I was just wondering......

I myself have been asked that hundreds of times "Oh do you sell any of your quilts?" and I have always said no I just give them away. We all know that most of the quilts that we make if we sold them for what they are worth it would be in the thousands of dollars. Well now since I have a few under my belt and gotten the hang of it I am fixing to start my own "Quilting" business as such.

Everyone loves to go green and with all of the hype about it why not make a business built around recycling and helping to erase some of the carbon footprint.

This kinda ties into the "do you use sheets" thread because the answer to this for me is yes it does. Along with shirts,curtains, blankets, and cotton scraps. Plus they are all sewn on a treadle so there is no carbon footprint from the making of it.

I have ads on Freecycle and CL for cotton materials and I have talked to a couple of my neighbors, church members asking if they or anyone that they know have any old bedding, shirts and cotton material that they didn't use anymore send it on! Since the word has gotten out I am getting all sorts of things coming in.

Now the best part about it I can sell the quilts for a reasonable price because there is almost no overhead its all labor. I will have the price of thread to deal with but have you seen my thread stash?!? I already have 3 of them sold using my "Proud Mary" pattern and now I am being asked to do a bazaar with me bringing one of my treadles and working on a quilt while I sell them and take orders.

This little venture will not make me millions, but it will foot the bill for more sewing machines (you never can have too many treadles :mrgreen: ) and materials for my personal quilting habit. Who knows I might have a long arm before I know it..........

Billy

Brilliant idea, Billy ! The whole concept of recycling and repurposing, and the fact that you do them on a treadle. Kudos to you!!! I'd come watch you :)

Way to go Billy!!!!!!! I hope you do very well with it! It is a great feeling when you sell your work!! You have a great business idea there!

Good thinking Billy. I make quilts for people too. I also check Craig's list often.

I would put you to work!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

You never quilted until you have done a complete one on a treadle! :thumbup:

Billy

You inspire me! I got to get busy fixing my treadle up. I have to get a belt for it and figure out why the foot won't lower but the lever will go up and down that controls that? I have to find some cleaner without pumice to clean her up on her backside (dust from laying in her cabinet for 10 years). It's my first treadle and I really don't think it is going to take much to get her going! Besides she is a beautiful Redeye!

I think I'd need a few lessons. And knowing me, probably more than a few....

I've sold a few. I don't make to many to sell, just don't have the time.

Way to go!!!!

It was nice of them to ask you to "quilt as you sell"...but have they ever had to load a treadle machine into a van??? I can barely lift mine get it over the carpet edge...
Glad that you have found another outlet for your terrific quilts....