I am giving some consideration to trying to figure out a way to make some side money with quilting. I do hand quilt, and have a large floor frame that can accommodate a king-size quilt. I have thought about advertising for hand quilting....but is there really any money to be made doing that?

Or what about purchasing a Long Arm machine, and figuring all that out, and when I get good enough, taking in work for that. Is there any money to be made in that service? Or is the "market" already at it's peak?

Just wondering what ya'll think??!!
k

As a longarmer it took a couple years to build a reputation. Now I'm swamped but you can't "make a living" out of it. If the price is too high, in this economy, not enough people will come. You'll definitly pay for your machine and have spending money. Physically, if you don't get the computerized machine, you'll wear out your shoulders and back. Even with the computer, you're on your feet all day. but I love doing it! I have a Gammill with Statler Stitcher and design patterns.

Take a look at this thread previously posted. It has a lot of good insight and info.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-100856-1.htm

People are not usually willing to pay for the number of hours that good hand quilting takes. Longarms are very expensive, so if you want to make money with that you need to do a lot of homework first (find out the demand and the going rate in your area), and probably practice on someone else's machine to see if you really like it. Some people have luck selling quilted items on etsy, or in local craft shows. Good luck in finding your own niche.

You can definately make side money. I'm running a quilt shop with my mom from our home. But if we had to pay rent on a separate building and ultilites, we couldn't do it. Don't count on quilt sales for a steady monthly income,but if you want it for side money then you can do it. If you have a community paper that doesn't charge for ads,then you can put your homemade quilt ad in it. We did and still do every October in time for the Christmas holidays.Good Luck.