If you could quilt your own quilt?
 

I'm thinking of starting a new business, the idea is to open a quilting shop (only long arm quilting supplies stocked), where customers could come & use the stores long arm machines to quilt their own quilts for a nominal fee. If something like this was available in your area, would you use it as opposed to sending your quilts out for hire??? Of course those wanting to use machines would have to go through a 3-4 hr class on use & then reserve time for the machines. This shop would also be a machine dealer offering machines for sale & travel to shows. I'm wondering if the need is out there & if the expense would be offset by the income. Not looking to make a killing, only enough to pay overhead. What do you all think? All opinions are welcome

Sounds good! I would certainly think about going to a shop like that. The sewing center I frequent does that. They have machines in a large studio in the back just like what they sell in front. And yes you have to take a class if you want to rent a machine. Not sure how much they charge. They do sell other sewing notions. They also repair.

I know of at least one place that does this -- they offer classes on the machine which are mandatory if you want to quilt on their machines. I wish we had such a place where I live. I would use it! I think that some people then end up buying a machine from the dealer once they find out they can do it! Good luck in your venture!

I wish more think like here in georgia

I would love to try to use a LA on a quilt. However can it reasonably be done in one visit? You couldn't have the machine tied up if someone gets tired and needs a break once the quilt is loaded I am guessing. The pricing would be a factor, but sounds like a great idea to me.

I used to rent time on a long arm at a shop near my house, sadly they closed recently. She had 3 Gammill machines, and only rented one of them. She quilted for others. I did have to take a class and buy the zippers to load the quilt. The zippers cut the loading time quite a bit. I usually could finish a small--twin sized quilt in about 4 hours. It is kind of hard to quilt for 4 hours because I have a bad back. It was also somewhat inconvenient to plan ahead as to when you wanted to go to the shop and quilt. I really enjoyed quilting on the big machine, but only could do pantos. I'm sure it would take a lot longer if you wanted to do free designs. Your idea sounds wonderful, and I wish you luck if you decide to go with it. Wish I lived closer to you.
Sue

There are people who want to rent time on a longarm and are willing to pay to do it. There are people who have successful businesses incorporating this activity. Be sure that you have a good business plan before starting up, and that your expenses will be covered even in months when there aren't as many customers. It's not usually the idea that fails, but its execution.

I have to agree with Susie about how long it takes to do the quilting. I have a LA and my twin size quilts are on it minimum of 2 days for a simple edge to edge pattern, I do all free hand. That being said Having a shop like that would be great, a LA takes up a lot of floor space in the sewing room.

I rent the Gammill at my LQS for anything larger than a cot or lap quilt. To me, not having to wrestle and grapple three layers of quilt is worth every penny! I had one lesson with the owner and luckily took to it like the proverbial duck.

More is charged for the first hour (loading the quilt on) as presumably the time of one of the shop assistant is factored in, then there is a set rate per hour after that.

If you want to use a pantograph you need an additional lesson. It's in use most days. :)

I would do that...I would like to learn how to do it. But then that would probably only make me want to buy my own once I got my hands on it

I'm a hand quilter but would like to be able to sandwich and baste my queen and king size quilts on a long arm. Renting time would work for me.

There are two shops near me that do this; one is about 2 miles from my house. I keep thinking about doing it, but the cost seems pretty high to me. My local stores have a 3 hour class @ $60/hour; so it's $180 just to learn. Then renting time is the same $60/hour, in 1-hour increments. I figure it'll take at LEAST 2-3 hours to quilt a queen or king size quilt, and that's probably pretty optimistic... That time DOES include having a skilled employee there with you the whole time to help load the quilt and deal with any issues (and also probably to keep an eye on their expensive machine!) so that's helpful and will certainly save some time. Both shops seem to have pretty much identical pricing and policies.

So I'm torn...I don't want to send my quilts out for quilting because then I don't feel like it's fully "my" quilt. But paying that much to do the work myself doesn't quite make sense to me either. Then again...I don't have the space for my own LA and even if I did it's nice to know that if the machine has tension problems or breaks down it's not going to be MY problem. I make kind of a lot of quilts, though, and there's no way I could afford to spend that much to quilt all of them there, it'd have to be something I only did for very special quilts...

