Anyone make a living at quilting?
#11
My MIL and I used to do a lot of craft fairs in years past, in the last couple of years we have shifted more to quilts...we do a lot of commissioned work. Last year we opened a new business, and this year I launched a blog. We do okay, make enough to buy what we need, it helps that we work from home. I'm glad my hubby has a good job, though! :D
#12
I did it for 15 years and burned out. All the deadlines!
I machine quilted for a business, made quilts for fabric companies, taught in a quilt shop, lectured, workshops at guilds, and worked in the quilt shop 4 days a week which kept me grounded. I was always tired and my relationship took a tole, I was always sewing, even as a passenger in the car.
now I work a real job and I feel like I go to work to rest because I am still doing the quilting for others, lecturers, workshops, classes at shops.
I machine quilted for a business, made quilts for fabric companies, taught in a quilt shop, lectured, workshops at guilds, and worked in the quilt shop 4 days a week which kept me grounded. I was always tired and my relationship took a tole, I was always sewing, even as a passenger in the car.
now I work a real job and I feel like I go to work to rest because I am still doing the quilting for others, lecturers, workshops, classes at shops.
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,375
I haven't yet, but I plan to try longarm quilting and custom quilting for just a little extra income per month. By the time I get some more of my tops done, I should be comfortable taking in other people's precious tops. I don't need to make a living, just add a little extra each month to be able to pay some of my bills off that just don't ever seem to get smaller.
#14
I machine quilted for others for over 10 years. At one point I had a bus. partner and we both had machines. We did about 40 to 50 quilts a month. I also made quilts for people. But you get tired of standing at the machine for 6 to 8 hrs a day. We made a good living at it but was very hard work. I still quilt for some but have really cut back. I have 12 quilt tops of my own waiting to be quilted. so there is a down side to quilting for others. I love the people in the quilting world and would not change a min. of any of the time I have spent quilting for others.
#15
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 32,855
I just quilt for relaxation. When I got my frame I swear quilters came out of the walls at the hospital I work at. I could have quilted tops for a year. The only problem I have is when it becomes a paying business it's not longer relaxing for me. I will quilt tops for my sis if she wants but that's all I'm looking for right now.
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,451
I made a bargello jacket with lots of Judy Murrah techniques from Jacket Jazz...........I used high end fabrics lots of them.........has flying geese, PP fans, prarie braid..........sheesh.........a family friend asked my how much I would charge to make one for his wife. I told him he didn't have enough money.......gggg..........but that I would help his wife make on. Haven't heard another word about it from him............go figure..............calla/Sue
#17
Originally Posted by leatheflea
Does anyone one here quilt and earn a good wage doing so?
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 13,257
I just made a throw quilt and a lap quilt for a friend and I received money for it. It's hard to figure out how much to charge because, if you charge by hour, a quilt could cost into the high hundreds or more.
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