Here is the first post in my “Quilting Q&A” series, where I’ll be answering questions from the members of the Quilting Biz community. I’ll be answering as many questions as I can, but please be patient.
So, here’s the first couple of questions from LeAnn F…
Welcome back! I like the new format. Now my questions:
The owner of a beautiful old home (historic register) came to our local quilt guild asking if any of us would be interesting in offering quilts for sale on consignment at the house. I would definitely be interested.
- Is there a “going rate” percentage for quilt consignors/consignees?
- I specialize in doll-sized quilts. Can I safely assume that traditional patterns (churn dash, 9-patch, bear paw, etc.) are in the public domain, so I won’t get into copyright trouble? What about use of commercial reproduction fabrics — any restrictions on use of repro fabrics in items consigned for sale?
OK, we’ll take them one at a time.
Continue reading ‘Quilting Consignment and Quilting Copyright’
Part of what I’m trying to do with the new www.QuiltingBusiness.com web site is provide links to some good information from other sources. That includes other quilting blogs and websites, and also the occasional general news story.
I came across an interesting article in the Lifestyle section of the Orlando Sentinel about decorating your home with quilts (NOTE: The Orlando Sentinel has placed the article in a paid archive - I have found the new link in the author’s original newspaper, the Hartford Courant). The article is about how “decorators have long appreciated the versatility and artistry of quilted fabrics.” And why am I linking to this article?
Because in the article, there are a number of different ideas that any quilting business can use to increase their product line and sell more quilts. And as a business owner, you should always be on the lookout for great ideas from other successful entrepreneurs that you can use in your business. For example:
Continue reading ‘Quilting Business Clues…’
I just received an email from one of the Quilting Biz community readers. She is seriously considering purchasing an existing quit shop in her area, and she had some questions about the process and what she can ask for during the negotiations and in the purchase of the business. She also wanted to know when to get the lawyers involved (always a scary issue!).
Here’s her question (she asked to remain anonymous to protect her identity):
Hi Chuck-
Do you have any recommendations for someone investigating buying an existing quilt store business? Some basics on inventory, purchase of office equipment and POS systems but not the building. Is it feasible to write in the contract for the new owner to work in the existing store to get to know the systems, vendors and customers? When should I get a lawyer and/or accountant involved?
Please do not use my real name in any publication.
Thanks
[NAME REMOVED BY REQUEST]
Continue reading ‘Buy an Existing Quilt Shop Business’
Hello everyone, and I’m officially back in the quilting business! I know some of you don’t remember me, but I’ve been running the www.QuiltingBusiness.com web site for over five years now, and I also have a number of other quilting-related web sites that I run.
But, about a year ago, I had to take a full-time job (my accountant assured me that if I kept taking money out of my retirement fund, it would be gone by the time I retired), and I got kind of burned out on running the web sites and doing the whole “9 to 5″ day job thing. So, for the past year, I’ve been spending most of my spare time watching the kids do their various sports and activities, and watching our puppy Ginger grow into a rambunctious dog.
Continue reading ‘Back in the Quilting Business Business’
I was on the Quilting and Patchwork blog, and came across an article written by Mary Emma Allen back in October called, “Do Quiltmakers & Quilt Businesses Need Resumes?” And my initial reaction was the same as Mary Emma’s:
“Not really… they aren’t looking for a job.”
But, much as Mary Emma concluded, quilt business owners (and quiltmakers who are selling their quilts) can definitely benefit from some kind of description of their experience and past work when marketing their products. And in the article, Mary Emma discusses some of the ways that a sort of “resume” (or extended bio) is useful for a quilting business, including:
Continue reading ‘Creating Your Quilting Business “Resume”’
Over the past few months, I have been receiving more and more questions about how to advertise a quilting business - whether it’s a machine quilting business, a quilt shop, selling quilts, or even an online quilt store - via the Internet. It seems that more and more people are taking their offline businesses into the online world.
Continue reading ‘Online Advertising for Your Quilting Business’
Over and over, I receive questions about pricing your quilting. This is probably the area where most quilting businesses either “get it” and make a good profit, or they tend to underprice feeling that people will not pay top dollar for quality products.
I recently received another question about pricing, and here’s my answer.
Continue reading ‘How to Price Your Quilts - Part Three’
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