Lena1952

I am the local coordinator for placemats for seniors. Not an organization, just something I started with our county senior Home bound meals program. They serve 1200 people in our county so this is our goal. They are given to those receiving meals at home to lift their spirits and encourage them to eat better. As quilters we have lots of scrap batting and fabrics, or all the quilters I know do, so it's a great way to use it up. It takes only a little time and fabrics to lifts someone's day. And you get a lift as well by donating. I also make Quilts of Valor and small community quilts that are given to the police to give out at emergencies. I have all the quilts I and my family can use so It feels good to pass along something I love doing. In 50+ years of quilting, I have only sold one quilt. I did not enjoy the experience.

illinois

Like most of you, I gift most of my quilts to family. I would prefer to gift quilts to those who understand the time and money that's been invested, not just some mass-produced blanket. There are plenty of those available on the market for a lot less than what we spend on a quilt. I prefer to donate to a place like a cancer center, veterans or nursing home location, Quilts of Valor or a children's hospital/neonatal center. I still fondly remember my son's comment that when he went into the NICU to greet their newly delivered preemie that there was a quilt over the top of his Isolette and he thought I had made it! They got to bring that home with them when the baby was dismissed from the hospital.

Homespun

I give 90% of mine away. I make lots of child sized quilts for hospitals, police departments, foster kids, etc.

luvstoquilt

I have made a lot of quilts and I also have a collection of old quilts. I keep some of them and I also donate quilts to several places ( QOV, Women’s shelters, etc). I made Door decorations for my mother when she was still living. They were loved by all of the residents though their memories were lost. I occasionally take some over there for the nurses to use to decorate. My family has been given so many quilts they don’t need any more but I keep sewing.

Tennessee Suzi

I do ministry quilts. I only kept one that I made. The rest go to people who are suffering in some way. Some are ill, some have lost a loved one , some are just hurting emotionally. It is something that I love doing although I couldn't find anyone who wanted to enter this project with me. I do it alone but receive a great blessing from it. You will make the right decision and I think your husband is just thinking of you and is probably very proud of you.

maminstl

I keep some, give some away - never sell them. I've done a number of silent auctions, sometimes I am happy with what they bring, sometimes not. As we all know, few understand the amount of time that goes into it, so I avoid my own disappointment in being paid almost nothing for my time. I am happier just making what I want and giving it to whomever I think might enjoy it.

luci4

I have sold some, which was nice, but most of them are given away.

Sharonquilts

Yes, quilters do put a lot of time and $ into making quilts, so I get what your husband is saying. However, I believe you need to go back to the beginning and ask yourself "why do I want to quilt".

When I retired and started quilting, I planned to donate most of my quilts ... and I have. It gives me a lot of joy and I feel like the person receing the quilt enjoys it. I've made 2 quilts for baby gifts and have a Bargello UFO that I will keep to use as a throw. Since I have comforters on our beds, I'm not currently using quilts.

I have thought about (and you may want to try this) setting up a booth at a Spring festival our city holds. My thoughts are to sell raffle tickets for a quilt and explain that the $ raised will allow me to purchase more fabric, etc. to continue making and donating quilts. You could perhaps setup a picture board with pictures of you giving your quilts to various shelters or post a thank you note from the shelters. This would let people know that you are really donating quilts and not just trying to make $ for your self. However, you could make some smaller quilted items to sell as well (hot pads, mug rugs, burp cloths and even lap quilts). Just a thought.

... my raffle idea may not work. After posting the above, I read another post and it sounds as though a permit is needed and typically you need to be a non-profit to get one. So be sure to check your State's laws/guidelines.

bkay

I considered starting a quilting business when I retired. After researching the idea, I gave it up. Quilting is expensive and as others have said, few people are willing to pay the cost of materials involved in making one, much less paying you for labor. Quilts from China, made with slave labor, scant seams and cheap fabric are readily available for prices less than the price of making a quilt.

Another issue is whether you want to sell the quilts you enjoyed making or are willing to make what the client wants, in the pattern they prefer and the colors that match their bedroom (quilts on commission). And again, another issue is how much would you enjoy quilting after making quilts for sale. My personal experience with being a chef is that cooking is no longer relaxing and fun. It's just a job. I think many things are like that - you try doing something that you enjoy for money and ruin the joy of it. I like making memorial flower arrangements, but don't think I'd like it 5 days a week. And ... I don't want to ruin my enjoyment of making arrangements for my ancestors graves.

Some people make money by making small items for craft fairs to supplement retirement income. They make things like pencil pouches, phone bags, crayon bags, pot holders, etc. From what I've read, they do OK at it.

I would suggest you re-think your reason for asking the question. Are you ready to quit quilting? Do you want to supplement your income? Do you have too many quilts made and they are in the way? Do you think you are spending too much money on your hobby? Do you want some ammunition to make your husband shut up?

If you are serious about quilting for money, do your research. How much does it really cost you to make a quilt? How much time does it take? Do you have a longarm? What would it cost to rent space on a longarm, or have some one do that service for you? What kind of quilts sell? How do they get sold? What is the cost of selling one (website, renting space at craft shows, etsy, ebay, etc.).

I'm not poo-pooing your idea. I'm just saying that you need to think it through and figure out what is working for other people or how you can make a new idea work.

Personally, I plan to do quilting for Project Linus after I get all the family kids taken care of.

bkay

Peckish

Do not discount the pleasure and rewards of giving.

One of our local hospitals gives a quilt to every terminal patient. After the patient passes, the quilt is presented to the family. If you could read the thank-you notes from the families, you would be moved to quilt 24/7 for this cause.