How to make money with a longarm

Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig to supplement other income, a retirement plan, or a whole new career, a longarm quilting machine offers versatile opportunities for creative individuals.

Quilting for customers

One of the most obvious income streams a longarm can provide is through offering quilting services.  Quilting for customers can be lucrative and rewarding whether your preference is free-motion quilting, following paper pantographs, or utilizing the capabilities of an automated quilting system like Quilt Path.  Learn more about APQS Quilt Path by clicking here.

To add even more revenue, many longarmers who quilt for customers diversify by offering additional quilting-related services like these:

• Basting quilts for hand quilters
• Adding binding to the stitched quilt
  • Click here for a video showing how you can attach binding to a quilt on the longarm frame
• Quilt repairs

Custom quilts

Creating start-to-finish custom quilts is another option for longarm owners to make money. It’s not hard to find customers willing to pay for unique and personalized quilts like:

• Special occasion quilts
• t-shirt quilts
• memory quilts made from the clothing and/or photographs of a loved one

Sell finished work

Longarm owners can sell utilitarian and bed quilts or quilted wall art they’ve created. A longarm can also be used to create other quilted items such as bags, clothing, and gifts like the tree skirt pictured below. Possible options include offering quilted items for sale online, at shows, in boutiques, or at local shops.

Design patterns

Artistic longarm owners who’ve become familiar with the process of quilting, often enjoy the idea of creating their own patterns. Selling original paper pantographs and digital quilting patterns can be a lucrative endeavor for those with unique design ideas.

Own or partner with a quilt shop

Many longarm owners eventually expand into product sales by opening a brick-and-mortar storefront or online shop to sell fabrics and notions. Even if the retail gig isn’t your plan, partnering with a local quilt shop may be a great way to source customers to quilt for.

Rent time on your longarm(s)

Renting time on your longarm to quilters to finish projects is another income stream for machine owners with a storefront, the proper insurance, and an aptitude for training.

Click here to watch a short video about the benefits of running a longarm rental program.

Become a partner

Longarm owners that are publicly passionate about quilting and their longarm brand can benefit from partnering with machine manufacturers in one or more of the following ways:

• become a brand ambassador
• become an educator
• be a sales rep or dealer for your longarm brand and earn commissions for selling longarm machines

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig to supplement other income, a retirement plan, or a whole new career, a longarm quilting machine offers versatile opportunities for creative individuals. Perhaps one or more of the above suggestions will inspire your future plans!