Custom Quilts & Quilt Making
Create and sell custom quilts, baby quilts, and quilted items
Overview
Quilt businesses generate $80,000-$450,000 annually with 60-75% margins selling custom quilts, baby quilts, and quilted goods.
In 2025, handmade quilts valued as heirlooms and personalized gifts.
Create bed quilts ($300-$2,000), baby quilts ($80-$300), wall art quilts ($150-$800), table runners ($50-$150), and quilted pillows ($40-$100).
Successful quilters develop signature patterns and styles, offer custom memory quilts (from clothing, photos), machine and hand-quilt efficiently, photograph quilts beautifully in home settings, and market to families and gift buyers.
Custom memory quilts from baby clothes, wedding dresses, or loved ones' clothing particularly meaningful and profitable ($500-$1,500).
Long-arm quilting services for others also revenue source ($0.02-$0.03 per square inch).
Marketing through craft shows, Etsy, local boutiques, quilt shows, Instagram, and word-of-mouth.
Required Skills
- Quilting Techniques
- Fabric Selection
- Pattern Design
- Machine Sewing
- Color Coordination
- Photography
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-value custom quilts ($300-$2,000)
- Emotional heirloom products
- Memory quilts especially profitable
- Can add long-arm quilting services
- Passionate quilting community
Cons
- Time-intensive per quilt (20-60 hours)
- Fabric costs significant
- Need space for cutting and quilting
- Long-arm quilting machine expensive ($15K-$30K)
- Seasonal patterns (holidays, baby season)
How to Get Started
- Master quilting techniques and patterns
- Invest in sewing machine and quilting supplies
- Create portfolio of quilts in various styles
- Photograph quilts in beautiful settings
- Set pricing accounting for hours and materials
- Market through quilt shows, Etsy, local boutiques
- Build reputation for quality and custom work
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