Quilting|
Sep
30
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
g business doesn’t have to be a store that sells fabrics, notions, kits, gives lessons, etc. It doesn’t even have to make money for you. Maybe your quilting business could benefit a charity or other organization instead.
To start a quilting business as a nonprofit agency, check into your state’s laws about nonprofits. You don’t have to get into all the business paperwork hoopla if your real goal is just to help people. If, however, you’d like sales exempt status to buy fabrics and supplies for your charitable quilting business, you will need to check into it.
There are many ways to change your love of quilting into money for your favorite cause.
One way is to make a quilt and donate it to your favorite group to use as a prize in a fundraiser.
Quilted postcards could be another fundraiser. You could sell your quilted postcards at holidays and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
Another quilting business idea that could benefit charity is to sell subscriptions to a quilting newsletter you publish. A percentage of each subscription could be donated to your favorite cause. Unless you’re wealthy enough, don’t forget to hold out your expenses first, then donate the remainder. You’ll be getting back the money you put into each project and donating the difference.
Your love of quilting could also help an organization in a more hands on method. Get area seniors involved by taking your quilting or quilt piecing to the local senior adult center or nursing home. Spend some much appreciated time with the elderly and lead their quilt crafting time.
On the other end of that spectrum, young children would love to learn to quilt too. Make sure you volunteer to work with children who can safely work with a needle and scissors! You could turn this idea into a money maker by charging a nominal fee for supplies. Parents are always seeking ways to enrich their children’s lives. Many of them would love to see a “quilting day camp” for their kids!
Quilts are often needed at nursing homes, senior centers and at day cares, children’s hospitals and orphanages. Perhaps your project could be to make lap quilts for these people. Check with the marketing coordinator or manager to see if they’d welcome a donation of lap quilts.
You might also check at local food banks and area chapters of the America Red Cross to see if they would like quilted donations.
Team up with a group that provides holiday gifts to the needy. Make quilted throws, toys, kitchen accessories - anything!
Make quilted holiday ornaments for area nursing homes, schools, hospitals to enjoy. You could also make a holiday ornament pack (or several packs) to donate to a group to give away in a drawing.
If you are looking for a way your donations could give you some sort of financial impact, ask your accountant if your quilts can be charitable deductions. If you are thinking of forming a non profit, remember that the term doesn’t mean you are not paid for your time, it simply means your business cannot PROFIT. Any profit must be turned back into the business. Again, check with your accountant and state laws for specific information that may affect you.
Whether you want to start a quilting business to profit for yourself or to make money for your favorite cause, there’s room in the quilting industry for you! Decide who you would like to help and develop a plan for how you will help them. Quilting for charity is a great way to share your love for quilting!
SEYMOUR
g business doesn’t have to be a store that sells fabrics, notions, kits, gives lessons, etc. It doesn’t even have to make money for you. Maybe your quilting business could benefit a charity or other organization instead.
To start a quilting business as a nonprofit agency, check into your state’s laws about nonprofits. You don’t have to get into all the business paperwork hoopla if your real goal is just to help people. If, however, you’d like sales exempt status to buy fabrics and supplies for your charitable quilting business, you will need to check into it.
There are many ways to change your love of quilting into money for your favorite cause.
____________________________________________________________________
One way is to make a quilt and donate it to your favorite group to use as a prize in a fundraiser.
Quilted postcards could be another fundraiser. You could sell your quilted postcards at holidays and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
Another quilting business idea that could benefit charity is to sell subscriptions to a quilting newsletter you publish. A percentage of each subscription could be donated to your favorite cause. Unless you’re wealthy enough, don’t forget to hold out your expenses first, then donate the remainder. You’ll be getting back the money you put into each project and donating the difference.
Your love of quilting could also help an organization in a more hands on method. Get area seniors involved by taking your quilting or quilt piecing to the local senior adult center or nursing home. Spend some much appreciated time with the elderly and lead their quilt crafting time.
