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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: May 30, 2007, 8:36 AM
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Hello, This is my first time on the forum. I have not gotten a long-arm machine yet, but I am leaning to the HQ 16 regulated stich. My DH told me that in order for me to purchase this item I had to show him a business plan, because I do intend to start a business. You succsessful quilters where and what did you do to find the business? I have thought about adds in the papers. Going to local sewing dealers, wal-mart sewing centers, and another fabric and quilting store and putting business cards or advertisements up, trying to draw attention to what I will be doing. Any suggestions would be terrific. I have also heard that many quilters are backed up by months. Is this true? For full-time quilters? And if someone was to make a full-time business how easy would it be to pay for your machine? I hope someone can answer my questions I would really be greatful. Thank so much, those more experienced than I. :) Betty |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: May 30, 2007, 10:25 AM
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Betty, good luck, and get your walking shoes out! Make up a flier and some cards and then just start hitting the stores and quilt guilds. you will find it will either take a while and some word of mouth to get things going, OR, you will be swamped. you will also find, most customers are impatient to get their quilts yesterday (aren't we all) and you will have to stay firm on a return date. Keep a firm line with what you offer, it's easy to get pulled away doing the binding. Customers also rely on you, the quilter, to have the ideas of what to quilt. I suggest you draw a quick picture of the quilt and get detailed suggestions/ideas from the customer of what they want. Also, keep track with that picture as you quilt (I found that I'd forgotten exactly what I'd quilted earlier on in the quilt and then it was rolled up and hidden from me). Remember, you are only one person and can only do so many quilts in a day/week. If you find you are frustrated, walk away from the quilt, you don't want that frustration to come out on someone else's work of art. :] -lis |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: June 2, 2007, 11:03 AM
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Whatever machine you purchase, check the warranty closely. You need to know if the warranty on the machine will cover a machine for commercial work. You will be racking up a lot of hours on the machine so this is important information. You should have samples of your work to show customers. Not small samples but at least half a quilt size sample. You could use muslin with your work in contrating thread on both front and back so customer can easily see the design is good. Have samples of pantograph work and artistic work for customers to see. You need to explain the difference of the two and price them differently as well. Artistic work will take a lot longer than pantograph. Stitch up a few samples and ask your friends or even fabric store clerks for their opinion of your work. Be prepared for the constructive critisim and keep a very stiff upper lip. Believe it or not, this will greatly improve your work. If you don't belong to a local quilt guild, you need to join one. Offer a discount to guild members, this can help generate a lot of business. Give a good discount to someone who sends you a certain amount of additional customers. Give them a few business cards, have them write their name on the back of the card, when the customer comes in have them show you the card. Then offer that customer the same deal. You wouldn't believe how much business you can get from that. Make yourself some quilted or decorative stitch jackets and were them everywhere. People will stop you and ask about them. Have business cards in the pockets. Don't jump to take on every customer either. Some quilters can never be pleased no matter what you do and that customer can really hurt your business. If you run across that ype of customer, you just politely say that you don't feel your talents can match her standards but she may want to talk with someone else and refer her to someone else. If you have a local radion station you may want to contact them for advertising. If you are in a small town usually their advertising is pretty reasonable and they will contact you when they are having specials on their available spaces. In fabric stores stike up conversations with other customers. You could also offer a small discount for the fabric store customers. Good luck! But don't turn a passion into a full time drag because you will soon come to hate it. Also, remember YOU rule the business, don't let the BUSINESS rule you. |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: July 19, 2007, 7:00 PM
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All of the above are great suggestions. Also, if one of your local quilt shops will display something that you have quilted, that is good......I also found out that if you get one real satisfied customer word of mouth will take over from there. Crash gives goo advise about not taking so many quilts that a passion turns into a drudge. I Made a rule for myself . I have 12 hangers(large commercial hangers from the cleaners). I will take as many quilts as I have emply hangers, no more. That has worked for me except for an occasional rush for an old customer. I know myself well enough to know if I get too many, they will drive me nuts and I will quilt day and night till I am caught up and that ruins it for everyone........ Hang in there, it will come. |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: Aug. 9, 2007, 11:34 AM
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| Anyone can purchase a HQ 16. You don't need a business plan etc. |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: Aug. 9, 2007, 9:27 PM
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| I think she means she has to submit a business plan to her husband in order to substiate the purchase of the machine. |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: Sept. 17, 2007, 9:10 PM
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Word of mouth is the best... I quilted a top for friend (free)she took it to her local quilt shop where she works and took the sampler class and from that I have had lots of calls. Don't hesitate to give guilting away in the beginning. grandmajuki |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: Sept. 19, 2007, 12:46 AM
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Hope to Quilt, Don't worry of about doing buisness, it will come. As crach said no matter what ,some costomers you can never please. I give my self two to three weeks for a quilt. Nomally I finish it in a couple of days. Some times I just don't want to do any thing. Also I look at quilts before taking a job to quilt, some quilts don't lie flat. Won't do these. I don't advertise but people know that I make quilts and sell them. I just do free hand stippling. for people. I will do other things on my quilts. Take pictures of all your work. It's good advertising and sell point in getting more jobs. My husband admits that it has paid for it self with all the sewing that HQ has done. |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: Nov. 5, 2007, 8:54 PM
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hopetoquilt-- i too have started a business and am now waiting to purchase the machine. (accountant says i have to wait until after jan 1st). it's one of those "exciting vs scary" decisions, right? the quilters on this site are phenomenal with their experience, input, and insight. i'm especially listening to the ones that say "don't let the business rule you". fortunately, i also have some painting and knit items to work on. i can't imagine quilting burn out, but i'm not taking the chance. LONGARMCHAT.COM has many, many wonderful ideas, to do lists, tool checklist, etc. for people like us just starting to get our feet wet. GOOD LUCK!! |
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Getting Started Machine Quilting
Posted: Nov. 6, 2007, 9:10 AM
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| Another good site is www.mqresource.com/index.php and the site it totally free. I know you are excited but trust me quilting burn out can and will happen. I am still doing charity quilts. I have two reasons behind that 1. (selfish) this gives me to opportunity for full quilting freedom and allows me to practice anything I want too 2. I know I'm helping others. The shop where I bought my machine furnishes me with plenty of charity quilts. Also, you can use them as a tax deduction. |
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