So I'm kind of all over the place on this one. I don't think the prices are unreasonable, I'm just not sure I'm willing to pay it.

Sounds like a great idea if you can start with one machine and see how it goes. Wonder if you could post flyers or ads and ask those interested to give you a call (and maybe give you info on what they'd like to "see" in the shop? Any guilds you could visit to talk about it? Good luck! Keep us posted!

There have been previous post with concerns of insurance when renting out a longarm. You might want to check into that aspect of opening a business. I wish you the best of luck..

good idea I'd go wish there was a place like that in my area id have to drive to Lancaster bout hr and half drive and not even sure if the shops there offer that.....good luck hope it happens for you

Wow, so many replies so quickly, thanks. I think a fair rate to rent out a machine would be around $25 an hour. Most quilts can be done in four hours if they use all over quilting or a large panto. Of course a small/more intricate panto would take a bit longer. A class of 3 or 4 hours for training, then require them to purchase their own zipper leaders (they can put them on at home- save them oodles of time loading) require to buy their own pack of needles, have batting & backing they can purchase if needed, small charge for using thread or purchase their own. If I build my own building next to home, (I have 70 acres) no rent, just electric. I'll have to give it more thought, throw it out to the old man who also lives with me & see what he thinks. Seems like so many would be interested. Have thought of insurance, licenses, advertising & the like, have been in business before but that was a charter fishing business & the two are nothing alike. I'll still wait for more replies from you all & see what others say.

Two of the LA dealers in my area offer this service. But they do it more to sell LA machines then to make ends meet just offering rental service. Both also operate more traditional quilt shops with fabric and piecing supplies like rulers and such. They only have a very small inventory of LA supplies. Most LAQ that I know order their supplies on line or get them at shows but sometimes you are in a bind and need thread quick so turn to the shop.

I would think most people willing to pay the premium to rent a LA machine would expect the machine to be stitch regulated. The average stitch regulated LA retail price starts at around $8 to $9,000 for the lowest end machine. Most LA manufacturers would expect you to have several ranges of machine in house from low end to high end computer driven set ups. Especially if you plan on exhibiting at shows. Also most of the big manufacturers have established dealer territories already. Have you researched your area for LA dealers and for which brands. Oh yes, you would not be able to carry multiple brands to be a dealer. I am pretty sure all the LA manufacturers want their dealers to be exclusive to their brand (Gammel, A-1, Nolting, ABM Innova, etc) You are talking a minimal start up cost of at least $50K and that is probably a low end figure that doesn't include insurance, property rental, utilities, etc.

My issue with rental was I wanted to get good at longarming, an all over meander or simple E2E panto is all that can be completed in a few hours. The average rental time was $50 to $60 per hour after training. both dealers are over 1 hour drive so I knew I could never get the needed practice time in. for those that just want to get their quilts quilted... assume 3 hours rental for an all over meander on an 80 x 100 quilt will cost the average consumer $150 (figuring $50 per hour and they have already paid for training). They can send an 80 x 100 quilt out to a professional LAQ for an all over meander for anywhere from $80 - $120. It doesn't take the renters long to figure that out. So they either turn to sending out or start saving their money for purchasing their own.

The dealers in my area offer rental as a courtesy. A side line. For one dealer, their primary business is being an LQS because they have a large inventory of fabric and notions and also sell domestic sewing machines in addition to LA. In fact I believe the LA aspect of their business is just a side thing. The other dealer is primarily a long arm dealer. Most of their income comes from sales of machines but they also supplement with fabrics and notions. Seems to me if they could make or even break even by just renting time on their machines they would do so.

There is a quilt shop about 2hours away that ,last time I checked, was 50.00 for the initial lesson (1 hour) and then 10.00 per hour after that. I am going to assume that the renter supplies needles, thread, and of course backing and batting. I would be interested, but it's a bit of a drive. If the shop was closer to me, I would rather do my own. The last time I had quilt longarmed, it was 145.00 and she didn't quilt it the way I asked or use the color thread I asked for. She did do a beautiful job, just not the one I wanted. Won't go back.

