luv2kwilt Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 Just curious as to what other ways besides to quilt for other people you all have found to be successful in making money with your quilting? Looking for ways to expand the business. Thanks! Luv2kwilt APQS MILLIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaildrake Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 quite awhile back Joann Hoffman was turning out some outstanding sweatshirts that were quilted. Maybe they are still on her site. Worth looking at. Outstanding work. I believe she even shows how she did them on the machine. Another thing you can do is quilt fabric out and make quilted tote bags! There are some great patterns out today to choose from . I have one that actually can fit a lap computer!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnBarb Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 There are several people in a longarm group I attend that make drapery and other things for home decorators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted December 7, 2008 Report Share Posted December 7, 2008 It is easier earn money quilting for others--including quilting for decorators--than it is to invest your money and time in materials to make quilted items for sale. Unless of course you quilt on commission. That way you have a contract and money up front--like a commissioned jacket or quilt. T-shirt quilts are a good example and many augment their income that way--especially in college towns. Trying to sell finished quilts, wallhangings, placemats, tablerunners, etc. is difficult and time consuming. No one wants to pay a reasonable price for hand-done items when the imports are so inexpensive. Contact local decorators and send them a business card and a small discount on their first order. Be advised that decorators are middlemen and will want "wholesale" prices for your quilting but will be charging their clients retail. Stick to your regular pricing structure and add any special handling charges for problems you may encounter with decor fabrics like linen or silk. And I would also advise them that you are a quilter, not a seamstress so the assembly of quilted valances, pillows, and bedcovers are not part of the deal--unless you ARE a seamstress and then that assembly would be a separate charge. Good luck and I hope you can find something wonderful to add to your business offerings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonbon Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I've been teaching a beginning piecing class here in my studio. My niece and 2 of her friends asked me to teach them. Not huge money in it but I think they will be become my quilting customers too. I also carry basic supplies like mats, rotary cutters etc. for purchase. I'm making a little money that way as well as having fun! Bonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busybee Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I have been a vendor this year for Arts/craft shows. I found that pet stuff sells. And can get rid of those scape battings. Pillows, dolls, small priced items. Teaching is a great way to gain $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeoldeforest Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Go to area guilds too! Put business cards everywhere! Especially the Female hangout places - like hair salons, florists, gift shops, restaurants, mom and pop shops, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnnHoffman Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I think www.etsy.com is a great way to sell product.Here is a link to the sweatshirt info.http://p.webshots.com/flash/smallslideshow.swf" flashvars="playList=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.webshots.com%2Fslideshow%2Fmeta%2F560246336LeSPZX%3Finline%3Dtrue&inlineUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.webshots.com%2FinlinePhoto%3FalbumId%3D560246336%26src%3Ds%26referPage%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fgood-times.webshots.com%2Fslideshow%2F560246336LeSPZX&postRollContent=http%3A%2F%2Fp.webshots.com%2Fflash%2Fws_postroll.swf&shareUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fgood-times.webshots.com%2Fslideshow%2F560246336LeSPZX&audio=on&audioVolume=33&autoPlay=false&transitionSpeed=5&startIndex=0&panzoom=on&deployed=true" menu="false" quality="best" width="425" height="384" name="WebshotsSlideshowPlayer"base="http%3A%2F%2Fp.webshots.com%2Fflash%2F" wmode="opaque" allowScriptAccess="always" loop="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macromedia.com%2Fgo%2Fgetflashplayer"> How to make the quilted sweatshirt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltaholi_518 Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I also sell quilt patterns, although when I am busy with quilting I find it hard to spend the time that I should on the patterns. I also teach and lecture and work on commission. Anything to keep from going back to work for JoAnne Fabrics! Yuck!!! Here is my page on Quilter's Warehouse! http://www.quilterswarehouse.com/storeitems.asp?bc=VQS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnysnowden Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I have worked for decorators, Done some teaching, and custom work. I found the best is Decorators then teaching (future customers). Tried custom work this does not work people as said on the above post cannot wrap their head around the difference in what you do compared to Wallmart. Class and taste somehow goes out the window when the price is mentioned. Ginny (of the glue fame)LOL :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonnerenae Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 You can also do a class at your LQS. It's a great way to connect with potential customers and make a little cash for your time. Community education is worth checking in to also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Nita mentioned that pet stuff sells. I had an idea of making little quilts for kitties to lay on with catnip in them. Do you think that would work. I was always going to try that when I had a house kitty to see if she would lay there instead of wanting to cuttle up on the quilt I had loaded. Maybe it's been done already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnHenry Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 To Robin: If you want to direct your attention towards cats, I suggest that