Quiltingboard Forums - You're Quilts are ART! Focus on being unique!

People can buy quilts everywhere—including big box stores and national chains. If you would like to sell your art, you need to differentiate yourself from mass-produced wares. You can quilt with a sewing machine and still produce interesting, beautiful, functional and affordable quilts.

Quilting by machine is not the same as quilting on a factory assembly line. The reason you must communicate the difference between your quilts and your quilting services from automated production lines is that naturally, handmade quilts will be pricier for consumers. Your customers need to feel that they are getting something special—and they are! They get your time, your creativity and your personal attention.

Niche Markets for Quilting

Once you start browsing quilting magazines and internet sites about quilting, you will realize that there are many different niche markets for quilters. Baby quilts, doll quilts, wall hangings, and functional quilts are all segments of the market. Within each niche, there are smaller segments. Quilters specialize in traditional patterns, quilted landscapes, story quilts and modern designs.

The first thing that many quilters moving from hobby quilters to quilters quilting for profit is to deal with friends and relatives. If you have been the one-stop-shop for all things quilt-related for several years, this can seem daunting and be accompanied by feelings of guilt. For those new to quilting, the key is to avoid becoming the free quilt shop for friends and neighbors. The best way to do this is to simply be up front with everyone.

There are many people out there who want to buy your art! The challenge is finding them and keeping them for regular business. If you can do this you might just turn a fun hobby into a fun business just as I have.

Happy Quilting,

Jane England