Write 31 Days – How to Earn $ From Sewing and Quilting
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Last year I came across the Write 31 day project, and was crazy enough to join in! I had no idea if I could do it, or even if I knew enough about one topic to be able to write about it every day for a whole month. Well, amazingly enough I did, and the result was 31 Days of Quilting UFOs…. It was a fun month for me, and a great time to organize my 216 UFOs … and make a plan to start finishing them!
This year I knew I had to join in again 😊 So a few months ago I started thinking of what I could do…. 31 Days of Quilt Blocks? Hmm… fun, but too much work and since I failed miserably at my 100 days of Hexies, I didn’t think a quilt block a day was going to happen!
31 Days of Free Motion Quilting? I very nearly decided on this one. Fun, informative and good for expanding my own skills. But it didn’t really fit in with what I was doing at the time (finishing UFOs!), and I thought if I made up sample blocks I’d end up with a bunch of orphan blocks and more UFOs. Not what I wanted.
Then I got to thinking. I was finishing UFOs, and a lot of them were class samples and items for selling in the shop and at markets… so I was thinking a lot about planning for classes, markets and craft fairs. I spoke to some other ladies and they were also thinking about selling their handmade items at the markets before Christmas and asking me lots of questions….., so I decided that 31 Days of How to Earn $ from Sewing and Quilting would be it!
If you have ever thought of trying to earn some money from your hobby of sewing or quilting, then I hope this month will give you a lot of motivation and food for thought! I’ll be sharing heaps of practical tips and success stories, and I am also finishing up an ebook or two on some of the topics I will be writing about.
Actually, last year I started writing a book about this very topic. I had an outlilne and started a few chapters…. Until I realized that writing a book about having a quilting business was going to take a very long time because there was so much to cover!
I had about 6 sections in the book, all covering the many “arms” of a quilting business, and in looking at them I decided each section was a book in itself. The book was put on hold…. While I re-assessed and got distracted with life 😊
In April I got stuck back into it, and I picked two sections and started working on some free mini courses and ebooks. Who knows when I will finish either, but let’s see!
A lot of the other content that was going to be in that first book will be in this month’s 31 Day series. So plenty of free information for you and encouragement to Earn $ from Sewing and Quilting!
What can you expect this month?
The first three days will be a general introduction. I want to share more of my story and how I have successfully earned a side income from sewing and quilting. I also want to touch briefly on the legal side of running a business and what you may need to do depending on where you live.
The rest of the month will be split into 5 topics or as I like to call them, 5 “arms” of a sewing and quilting business:
- Selling Supplies
- Teaching Others
- Quilting for Others
- Designing and Selling Patterns
- Selling Ready Made Items
I will be updating this page with a linked index to each blog post, so you can come back here and get a good overview of the month.
Day 1 – you’re reading it now!
Day 2 – How to Earn $ From Sewing and Quilting – My Story
Day 3 – How to Earn $ From Sewing and Quilting – Keep it Legit!
Day 4 – Selling Sewing and Quilting Supplies – Introduction
Day 5 – Selling Sewing and Quilting Supplies – Pick a Niche ~ Fabric!
Day 6 – Selling Sewing and Quilting Supplies – Pick a Niche ~ Non-Fabric Supplies
Day 7 – Where to Buy Sewing and Quilting Supplies to Sell
Day 8- How and Where to Sell Sewing and Quilting Supplies
Day 9 – Teaching Others How to Sew and Quilt – Introduction
Day 10 – Teaching Others How to Sew and Quilt – Can YOU Teach Others?
Day 11 – Teaching Others to Sew and Quilt – What to Teach
Day 12 – Teaching Others How to Sew and Quilt – Where to Hold Classes
Day 13 – What Skills do You Need to Teach Sewing and Quilting Classes?
Day 14 – What Supplies do You Need to Teach Sewing and Quilting Classes?
Day 15 – A Little Chat with a Quilting Teacher!
Day 16 – How to Earn $ From Sewing and Quilting – Quilting for Others
Day 17 – What Kind of Sewing Machine do You Need to Quilt for Others?
Day 18 – Quilting for Others – Featuring Fiona from Bubz Rugz!
