Business Tips

We set aside some time recently to talk to Mandy Applebee of Yellow House Quilts. She lives in central New York state and runs her successful business while being an incredible mom to two adorable boys...

We sat down recently with Linda Gibbons from Lake Wylie, South Carolina to talk to her about her machine quilting business. We wanted to know a little more about how she got started quilting for others and what thoughts she had about her success.

When setting your prices for quilting, it’s important to look at the entire process and not base your price simply on what others are charging in your area—especially if it is more than just a hobby for you.

The third article in our series is all about Nancy Kennedy from Raleigh, North Carolina. She started her own quilting business – Kennedy Quilting – three years ago and loves the thrill of quilting for others and doing what she is passionate about for a living.

The second article in our series is all about Maria Hall from Flower Mound, Texas. She started her own quilting business – Charming Prints Quilting – seven years ago and loves the thrill of quilting for others and doing what she is passionate about for a living.

Many APQS owners turn their passion for quilting into a profitable business. We decided to sit down with a few of these entrepreneurs to learn more about how they started their businesses and what words of wisdom they have for others who might be considering it. We begin the series with Shirley Jackson from Murray, Ky.

As a professional machine quilter you will get all sorts of questions lobbed to you from potential and existing customers. Likely the most common inquiry you’ll get is for a quote on how much you charge for machine quilting.

There are many different ways to structure a business of this kind. For this article we spoke to Angela Huffman who owns the APQS store in Louisville, Ky where she oversees a gaggle of happy renters. We wanted to pick her brain a bit about how she has structured her rental program.

Last week one of my kids was looking through the photos on my phone and said, “Momma, all of your pictures are either of us, quilts or cats!” I had to laugh because I am guilty as charged. I take photos of quilts all the time but some photos are better than others. There are certainly ways to help you get the best possible photos of your quilts.

T-shirt quilts are a great way to generate revenue for a longarm quilting machine owner who quilts for others. They are also popular as auction items to raise money for worthy causes.