On the other end of that spectrum, young children would love to learn to quilt too. Make sure you volunteer to work with children who can safely work with a needle and scissors! You could turn this idea into a money maker by charging a nominal fee for supplies. Parents are always seeking ways to enrich their children’s lives. Many of them would love to see a “quilting day camp” for their kids!
Quilts are often needed at nursing homes, senior centers and at day cares, children’s hospitals and orphanages. Perhaps your project could be to make lap quilts for these people. Check with the marketing coordinator or manager to see if they’d welcome a donation of lap quilts.
You might also check at local food banks and area chapters of the America Red Cross to see if they would like quilted donations.
Team up with a group that provides holiday gifts to the needy. Make quilted throws, toys, kitchen accessories - anything!
Make quilted holiday ornaments for area nursing homes, schools, hospitals to enjoy. You could also make a holiday ornament pack (or several packs) to donate to a group to give away in a drawing.
If you are looking for a way your donations could give you some sort of financial impact, ask your accountant if your quilts can be charitable deductions. If you are thinking of forming a non profit, remember that the term doesn’t mean you are not paid for your time, it simply means your business cannot PROFIT. Any profit must be turned back into the business. Again, check with your accountant and state laws for specific information that may affect you.
Whether you want to start a quilting business to profit for yourself or to make money for your favorite cause, there’s room in the quilting industry for you! Decide who you would like to help and develop a plan for how you will help them. Quilting for charity is a great way to share your love for quilting!
SEYMOUR
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Sep
28
Filed Under (Howto) by Kert
CrazyShortcutQuilts asked:
How to make a custom table for sewing or quilting for about $100
RAYMUNDO
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Sep
27
Txlady asked:
I want to do a quilt with a dragon image and need to find like a wall hanging to to do this, where can i find one?
EDDIE
____________________________________________________________________
I want to do a quilt with a dragon image and need to find like a wall hanging to to do this, where can i find one?
EDDIE
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Sep
25
Filed Under (Hobbies & Crafts) by Kert
laurenc0812 asked:
I just bought it today and am quilting with it. I have not gotten to the actual part that you call “quilting” but was wondering if I had a walking foot build in on it. How can you tell? I have a Brother 14 stitch.
BASIL
I just bought it today and am quilting with it. I have not gotten to the actual part that you call “quilting” but was wondering if I had a walking foot build in on it. How can you tell? I have a Brother 14 stitch.
BASIL
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Sep
21
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
ou’re not a quilter, you can still have your own quilting business. Create your own niche in the quilting business by giving old quilts new life.
Chances are that you have several old quilts in your house. You never use them because they are old and lumpy. Don’t discard them! There is still a lot of charm in those old quilts!
Try recycling those quilts into other items. The older the quilt, the more money you can charge for the item!
Do you like to sew purses? It’s been a hot trend over the past few years. Add something new by making the purse from old quilts. Add additional embellishments like beads or sequins for a truly unique look.
Old quilts can be used to decorate photo frames. The look would be very unique and totally marketable to anyone who loves quilts or quilting.
Old quilts can also be used to decorate scrap book and photo album covers. If you are custom making these covers, you can even personalize them with embroidery (machine or hand) before completing construction of your project.
If you like to make dolls, consider using old quilts in your sewing. Make a stunning coat from an old quilt for an old world Santa.
Speaking of Santa, you could make custom Christmas ornaments from old quilts. Use the old quilts to make balls to hang on your tree. Stuff them for added fullness and add buttons or tassels to the top or bottom to completely dress up the old quilt.
Stockings would be another great item to construct from old quilts. Personalize them with machine or hand embroidery, fabric paint, or hot fix rhinestones and sequins for a really unique look.
If you have mroe ideas than old quilts, you can find some more. Start shopping at thrift stores and yard sales to find old quilts. Ask friends and family members if they have any old quilts they’d like to get rid of. One small stain on a quilt may be enough to take it out of circulation, but won’t be a problem to work around as you make various crafts from it!
