13 Reasons to Start Your Long Arm Quilting Business

Are you considering stepping away from your full-time career or job to pursue bigger dreams of starting your own long arm quilting business? Do you dream of making your own schedule? Do you want more balance in your work and home life?

I wanted the very same thing! I took that huge leap of faith!

And I want to encourage you to do the same! You can be a successful “quiltpreneur” too. Here’s why I know this:

1. Growing Demand for long arm quilters

The demand for professional long arm quilting services is growing, making it a lucrative business opportunity.

In my small town, 3 quilt shops have closed in the past 10 years, leaving only 1 quilt shop within 1 hour of my home.

You might be wondering why these shops are closing. Doesn’t that mean there aren’t enough quilters to support their business? No.

There are also 4 large, thriving quilt guilds within 1 hour of my home. Men and women are still creating quilts of all kinds, and they need a trusted long arm quilter!

2. Low Overhead Costs

The startup costs for a longarm quilting business are relatively low, making it accessible for those with limited finances.

I bought an HQ Avante long arm machine with a 12 foot frame new in 2015 and paid it off by 2017. You probably already have a long arm too.

Why not use it to MAKE money for your family?

I have a large 24 foot square loft sewing studio right in the heart of my home, so I didn’t have to buy a “She Shed” or other building space.

Most of us already own an iPhone, iPad, and laptop. That’s all you need to facilitate communication with clients, advertise on social media, build a website, and accomplish other online tasks?

Oh, did I just say build a website? Yeah, there’s that. I would say that’s been the most expensive thing about my business so far.

I’m sure it doesn’t have to be, but I’m not super knowledgeable about web design.

To get started, I bought a domain, website, and business email all through WordPress and GoDaddy.

3. No Inventory Required

Unlike other businesses, you don’t need to maintain a large inventory of materials, making it easier to manage.

For now, I purchase the thread, needles, batting, and fabrics that I need from local retailers as they need arises.

You’ll soon want to open wholesale accounts so that you can purchase necessary items at a much lower rate.

4. No Prior Experience or Education Necessary

Well….you know what I mean. You don’t need a college degree to be a long arm quilter.

So many jobs these days require 2 years experience or more before they will consider hiring you. And the competition is fierce!

Quilters ARE looking for someone who knows their way around a long arm machine. After all, they spend countless hours creating these beautiful quilts.

5. Minimum Physical Labor Required

Long arm quilting is less physically demanding than most jobs.

I stand to quilt most of the time; however, there are just some days that my hips need a break. Thank God for my saddle stool!

Your neck, shoulders, and arms do get a mild work out, but you can quilt at your own pace and take as many breaks as you need.

If you’re fortunate enough to own a digital (computerized) machine, that’s even better! Just set the parameters and watch your machine do her thing!

6. Flexibility and Freedom

Holy-Cow-Moley! This is probably my most favorite aspect of this job because, as a teacher, I worked within a bell schedule for the last 20 years.

• I had 3 minutes to run to the bathroom between classes.
• I sipped luke-warm coffee mid-morning because – who has time to drink anything with a room full of students?
• I could only take and make phone calls during my planning period.
• All doctors appointments had to be scheduled after 4 p.m.
• Yearly exams were all done during the summer, so there went any extra cash for summer vacations!
• I had to clock in at 7:30. Every. Day.
• I didn’t get paid a penny more if I stayed late to catch up or get ahead.
• 30 minutes for a (working) lunch at the same time every day.

So now, picture the exact opposite of all that.

• I set my own hours!
• I work around the doctor’s appointments!
• I eat when and where I want to WHILE I watch my favorite T.V. show on Netflix.
• I actually drink my coffee while it’s hot.
• I have time to exercise and study the Bible BEFORE I get exhausted and stressed out by work.
• I can run a load of laundry as I’m moving around the house.
• If I need a break or breath of fresh air, I take the dogs for a walk around the block.

All of your friends are quilters anyway, right? Mine are.

Not only do you get to visit and hang out with other quilter friends when they drop-off and pick-up their projects, but you can collaborate with other quilters and local quilt shops and on social media to increase your reach and network.

I try to teach at least 1 class per month. I would LOVE to teach 1 class each week!

Most quilt shops are LOOKING for good teachers and NEED to put more classes and workshops on their calendar.

It’s a mutually beneficial relationship for both you and the shop owner.

