Quilting for Others – Featuring Fiona from Bubz Rugz!

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Welcome to Day 18 of How to Earn $ From Sewing and Quilting! This week we are talking about Quilting for Others, and today Fiona from Bubz Rugz has kindly agreed to be featured!

I’ve been “friends” with Fiona for a long time now… let me see, her first comment on my blog was back in July 2010… back when my blog had a different name! Oh and so far she has left me just over 250 comments 🙂  I haven’t met her in real life yet, but I hope to one day!

Now many of you visit her regularly and so you will know that she is a beautiful quilter! The projects she makes include paper piecing, stitching and hand applique… and she also finishes quilts for others…

How long have you been sewing and quilting?

I’ve sewed for a long time – I used to make awful clothes for myself and my children still say they need therapy to get over the clothes I made them (especially the underpants!)

I also did some patchwork for cushions, tea cosies but started seriously in 2007 I think.  I was struggling to meet people in a new town and so I joined a group and bought a small sewing machine.

 

When did you first decide to quilt for others?

About 3 years ago, I had always done my own quilts and some friends asked me if I would do theirs – it grew from there …

 

What kind of machine did you start with and is it the same one you still use? 

 I learnt on my very basic Janome … so I know you can quilt on any machine if you have the right foot.  I did double bed quilts on it, though I admit it was difficult and arm muscle building!

I then got a Pfaff grand quilter – it only does straight piecing and quilting and I will love it for ever.  I don’t use her for quilting much anymore but she is fantastic for piecing.

2 years ago I got a Sweet Sixteen, sit down mid arm which is still considered a domestic as the hands move the fabric -I’m very happy with it:

 

Would you recommend the machine you are using to others?

 Yes I would … it only quilts though, so that needs to be taken into consideration.  I personally favour simple machines that I can clean and service myself.  I’ve always had a limited budget so I have only purchased what I know I can comfortably cover the cost for.

 

Where you nervous starting to quilt for others?

Oh yes and I’m still nervous with every quilt.  I hope I will always keep myself on my toes that way.

 

What do you like best about quilting for others?

I love the pleasure people get when they get their quilt back -quilting always adds a different dimension, sometimes I can hear a gasp of pleasure and that’s the very best feeling.

 

Do you keep track of all the quilts you have finished for yourself and others? 

I try and photograph them but I am terrible about keeping records …. I think I have done over 100 …

 

Has there ever been a quilt you refused to quilt? 

Only when I know I haven’t been able to meet the time frame requested..

 

Do you like it when customers say “do what you like” or do you prefer for them to be more specific? 

Either is okay, but I do like to have a conversation about what sort of thing they like.  If they have no idea I will draw up some ideas and run it by them.

Some quick fun questions:

Favorite color: 

Blue

Food you can’t resist:

Dessert

All time favorite movie or tv show:

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

(Joy ~ oh, my dad loves that one too!!)

If you could be an animal, what would you be?

Eagle

What is your favorite quilt block?

oooh – too hard to choose!

What advice would you give to quilters who want to start quilting for others?

Just do it….  start slowly and build up.

Thanks so much Fiona for this insight and great advice!

Please go and visit Fiona and check out all the lovely things she has made and quilted! I’ve just pinched one off her blog, but there are of course heaps more….

This is one she quilted for the lovely Michelle (pinched from Michelle’s blog, more on her later in the month!):

And Fiona’s latest finish on her blog:

I just love the colors and quilting on this one!

Thanks again Fiona!

I’ll see you all again tomorrow with Quilting for Others – FAQ About Quilting for Others

PS Please remember I am answering your comments in the comment section below and not via email like I usually do. Sorry for the hassle, but I am hoping this month we can share ideas!

PPS The main page of this series is here along with links to each post for this series.

PPPS You can download the FREE EBOOK of last year’s series, 31 Days of Quilting UFOs HERE!