Does anyone one here quilt and earn a good wage doing so?

I love you Ruth Buzzy...............such good memories from Laugh In!

Welcome aboard! This is a great bunch of people!

I used to belong to the MasonDixon Quilt Professionals Network. Many of those ladies make money at quilting. Most of them teach, demostrate or create designs for other quilters. I hired them as speakers and instructors when I was program chair for two different guilds. I know several nationally known quilters. I think they make money from selling their designs or teaching etc. I don't know of any who are totally supporting themselves or a family that way. The longarmers in my area are the ones that seem to be making money. Or course you have to do a lot of quilts to pay for that machine. When I did a lot of handquilting the money was nice but I sure didn't count on it for a regular income.

I WISH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I make a living waitressing to support my quilting, lol!!!!!!!!!!!

i have been doing better and better in the past couple years, used to be i was very busy quilting for people and completing commissioned items between October and March; the past year or two i have found myself busier during what used to be the 'non-quilting months'
so, if i would just catch up with myself i'd be making pretty good $$...the pick up in business is great i just wasn't prepared for all of the busy changes that have been taking place this summer. my goal has been to be making enough to pay my bills by the time i am again out of work (i work private duty home nursing/my client is 97 years old, he's not going to last forever :( )and i think i am doing good staying on track for that goal. it used to be i only worried about making enough money to keep my self quilting without having to dip into the household budget. i've managed that for about 5 years now. the beginning of this year when i changed jobs was when hubby and i decided i should re-assess my business plan and make some positive changes so when the time comes i won't have to go out and find another job i will already have one at home. :)

I don't have time. Maybe after all the kids are on thier own I might try. By then I should be really good at it.

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!

Not me. I barely get one finished...

CarrieAnn, did you get job at Joannes?

And just so you know, her kits are wonderful!! Good fabric, nicely cut. So if you haven't ordered one you're in for a treat when you do. These aren't like kits that you buy in a store. The pieces in her quilt kits actually fit together and the threads in the fabrics are close together unlike the cheesecloth that comes in a lot of the "store bought" kits.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Just reading this question makes me laugh me head off. It's hard to even imagine such a thing -- people who do it are talented geniuses for sure. It would be about the same as me making a living by selling my homemade chocolate chip cookies (my coworkers tell me I should do that).

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.

I quilt for fun! And they're gifts for family.....the most expensive they'll get! I did sell totes, but I burned out after selling about 50 of them.

Do be careful taking a loved hobby and converting to a business. It can go from fun, relaxing, and exciting to a chore, just like any other, and no time/energy for what you want to do.

I keep thinking about doing LAM quilting as a business, but I am afarid it will take away the fun I have now. This was a good thread and answered some of my unasked questions. Think I'll keep doing what I am doing.

Hear, hear! You are so right!

I have been selling my patchwork gift items to a local gift store for 12 years. She could have sold more if I had had more time to make more. I am now writing EBooks on my methods and do ok on it all. I don't get rich off of it and I plow the money back into the business in the free templates and all the materials. But it is satisfying.

I have sold pre-cut kits on Ebay. Must say it is a lot of work, but I enjoy the design process and picking out the fabrics. And cutting fabric is done on my Accuquilt Studio die cutter for the most part. I don't have anything for sale at the moment as I burned out on it for awhile too. Thinking about putting some kits up for sale again in time for fall and Christmas. Can I live on what I earn - most definitely not! But it does help keep me in fabric! :) And, since that was my goal, I guess it's all OK.

I love your cut down method. Good way to use up scraps.

I only quilt my own quilts. If I quilted for pay it would become a job and I already have one of those. I make quilts for family, totes for friends and family. My BFF and I bought an HQ-16 together and it's set up at her office/warehouse. She lives an hour and a half away so I don't get to practice much. If I did quilt a quilt for someone they would be sorely disappointed - LOL.

I only quilt for pleasure. A few friends wanted quilts made, then balked at the cost (that is my cost, no profit). Once they started making change after change on the colors, I gave up and told them I would show them how to quilt, but would not make one for them. All receivers are thrilled with their unexpected quilt gifts and that is what keeps me quilting. Love of family and friends!

I used to but it became like any other job and now I just don't like to do the quilting even on my quilts.

