Make Money by Making Quilting Kits
You don’t have to quilt to start a quilting business. There are plenty of ideas to find your niche in the world of quilting businesses.
Making and selling quilting kits is one niche market. Beginner quilters would purchase quilting kits. They are your target market. As you plan your quilting kits, keep in mind some of the obstacles a beginning quilter would face and strive to overcome them.
For instance, a beginning quilter might be daunted by all the patterns out there from which to choose. If a beginner selects a difficult pattern, chances are that the project will never be finished and the beginner might never try quilting again! To avoid that, select simple quilt patterns for your quilting kits.
Another obstacle beginning quilters face is fabric selection. Your quilting kit will have the fabric pieces with it, taking the guess work out of color coordinating and fabric selection.
Go ahead and cut the pattern pieces for your quilting kits, too. Beginners will especially love this! You could offer intermediate level quilters with another option. For the slightly more advanced quilter, you could print (or trace) the patterns onto fabric and allow the quilter to cut them out. Take into consideration how much time this might take, however.
Don’t forget to include threads and even a needle for hand stitching!
There are many different levels at which you could offer quilting kits. You could make kits for quilt block pillows, wall hangings, lap quilts or full size quilts. You could also compile kits for quilted toys and dolls.
Another niche market for quilting kits could revolve around holiday themes. Offer kits that will make ornaments and other decorations.
How will you sell your quilting kits? Many have dreams of mass market production, but you can sell your quilting kits without a contract from a large chain store! Consider selling the kits from your own website or Internet store. You could even sell them from an online auction site/store.
Small, classified line ads are an inexpensive way to advertise if you choose to advertise in craft magazines. Don’t overlook all the free publications in your particular area, either. A lot of newspapers or local tabloid sized magazines offer free classifieds.
Writing an effective classified line ad is not hard. Keep the information short and sweet, and don’t forget to include your contact information. A good classified ad might read: “Quilting kits. Perfect for beginners! See designs online at www.mywebsitename.com.”
You will also need to consider how to package your kits. The first way that comes to mind (and probably the easiest) is to include the fabric pieces, threads, needle and good instructions in a resealable plastic bag. The idea is to keep the kit simple for your buyer but to make money for your business. So, the less paper you include for directions, the more profitable your kit. But, make sure you include all necessary directions!
For instance, your detailed directions could fit on one side of paper or card stock. On the other side, take a photo of a completed quilt block from your kit. Make sure to include your business name and contact information on that side as well.
Home computers and inexpensive color laser printers make professional printing very affordable. Consider investing in a laser printer if you will be printing your own directions. Copy printed by inkjet method smears and runs if it gets wet.
When you assemble your kit, make sure the sheet or cardstock is inserted in the bag so that the photo of the completed quilt or block faces outside. This gives your customer a chance to see what they are purchasing and an example of how it should look upon completion.
About the Author
Penny Halgren
http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com
Penny has been a quilter for more than 27 years. She enjoys exploring all aspects of quilting and sharing her knowledge with all quilters. If you are looking for an Internet quilting club with a wide variety of resources for all level quilters, check out http://www.TheQuiltingCoach.com .
