If you’ve begun to earn some income from your quilting or related activities,  when does this transition from a hobby to true business?

Jean Murray, at Small Business Boomers, has a great post with information about what the IRS (Internal Revenue Service in the US) considers a true business. You might like to check out her, Boomers Retiring to “Fun” Businesses: Is birdwatching a business?

She mentions some of the criteria the IRS uses to determine whether you’re en titled to deduct your losses from the business you’re operating or starting up. Jean does mention that writing is one business that’s easier to justify some of your expenses under the “hobby loss” rules than others.  So if you’re a writer, as well as a quilter/fabric artist, some rules may apply to you that won’t to others…and vice versa.

Jean will lead you to information that could prove helpful.

(Amazon image) 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Does the IRS Consider Your Quilting a Hobby or Business?

Quilter and blogger, Jean Murray, visited the International Quilt Festival/Chicago and was in awe of the numbers of quilters, displays, and quilting supply booths.  She reports about this adventure, Baby Boomer Women are HOT for Quilting!, at her b5media blog, Small Business Boomers, she co-authors with Jim Gordon. 

Unbelievable. The traffic getting there was backed up for miles, with many buses from all over the Midwest, and groups of women in cars, Jean said.

Jean continues, Anyone who says quilting isn’t a huge industry (and I do mean “industry”) needs to see one of these quilt shows.

If you haven’t been to one of these shows, or the upcoming ones Jean mentions, check out her post at Small Business Boomers and learn more.  You’ll be in awe, too.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Overawed by the International Quilt Festival/Chicago!

My b5 blogging colleague and quilting friend, Jean Murray, of Small Business Boomers, called my attention to the “short-armed” quilting machine.

Have any of you seen it?

You may want to check it out.

(Just remember, it’s still April, even though April 1 has passed!)

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Has Anyone Seen the “Short-arm” Quilter?

 Quilter Jean Murray pointed out that she couldn’t find the newsletter for Snowy River Quilts, which I mentioned in my post, Idea for a Quick Scenic Quilt. Apparently, there isn’t a link to the newsletters online.  (But you can subscribe to them to be delivered in  your e-mail.)

However, I’ve found the link to the Out and About fabric panels used to make the 3 x 3 quilt. There are 9 of them. When I asked the owner, she suggested making the quilt, by purchasing the 9 panels.

Of course, you can use fabrics you have on hand or mix and match them with those at Snowy River Quilts.  You might even print your own fabric with your computer and printer from your own photos.

I also mentioned this 3 x 3 type quilt, using patriotic fabrics, in my post, Quilts With a Presidents’ Day Theme.

(Jean Murray[mentioned above] blogs at Small Business Boomers and The Thriving Writer.)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

“Out and About” Fabrics for Quick Scenic Quilt