I could never make a living sewing because the spirit hits me at such odd times :) I have no discipline ;)

Nope, I couldn't sew, knit, crochet, etc. for money. Too much time and money goes into creating and not enough profit. Besides, I have too many family members to make for. And, if I did it for money it wouldn't be fun anymore.

DITTO!!! That quilting mojo sure is a flibberty-gibbet!

I haven't made a living from it, but I have used my sewing skills for bartering before. One time traded LR and DR curtains w/ an electrician in exchange for some wiring work. Another time made a king-sized quilt for a painter who did all of my first floor and the 4 bedrooms on the second floor. I have also made curtains for money. Quilts, too. But never enough to make a living out of it. i think it would take the fun out of it for me.

have for 30+ years-
mending-
alterations-
clothing-
totes/purses-
home dec items-
and of course
quilts...
sometimes i get so tired of replacing zippers- hemming pants---thank goodness i have quilting/creating as an escape.
i actually do not (encourage) the mending/alterations work---charge what i consider a ridiculous price (that i would never pay) but gosh darn it- people are still willing to pay---and still bring me those pants with broken zippers-
or clothes that need some alterations...oh well- i might not make a living at it- but it supports my (quilting addiction) :)

I do some and am hoping to make it full time soon.

I used to sew tents

DH suggested this to me years ago but I told him "sewing is my pleasure I don't want it to be a job". My answer would be the same today. Not to say I haven't done sewing and been paid for it. I was commissioned to do a quilt several years ago and was paid $300.00. I was told to charge at least $500.00 but as it was a friend of DH I couldn't charge that much.
At the moment I'm making 8 Bowtucks Bags that I will be paid for. I'm not making any money though by the time I count fabric, threads and my time.
I get far more pleasure from the charity quilts etc. I make. Made 10 pair of shorts in a day last week that gave me pleasure to make as they were for Project & Care.

The only way I would do it is to make quilts, have a good selection, then sell them. A friend of my mother's did that years ago, I have 3 of her quilts. She was 91 when she quit.

Before I became too stressed out to work I was making good money doing home dec sewing for an interior designer. I did window treatments, bed skirts, pillow shams, tablecloths, etc. I averaged between $15 - $20 an hour.