Dawn, Thanks for your insightful ideas. Yes, I know what makes my heart sing, so those type of art quilts may be the way I go, since I'll be marketing to a specific niche. It would be lovely if I had some finished quilts to show, but none yet . Though I am pregnant with ideas and many in the making ! Hoping once the summer comes and DD has graduated and I'm down to homeschooling one, there will be more of that optical illusion called Free Time which will be quilting time.

Lorchen, As always, you have wisdom and experience to share which is much appreciated. I'm not going to be able to get into mass production of anything, but I am thinking of making a few things and giving them as gifts, for instance, tablet holders, and see if I get any requests for more. But I seriously doubt that most folks are willing to pay what it really costs to make beautiful quilts or quilted items. I think it's all about finding the right niche and those with good taste and lots of disposable income I have a friend who has made table runners, home dec types of things and crib and twin size quilts. She has managed to sell most of them, but is just about breaking even, so I'm not inclined to go the craft show/consignment route---it's most likely not the right time or place here for that to be profitable. I do like your idea of finding out what folks don't like to do---I too like to hand bind, so maybe that's a good place to start advertising at quilt guild. Thanks !

I agree with Dawn, Sue.

If you want to make anything for sale then pricing it and finding reliable places to sell your items will be essential.

It may be easier to look at what kind of services to might be able to provide to either quilters and/or shops. Not everybody is comfortable using a computer, but may like their own website. I have also heard that some quilters find it difficult (or simply don't like) cutting out shapes. I love stitching down bindings by hand, and have done it for friends who don't like to do it. Some quilters don't have a sewing machine with embroidery capability but may like to attach personalized attractive labels to their quilts.

Whatever you try, make it something where the overhead costs and the material costs are low, and where you don't need to keep a large stock, or you'll end up spending a lot of time and generating no profit.

And always remember: If you ask people what they like, you may get a deluge of good ideas, but it doesn't necessarily mean that people are willing to pay for something, especially in the present economic climate.

(Apologies for my avatar. It's the result of a dare and we'll be back to my usual self some time tomorrow. )

Sue, I went to your profile page to see what types of quilts you had done, and what your interests were in quilting, and there were none! :shock: I'm thinking that might be a start. Post your quilts, see what kind of comments you get, see if you are dreading posting certain ones and are eager to post others. Once you are aware of what interests YOU and what others enjoy of YOURS, you may know what direction you want to head.

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

I've been brainstorming for some time, trying to think of a quilt/sewing related business I could start. Some of my ideas are: making art type quilts for a particular niche, heirloom quilts and/or garments, or helping LQS with the un-fun parts of business that the owners have a hard time getting around to doing.

Some folks have recommended selling things on Etsy, but I'm thinking that ship may have sailed already and it's a little late to do that unless you have a really unique product.

It won't be a Long arm business, or an on-fabric shop. I'm open to any suggestions that can be done on a small amount of capital, and done less than full time (still have one more to homeschool !).

Thanks for any ideas !

Sue