As you search for old quilts, look for fabrics that are not too worn. Even though the person who buys the purse or decorations that you make may never wash them, you will want to wash them before you use them in your crafts.
Don’t use scented laundry items when washing the old quilts you will use in your crafts. Use only unscented and dye free detergents when you wash your old quilts. When producing items for sale, it is best to stick with hypoallergenic products for washing!
If you are working your quilt recycling business from home, keep in mind that your customers may want items produced in a smoke-free, pet-free environment. That’s something you may choose to note on your products, too.
The crafter who recycles quilts has many options for selling his or her products. You may sell them through ads in magazines or online newsletters, through your own online store or auction, and even at craft shows and sales.
Depending on the products you actually create, you might be able to sell those in retail locations. Arrange to sell your items either wholesale or on consignment. In a wholesale arrangement, the store owner would buy items from you, then mark them up to make a profit. With a consignment arrangement, you would leave products at the store and only be paid when they actually sold. Either way can work to your advantage!
CLIFFORD
ou’re not a quilter, you can still have your own quilting business. Create your own niche in the quilting business by giving old quilts new life.
Chances are that you have several old quilts in your house. You never use them because they are old and lumpy. Don’t discard them! There is still a lot of charm in those old quilts!
Try recycling those quilts into other items. The older the quilt, the more money you can charge for the item!
Do you like to sew purses? It’s been a hot trend over the past few years. Add something new by making the purse from old quilts. Add additional embellishments like beads or sequins for a truly unique look.
Old quilts can be used to decorate photo frames. The look would be very unique and totally marketable to anyone who loves quilts or quilting.
Old quilts can also be used to decorate scrap book and photo album covers. If you are custom making these covers, you can even personalize them with embroidery (machine or hand) before completing construction of your project.
If you like to make dolls, consider using old quilts in your sewing. Make a stunning coat from an old quilt for an old world Santa.
Speaking of Santa, you could make custom Christmas ornaments from old quilts. Use the old quilts to make balls to hang on your tree. Stuff them for added fullness and add buttons or tassels to the top or bottom to completely dress up the old quilt.
Stockings would be another great item to construct from old quilts. Personalize them with machine or hand embroidery, fabric paint, or hot fix rhinestones and sequins for a really unique look.
If you have mroe ideas than old quilts, you can find some more. Start shopping at thrift stores and yard sales to find old quilts. Ask friends and family members if they have any old quilts they’d like to get rid of. One small stain on a quilt may be enough to take it out of circulation, but won’t be a problem to work around as you make various crafts from it!
As you search for old quilts, look for fabrics that are not too worn. Even though the person who buys the purse or decorations that you make may never wash them, you will want to wash them before you use them in your crafts.
Don’t use scented laundry items when washing the old quilts you will use in your crafts. Use only unscented and dye free detergents when you wash your old quilts. When producing items for sale, it is best to stick with hypoallergenic products for washing!
If you are working your quilt recycling business from home, keep in mind that your customers may want items produced in a smoke-free, pet-free environment. That’s something you may choose to note on your products, too.
The crafter who recycles quilts has many options for selling his or her products. You may sell them through ads in magazines or online newsletters, through your own online store or auction, and even at craft shows and sales.
Depending on the products you actually create, you might be able to sell those in retail locations. Arrange to sell your items either wholesale or on consignment. In a wholesale arrangement, the store owner would buy items from you, then mark them up to make a profit. With a consignment arrangement, you would leave products at the store and only be paid when they actually sold. Either way can work to your advantage!
CLIFFORD
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Sep
20
Filed Under (Hobbies & Crafts) by Kert
Amanda & Tom asked:
Meaning…after I sew them together the rows seem to be a little off. No matter if I pin them or take my time going very slowly I seem to always have a row or two that are off.