Someone else mentioned that it took a couple of hours to do a twin sized quilt, so I'm guessing it would take me at least 3-4 hours to do a queen sized, and that would amount to $180 to $240 for a queen, which is in the range of what I pay my longarmer to do it for me. I'd love to learn, and doing it might even entice me to buy one, but I probably wouldn't pay this much when I can pay an expert the same.

Eventually, I will have my own machine, but for now, I still have someone else do the quilting. There is a LQS about an hour away from where I live that does what you are thinking of. She only has one machine and only rents in 4-hour increments, but she has several zipper systems so that your quilt can be removed when your time limit is up. She also sells the fabric, notions, and the zipper systems in her shop. (I think she may make more profit on those things, than on the quilting machine.) Another big thing IMO, is the convenience factor - will you have evening hours, or only day-shift/office hours. Since I work day shift myself, finding time in the late afternoon/evening would be a high priority.
For me, however, there wasn't much difference in price of doing my own, or having it done. By the time I paid for the initial class ($100) and the rental fee ($25 x4 hr increments), and the gas, and get on the wait list, it was cheaper to have the other lady quilt it ( and I had to drive right in front of her house to get to the LQS, lol). She does pretty good work, and she has a fairly quick turnaround time, her rates are reasonable, and she will even bind it, if I ask her.
Long story short, there are pros and cons to everything. You just need to decide if the headaches are worth the effort.

I think if you were going to do this, you would need to have at least 2 machines to start with, so that one machine wouldn't be completely tied up, in case you had someone who wanted some intricate quilting done, or if you had someone who has a longer learning curve. Lot of things to think of, but baby steps accomplish more than giant leaps into the unknown, I will just wish you good luck in your venture.

Good luck as you consider this venture into the business world of quilting. I gave it some (very little) thought to going commercial; but decided that I don't want to work that hard anymore--I was born in 1936, and to say the least, I am a mite tired.....I have a Gammill Classic, and several friends and sisters who have learned to use it proficiently and I get to have a day of visiting and sewing when one them wants to use it. That is enough for me. But, be aware of others' using your machines--they don't understand it like you do, and just use it, and can't hear when it makes that little funny noise that sets off clanging bells in your head. I am having to have the repairman in today to check it out from my sister using it last week; maybe just a thing that was going to happen even with me, but an unexpected $200 expense nevertheless.

Keep us posted on your decisions and progress. And where are you in FL; the DH and I will be starting our usual road trips down that way in about a month.

Do you LA yourself? Have you priced the machines? Are you going to be able to monitor the quilting
? Things toconsider.
sandy

I do all of my quilting on my domestic machine. I've tried using a long arm, but there 's a definite learning curve to get the quilting smooth looking. It takes me days to quilt a quilt sitting down. I can't imagine standing at a long arm for all of those hours.

Yes I have a longarm right now, but looking to upgrade to a larger model, different brand. Yes I have also priced the machines & know what it would cost to up grade. Yes & I would be able to monitor the quilters. Lots to consider, knowing that I would probably need two machines, both stitch regulated & one with H & V channel locks. That is why I was also thinking of being a dealer for those machines, people could use them & I could also sell them, seeing there is not a dealer in a 100 miles from here. I just have to look at all the pros & cons & weight all the factors & if I really want to take on another business at this stage of my life, but hey, what else do I have to do! LOTS

Yes

I'm enjoying this thread. I took a class at a long long armer and realized that I hated it. I can't stand up for hours at a time, I hated all the setup stuff, and felt disconnected using the handles to steer the needle. However, she had a Sweet Sixteen, and when I went back another time and tried it, I just fell in love. She let me take it home (small town here) and though we discussed my renting it a while, I ended up just buying it at a discount because it was used. So when you can afford it, I would suggest getting a sitdown machine. People can just slide their quilt under the needle and go. I used to baste, then tried spray gluing, but mostly just lay out a sandwich, press the layers together with my fingers or iron, stick in a few safety pins in corners and here and there, and roll in from the edges. People could work in shorter bursts, and of course some will want to buy their own machine which would be great for you. Turn over your machines at a demo discount and you'll make good money. Good luck whatever you do! I wish I were in a position to let folks use mine but some earlier posts with horror stories turned me off on the idea. You are more business minded and I bet you'll do fine. Also, if you're in a place where there are many quilters, it should be a go.

