Anyone make a living at quilting?
08-07-2010, 08:44 PM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,299
Originally Posted by littlehud
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.
08-07-2010, 09:10 PM
#43
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Central Louisiana
Posts: 34
There are 2 ladies here in town that are doing very well quilting for a living. Buttttttt on the downside, their hobby has turned into a bunch of deadlines. I quilt for the public also, but there's also a LQS that goes along with it. So I KNOW that my main objective is my customers.
08-08-2010, 01:04 PM
#44
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by raptureready
Originally Posted by mlaceruby
It is possible, I have accomplished this by being very diversified!
Also it doesn't happen overnight!
I have had my longarm for 6 years so it is now paid for, as well as my other equipment(machines,cutter etc.)
and you have to build a client base
right now I have a steady flow and can't take on more clients, this is because I want to keep them happy. they know that I will have no more that a month turn around on a top and a 2 month on a commissioned quilt.
I also discovered that to keep my costs down I had to buy wholesale, but the buying minimums are high.
So I started making kits, these I sell at very little over my wholesale cost. I don't make a living with these but they do help get my money back for the overpurchasing to meet my minimums. Some of which are $1000-$2000 per order.
you need to be creative and market yourself and your product!
also keep very good records!
Also it doesn't happen overnight!
I have had my longarm for 6 years so it is now paid for, as well as my other equipment(machines,cutter etc.)
and you have to build a client base
right now I have a steady flow and can't take on more clients, this is because I want to keep them happy. they know that I will have no more that a month turn around on a top and a 2 month on a commissioned quilt.
I also discovered that to keep my costs down I had to buy wholesale, but the buying minimums are high.
So I started making kits, these I sell at very little over my wholesale cost. I don't make a living with these but they do help get my money back for the overpurchasing to meet my minimums. Some of which are $1000-$2000 per order.
you need to be creative and market yourself and your product!
also keep very good records!
08-08-2010, 02:19 PM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,281
Well, if I quilted for a living, I'd be sure to lose weight..........by starvation! I'm a slooooow quilter! My grandmother used to hand quilt for others, however, it was just to suppliment their income. She also sewed garments for others, catered meals, and sold eggs and cream! She had a huge vegetable garden every year, and sold produce, and canned nearly all their winter's food supply. And, her house was always spotless!!! Boy, when I think back to her busy life, it makes me feel like a lazy slob!!! :oops:
08-08-2010, 03:34 PM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Originally Posted by humbird
Well, if I quilted for a living, I'd be sure to lose weight..........by starvation! I'm a slooooow quilter! My grandmother used to hand quilt for others, however, it was just to suppliment their income. She also sewed garments for others, catered meals, and sold eggs and cream! She had a huge vegetable garden every year, and sold produce, and canned nearly all their winter's food supply. And, her house was always spotless!!! Boy, when I think back to her busy life, it makes me feel like a lazy slob!!! :oops:
08-09-2010, 02:53 AM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 663
If you 're my age....I remember my grandmother taking care of her aging in- laws, canning, killing chickens that could no longer produce eggs, cooking food in the Summer on a wood stove for the 6 children, their spouses and the 12 grandchildren, the two Great-Grandparents,
not only housekeeping her house, but her in- laws house at the back of my grandparents lot in Santa Monica, CA . I remember the only entertainment as being a radio. I would sit on my Pampa's lap while he listened so intently to baseball games while holding his pipe in his mouth. I have those favorite pipes and cherish those memories from a time in the past that my grandchildren will never experience. I often wonder how my grandchildren will explain what life was like in the 21st Century to their grandchildren.... And I wonder too , what will happen and how much will change in this century .
not only housekeeping her house, but her in- laws house at the back of my grandparents lot in Santa Monica, CA . I remember the only entertainment as being a radio. I would sit on my Pampa's lap while he listened so intently to baseball games while holding his pipe in his mouth. I have those favorite pipes and cherish those memories from a time in the past that my grandchildren will never experience. I often wonder how my grandchildren will explain what life was like in the 21st Century to their grandchildren.... And I wonder too , what will happen and how much will change in this century .
08-09-2010, 01:35 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 304
I "want" to but seem to be having some trouble getting started. I have the use of the classroom at Hancock's two nights a week for teaching classes, but I have had trouble getting a lot of interest for night classes. I am on my own as far as advertising; I can't put signs up at Hancock's and most of the calls I get through other local advertising sources are just for information, and I wonder sometimes if they are mostly competitors checking out my prices and what I am offering. I don't expect to make a living at this, but would love to supplement my day job income, and maybe have a good business going one of these days. Any advice any of you novices might have would be appreciated.
08-09-2010, 01:46 PM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County PA
Posts: 1,241
Originally Posted by dforesee
I "want" to but seem to be having some trouble getting started. I have the use of the classroom at Hancock's two nights a week for teaching classes, but I have had trouble getting a lot of interest for night classes. I am on my own as far as advertising; I can't put signs up at Hancock's and most of the calls I get through other local advertising sources are just for information, and I wonder sometimes if they are mostly competitors checking out my prices and what I am offering. I don't expect to make a living at this, but would love to supplement my day job income, and maybe have a good business going one of these days. Any advice any of you novices might have would be appreciated.
08-09-2010, 01:51 PM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: North of Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 3,524
I make enough to support to my habit (quilting)
teaching folk art painting, quilting, 3 craft fairs, all around Nov and Dec. LAQ for friends and word of mouth. I have never advertised, I want to keep it as a hobby not a job. Before being laid off I worked 40 hours and still did the teaching, etc. It helps with a bill or two, or a special purchase, but does not make a living.
teaching folk art painting, quilting, 3 craft fairs, all around Nov and Dec. LAQ for friends and word of mouth. I have never advertised, I want to keep it as a hobby not a job. Before being laid off I worked 40 hours and still did the teaching, etc. It helps with a bill or two, or a special purchase, but does not make a living.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EllieGirl
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
24
04-29-2013 05:40 PM
Naturalmama
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
13
06-28-2012 10:07 AM
Brendat0426
Offline Events, Announcements, Discussions
11
12-18-2010 08:48 AM
