve been looking for.Resources:209: From £4k to £12k A Month: How this Freelance Footwear Trend Consultant Did it!About Louise:Louise is an exceptional creative thinker, designer, and trend forecaster who is passionate about the footwear industry. Her drive to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and fully comprehend the entire process of footwear design and development is truly inspiring. By collaborating with global trend agencies, brands, and factories, she can provide valuable insights that will shape the future of this dynamic industry. future of this dynamic industry.Connect with Caroline:Email her at [email protected] on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price

In Part 1, Caroline quit her underpaid factory job to run her freelance biz full-time. But what happened next? This episode is where it *really* gets juicy. Caroline opens up about the exact moment she raised her rate to $65/hour—and how terrifying it felt to say it out loud. She nearly backed down. She literally shook through the call. But she did it anyway. And now? She’s getting clients directly from LinkedIn, turning down work that doesn’t fit, and building a business that finally *feels* good. If you’ve ever been scared AF to charge more, set boundaries, or step into your power—this episode is for you.Resources:020: The Step by Step Guide to Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand (with low minimums) with Jay Arbetman266: From Self-Doubt and a Factory Job to Freelance Biz Owner: Caroline’s One-Year TransformationAbout Caroline:Caroline Kuhlman is a sample maker who specializes in collaborating with pattern makers to bring designs from 2D concepts to real-life garments—faster than factories can. Through her hands-on process, clients gain valuable insights that help prevent costly production mistakes. Caroline loves bringing the tech pack, pattern, and materials together for the first time—and proudly calls herself a sewing nerd at your service.Connect with Caroline:Email her at [email protected] out her websiteFollow on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price

If you’ve ever wondered *how the heck someone actually quits their job to freelance full-time*—this episode is it. Caroline Kuhlman went from working in a sewing factory, filled with doubt about her skills, to running her own thriving freelance fashion business...in just one year. She had no portfolio, no website, and no idea where to start. But she made it happen. In this episode, you’ll hear exactly how she did it—and the quiet, powerful steps that helped her finally leave a job that was draining the life out of her.Resources:020: The Step by Step Guide to Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand (with low minimums) with Jay Arbetman267: From $14/hour to $65/hour as a Freelance Sample Maker (Even Though She Was Scared AF to Charge More)About Caroline:Caroline Kuhlman is a sample maker who specializes in collaborating with pattern makers to bring designs from 2D concepts to real-life garments—faster than factories can. Through her hands-on process, clients gain valuable insights that help prevent costly production mistakes. Caroline loves bringing the tech pack, pattern, and materials together for the first time—and proudly calls herself a sewing nerd at your service.Connect with Caroline:Email her at [email protected] out her websiteFollow on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price

In Part 2, we pick up right where we left off—and go deep into the proposal process that helped Jade book aligned, high-paying clients without chasing or convincing. From discovery calls to saying no, you’ll hear exactly how she built a business model around energy alignment and long-term relationships—while raising a newborn.Resources:CLO3DStyle3DChris DoThe Fabricant AILook AINano Banana AI4 Fashion Designers Battle for $500 - Freelancer Pitching Challenge264: How Jade Strategically Prepared Her Freelance Business During Pregnancy (Part 1)About Jade:Jade is a seasoned 3D sartorial streetwear designer, pattern maker, and product developer who previously contributed her technical expertise at Alexander McQueen. Since 2013, has led design innovation through her creative studio, Atelier WCMF.With over 20 years of experience in pattern engineering and garment construction, Jade blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital tools (such as Clo3D, AI-enabled workflows, and virtual sampling) to streamline development, reduce waste, and deliver consistent high-quality results across collections.Connect with Jacqueline:Email her at [email protected] out her websiteFollow on Instagram Connect on LinkedIn Download my Freelance Price List just for fashion (it’s free!): sewheidi.com/price