How to Quilt – Quillow Kit Pirate Embroidery Designs Series Part 1
|
|
Wilton 1907-1107 Set of 10 Gum-Paste Modeling Tools with Storage Case $12.98 Gum Paste and Fondant Tool Set. This tool collection enables decorators to create life-like gum paste and fondant flowers and decorative details. This package contains 1 veining tool with large tip and small tip, 1 dogbone tool with large tip and small tip, 1 shell tool with knife on opposite end, 1 wheel tool with quilting wheel tip and cutting wheel tip, 1 umbrella tool with 6-division side and … |
|
|
Wilton Fondant/Gum Paste Tool Set $19.50 WILTON-Gum Paste and Fondant Tool Set. This tool collection enables decorators to create life-like gum paste and fondant flowers and decorative details. This package contains one veining tool with large tip and small tip; one dogbone tool with large tip and small tip; one shell tool with knife on opposite end; one wheel tool with quilting wheel tip and cutting wheel tip; one umbrella tool with 6-d… |
|
|
9ft Blue Neon Glowing Strobing Electroluminescent Wire (El Wire) $2.70 Characteristics of EL Wire 1. Flexible 2. Energy saving 3. Easy to install 4. Cool to the touch 5. Available in many color 6. Available in continuous lengths (ranges several inches to thousands of feet. 7. Powered by either batteries or house outlets 8. Suitable for ornaments and jewelry 9. Can be cut and spliced 10. Enables braiding or looping 11. Water resistant and weather durable… |
|
|
ShouldersBack Posture Support – ShouldersBack Lite – Medium – Black $44.00 Posture Support Brace This shoulder posture brace is comfortable for both work and workouts. It’s an orthopedist-designed nylon vest that gently coaxes your shoulders into proper position to help prevent chronic neck and back pain and improve your posture. Made from a lighter material than our original ShouldersBack (no longer available). Adjusts to fit over or under clothing. Product Features: … |
|
|
Bendable Bright Light Kit $27.25 This phenomenal little light is bright, flexible, and efficient! Features: White plastic base and bright, flexible, and efficient! Features: White plastic base and mounting bracket, chrome colored flexible arm and light housing, 8ft. low voltage power cord (UL list: E236365), LED bulb (100000 light hours), 120 volt/60Hz input, DC6V/300mA output, mounting adhesive, white plastic cord clips, and tri… |
|
|
General Pencil Quilters Survival Kit $9.72 Both the beginner and pro quilter will want this kit in their quilting project case. Kit contains everything a quilter can use when marking patterns and stencils. This survival kit includes: 1 light grey pastel chalk pencil, 1 white pastel chalk pencil, 1 yellow quilters pencil, 1 silver quilters pencil, quality pencil sharpener, BM-2 pen style eraser, Kiss-off stain remover and sandpaper paddle. … |
|
|
Alex Toys Knot-A-Quilt $14.57 Who needs needles, stitching or stuffing’ Get “knotty” and easily make a quilt without any difficult techniques. It takes just a few creative hours to make a giant 36″ x 48″ quilt of fringed squares knotted together into a colorful pattern. Then cuddle up in your new creation. Kit comes with instructions and 48 squares (9″ each) of colorful fleece in six colors…. |
|
|
Alex Toys Super Knot A Quilt $50.00 Creative kids can make a family keepsake with this oversized quilting kit. This super-easy activity allows quilters to create a masterpiece quickly-just knot and lace! Layered shapes and tassels let them customize. Comes with 42 colorful fleece squares, fleece shapes, fringe, and ABC template. ALEX. 6+… |
|
|
Cre8 Adhesive Back Polyester Fabric $7.36 Create your own custom designs for quilting, sewing, and home decor projects. Follow included instructions to print images using your computer and color inkjet printer, then simply remove backing paper and sew or peel & stick to your softcraft project. Instructions and project ide as included…. |
|
|
HP Custom Quilt Label Kit $69.99 Create unique fabric labels using your own text, photos and graphics. Use coordinated templates for matching made by labels, story labels and gift cards. Choose from a variety of themed artwork and quilting phrases. Easy-to-use software to design and print your own fabric labesls. Made-by Labels – Story labels – Plus matching gift cards. Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, Macintosh OS 9, OS X…. |
|
|
Quilt Magic ‘Penguin’ Hanging Quilt Kit $18.5 Make a unique seasonal wall hanging with this quilt kit by Quilt Magic. The kit requires no special tools, sewing or gluing to make. |
|
|
Log Cabin Star Wallhanging Quilt Kit $17.83 Find everything you need to quilt in this log cabin star wallhanging quilt kitSewing kit contains all fabrics, batting, embellishments, patterns, and instructionsLog cabin quilt kit is ideal for beginning and intermediate quilters |
|
|
Quilt Magic Trio of Poppies Quilt Kit $20.56 The ‘Trio of Poppies’ quilt kit by Quilt Magic is a fun no-sew quilted wall-hanging to decorate any room in your home. These kits are easy to make and require no special tools to create. |
|
|
Quilt Magic Mary and Baby Jesus Quilt Kit $19.75 Quilt MagicNo Sew Wall-hanging KitKit features an image of religious figures |
