Need suggestions about long arm quilting for others
 

I have just recently started quilting for others. I played with my machine for almost a year just doing my own tops, and some that belonged to family. It was great practice. I don't do anything fancy, just side to side pantographs. So far everybody that I've quilted for has been pleased with both the quilting and the prices. I admit I offer "cheap" prices because I feel my work is far from perfect. The only reason I'm second guessing myself is because the lady that taught me most of what I know about quilting says I should go up on the cost. I think with the way the economy is, if I start raising the cost I won't have very many customers, and I'm being paid to do something I absolutely love.

I'm interested to know what other non- longarm quilters is paying for this service. (Remember nothing custom, just side to side pantographs.)

In Eastern Iowa the common rate for edge to edge is $.015 per square inch. Some will vary this slightly depending upon the density of the stitching.

I know for panto work I will pay .015 per sq inch... and I supply or pay for thread. Some around here charge an addtional $25.00 per quilt as a set up charge.
Interesting that around the holidays like from Oct 15 till Christmas ... the rates always seem to go up to as high as .03 per inch with a set -up charge for panto work.

Agreed. And you had to buy the machine. You should be able to recover some of that cost with your quilting. Plus, your time should be worth something too.

I am the same as you. I do simple panto quilting on my quilts and I sell quite a few of them. Customers appear to like them although I am very critical of my work. I keep my prices low, just enough to recover costs so I can keep quilting and make a little profit. I am one of those struggling with this economy and realize people just don't have alot of extra money. I just want them to have cuddly quilts they can love and afford. Someday when things get better I will charge more.

It really depends a lot on where you are located. Are you close to the going price in your area? If you start too low it will be really difficult to raise your prices later without losing your customers. Are you paying off a loan for the purchase of your machine? Do you owe income taxes on what you earn? Do you need to collect sales tax on the thread and/or batting you use with customer's quilts? Are you paying into Social Security? As a business, are there license fees you must pay to your local and/or State government? There are many things that need to be figured in when we figure what price we need to charge.

Prices do vary a lot across the country, so it might help to ask other longarmers in your area what they are charging. Also, check to be sure that you are charging enough to pay for any and all taxes that you may incur. These can be substantial - for instance, if you earn over $400, you will have to pay social security and medicare tax, which is 13.3%. In some areas you may have to pay sales tax, business license, etc. You really are in a business, even if doing it for fun, and it would hurt to find out about all those taxes the hard way - after the customers have already been charged too low a price and the government still wants its money!

Funny, Bobbielinks and I were thinking along the same lines as I was writing this.

Reading all these posts scared me to no end. I am a Canadian living in the US and I know nothing about your home business laws and regs except that they are complicated. In Canada, having a craft business is easy, all you need to do is decide. If you are earning a little you really do not need to declare it but you can not deduct any expenses either. Once you hit a certain amount of Income from your hobby it is worth to declare it and register a business because you save a lot on deductions. I was almost at that point before I moved and now I am even scared to think about a craft business. I am so off topic, it is not even funny! Good luck, happy quilting and I am going to shut up now!