A Quilting Business Differs From a Hobby

Quilters, who enjoy creating quilts and other fiber art, become excited about the prospects of turning a hobby into a business.  This seems a very easy step…doing something you enjoy and getting paid for it.

While this is an attractive goal, consider whether you’re up to facing the demands of customers and commission clients.  Not all of your orders will involve making what you want and enjoy.  You’ll have to meet the requirements of the person(s) who are paying you for the work.  Or you can make what you want “on spec” and hope it sells.

 At this point, quilting sometimes loses some of its appeal. You’re often meeting deadlines, working on projects that may not particularly interest you, and sometimes seem to be working repetitiously not creatively.  This is not to say you shouldn’t turn your hobby into a business, but look into the cons as well as the pros when you’re doing this.

When I was making appliqued vests for children, which I supplied to shops around the country, I found myself cutting and sewing on an assembly line basis.  Even though my product sold well and I could make a profit, I often found the work monotonous.  Also, as orders increased, I had to decide whether to invest in faster and more durable cutting and sewing equipment, perhaps hire one or two others to help…or to stay small.

As I researched, the extra expense didn’t seem practical, so I stayed small until I eventually discontinued the business when I had an opportunity to work full time as a writer.  However, I’m glad I had the opportunity to be involved in this business for several years.