I was just curious to know how many readers of this forum sew or quilt, not just for fun, but to supplement your income?

I used to do some sewing for extra money, but I found that I really didn't enjoy it much. I kept thinking that I should be making things for my family instead of someone else who probably wouldn't appreciate it.

However, one of the things I did while in college was to make a complete set of the "drapery play clothes" for a stage production of "The Sound of Music." It was fun, and a great thing to see my work on stage.

Not routinely, but once in a while. I have sewn clothes, quilts and other items for sale.

I make small patchwork gift items for a local store. She buys everything I make and sells it in her store. I have an online store that sells my stuff and a free teaching site that has methods and projects that are free to all.
I have sold my stuff to Joette in Kalona Iowa for 11 years now. She takes everything I find time to make.

Occasionally I have made clothes, drapes and quilts for a fee.

I do.

I make baby quilts and lap quilts for an organization that I donate to and whenever somebody sees them they always want me to make them one for a friend or family member and I charge them. I don't charge much. But it keeps me in fabric and batting. I have plenty of business from that. I also have friends at work that are always asking me to make baby quilts and lap quilts for gifts. I don't mind doing it at all. My latest thing is making doll quilts. I love doing that because it usually only takes about 1 day to make one of those and I only charge about $15.

I'm averaging about 3 quilts a month. Not bad for side cash!

I sell almost everything!

What kind of things do you sell? I am always looking for inspiration!

I do American Girl Doll Quilts. Baby Quilts, Etc.....

i do.

very rarely do i get to sew for fun any longer. DH has been waiting 3 years for a quilt that is half way done.

I quilt for others, and I'm starting to make quilts to sell in my Dad's B&B.

brilliant idea!!

i can just see people snuggling in their room with a quilt and then wanting to bring one home as a memento.

At the speed that I work at (slow), and my rate of pay....

You couldn't afford me.

I quilt because I like it.

tim in san jose

I've never sold anything. I do have some ideas of supplimenting income as I hope to retire "early" at age 55. I have 10 years to go so maybe I can get some stock made up, enter shows, etc. and start building on that.

I quilt only for fun and for gifts. Maybe one day I'd look at selling but my fear is it would become a chore rather than a pleasure. A few years ago, I thought it would be a great idea to do gardening for people because that's my other passion. The plan was to do planting and light maintenance but I ended up doing heavy digging (then being told thanks and paid off, the client got the fun part of planting) and mowing huge lawns with inadequate mowers etc, etc. I nearly wrecked my back permanently and all for a few pounds an hour! For a while, it put me off gardening completely (I've since got the love back!). I'm worried if I quilted for paying clients, I'd end up doing stuff I hated because that's what THEY wanted. I'm lucky though that I don't have to make a buck (DH does that!) so I have the choice.

K x

I have sold items for 25+years, doing local craft shows, selling to special clients, etc... Lately, I have been commissioned to make history quilts - so far 10. This would consist of a collection of t-shirts that a person had kept over the years to make into a full or larger quilt. Rather rustic looking and two sided but I get such a kick out of seeing all the different places, countries, and activities a child or sport enthustiast attends. My favorites are the ones a mother collects for her child that is soon to graduate from high school. This would consists of t-shirts from when they were toddlers up to their current age. At the craft/art shows I do a number of baby quilts, wall hangings, original stuffed animals, and the list goes on. I love doing the "arts & crafts" shows because I can chose when and which one I want to do. My hubby & I have traveled through 5 different states, visiting parks and doing the shows along the way. Pays for all the traveling, food, entertainment and new fabric stash. Fun, fun and you meet some of the nicest people at craft shows.

I have sold quilts, placemat sets, Christmas things, my one of a kind tote bags and much more. I haven't made or sold much this year (in fact nothing yet) as I have been face and eyes into my new house and renos. My sewing studio will be up and running please God in a couple weeks and I will start in on what I want to sell for the upcoming Christmas season.

I also plan between now and the Fall season to have enough money saved up for my embroidery machine.

