So now you're excited about starting your own quilting business. You're addicted to quilting, and everyone loves your quilts. Perhaps you are already making quilts for family and friends - charging just enough to cover the materials and a little bit of your time. You're ready to take it to the next level, and want to start your own quilting business.

But first, you have a major decision to make about your business - do you start full time or part time? There are pros and cons for both sides of the equation, so I'll list a few here:

Part Time Quilting Business

Advantages

• You continue to earn your current salary - plus benefits such as health insurance and retirement programs - while building your new quilting business


• Your new business can be grown at a pace that is comfortable for you, without having to worry about making your next car or house payment


• You will quickly learn if a quilting business is right for you without having burned bridges with your current employer


• Allows you to test the market for different types of quilting - see if there is a business in your area before jumping in full time


• The start-up costs for a part-time business will be less than a full-time business

Disadvantages

• You risk a conflict of interest with your current job if you spend time working on your part-time business during your job hours


• Your business will grow slower than if you have the time to devote to working on it full time


• Burn-out can occur while trying to juggle a full-time job, a part-time quilting business, and a family

Full Time Quilting Business

Advantages

• You can completely focus on the success of your new quilting business - no distractions


• Your business can grow as quickly as possible - you can handle more clients and spend more time on marketing your new business


• It is easier to get financing for a full time business than part time


• People will treat your business with more respect - you've "put out the shingle" and risked a lot more for a full time venture

Disadvantages

• You have not steady salary or fringe benefits such as health insurance (unless your spouse has you covered)


• There is a lot more stress when opening a full time business because you must "sink or swim" from day one


• You are jumping in feet first, without finding out if you are cut out for self employment

As you can see, there are pros and cons for starting your new quilting business as a full-time venture or a part-time side job. What you need to do is spend some time and list out the different reasons you would start full time vs. part time, and make your own decision accordingly.

Looking to start your own quilting business?  Check out this great resource:

How to Start Your Own Quilting Business

When you hear "Quilting Business," what do you think of? Is it selling your handmade quilt creations? How about making memory quilts or t-shirt quilts? Maybe you were thinking of making baby quilts? What about working on quilts commissioned by a specific client for their new bedroom? Or, perhaps you have another creative idea, such as making quilted handbags, jackets, or more. Finally, maybe you were thinking of starting a longarm quilting business, finishing quilts for others.

In reality, there are two main types of quilting businesses - either selling your own quilts or making custom quilts that have been commissioned by others. In the first case, you are creating your own quilt designs and selling them, via craft fairs, consignment shops, quilt shows, craft stores, etc. In the case of commissioned quilts, you will be working with your customers to come up with a quilt to meet their needs, either to commemorate an event or to match a room in their house.

So, what type of quilting business are you thinking of starting? To help you narrow down your choices, I have listed some of the more popular ideas for a quilting business. Plus, there's nothing that says you can't mix the two types of businesses together. You could concentrate on making your own quilt creations, but also take in the occasional commission quilt job to supplement your business and bring in some cash flow.

There are doubtless many more ideas for making money with your quilting, but this lens is designed to get your creative juices flowing, and to help you narrow down your quilting business ideas.

Looking to start your own quilting business?  Check out this great resource:

How to Start Your Own Quilting Business

The first type of quilting business we'll look at is simply selling your own quilts or quilted designs. If you're creative, and like coming up with your own designs - or using public domain designs - then selling your own quilts might be right business path for you.

No matter what style of quilt you work in - traditional, contemporary, art, crazy, etc. - there's a market for your projects out there somewhere. It's just a matter of matching your own unique style to the right market, taking into account such factors as local taste, pricing, and selling opportunities.

Designing and Selling Your Quilts

The first thing you need to consider when selling your quilts is your style. You probably know what types of quilts you like to make, and are comfortable making, and this is a great place to start.

But, you also need to consider the local market. Are there established competitors in your area who are selling similar quilts? If so, then perhaps you need to rethink your quilt style and go with something a little different and unique.

In addition, you need to take into consideration the local economy. High-priced art quilts may not go over very well in a blue-collar town, whereas traditional quilts may have limited appeal in an upscale, younger area. You need to do some scouting to figure out the local market, find out what is selling, and decide what you can do better.