Meaning…after I sew them together the rows seem to be a little off. No matter if I pin them or take my time going very slowly I seem to always have a row or two that are off.
I am not using a walking foot and am not sure if it will make a big difference. Anyone know? I don’t want to make a huge investment if it won’t help.
If you were going to purchase a rag quilt, would you care if the seams were not perfect?
BRYON
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Sep
20
Filed Under (Decorating & Remodeling) by Kert
Lin s asked:
It is affectionately called “kitty blanket”. It was my sister’s then her sons, then mine and then my daughters until I took it from my youngest at age four. My daughter is storing it for me, but I want it back and preserved.
DALLAS
It is affectionately called “kitty blanket”. It was my sister’s then her sons, then mine and then my daughters until I took it from my youngest at age four. My daughter is storing it for me, but I want it back and preserved.
DALLAS
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Sep
19
Penny Halgren asked:
Did you know that more than 6 million beginner quilters decided to learn how to quilt during the last 3 years?
That brings the total number of quilters to about 27 million – that’s just in the United States. And most of those quilters, just like me, are presented with limited drawing and painting abilities.
Quilting is a fantastic way to create a work of art with fabric. It is well understood that the “painting” will not be perfect, and that colors and patterns are limited to what’s available in a quilt shop or hand dyed fabric.
Here Are My Top Tips to Help You Get Started in Making Quilts for You, Your Children & Grandchildren:
Combine blocks of fabric to create your quilts. By changing the shapes of the pieces within a block such as substituting triangles for squares and switching light fabric for dark fabric you can create a whole new quilt design. And, you will still keep the construction of your quilt the same.
Simple is the name of the game for many quilters. As a beginning quilter, focus on learning and practicing basic quilt making techniques that you will need to develop your craft.
Use one or two shapes for all of the quilt patches. This makes it easy to sew a quilt together. Squares and triangles offer many advantages in terms of simplicity.
Remember, interesting variations in quilt blocks are achieved just by where you place the fabrics in your quilt block, in addition to how each patch is divided in the quilt block pattern.
8 Easy Quilting Patterns to Get You Started
Quilt Pattern 1: A simple nine-patch quilt block can be used as an example of how different a block can look just by changing the placement of colors within the nine parts of one block. Using only two colors of fabric in alternating squares creates a checkerboard design.
Quilt Pattern 2: With the same nine-patch of two colors of fabric, using only square patches in each block, you can create a quilt pattern that looks like a big X.
Quilt Patterns 3 and 4: Want more of a challenge? Take some of the square patches in the blocks and divide them in half from corner to corner (commonly called half-square triangles in the quilting world), and create an Ohio Star or Pinwheel quilt block.
Quilt Patterns 5,6,7,and 8: Change the placement of your fabrics once again, and your block turns into a May Basket Quilt Block, a Maple Leaf Quilt Block, a Bow Tie block, or even a series of diamonds, called Slanted Diamonds.
Increase the number of colors in your quilt, and your design changes once again. And, by using only two basic shapes (squares and triangles) you can create all of your design changes.
Quilts are amazing works of art that have survived the test of time, and will continue to do so as long as there is fabric and quilting imagination.
Happy Quilting!
This article courtesy of theQuiltingCoach.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
DIEGO
Did you know that more than 6 million beginner quilters decided to learn how to quilt during the last 3 years?
That brings the total number of quilters to about 27 million – that’s just in the United States. And most of those quilters, just like me, are presented with limited drawing and painting abilities.
Quilting is a fantastic way to create a work of art with fabric. It is well understood that the “painting” will not be perfect, and that colors and patterns are limited to what’s available in a quilt shop or hand dyed fabric.
Here Are My Top Tips to Help You Get Started in Making Quilts for You, Your Children & Grandchildren:
Combine blocks of fabric to create your quilts. By changing the shapes of the pieces within a block such as substituting triangles for squares and switching light fabric for dark fabric you can create a whole new quilt design. And, you will still keep the construction of your quilt the same.
