Hi Everyone,

I'm new here and have been bitten by the quilting bug. I'm interested in making some supplemental income and preparing for another career after retirement from the military...hopefully a long way off:)

Here is the scenario.please tell me your thoughts(especially those who are doing long arm work now or have dealt with hiring machine quilters).

I have no experience at this time. I buy an apqs millenium with a computer. I practice on my own projects and charity projects but hope/plan to use the computerized system to quilt for a business as soon as I feel would not harm anyone's hard work with my lack of experience and produce a good product And practice free form for myself during that time.

How hard is it to break in...is there enough demand in the metro dc area to at
least do 4 quilts a month...enough to break even on business expenses. Can I be as busy as I want to be in this area or is the demand just not high enough.

I'm going to talk to quilt shops but I wanted to talk to people that aren't also hoping to sell me something:)

The other idea is to put my business on the side burner, buy a Bailey and a frame and just do it for myself. I would be happy if I were busy enough in the business to pay off the equipment each month and anything over that would be a bonus. I was very excited about doing something I find so interesting, but I also want to be realistic about my chances of success.

Could you tell me your thoughts?

If you are depending on quilt business to pay for your LA then I would say don't. Just my opinion. But I can't know your determination or drive to succeed so follow your instincts.

I say, when your hobby becomes work, it is not fun anymore. I used to make things and people would say, I'll pay you to make me one, then they would make demands and it wasn't worth the money to me. I would rather make things for friends and family.

first find out how many LA quilter's are in that area, call them and find out what they charge and what their turn around time...then find a show where you can take a class and use their machine to do your own quilting...then in say 2-3 years, if you have the drive, experience and money, you might give another looksie to see how things have changed in that time frame..as in how many LA quilter's are there now..more or less of them?? cost of doing quilting has it gone up or down...

Then ask yourself this most important question...in today's economy, can YOU afford to spend $1,000 to have one quilt made???

I get asked this question all the time.
First please keep in mind, quilting for yourself and enjoying the process is one thing. Are you ready to take some thing that is relaxing for your own personal quilting and incorporate the stress of a business into it. If so, I do belive the the work finds you. You can be as busy as you want to be. Good luck.

I agree with mary J- but if you want to go ahead, take a class in starting a business and make a business plan. It would be fun to do that anyway even if you change your mind.

There are places where you can rent time on a LA. Some places have a few different kinds/brands for rent. Some LA quilters may rent time on their LA. Why not try out several of them? See if you like to use a LA and are comfortable doing so.

I agree with this. If you haven't done any quilting yet, you should probably try it out to make sure you don't hate the work. Also - I pray that if you DO go ahead and open a business, you PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE before taking on paying customers. There have been LOTS of stories here of people upset with inexperienced longarmers because their quilt was ruined in one way or another.

I did check out some long arms. I thought it was so cool...I was not very good, my designs were shaky in the little time I demoed it. I know that I wouldn't be good enough at free form to accept business for quite a long time, but had hoped having a computerized system would enable me to start quickly.

I also have rheumatoid arthritis so I'd like to find a career that I can turn to if I can no long serve in the military...with the computer, and upgrades to the apqs it would be pretty decent for my body with some help from my husband.

Please don't think I'm taking this lightly. I would never want to damage someone's work because of my lack of experience.

I tried the handiquilter avante and found the experience very enjoyable.
I am trying a millennium this weekend...that's about it for the area.

Do you think if I went the cheaper route and bought a Bailey 15 and did a good job with pantographs, that I could also get work quilting? Could I be successful that way too...cause then I wouldn't have the pressure of a business loan.

I think everyone has a different experience and it is hard to guage/ gather information based on everyone else..I have a different history than most.
I would agree that you no longer get time to work on your own projects..either because you are so busy doing everyone else's projects..or because it is no longer a fun "hobby" it's a job.
I would also say get used to long hours in front of a machine...sore shoulders/feet/back. Strained eyes from focusing so hard..LOL
I would also say that so many things are just about experiences..I have cried many tears...but I have had far more joys. Just like with anything you choose in life. Can you handle the rejection when someone doesn't like your work? I know professional show quilter's (the ones that make it into PAducah every year) that have had people complain about their work...style or whatever.
It happens to everyone......
I think you need to pray about it....meditate...and the answer will come to you. It doesn't matter what anyone else says......I have never been in charge from the beginning.....