Selling your unique quilts is probably the first thing most quilters think of when starting a business. And it's a great way to remain true to your craft while making a living. But, it's sometimes difficult to sell a quilt for the price you deserve (more on pricing later). So, you should also look at creating a full line of products that provide some lower-priced options for your customers.

Quilted Bags

Quick - name one thing that a woman is almost never without. Give up?

Her purse! And Quilt Bags are a great fashion statement, as well as a convenient way to carry the large amount of "stuff" today's busy mothers
are forced to carry.

Quilt bags are soft, moldable and portray a style of warmth and imagination. They can look sophisticated or very casual. Quilt bags - in large totes, small clutches, or other styles - can be quickly made for a variety of purposes:

• Baby tote (diapers, wipes, etc.)


• Fashion statement with a funky flair


• Beach tote with a fun-in-the-sun theme


• Knitting bags for that special knitter


• Fun backpacks for kids and adults


• Carry-on bags for the frequent traveler

The ideas for designs are endless. You can put photos on the bags, use themed prints, or apply fun beads or ribbons. And, since they are small and easy to make, you can quickly develop a few designs and start your quilt bag factory (as soon as you know where to sell them).

Baby Quilts

When a couple is expecting a new addition to their family, they want everything to be special for their new arrival. And so does the extended family - grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.

Focusing your creative attentions on baby quilts can prove very lucrative, and a great add-on to your quilting business. There is such a great range of creative ideas that can be applied to baby quilts:

• Baby girl or baby boy themes


• Religious themes


• Sports or recreation


• Nursery rhymes or children's literature

With baby quilts, you can let your imagination run wild.

Pet Quilts

For many people, their pets have become as much a part of the family as their children. You may think this is a little over the top, but it can mean a great source of income if you offer pet quilts to these pet fanatics.

Dogs and cats can very often be like people in that they can become attached to certain things. One of these is a favorite spot to lie down and take a nap.
If you provide a comfortable cushion for someone's favorite pet, you can also make yourself a comfortable living.

Some things to remember when you're making your pet quilts are:

• Use a sturdy, machine-washable fabric - pets can do a number on their beds


• Make sure the batting is extra thick so there's plenty of cushion


• Work with your clients to coordinate the pet quilts with the room where they sleep


• Offer a variety of sizes - small, medium, and large - for different pets


• Dog bones, mice, fire hydrants, and other pet-related themes add a nice touch

In addition, another angle on the pet quilt is to make a photo memory quilt of a dearly-departed pet. This makes a nice throw to add to the pet lover's bedroom or den.

Looking to start your own quilting business?  Check out this great resource:

How to Start Your Own Quilting Business

Perhaps you would like the security of knowing that you will be paid for your efforts before starting a quilt. Then commission quilting, or custom quilting, may be more to your taste. Commission quilting means that you contract with your customer to create the quilt that will be perfect for them.

This involves sitting down with the client, discussing patterns and colors, where the quilt will reside, and coming up with an agreed upon price for the finished quilt.

In addition to creating traditional bed spreads or wall hangings, there are a number of different options for custom work that allow you to match your talents to the needs of your potential customers.

Photo Memory Quilts

With the invention of the camera, photographs have become one of the best ways for us to share the great moments of our lives. Weddings, births, anniversaries, and simple shared moments are all captured and preserved for future generations to enjoy.

When you combine the beauty of a handmade quilt with cherished photos, your Photo Memory Quilts will practically sell themselves. And, if you can
sew and use a computer and printer, you have all the skills needed to make a photo quilt. Basically, to create a photo quilt, all you need is the following:

· Quilting supplies - fabric, machine, etc.
· Computer and scanner or digital camera
· Color inkjet printer
· Iron-on t-shirt transfer paper
· White cotton fabric for transfers
· A little imagination

When you think about it, there is no limit to the kinds of photo memory quilts you can create:

· Memorial quilts to remember a loved one
· Anniversary quilts for parents
· Family tree quilts with pictures of family
· Special occasion quilts to celebrate events
· Quilts featuring old family homes
· Car photo quilts for that auto enthusiast
· Golfing, hunting, or fishing quilts
· Best friend quilts for someone special

When you sit down with your client, talk to them about what they are trying to accomplish. Once they've settled on a theme, they can narrow their picture selections down to the few that will make their quilt the treasure they deserve. Here is a great resource that has tips and techniques for creating photo quilts:

http://quilting.about.com/library/weekly/aa101199.htm

T-Shirt Quilts

T-shirts, t-shirts, and more t-shirts. For some reason, America is in love with the t-shirt. This is a very good thing for those of you who want to create fun quilts that take advantage of this uniquely American fashion statement.