you use wool fabric. You can buy used wool garments at Goodwill and Salvation Army (avoid wool blends if possible). I don't know about dogs, but cats LOVE wool. And cats are so curious that they will find it without it even being shown to them. The idea of catnip might appeal to the owner (and buyer of your product), although catnip is a stimulant to the cat and not conducive to sleeping. Marketing-wise, I'd stick with wool being a natural fiber and all. I would even be comfortable guaranteeing that any cat would love it (100% wool). from the Internet: "Catnip drives (most) cats to distraction. They'll rub themselves on it, roll on the plants, and nip at it, becoming quite oblivious to all around them. About 80% of cats are susceptible though older cats may lose the impulse and kittens do not react at all until they are somewhere between four and six months. Females tend to be more strongly attracted than males." It would be most interesting to see if a "wool lure" would keep them away from a loaded quilt. I may have to try that myself. The lure of the quilt is partly because it is new, and cats also love new anything. This "loving new anything" is also called curiosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoore1223 Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Too funny Caron, I work at JoAnn's now and I'm trying to find my way OUT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Ann, Thanks for the info. I know my kitty would always go for good old cotton batting. If I had a piece of that lying around she would sleep on it. Thanks for the info on wool...and the catnip lesson...shows how much I know. I just thought they liked it...I didn't know it would drive them to distraction! Never have tried the stuff. But will try the wool idea the next time my kitty comes home for a visit from my daughter's house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliagraves Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I rent my machine out and do quite well with it. You definitely need to know how to maintain your machine, and you need insurance for having people come to your home. Visit my website at soquilts.com to see a sample rental agreement and rates, etc. Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I don't want to rent out my Liberty, but I was thinking of renting myself out...oh,no, that would be illegal, plus I'm too old to make any money that way. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 I have been approached to teach a newbie class to two new longarmers. I have no qualms teaching my potential competition--they will learn somewhere and I have plenty of pretty loyal customers at this time. What should I charge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjtinker Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Catnip--just try growing it in your garden!!! Must put a fence around it if you really want it to grow. Cats roll in it. I have been told catnip is kitty's mj weed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieBrewer Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Every see the movie "Fun with Dick and Jane"? Perhaps robbing a bank would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeoldeforest Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Linda - An APQS (6 to 8 hour) Beginner's class is $200.00 for the day per person (unless it's part of the purchase of a new or certified machine - then it's free). If a local longarmer, who does not own an APQS machine, wants a Beginner's class, I charge $200.00. We have another la in NC who is charging either $25 or $50 per day/per class/per person and includes lunch! She gets anywhere from 4 to 6 students at a time. She is very talented and personally I think she is giving her talent away but that is the cool thing about owning your own business! She can do what she wants! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Linda, I do agree I don't think I would give my time away for less than what you would make if you were doing a queen sized or king sized quilt that you could quilt in a day.... If your charge works out to be more than $200.00 a day then reconsider the amount and if its less I would consider charging up to $200.00 a day. I think I said that clearly...but mud is pretty thick this time of year, and right now I'm so cold my brain is frozen....haven't felt my feet in 2 days.....Maybe I will ask for some wooly slippers for Christmas....:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnHenry Posted December 20, 2008 Report Share Posted December 20, 2008 Five minutes after finishing the binding and tossing it onto the couch, the cat, who spends 90% of her time sleeping upstairs, found it! I think it's about 'new' even more than it is about 'wool.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcote Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Being a professional artist for years (oils,watercolors,assemblage and collage) I have made many small and mid size pieces of art with my longarm recently and they sell quite well. We own a quilt store and have "Art in the Garden" once a year, where we sell all of our samples and my art work from the previous year. The garden behind our store (we also live attached to the store) is beautiful and everyone loves to take classes and stare out the glass doors from the classroom. I find most people who don't quilt buy the samples and the quilters will by the artwork that is quilted. I wouldn't say that I make a terrific amount of money, but I sure get to play all year round as well as quilt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnBarb Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 I think animal related items are great. Try your local pet store for customers. I've made a cat "travel" pillow for my friend's cat. She likes to ride in the truck and sit on the middle consol but it was so slippery she'd always slide off. I made a padded pillow out of flannel with cats on it and then hand-tack a small piece of rubber shelf lining on the bottom to keep it from moving. My friend says it's the first place the cat goes to when they travel. I also made padded dog beds for my babies in my quilt room. I just used all the bits and pieces of batting and material that I refused to throw away. Now as I snip and cutIt keeps them from trying to lay under my feet when I quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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