Simple is the name of the game for many quilters. As a beginning quilter, focus on learning and practicing basic quilt making techniques that you will need to develop your craft.
Use one or two shapes for all of the quilt patches. This makes it easy to sew a quilt together. Squares and triangles offer many advantages in terms of simplicity.
Remember, interesting variations in quilt blocks are achieved just by where you place the fabrics in your quilt block, in addition to how each patch is divided in the quilt block pattern.
8 Easy Quilting Patterns to Get You Started
Quilt Pattern 1: A simple nine-patch quilt block can be used as an example of how different a block can look just by changing the placement of colors within the nine parts of one block. Using only two colors of fabric in alternating squares creates a checkerboard design.
Quilt Pattern 2: With the same nine-patch of two colors of fabric, using only square patches in each block, you can create a quilt pattern that looks like a big X.
Quilt Patterns 3 and 4: Want more of a challenge? Take some of the square patches in the blocks and divide them in half from corner to corner (commonly called half-square triangles in the quilting world), and create an Ohio Star or Pinwheel quilt block.
Quilt Patterns 5,6,7,and 8: Change the placement of your fabrics once again, and your block turns into a May Basket Quilt Block, a Maple Leaf Quilt Block, a Bow Tie block, or even a series of diamonds, called Slanted Diamonds.
Increase the number of colors in your quilt, and your design changes once again. And, by using only two basic shapes (squares and triangles) you can create all of your design changes.
Quilts are amazing works of art that have survived the test of time, and will continue to do so as long as there is fabric and quilting imagination.
Happy Quilting!
This article courtesy of theQuiltingCoach.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
DIEGO
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Sep
19
Filed Under (Home And Family) by Kert
Penny Halgren asked:
America’s economic news has been rather grim lately: prices at the gas pump and grocery store, unemployment, and home foreclosures have all been on the rise.
What a great time to start a quilting related business!
Why would anyone want to start a craft related business right now in these economic bad times? I have the answers.
1.Quilts are always a practical yet beautiful long-lasting gift. Whether it’s a quilt for a newlywed couple or one that celebrates the birth of a baby, a quilt gift will always be treasured and used. It’s a very practical gift. In hard economic times, gift-giving doesn’t stop; people become more practical.
2. Quilts create a connection with family. Everyone has a cherished quilt in their family ‘ one made by a grandmother, or received on a special occasion. Those quilts become heirlooms and are usually passed down for several generations to enjoy. They enjoy not just the practicality of the quilt, but the wonderful story that goes along with it. People are more likely to give a quilt as a gift because they have a tradition of becoming a family heirloom treasure.
3.Even when finacial times are bad, there are still people who can afford to buy custom, top-dollar quilts. Those people are not affected by the failing economy and are not likely to be a do-it-yourselfer who would choose to make the quilt themselves.
4. You don’t have to sell quilts to have a quilting-related business. There are many other options. For instance, you could offer your fabric remnants for sale through an online auction. Maybe you would choose to offer a quilting service, either hand or machine quilting tops made by other people. You cold even offer quilting classes. If you think no one will pay to take a class during these hard times, try working out an arrangement with a local public entity like a library, community college or community resource center. Often times, they’ll have grant funding available to offer free classes to the community (so you’d be paid by the organization, not by individuals).
5. If you love quilting and would like to make extra money to help your family through these tough financial times, there’s no time like the present to start a quilting related business! Whether you will make and sell quilts or offer a quilting service, start-up cost can be very minimal. Write out your business info on 3×5 pieces of paper and post them on free bulletin boards around your community. Many newspapers offer free classified ads — use them to your advantage!
The American dream is to make money doing something we love. If you love quilting, it’s time to start your quilting business. Quilting businesses are great because you can work at them part time, in your spare time, until you feel comfortable making the transition into a full time career. If you’re already a quilter, you have the supplies you need at hand ‘ no need to invest in anything new.
