Okay, long title for a weird post. Usually you get design ideas from my blog. This will be a very candid post, and I'm not normally personal on my blog. However, when I first started writing this blog, it's purpose was to educate my customers as to my policies and costs of machine quilting...then I posted a quilt design to attract returning customers, and voila, I suddenly became a quilt designer.
Crazy turn of events.
Shared from "Sprout Social Photos" |
I've juggled a machine quilting business while raising my 4 children for 5 years now. At first it was fun and a great way to get some experience on my long-arm machine.
After a while, it became annoying--none of my customers could understand my policies (or visit my blog to pre-read what they were_ and want custom work (which is what I am known for) at edge to edge prices. It doesn't matter to them if it takes 3 times as long, it's just the "cost".
The costs of batting and thread continue to rise...but folks don't want to compensate you for your overhead--or the time to load the quilt, or so and so down the street is having a sale, why don't you? It is tough to break even, and since I insist on "staying in the black" I keep getting beaten by those computerized machines.
While I like the extra income, I am tired and I am finally ready to admit that I am ready to move on. It's not worth the time involved.
I'll keep blogging and designing quilt patterns, but I think it is finally time for me to bow-out of the machine quilting for customers race. I just don't have the drive for it anymore.
I hope to use this extra time to enjoy more things as a family. Here are some things we like to do.
Hiking the trail to Silver Lake. |
I need to practice! Maybe I can make it out of the 8 year old recital class. |
More hiking. |
Working the horses (I know she's sitting on a pony). |
So cute! Of course I want to spend more time with this princess & her 3 older brothers. |
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