I quilt mainly for fun and gifts,I have made some commisioned pieces,and have one lined up to be done by christmas

I do it just for the fun and pleasure of it. I have donated quilts (and will continue to do that) and enjoy giving them away to friends, etc. I'm afraid that if I started to try to sell them..it wouldn't be "fun" anymore...besides...my insurance guy told me that if I sold them my sweet baby "Bernadette" wouldn't be covered :roll:

I love your nickname! Anytime I go anywhere even after I have dethreaded I still find threads! I have even found scraps and thread in the fridge! They take on a life of their own!! I am always covered in thread! I just love your nickname(had to repeat!)!!

I have had a sewing/alterations business in my home for about 40 years. I love it. When I was out in the work place and I saw a lot of people, I became lonesome not seeing anyone. Then someone asked me to hem a pair of slacks and that began it all. I cannot tell you just how many wedding/bridesmaids/mob/flower girls, etc. I also do a lot of alterations and have a very good customer base.

i usually sell for my 'needs' making what I want - -- but will happily sew for someone else - just made an apron for someone at church to give to her secret sis.

Occasionally, I make baby blankets, when a request comes in. I usually give my quilts away or as presents. I, too, quilt for the love of quilting (and the buying of fabrics and threads and petting fabric, hoarding it, appreciating it, not wanting to cut it...and the list goes on!!) :lol: :roll:

I sew for gifts and for my church raffle quilts! Have thought about sewing for profit, but don't want the more pressure of deadlines! :?

As for my nickname, it was given to me by my wonderful hubby of 36+ years. He is constantly picking threads up around the house and off of me. It was a joke at first but it then grew on me! :D And I liked the feel of it so much I started to use it in closing the articles I write for our local quilter's guild newsletters. I've sewn forever but only recently joined this local quilter's guild - 3 years ago. This is when I found out that Quilters are some of the most precious people - warm, welcoming and giving people. They always want to share in celebrating your completed projects, help you get past obstacles that get in your way to complete a project and the first ones to help in donating quilts & items to local organizations that are in need. It was my father that taught me quilting, my mother taught me the art of sewing but both my parents taught me the value of giving back to my community and country. And this Quilter has finally found her nich. Which of course is
Covered in threads.

i did tailoring in college for the extra money and then after marriage out of boredom, especially at home with babies. i liked making my own hours and shooing away people i didn't like. i did this for (counting on fingers) over 30 years, dressmaking and quilting. now only as special favors for special people. i have always garment sewn for husband, daughter, son and me.
i absolutely excel at shirts, bound buttonholes and pockets, creative zipper insertion and strapless dresses and gowns with boning. also, most difficult of all, pants that actually fit. tailoring is a great hobby and a big-ticket service.
are you thinking of trying your hand?

and i'm modest, too. what else can you want?

rofl...I do some work for my friends...(aka anyone who quilts) I found by making tshirt quilts that anyone who does NOT sew or quilt has NO clue what all is involved in making a quilt.

I quoted a price to a lady who wanted like 60 shirts in one quilt! I told her it would be HUGE! Until she heard the $$ She couldn't believe it. And I never heard from her again... GOOD!!!!

Now anyone who pieces a top and sends it to me has absolutely no problem with $. They appreciate the work I do for them and I appreciate and take care of the tops they piece.

Oh I do alterations to!

I used to do dressmaking and tailoring many years ago. I made all the samples for a fabric shop and took orders. I also did alterations. After awhile the fun went out of the orders and alterations. I then started making place mats, table cloths, runners, wall hangings and small quilt and other home dec. items selling them at craft fairs. I also did Decorative painting and folk art painting selling that at the shows too. I enjoyed the shows as I did what I wanted and it all eventually sold.

The more I got into quilting the more I wanted it as my own hobby, not a business. I still paint some and will sell it when I have an outlet, but my quilting is now my hobby for me...

Hi,

I work at my local quilt shop and sew many of the samples for the shop, also cut kits and FQs etc. I get paid for my hours, and they are spent sewing most days, so yes, I make money sewing. It is fun....get to "play" with all the new fabrics for free.

Bev

that was one of the bonuses of sewing for others ..... i got to keep all the leftover fabric, yuummm! since i only ever sewed for people i liked,it was like having company while i did what i liked doing anyway. and i could be a stay-at-home mom those early years. when they were older i worked a few days a week right in town for an upscale dress "shoppe" doing alterations.
didn't like that. the women were all snobs.