You won’t necessarily need to rent a retail location to start your quilting business. Keeping your business home-based will allow you to skip the overhead expenses of rent and utilities! Make sure to dedicated a specific area of your home to nothing but your quilting business. If you keep records of your home’s utilities, you may even be able to deduct a portion of those expenses when you file your taxes.
You define success for your own quilting business. Maybe your goal is to make an extra couple hundred dollars to save for a special occasion? Perhaps your goal is to replace your fulltime job with your quilting. Maybe your dream is even bigger than that. With a little planning, it’s possible to achieve your quilting business dream!
DONNELL
America’s economic news has been rather grim lately: prices at the gas pump and grocery store, unemployment, and home foreclosures have all been on the rise.
What a great time to start a quilting related business!
Why would anyone want to start a craft related business right now in these economic bad times? I have the answers.
1.Quilts are always a practical yet beautiful long-lasting gift. Whether it’s a quilt for a newlywed couple or one that celebrates the birth of a baby, a quilt gift will always be treasured and used. It’s a very practical gift. In hard economic times, gift-giving doesn’t stop; people become more practical.
2. Quilts create a connection with family. Everyone has a cherished quilt in their family ‘ one made by a grandmother, or received on a special occasion. Those quilts become heirlooms and are usually passed down for several generations to enjoy. They enjoy not just the practicality of the quilt, but the wonderful story that goes along with it. People are more likely to give a quilt as a gift because they have a tradition of becoming a family heirloom treasure.
3.Even when finacial times are bad, there are still people who can afford to buy custom, top-dollar quilts. Those people are not affected by the failing economy and are not likely to be a do-it-yourselfer who would choose to make the quilt themselves.
4. You don’t have to sell quilts to have a quilting-related business. There are many other options. For instance, you could offer your fabric remnants for sale through an online auction. Maybe you would choose to offer a quilting service, either hand or machine quilting tops made by other people. You cold even offer quilting classes. If you think no one will pay to take a class during these hard times, try working out an arrangement with a local public entity like a library, community college or community resource center. Often times, they’ll have grant funding available to offer free classes to the community (so you’d be paid by the organization, not by individuals).
5. If you love quilting and would like to make extra money to help your family through these tough financial times, there’s no time like the present to start a quilting related business! Whether you will make and sell quilts or offer a quilting service, start-up cost can be very minimal. Write out your business info on 3×5 pieces of paper and post them on free bulletin boards around your community. Many newspapers offer free classified ads — use them to your advantage!
The American dream is to make money doing something we love. If you love quilting, it’s time to start your quilting business. Quilting businesses are great because you can work at them part time, in your spare time, until you feel comfortable making the transition into a full time career. If you’re already a quilter, you have the supplies you need at hand ‘ no need to invest in anything new.
You won’t necessarily need to rent a retail location to start your quilting business. Keeping your business home-based will allow you to skip the overhead expenses of rent and utilities! Make sure to dedicated a specific area of your home to nothing but your quilting business. If you keep records of your home’s utilities, you may even be able to deduct a portion of those expenses when you file your taxes.
You define success for your own quilting business. Maybe your goal is to make an extra couple hundred dollars to save for a special occasion? Perhaps your goal is to replace your fulltime job with your quilting. Maybe your dream is even bigger than that. With a little planning, it’s possible to achieve your quilting business dream!
DONNELL
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Sep
17
Filed Under (Do It Yourself (DIY)) by Kert
crystal asked:
I love things made by hand.I think it the most special gift one could receive.Where could I learn how to sew and make quilts?
I am in Houston…for the people that do this,where did you learn?
JAME
I love things made by hand.I think it the most special gift one could receive.Where could I learn how to sew and make quilts?
I am in Houston…for the people that do this,where did you learn?
JAME
Comments Off
