RobinOH Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Good Morning and Hello everyone. My name is Robin and I am a wife and mother in Ohio. I've been machine quilting for about 8 yrs, started out on a lil Grace and just this year moved up to an Millennium. Wow, what a difference. My goal is to work out of my home and quilt for others. So far, I have 2 customers and have sold a few quilts/ t-shirt quilts etc. I am so thankful for this board due to being alone alot and needing advice and there is always a topic hitting the subject. Would love to read how some of you felt when beginning your business. Fear, doubt, wondering if I made the right decision. All I can say is I love quilting and if I put everything else aside I know its my passion. I don't expect to become rich just want to contribute to my family since they are my first priority. If any of you have any advice about this slow time Please, I'm all ears. I guess Practice Practice. Thanks Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Robin, Welcome to the forum! I am so glad that you are joining us! It is great to share with so many others who also have the passion for this art of quilting. I too have learned so much from these folks who are so very generous with their knowledge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome to the forum Robin. I can say when I started I was lucky in that I didn't go into this to have a big business and for it to be my main income so there was no pressure on me. My business built up slowly and now I have a waiting list and I'd actually be ok if it slowed down a little. I work full-time so it is difficult to keep up with customers. As for ideas on building your business you could consider a few things to get your name out there. I offered reduced pricing while I was learning so that I could try different techniques but it was a win/win for me and my customer. On my invoices I always put the total it would have been with a good discount. Another option is to run a meander special. Quilt any quilt top up to such and such a size with a large meander for $100. Others have done that and gotten lots of quilts and keep a few customers. You could even keep that as an on going special if you wanted to just to keep consistent cash coming in. I showed quilts at guild every month and before too long I had lots and lots of inquiries. Good luck with your new adventure and you are right to put your family first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srichardson Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome Robin. I do not have a business so can't help you there. Good luck with your new venture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Lady Sandra Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Robin, I am newbie to this group also, but you have a question and the people here are all over it with some very good suggestions. And the wait for replies is very short. Any problems that you experience seems to have been covered by one or two or more of these knowledgeable people. They also celebrate the good things with you. Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinOH Posted June 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Thank You everyone and Heidi some great advice will remember it. Have a wonderful day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome to you Robin and to you also, Sandra. This is a great place to visit and learn and grow as a quilter. I don't need to earn money from quilting as I am a retired teacher but the extra money is nice. Word will get around and you will be busy enough very soon. Good luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome, Robin and Sandra! Heidi gives great advice. You will find what works for you and the area that you live. Sylvia is right; you will find answers, advice and inspiration here. Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustee Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome Robin and Sandra. This is a great place to be when it comes to quilting, having people listen to you when you need to vent or sharing your happy times. There is an endless wealth of knowledge here and everyone is willing to share. I don't know where I would be without this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie W. Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome! When first doing customer's quilts words like scary, yikes, oh no!, wow....come to mind. It has and continues to be a learning experience. I have learned much from all these gals on the Forum. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Della Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Robin and all I can say it that this is a wonderful place to learn! I have had my machine almost a year now and my forum friends have been great confidence builders as well as being there to answer any question that I have had. I do freehand so am always a little apprehensive as I get ready to do a job but once I start, I am okay...lol I live in a very small town and while there are plenty of quilters in neighboring towns, I am as busy I want. Although I advertised in the beginning, most of my quilts come from friends and friends of friends...lots of repeat customers. My advice would be to practice practice practice on white board, take deep breath, and do it...lol Oh, I have a Freedom and love it! Good luck and remember to post pictures as that is one way for us all to learn!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome, Robin You can always take your "latest" quilt in with you to the quilt shops to "find" the binding you need. They can start to see the quilting work that you do and be able to refer others to you with more confidence since they have seen your work. Have business cards available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniespoon Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Robin, You came to the right place. All these ladies have so much to share. I have learned a lot. By the way I'm from Ohio too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Welcome Robin! Good luck with your business!!! This is the place you get your questions answered!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestieMom Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome Robin! I don't have a business yet but am working towards that goal. I have several stores that will let me leave business cards and I was thinking about posting a flyer on the market community bulletin boards. Joining a guild is a good idea and be sure to take things for show and tell that you've quilted. Good luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome, Robin! We're pleased to have you join us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome, Robin and Sandra! You will soon find so much friendship and goodwill on this site - these ladies here know their stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Push spam back!!!:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy Bland Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome to you both, Robin and Sandra, the forum is a huge resource and we'll be there to help you along the way. No question is too trivial to ask, it's often the little things that have us stumped until we get some advice or a different point of view. Building your business slowly is a great way to go and always remember that even though you may doubt your work sometimes and we are always our own worst critic, the person you are quilting for, can't quilt at all, so you will always have their appreciation. Try not to let horror story customers faze you, fortunately they are few and far between, one of my favourite things to do is watch my clients face when I reveal the quilt, it makes all the time and trouble taken so worthwhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda G. Craig Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 PUSH 'EM BACK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinequilts Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome Robin and Sandra. You will love this forum - any problem you experience, someone probably has already experienced it and is willing to share how they solved it. I've learned so much here and don't know what I would have done without this group Good luck with your business - it will grow. I started slow too, but soon friends of friends came, and then friends of friends of friends, etc. It will happen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenquilts Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 I'm just started taking n business on May 31st so it's very fresh in my mind. I bought my machine in November with no longarm experience prior and I remember thinking I could get up and running and maybe get some Christmas business....Ha!!! Yeah that was very naive. It took me several months to understand loading, squaring and tension. I started out working on charity quilts from my guild and that was a really smart thing to do for me as it gave me a chance to practice, and less pressure. I did that for months util I got my first customer. That first customer quilt made me very nervous and I hadn't been nervous for quite a while, but now I'm starting to really get in a groove and feel more comfortable although it seems there is a new situation that I haven't yet faced with every quilt. I am starting off with only edge to edge as that is what I am comfortable with, and I wouldn't mind staying that way. There are a lot of piecers in my area that just want that. So I have had 8 quilts in my first month of business. I do have to say that how much I thought i would make per quilt isn't really turning out to be reality and I hope I get a lot faster as my hourly wage is also not what I expected, but I'm learning a lot and I love doing it. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Welcome to the chat.. it's fun.. insane, homey, etc... and very informative... Picts please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted June 27, 2012 Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Robin, Welcome to the forum! Just relax and in no time at all you'll be amazed at the progress you make. Everyone on the forum has really good advice and pretty soon you'll be giving it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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