You bring paying customers into their shops. Those customers pay for the class and are given a discount on any merchandise they purchase that day.

At the same time, you are meeting other quilters who might later ask you to quilt something for them, buy a pattern, or refer a friend to you or your website.

8. Potential for Passive Income

A wise (and financially successful) business man once told me, “You need to figure out a way to make money wile you sleep.” I’ve never forgotten that.

As a teacher, I sold things on BoomLearning.com and TeachersPayTeachers.com. I’d wake up to find that I sold $6 while I was sleeping and it felt TERRIFFIC!

In the middle of Science class, my phone would notify me of an online sale with an awesome, “cha-ching” sound. Even my students were excited to hear that notification!

As quilters, we can do the very same thing.

By selling patterns, kits, templates, or pre-made quilts online, we can earn passive income without having to be actively involved in quilting.

We can also record ourselves teaching and sell those courses online through our website or other platforms like Esty and Craftsy.

Once we’ve built a loyal client base, we can expect repeat business and referrals, leading to steady income.

How many quilts can one quilter create? I don’t know, but I’m here ready and willing to quilt every single one of them!

If you are looking for a long arm quilter – I’m your girl!

Click here to see how I can help you finish your latest quilt project!

I walk you through the intake form here!

With an online presence, you can reach clients from all over the country and expand your business beyond your local area.

I know, I know…..Many of these points require being online….but hey, you are online right now, yes?

The internet is here and it is NOT going anywhere anytime soon.

It is the main tool people use these days to find goods and services we need and want.

Let’s take advantage of this (mostly) free resource!

Firstly, a Facebook profile is free and MOST folks have a Fb account.

Facebook used to be considered a site for nosey old folks looking for gossip.

Ah, but those geniuses at Facebook have now even reeled in the teens looking to take advantage of amazing deals on Fb Marketplace!

….which, BTW, I have used to advertise my business and availability to create custom, puzzle-style T-Shirt Quilts.

That one Fb Marketplace Item has brought MORE traffic to my business profile and website than anything else to date!

11. Opportunity to Grow and Specialize

You can specialize in a specific type of quilting, such as edge to edge, custom, micro quilting, thread overlay, etc.

You can also expand to creating commissioned quilts, like t-shirt quilts & baby / wedding shower gifts.

As your business grows, you can expand your services and offerings, leading to increased earnings.

You can decide to write patterns.

You might offer individual or group quilting lessons.

You could start a Blog!

You could write articles for magazines and guest posts for blogs.

The sky is the limit! And, what’s even better? The harder your work, the more you get paid!

You can’t say that when you are an employee for someone else’s business. THEY benefit from all of your hard work….not you.

12. A Joyful & Fulfilling Business

Longarm quilting allows you to use your creative and artistic skills.

Your work brings joy and comfort to others, making it a highly fulfilling business.

You meet new friends with similar talents! And then go on to build long-lasting relationships!

And I’m, by nature, a patient person. I’m not a worrier. My husband worries enough for the both of us.

So, to put his mind at ease by paying our bills for the first 3 months, I closed a retirement account early. You don’t have to tell me. I know we took a huge deduction. Guess what?

I. DON’T. CARE. I’ll take that deduction if that’s the cost of being an entrepreneur.

If that’s what it costs to have a life that I love living again.

– No more burn out! –

I’ll work and pray as hard as I can through these first months to get my name out there. To let folks know where I am and what I can do for them. To advertise and network. To build this blog….

And, Lord willing, it will all work out.

And one day I will look back on this brief period of time and be able to say it was the very best decision I have ever made for my family.

If you are thinking of becoming a long arm quilter FULL TIME too. I hope this post serves as encouragement.

Everyone will tell you it’s a bad decision. That it’s too risky.

Listen to your heart. Have faith in yourself, your work ethic, your business sense, your intuition.

God gave you this dream and desire. He will also bring clients, opportunities, and partnerships to make your business a success.

Ask yourself this, “Am I underestimating myself? Or am I underestimating God?”

He promises us that He can do FAR MORE than we can ever ASK or IMAGINE.

I encourage you to take Him up on that? He keeps His promises.

Freebie: Weekly Goal Checklist

Are you still nervous about starting your own long arm quilting business and need a little more guidance?

The teacher in me NEEDS a checklist. They help me achieve the CALM headspace I so desperately need in a world of CHAOS.

You can create your own on Canva.com