On another note...I own Innova's..it's a really nice machine..if you need details let me know.
But friend of mine just got a Bailey's and I tried it out last week..I think it's a great machine...moved easily on the chassey...good stitches...visibility...it is a very nice starter machine to test the waters.

I live in the DC area and if you want a quilt done in less than 3-4 months forget it. I do not know anywhere you can buy time on a machine. I send my quilts away to be quilted for about 25% of local cost and I get it back in 3 weeks or less, beautifully done. Is it needed, yes. Economically, you are safe here due to the gov. Money. Check with the LQS and Guilds to get an idea of needs. This is a growing industry, each year brings out more new Quilters. I do commission work for Architects and designers. They like to have fabric quilted to cover couches, etc. That is not something a reg. LAQ will do but it's a job for money.

another thing to think about is that it takes a long time to build up your customer base...we built ours up over the years and then moved 40 miles away and have kept most of our customers because we go back to that city alot and meet them anytime they want or they occassionally they drive to the country to meet us...we have a huge customer base here now from all surrounding cities....just don't create your business so large that all you do is work...Quilting is fun and worrisome as well and even more so when you are meeting the demands of the quilting public

just because you plan to have a computerized machine does not mean you will not still need lots of time at the machine- you stated you have arthritis- how long are you going to be able to hold onto those handlebars before your hands are killing you? or your shoulders/back?
a long arm customer base starts with one person- and grows- she likes the quilt you quilted-shows it off- someone else calls- you do hers, ect---it is not an instant - ok i'm in business---and quilting enough to cover any expenses-it takes time= and you might jump in and decide you hate it!
it would be better to start with that bailey- get good- show off- pick up some business here & there if you want to- and as your customer base grows you can upgrade to bigger/fancier more expensive machinery- instead of starting with the expensive- and finding out it's not for you.

I recently started renting time on a long arm--Gammill--and the only problem I can see is trying to hurry so it doesn't take hours and hours. I did a quilt that was about 60 x 80 and it took me 4 1/2 hours. I think that is less that a pro would have cost. I did a simple pantogram and it looked pretty good--JMHO. The only draw back that I could see is working continously for that long (back ache due to fracture last year). I figured that I would have to make over 100 quilts to pay for the machine I would want to buy, and I don't think that would make it worth while. That and adding a studio to my house to accomodate the 14 foot machine. I have no desire to quilt for profit. Too much pressure to get it perfect.
Sue

I have a long arm and love to quilt, however I do have shoulders that do freeze up at times, due to medication I took during chemo.I can not do it very long before my shoulders hurts. I think it would be wise to rent one for about 4 hours a couple of days just to see if you are going to be able to do it. :?

I was lucky enough to know a LAer who introduced me to a Longarm Guild in my area. I went to the monthly meetings and learned so much about what the business is really like from listening to the roundtable discussions. My suggestion is to visit your LQS to see if such a guild exists in your area. Your LQS most likely contracts with a LAer to quilt for the shop. Get a number and talk to the LAer. Join as many online LA forums as you can find. There are several Yahoo groups for long armers. There is also an APQS Yahoo group. Quiltropolis also has a group. It's really important to get as much "real life" information as you can. Not only about the machine, but about possible "trouble" quilts and how to work them, pricing, licensing, wholesale purchasing, advertising --- the list goes on. So arm yourself with as much information as you can to help you with your decision.
Longarming is fun, rewarding work. I really am glad I chose to get into it. But the bottom line is that it IS a business and you have to treat it that way.
One final bit -- for me, my work is sort of seasonal -- I am busiest in the spring because of quilt gifts for graduations and weddings and in the winter because of quilts given as Christmas and Chaunaukka. So the business can have "fat" times and "lean" times. The business is solely based on customer demand.
Best wishes with your venture. If I can be of any help, feel free to PM. If I have bored you to tears with my bloviating, my apologies.
Ruth

Thanks so much for all your advice and input. I will take many of your suggestions. I do plan on joining a guild to gain more information. I've talked to two quilt stores in the area to feel out the situation and got some positive feedback on the local area demand...seems like if I become good at this, the work will be there. still not sure what we are going to do. It's a huge decision, but id really like to start thinking of ways to generate income for when I retire. Thanks again:)

I'm making my first t-shirt quilt tonight and loving it!