T-shirt quilts offer a great way to celebrate the essence of a person through the t-shirts they've collected throughout their lives. With a t-shirt quilt, you create a quilt from a hand-picked selection of t-shirts that center around a common theme, or just bring up good memories for your client.

Examples include:

· Concert t-shirts for the music buff
· Motorcycle logos for that easy rider
· Sports team t-shirts
· Bar t-shirts for that party animal
· College t-shirts for a graduation gift
· Sorority or fraternity t-shirts
With t-shirt quilts, you create a fun quilt that people not normally interested in quilts will enjoy for the memories. And, you expand your market for quilts beyond the traditional patterns and fabrics.

Customers can come from your normal custom quilt channels, or you can advertise your t-shirt quilts as a specialty.

Theme Quilts

Do you know anyone who is a fanatic about some activity or hobby they participate in? Someone who spends a lot of their spare time, and much of
their disposable income, on a club or activity?

Well, would this person love to have a special quilt that commemorates their hobby or club? Imagine making special Theme Quilts that focus on the enthusiasms of the following groups:

· Dog and cat owners
· People who love horses
· Bible study groups
· Ham radio junkies
· Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts
· Book and poetry clubs
· Antique collectors
· Golfing fanatics
· And many, many more!

You can make some fantastic quilts that will be loved by people with these special interests or hobbies. And once you sell one, group members will fall over each other to commission their own quilts!

One of the secrets to successful business is to specialize and dominate a small niche market. If you create theme quilts and let it be known
throughout your area (or even over the Internet), you will be able to write your ticket to a very successful business.

Custom Baby Quilts

The joy of a new baby can also mean the joy of new business for the creative quilter. Baby quilts have long been a staple of quilting enthusiasts and professionals. When a baby is born, people love to give the gift of a very
special baby quilt to the proud parents.

But what has been missing is some extra creativity. Your baby quilt doesn't have to be the standard pastels and baby rattles. Why not try to make the quilt reflect the taste of the giver, or of the expectant parent. For example:

· A sports-themed quilt for the new son
· An animal theme for the pet-loving family
· Musical notes for the musician
· Books for the avid reader
· Pictures of grandma and grandpa
· Religious themes for the devout family
· Flowers and plants for the avid gardener

What you want to do is to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that reflects the true spirit of the gift. And that is entirely up to the customer. It could be that they want to have their own personality reflected in the quilt. Or, in the case of a grandparent, they may want to reflect a family theme.

And the nice thing about baby quilts is that they are smaller than a full-size quilt, making them easier to finish (and for you to get paid).

Wedding Quilts

Bells will be ringing for those of you who can master the wedding quilt - cash register bells! A wedding is (hopefully) a once-in-a-lifetime occasion that warrants a one-of-a-kind gift.

When you're planning your wedding quilt, spend some time with your client and find out how they want to commemorate the nuptials. Depending on
their personality, they could want:

· A photo quilt with pictures of both sets of parents
· Pictures of both the bride and groom as children in the quilt
· A quilt with the names of all the bridal party embroidered into the squares
· A t-shirt quilt with some of the casual couple's favorite tees
· A quilt made with pieces from the mother of the bride's wedding gown or veil
· A signature quilt that the wedding guests can sign

And, when you produce the perfect wedding quilt for the happy couple, you can count on repeat business for years to come - baby quilts, anniversary quilts, and more.

As you can see, there are tons of ways to take your quilting business beyond just creating traditional quilts or wall hangings. And, there's nothing to say that you can't mix and match the two main types of quilting - make your own quilts but also make quilts for other people. And, you can throw in different ideas to pull together a complete line of products - quilted bedcovers, quilted pillows, quilted bags, etc. You just need to exercise your creativity and settle on a few ideas that match your personality.