Since you are contemplating being a dealer and renting machines I suggest you get on the forum for that brand of machine and see how others are doing with this concept. There is a shop an hour from me with an APQS dealer, that offers rentals but I don't see others in there using the machines the time I have been at the quilt store.

I know apqs and gammil have forums. you might also check www.mqresource.com which is a machine quilter's forum.

There's a shop close to me that just does that, and also has a smallish but beautiful selection of quilting fabrics. I believe they do an excellent business. I don't think it would work for me, because I think it would take me too long to learn and too long to quilt (I'm a slow worker), and therefore cost too much.

A shop I am familiar with charged $25 for the class to use the long arm. It then cost $35 per quilt to use the machine ...or per day. In other words, if you don't finish day one it cost another $35 for the next day. Or another $35 if you did two in a day.

I would be first in line!!! Great idea!

I'm really jealous of some of the prices you ladies are listing for this service in your area!

If this cost $25/hr for me instead of $60, I'd be all over that! But this is an expensive area and EVERYTHING costs more so I'm pretty used to seeing everybody but me (slight exaggeration) get a "deal" on things, LOL.

MamaHen, you just need to set up shop in MY neighborhood, and only charge me $25/hour. I'll be there all day, every day! (Until you go bankrupt from the outrageous rent and utilities you'll have to pay! LOL)

I did the class with my dealer and eventually bought a machine from her. She charged $10 an hour, charged $100 for intitial class with leaders included

I thought I would be interested but at $60 per hour seems it would be costlier than just having it quilted by others.

I would do that for the king size I have to finish right now. I find joy in "doing it myself" than in sending it off. A terrific idea.

I go to place down in Burlington, NJ - Olde City Quilts - they have several long arm machines that you can rent - one is also computerized with a gazillion patterns to choose from. (lessons are needed in order to rent) They charge the same rate, $20.00 per hour, for either machine, manual or computerized.
Normabeth

I would definitely use it, the cost of sending out is horrendous, so any wY I can save money would be wonderful.

What an interesting thread. I sure wish we had something like this in our area. It's not that we don't have wonderful LA quilters here it's just that I would like to quilt it myself. I think you have a good idea here. I know in Phoenix Az where wee winter there are some shops there that rent LA machines, Sorry but can't remember what the cost was.

This would be a good option for learning LAQ'ing before buying a long arm. But, the 'rental' charge being near equal to a shop doing it 'without your participation' eliminates this idea for me. I make lots of quilts and with more being set aside for donations/fundraising, the outlay for LAQ'ing is painful when cost for fabric/supplies and labor are already invested. I'm thinking that reducing project sizes to wallhangings or other manageable DIY free motion projects is more logical. And, perhaps prices will be more affordable for bidders or buyers.
Perhaps a LAQ'er might set up a non-profit enterprise and invest in supporting community service quilt makers? I wonder if that's in place anywhere.

I would love to be able to take classes to learn how to use a LA - just to see if I had any talent for it and enthusiasm for doing it if I did have any talent for it.

As far as renting a machine to do my own quilting - I don't I would become very proficient just from taking the "how to" classes - I would want to do some practice on "oh, well" quilts before trying to quilt something that really mattered to me.

I think I would be a "take a class" person and then - maybe - buy my own machine.



Then I would want my own set up - because I am a slow worker - and I tire quickly - and I would want it conveniently located - like in my own house.

There are exceptions - some people just seem to have an innate ability to do beautiful quilting.

Our quilt shop does that. You have to take a class first so you know how to use the machine. I gave it a try because I was considering getting a long arm. It was the most stressful thing I ever did. The death grip I had on the handles was enough to make my shoulders ache for days. At least I didn't waste money buying a long arm and then figure out that I'm a piecer, not a quilter per se. I'll continue to send mine out and breathe a sigh of relief.