Quilt Top

Quilt Top

Quilting as an Income Source

Quilting is a very exciting craft that has an immensely rich history and is currently such a popular art that they are many different things that you can do to earn money from quilting. The world of quilting has always been popular and even more so today with rich patterns, quilting lessons online and more! The first step to making the money with quilting is to join a Quilting Bee or Quilting Guild and become involved in the quilting community.

Quilting Patterns

Quilting patterns are the rage today. Never before have so many different patterns been available to quilters. Instead of the traditional quilts for beds and wall hangings, quilters are finding all kinds of uses for quilting. Project sizes range from small table coverings to huge quilts for beds or wall hangings and from pieced quilts to copies of portraits.

Now, you can take advantage of your quilting skills and create beautiful new patterns. You can use a color wheel to suggest fabrics and color combinations. Patterns should be detailed and well written so that quilters can easily use them. You can even utilize the fabric calculator to let buyers know just how much fabric they will need for the patterns you design. Places to market quilting patterns include: online auctions, Ecommerce sites, local fabric stores, quilt shows and flea markets.

Instruct Quilting Classes

There is a large demand for quilting classes since the popularity of quilting is increasing so much. There can be a great deal of money to be made by offering quilting classes in your community. The first step would be to watch some quilting classes online such as with Lucy at the Quilting Resource Center. You will be able to see how to instruct a class to give your students helpful information but at the same time be entertaining.

Viewing quilting classes will give you an idea of what types of topics to teach in your community. You can contact your local library, community centers and quilting guilds to offer your teaching services. Quilting classes are a great way to make friends in the community while sharing the skills for this wonderful craft.

Quilting for Others

There is a huge market in the metropolitan areas for good longarmers who have the machine and are willing to quilt for others to earn income. If you're able to do this, check with your local quilt shops and ask how much they pay for longarm quilters. Most shops complete the quilt tops and send them out to be quilted.

Quilting Product Reviews

There are many product review sites on the Internet. These sites ask that you review a product, rate it and tell how much you paid for the item. Quilting products such as threads, fabric brands, sewing machines, needles, footers and more can be reviewed. Once you write a review, you submit it to the product review sites to earn additional money.

Quilting Photography

Quilting photography is also on the rise. People love looking at photos of quilts. Additionally, quilt photos are a terrific way to pass down family heritage and create quilt portfolios for quilts that have been sold. If you have talent for photography and framing, there are many people that would pay for you to create a quilting portfolio for them. You should inquire with the Quilting Bees in your community.

Summing It Up

There are many ways for making money with quilting. To succeed in making money for quilting it is important to learn all that you can about quilting from the Quilting Resource Center or other places on the Internet and at your local Quilting Bees or Guilds. Connecting with others will develop a strong community and professional network and help provide the income you're seeking through your quilting craft.

Has anyone ever used a serger to make the top of a quilt/comforter? I usually use my regular sewing machine.?

I want to try a serger because I think that would lay nicer and maybe even look better.
After I sew the squares together then I put a blanket/batting in the middle and a sheet on the bottom. Then I tie them together.
I'm going to the store tomorrow to buy one, so if anyone has done this and it turned out nice please let me know. Thanks

Practice using the serger first. Get accustomed to the width of the stitching, and stitch length.

Practice serging without the knife cutting the fabric - blade engaged. If you disengage the blade there will be no cutting of the fabric, but if the fabric is too close to the right edge of the face plate, the fabric will roll and the seam will not be flat.

Start by opening the manual and laying it next to the serger. Read and apply each step of every feature of the serger.

Threading the serger is the most challenging step in using this machine.

Thread antenna and presser foot up and tension setting a zero before threading.

Turn the handwheel so the loopers are at their highest position (there may be a mark on the handwheel and side of the serger for aligning).

Thread from right to left, needles last.

Lower the presser foot and set the tension to about mid-range or what the manual recommends.

Stitch a chain to make sure the threading was done correctly.

Test the different stitch settings with a folded scrap of fabric.

Don't run out of thread, or when changing the thread cones, cut the thread near the cone and tie off with the new thread - check the knot so it does not come apart. Lift the presser foot, open the tensions and gently pull the new thread through, under the presser foot and toward the back of the serger.

You will not be wasting thread with this "tying off" method. Instead, you will be saving on aspirin for the headache threading a serger can bring on.

I piece the blocks. Then layer: top face up, then the backing, face down, then the batting.

I serge around the perimeter of the quilt, leaving a 8" opening for turning. Serge straight off each end for a sharper corner.

Turn the quilt inside out. Press well, slip stitch the opening close or use "steam a seam" iron-on fusible strips, then top stitch.

I do not tie, I stitch in the ditch with a walking foot.

Sheets are not recommended as the weave is very tight and difficult to stitch. The needle(s) will make a loud noise as it penetrates the weave.