Did you know that there are a wide variety of ways you can make money with your sewing machine? Well we came up with a list of 29 of them!

Before you get started, make sure you have all of the supplies you need — and a sewing machine you can trust! Jukebox Quilts in Fort Collins is here to help ensure you have everything you need from quilting patterns to batting, thread, and the best sewing machines.

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29 Ways to Make Money Quilting/Sewing

Fire up your sewing machine and read through our 29 different ways you can make some extra money from your passion for quilting.

1. Quilt quilts!

Yes, this seems obvious, but have you thought about all the different ways you can make money quilting quilts? Quilt quilts for those who quilt by checkbook!

Did you know that if you quilt 3 or 4 queen size quilts per month, that will pay for your machine? Any more quilts, and the money is icing on the cake!

2. Go Panto!

Focus on quilting pantographs and appreciate the high volume, high profit margin, and quick turn rate.

3. Custom Counts

Specialize in quilting custom quilts and enjoy premium pay for your talents.

4. Specialize in the Specialties

It isn’t just quilters who need quilts quilted! Reach out to businesses for their specialized quilting needs. Innovas work great on leather and denim, so think outside the box!

5. Find Bed & Breakfasts

Bed & Breakfasts love quilts and often follow a theme lending them to specially created snugglies or quilted pillows.

6. Think About Motels and Hotels

Motels and hotels like that repeatable look, but require quality furnishings that hold up to heavy use. Think custom bed runners! Collaborate with a digitizer (like us) to digitize their logo for use on your machine.

Bed Runners are all the craze at hotels. Wouldn’t they love it if you quilted their logo onto their own runners?

7. Make Wall Decor

Don’t forget about the walls! There are many businesses looking for that one of a kind piece of hanging wall art, but require the scale a quilt can provide. Consider their style and pitch them a wall size quilt or banner at an artist’s price.

8. Mass Quantities

It’s a machine, so mass produce your product! Quilt quilts and sell them. We aren’t talking year-long hand appliquéed masterpieces. Pick something simple, elegant and neutral, then go to town…literally.

9. Expand Online

Post your quilts online and please the masses! It’s fast and easy to set up an Etsy storefront!

10. Think Local

Roll your quilts up, put them in a giant basket and haul them down to your favorite boutique.

11. Advertising

Advertise your stylish quilts in a home decorating magazine.

12. Move Beyond the Quilting World

Don’t be shy, create cozy children’s quilts and advertise them in a Parenting Magazine or local flyer. Don’t forget to get a bonus from personalization by embroidering names and other special touches with your longarm.

13. Women Power!

Woman power pays! Advertise in women’s publications and local women’s organization newsletters, or get a booth at home and women’s events.

14. Book the Farmer’s Market

E-I-E-I-O to farmer’s market you should go! Don’t stop there, rake in the dough at county fairs and local artisan events. Reap the rewards of being an original artist. Design, create and quilt quilts specific to customer’s wishes.

15. Commission Work

You’re an artist so take COMMISSIONS!

16. Partner with an Interior Decorator

Interior decorators are always looking for a local talent to help them make their clients’ dreams come true. We’ve done placemats, pillows and bed quilts for a local designer/upholstery shop.

17. Quilts as Gifts

Specialize in once-in-a-lifetime quilts for weddings, anniversaries, graduation, and more! We’ve made banners with the special couples names and the date of their wedding that can be pinned to the banquet table during the reception and used as a bed runner later.

18. T-Shirt Quilts

Are you brave, fearless and true…then T-shirt quilts are perfect for YOU! Quilt them, or create them from scratch for folks. There’s a big demand for these.

19. Create Memories that Last

Capture their memories forever, specialize in creating memorial quilts out of clothing from a loved one.

20. Babies

Don’t forget the BABY!!! Small quilts for babies are so cute, and make great gifts!

21. Rent Your Longarm Sewing Machine

Invite your friends and local quilters to come use your longarm to quilt their creations. With training, others can competently rent your longarm for hourly use while you work on other things.

22. Offer Other Services

Don’t forget about the extras. Offer additional services like basting quilts for hand quilters or put bindings on with your longarm to earn a bonus!

23. Teach Quilting!

Offer classes on all different skills, types of quilting and even one-on-one private lessons. What could you possibly teach, you ask? We have a few ideas to share:

  • Pre-rental
  • Pre-ownership
  • Beginner’s Boot Camp
  • Ruler Work
  • Specialty Threads & Techniques
  • Basic Pantograph
  • On-board Applique
  • Feathers, of course
  • Basic Custom Shapes & Techniques
  • Creating Art on a Longarm
  • Fillwork & Textures
  • Thread Play

Did you know that you can piece strips or half square triangles with a longarm sewing machine? You can also applique or get the look of hand stem stitch embroidery! You can even foundation piece and make Chenille! We can teach you how!

24. Host a Retreat!

Retreat, Retreat!!! Host special retreats that rely on the advantages of a longarm sewing machine. Encourage participants to work together to create amazing longarm work.

25. Quilting Marathon

Have a quilting marathon for a group’s favorite charity with everyone pitching in to make as many quilts as they can.

26. Upgrade to a Masterpiece Retreat

Offer a Masterpiece Retreat where quilters come together to create a group Masterpiece from beginning to end — a creative journey for friends. Share custody of the quilt afterwards, or send it around to displays.

27. Spectacular Event Retreat

Throw a Spectacular Event Retreat for a group wanting to get together to make a cherished quilt for a special event like a wedding, anniversary or graduation… a beautiful bonding experience.

If things start getting serious and they are interested in talking to a dealer about purchasing an Innova longarm sewing machine of their own, just put them in touch with Jukebox Quilts and let us know about their questions and concerns!

28. Rep Your Favorite Sewing Machine

Tell your friends why you love your Longarm. Being a sales representative is as simple as telling others about your Innova longarm. Just show off your machine and tell them about the features you love. Take them through the basic introduction and answer any questions they have. Keep us posted, and once we close the sale, you will be richly rewarded with a special thank you. And it’s just that simple. That’s right, you can make money just sharing the love. The first step is to talk with us.

Let us know you are interested in being a sales rep!

29. Use Your Local Resources

Consult with your local Small Business Development Center on ways to increase your business. They are a great resource and their consulting is free to small business. You can meet with social media specialists, finance/loan experts, accountants, marketing specialists, etc. that will provide you with loads of advice and help.

Don’t Wait — Get Started Today!

Do you feel inspired to start making money with your longarm sewing machine? We hope so!

If you need some new print or digital quilting patterns, make sure you stop by Jukebox Quilts in Fort Collins. We have everything you need to get started, including sewing machines, patterns, thread, and more. Call us for any questions and sign up for a class to level up your quilting skills!

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