117becca

I hand quilt - and while I know that there is "no money" in it, I do it to get "my fix".....I love the therapy of quilting after a long day's work. I'm finishing up a king size quilt for a friend - did it for the quilting group I'm a part of. I have one for my Mom's friend waiting after I get this king size one finished. My Mom's friend saw the quilt that I did for my Mom.

I get my fix w/out spending the money on making the quilt top and I make a few extra bucks in the process.

I think it depends on what the goal is. My favorite quilt to finish is the vintage quilt that Grandma made or Mom made and it's sitting in a closet or trunk somewhere. They are meant to be loved and cherished.

Dolphyngyrl

I think there could be, just dependent on what people are willing to pay. I think handwork would be more expensive for charging due to the time put in it.

Nettie Phillips

I don't know about now days but about 12 years ago my mother
sold a quilt that was handquilted because a woman was trying to
find one that was handquilted and everyone was doing them on
machines.

MsEithne

As to the economy slumping... I don't think it makes one bit of difference once you have developed your reputation.

Before I became physically handicapped, I made a living teaching people to do something that is essentially a hobby. I charged $125/hour and had more business than I could handle.

Over six years post-disability, I am *still* getting requests and pleas, both from former students and from people who heard of me or bought my books to do "just one more lesson, PLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSE!!!!!"

I haven't done any advertising, I have tried to make it as clear as possible that I am no longer physically able to do it, period, full stop. And yet, even in this bad economy, I have had requests for lessons from people who live 2000 miles away, who are prepared to travel all that way for a couple days of lessons (in which case I think the cost of lessons would be the cheapest part of the trip!). And while I love where I live, it is no vacation destination type of spot.

If you provide high quality, you don't have to convince anyone to buy. All you have to do is show that your high quality work or product exists and people will want it. In the specific case of quilting, it means providing lots of samples to give away (in the form of quilted mug rugs, maybe?), attending every group and guild within reasonable travel distance, making the rounds of every quilt store within a reasonable distance (and leaving not only your cards but a sample of your quilting), donate quilts to be raffled (with a minimum price required) and maybe even entering competitions.

Well, find a copy of _Guerilla Marketing_ and you'll get a plethora of ideas.

Think on a national or international scale. Set up a web page, learn to take good photos or pay a professional who specialises in photographing textiles. Set your prices to reflect the quality of your work.

Lynnc

I want to know what you would charge.

romanojg

I think there are plenty who would love to have the hand quilted look but not so sure how many you can find to pay you for what you are worth. People just don't understand what it takes to put a quilt together.

jpthequilter

I think there is a mail order/online market out there. People want to know how much you charge. So much per spool used?
or by the inch.? or by the time it takes? Quilting varies in density, and that will vary the cost, too. There is advice available to you, as how to advertise your service online to give you a larger national potential market of customers.
It is going to take some research, but it will be worth it.
Jeannie

jpthequilter

I think there is a mail order/online market out there. People want to know how much you charge. So much per spool used?
or by the inch.? or by the time it takes? Quilting varies in density, and that will vary the cost, too. There is advice available to you, as how to advertise your service online to give you a larger national potential market of customers.
It is going to take some research, but it will be worth it.
Jeannie

Joan Gaddis

i bet there would be a market for it

lynnie

i hand quilt, been doing it since i was 7, made over 300quilts, only 4 or 5 have been machine quilted.
i send out for machine, i do hand, and love it