Anyone make a living at quilting?
08-05-2010, 05:11 AM
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rural Maryland
Posts: 1,564
I used to belong to the MasonDixon Quilt Professionals Network. Many of those ladies make money at quilting. Most of them teach, demostrate or create designs for other quilters. I hired them as speakers and instructors when I was program chair for two different guilds. I know several nationally known quilters. I think they make money from selling their designs or teaching etc. I don't know of any who are totally supporting themselves or a family that way. The longarmers in my area are the ones that seem to be making money. Or course you have to do a lot of quilts to pay for that machine. When I did a lot of handquilting the money was nice but I sure didn't count on it for a regular income.
08-05-2010, 05:24 AM
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i have been doing better and better in the past couple years, used to be i was very busy quilting for people and completing commissioned items between October and March; the past year or two i have found myself busier during what used to be the 'non-quilting months'
so, if i would just catch up with myself i'd be making pretty good $$...the pick up in business is great i just wasn't prepared for all of the busy changes that have been taking place this summer. my goal has been to be making enough to pay my bills by the time i am again out of work (i work private duty home nursing/my client is 97 years old, he's not going to last forever :( )and i think i am doing good staying on track for that goal. it used to be i only worried about making enough money to keep my self quilting without having to dip into the household budget. i've managed that for about 5 years now. the beginning of this year when i changed jobs was when hubby and i decided i should re-assess my business plan and make some positive changes so when the time comes i won't have to go out and find another job i will already have one at home. :)
so, if i would just catch up with myself i'd be making pretty good $$...the pick up in business is great i just wasn't prepared for all of the busy changes that have been taking place this summer. my goal has been to be making enough to pay my bills by the time i am again out of work (i work private duty home nursing/my client is 97 years old, he's not going to last forever :( )and i think i am doing good staying on track for that goal. it used to be i only worried about making enough money to keep my self quilting without having to dip into the household budget. i've managed that for about 5 years now. the beginning of this year when i changed jobs was when hubby and i decided i should re-assess my business plan and make some positive changes so when the time comes i won't have to go out and find another job i will already have one at home. :)
08-05-2010, 05:37 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Somerset PA
Posts: 719
It is possible, I have accomplished this by being very diversified!
Also it doesn't happen overnight!
I have had my longarm for 6 years so it is now paid for, as well as my other equipment(machines,cutter etc.)
and you have to build a client base
right now I have a steady flow and can't take on more clients, this is because I want to keep them happy. they know that I will have no more that a month turn around on a top and a 2 month on a commissioned quilt.
I also discovered that to keep my costs down I had to buy wholesale, but the buying minimums are high.
So I started making kits, these I sell at very little over my wholesale cost. I don't make a living with these but they do help get my money back for the overpurchasing to meet my minimums. Some of which are $1000-$2000 per order.
you need to be creative and market yourself and your product!
also keep very good records!
Also it doesn't happen overnight!
I have had my longarm for 6 years so it is now paid for, as well as my other equipment(machines,cutter etc.)
and you have to build a client base
right now I have a steady flow and can't take on more clients, this is because I want to keep them happy. they know that I will have no more that a month turn around on a top and a 2 month on a commissioned quilt.
I also discovered that to keep my costs down I had to buy wholesale, but the buying minimums are high.
So I started making kits, these I sell at very little over my wholesale cost. I don't make a living with these but they do help get my money back for the overpurchasing to meet my minimums. Some of which are $1000-$2000 per order.
you need to be creative and market yourself and your product!
also keep very good records!
08-05-2010, 08:23 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 5,142
Originally Posted by mlaceruby
It is possible, I have accomplished this by being very diversified!
Also it doesn't happen overnight!
I have had my longarm for 6 years so it is now paid for, as well as my other equipment(machines,cutter etc.)
and you have to build a client base
right now I have a steady flow and can't take on more clients, this is because I want to keep them happy. they know that I will have no more that a month turn around on a top and a 2 month on a commissioned quilt.
I also discovered that to keep my costs down I had to buy wholesale, but the buying minimums are high.
So I started making kits, these I sell at very little over my wholesale cost. I don't make a living with these but they do help get my money back for the overpurchasing to meet my minimums. Some of which are $1000-$2000 per order.
you need to be creative and market yourself and your product!
also keep very good records!
Also it doesn't happen overnight!
I have had my longarm for 6 years so it is now paid for, as well as my other equipment(machines,cutter etc.)
and you have to build a client base
right now I have a steady flow and can't take on more clients, this is because I want to keep them happy. they know that I will have no more that a month turn around on a top and a 2 month on a commissioned quilt.
I also discovered that to keep my costs down I had to buy wholesale, but the buying minimums are high.
So I started making kits, these I sell at very little over my wholesale cost. I don't make a living with these but they do help get my money back for the overpurchasing to meet my minimums. Some of which are $1000-$2000 per order.
you need to be creative and market yourself and your product!
also keep very good records!
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