Noway, I hand quilt for pay and no one wants to pay for it. So occasionaly I sell one but mostly I piece and quilt for the enjoyment and therepeutic effect on myself. lol

I think this is a very legitimate question and have often wondered about it myself. I am a sahm after 10 years of working outside our home. I have found that if I have enough word of mouth (and it's spreading) I can get enough business to bring in enough extra money to help out with our bills. Could I make a living if I had to? Probably, but it would entail alot more work on my part - both with advertising and with the actual working end of it. Right now I just quilt for those who ask me to... I sold a table runner - the one in my avatar for $50 because the person was at my house and liked it - so it was hers - it actually goes with a wall hanging I'm making for her - for free because she can't applique. She knows I do this for money and if she chooses to pay me - I'll not say no. :)

I second that. I use to love to sew and design clothes started doing it as a business out of my home when my son was small. I grew to hate the sight of the sewing machine.And I won't even mention the people. I rarely make clothes anymore. Just quilts and belly bands for dogs. Even the belly bands have gotten old I would rather quilt. I did just repair a quilt for a friend and charged her $45 anyone else would have been twice that. But its ok. She gave me some free vitamins which is her business. I would love to be able to supplement my disability though and still have time to do what I want

I make extra money. Most of the time I give the quilts away. I am making a baby quilt and a Tee shirt quilt for money. I'm trying to buy hardwood floor for 3 rooms.
Thank goodness I have a brother that can install it.

I'm happy that this thread came up........have often wondered about this question. Think I'll just keep doing what I am doing.....for my own enjoyment.

I was thinking of buying a long arm quilter to try and make some money, but after thinking about it, I thought that as soon as my love of quilting becomes a job, I will hate it. So No, I just quilt for myself, family and friends. Some I've even told them, you buy the material...and I'll make it for you. Then it's still not a job just a good friend who can't afford to buy the material for everyone.

I love doing my own quilts and what appeals to me. If someone wants to purchase one these, fine. I was a professional seamstress and made a good living at that for years. All the years I stayed home and raised our son, that is.

I had my sewing studio at home. I used the same studio to teach folk art years later when I got sick of the sewing business lol.

Funny thing tho, I never got tired of teaching folk art or quilting. I used to teach quilting at my local LQS and sometimes I feel to go teach again but am having too much fun at home.

I got the longarm about 4 years ago and it has already paid for itself so I dont' care if I quilt another quilt or not lol. I don't advertise and just people who really know me bring their quilts and that is just fine.

I have worked out of the house jobs too, when My son was grown, for some years too and traveled a lot for the paint company. I guess that is way I feel like I just really want to do what I want....I have payed my dues lol....

I have done craft shows with my folk art. I did two a year and those were so fun. I sold very well but not enough to make a living. It payed for christmas and for more supplies, well it's good if it can support itself and it did. When I got out of that, I sold all books patterns etc on ebay and made quite a bit. It's amazing how much money we have invested in our crafts.

My wife is an avid quilter and wanted an easy way to document her quilts, so my partner and I developed a software program and are selling it on the internet and at quilt shows. Not quite a full time income yet, but a fun retirement income supplement, plus we get to travel to quilt shows all over the country. If anyone is going to Houston for the quilt show, stop in and say hi at our booth. QuiltAlbum.com

My daughter and I got a longarm and we make quilts to sell,[baby quilts, lap quilts and queen sized].Not many sell around us-would like to make a little money to cover expenses.

I just started a couple of weeks ago and within the first week I had 8 orders and now I am up to 18 so we will see how everything goes.alot of people are ordering for christmas right now.I put up a page on FB and I have orders from Australia the UK and more places already.

I have a long arm quilting business that I do at home. My DH and I thought it would work well with our ever changing schedule in our family and it really has worked out well! I quilt when I am home and can participate in one of our daily 2 carpools. I also make T-shirt quilts and photo quilts from start to finish. I also teach long arm quilting classes at a LQS as well as new owner classes for frame quilters at the shop. I get a discount at the store, which is a nice perk as well.
To answer the question-do I make a living at quilting? No, but it supplements my DH's income nicely. Since I do work at home most of the time, I look forward to going to teach at the quilt shop-gets me out of the house and I get to see all the wonderful new things that are constantly coming in at the shop! My biggest challenge these days is finding time to sew my own projects and hem DH's slacks! :D

Hi Friends, can you give me a ball park idea on how much a
long arm quilter would cost. I am handicap and have to rely on my husband taste when it comes to my fabric purchases. He complains but still does it. He said if I could find out approx. how much the machines cost he might just get one to help me. How nice is that?
Angeline