Day 19 – FAQ about Quilting for Others Part 1
Day 20 – Quilting for Others – Featuring Susan from Granny Smith’s Quilting!
Day 21 – FAQ about Quilting for Others Part 2
Day 22 – Quilting for Others – Featuring Judy from News From Jude!
Day 23 – How to Earn $ From Sewing & Quilting – Designing and Selling Patterns
Day 24 – Designing and Selling Patterns – Finding Inspiration
Day 25 – Using a Quilt Design Program
Day 26 – Other Software to Use for Designing Quilts
Day 27 – How to Write up a Pattern
Day 28 – How and Where to Format and Sell Patterns
Day 29 – Featuring Michelle Ridgway!
Day 30 – Sew to Sell – Using Your Sewing and Quilting Skills to Earn $
Day 31 – How to Earn $ From Sewing and Quilting Wrap Up!
Something New!
Like last year, I am looking forward to hearing your hints and tips and how you may be earning money from your sewing and quilting hobby, now or in the past!
I usually reply to your comments via email, but for this month I am planning on answering in the comment section, so that everyone can benefit from the answers. Hopefully we can get a nice community of ideas and encouragement going!
Please feel free to answer people’s questions if you want to. The only thing I ask is that all the comments are encouraging and helpful. Any that aren’t, will be deleted.
Here’s to a fun 31 days!!
And for our first question of the month… I’d like to know – do you currently or have you in the past earned some money from sewing or quilting?
PS I compiled all of last year’s 31 Days of Quilting UFOs into a FREE EBOOK!!! Download it here!
I think a lot of people will find this interesting and valuable. Yes, I am lucky enough that people ask me to quilt for them…. I certainly don’t make enough for a business but it is a paying hobby….
Hugz
It’s great that you earn some pocket money from your quilting, and you do an awesome job!! xx
Yes Joy, my hobby has turned into a business, and I machine quilt for others, teach classes, design quilts and cut kits, and host retreats! Needless to say, my hobby which turned into a business, does not leave me a lot of time for my hobby these days!
Yes, you are super busy!! You run the best retreats! But you do enjoy it I know… 🙂 xx
I”ll be interested to read your posts, Joy. I like the idea of the 31 day challenge but think it will be too much of a challenge for me this year! I make a little money through my hobby by working in the quiltshop but am sure I spend more on supplies than I earn hehe
It can get a bit much posting every day, but at least it is only once a year, lol! Ah, I know what you mean by all the earnings going into the spending.. that’s me at the moment!! xx
It will be interesting to read posts on this topic – I’m not thinking of earning money from my hobby – though it might be nice – but it might also take the fun out of what you do.
Yes, that is certainly a danger… thankfully I still enjoy it and have lots of fun! xx
Hi Joy what a great topic I think it will help lots of people you are so kind sharing your knowledge,look forward to seeing you again soon xx
Thanks Shez, hope it it helpful!! xx
I don’t earn money from my hobby, except for the odd time that a friend has sold some small items for me at a craft fair. But I have a long arm and when I retire (soon) I imagine that I will start quilting for others. I know there is a lot of danger in starting to dislike your hobby if you turn it into a job, so I’ll have to be careful not to let that happen!
It would be great if you could start quilting for others when you retire… and still get in a bit of pocket money! But yes, you need to be careful not to overdo it and start hating quilting! I find I enjoy finishing my own quilts more than those I do for others… xx
Hi Joy, I need to move my hobby-business into the black at some point in the future…. like within this financial year. I will be watching your 31 day series with very keen interest. xx
Hope this series is helpful Dione! The hardest part of moving into the black is when you are starting out.. you have a great website with lots of info, so I am sure you can do it! xx
Oh I’m glad I popped in for a visit, this sounds very interesting. I’m looking forward to reading along.
I’m glad you popped by too! Hope you can pick up some good tips! xx
I know I’m getting in on this series rather late, but was wondering if you’re planning on touching more on selling online, like with an Etsy store.
Sorry Kim, no I am not covering selling online because I don’t have enough experience. I know there are some courses out there, but not sure if they are good or not – I’d have to try them before I recommend them…
I am hoping that one day I can have an Etsy store or something similar, but while I live in the Middle East the postage is just too much hassle…
xx