How to Choose a Quilting Design that Sells

 

How to Choose a Quilting Design that Sells

 

Quilting is a huge hobby industry right now.  While in the past, many quilted purely for pleasure and only gave their quilts to family members, people are now seeing lots of business opportunities.  With advances in technology, it is easier than ever to sell your quilts for profit.

 

But making a quilt, especially making a full size quilt is a big investment of time and money.  You have to buy the fabrics and spend a great deal of time designing, sewing and quilting.  You want to be sure that there will be a market for the quilts you design.  Here are a few simple suggestions of things to keep in mind when trying to decide on a quilt decide you hope will sell.

 

1. Size Matters

When just starting out on your homemade quilt business, you might want to start with smaller quilts.  You can start out trying to create lap quilts and wall hangings.  See how those sell and what your most popular color and patterns are – this will make it easier to know what kinds of full quilts to design when you take that next step.

2. Tradition

Though there are always new and exciting techniques and patterns to try out, a lot of your customers will be looking for traditional types of quilts.  They are purchasing something that will hopefully stay in the family for generations so they will be looking for a quilt that is timeless.  Your customer will probably not be as excited by these new trends as you are, but you should try any new items you feel comfortable with.  The majority of customers are looking for a family heirloom, not the latest quilting craze.  Log cabin and double wedding rings are two of the most classic patterns and will appeal to a really wide range of customers.  It’s important to try new things and not lose your passion for designing, but it might be best to try some of these new designs on smaller pieces – just until you see how your customers respond.

3. Stick to Safe Colors

Many of the same things apply to your color selection.  You want to try and select fabrics that will appeal to a lot of different customers.  Not everyone is going to like the same things, but there will probably be very few customers interested in a quilt of hot pink and fluorescent yellow. You also need to try and keep your personal preference out of it.  The colors you like may not appeal to a lot of your customers.

 

It is important to know about current interior design trends, but you do not want to base all of your selections on the “in” color of the moment.  It can change so quickly and as was discussed earlier, your customer is looking for something that will last many years and through a dozen interior re-designs.

Softer colors or “safer” colors are best when designing quilts with no specific buyer in mind. 

4. Research

It is good to get as many different viewpoints as you can.  Be sure to talk to family and friends when you have a new design or color scheme in mind.  They can often bring a different perspective to the mix.  Also be sure that you are in touch with your customers.  Talk to as many customers as you can at local craft shows and see what kind of designs and colors they like.

5. Diversify

Making large quilts is quite an investment of time and money and the result is that your price point is quite high – not in terms of the work put in to them, but in terms of what the average craft show customer is willing to spend in one weekend.  Try to diversify your products.  There are lots of things that you can make applying the techniques and methods of large quilting products.  Consider creating placements and table clothes for your next craft show.  This can be an excellent way of using up all of those bits of material you gather over time and these smaller, less expensive products will appeal to a broader range of customers.

 

Wherever you sell or market your quilts, be sure to specify that you will do customer orders depending on size and the customer’s time frame.  Your customers will appreciate knowing that they can customize their own quilt design and colors – if they’re willing to wait a bit for that personal touch!

 


 




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