In the early days of my quilting journey, I crafted quilted ornaments from leftover fabric to complement my quilts. Some friends suggested I sell them, so I set up an Etsy account and listed a few items. When they didn't sell right away, I casually told my friends, 'See? No sales,' and removed them from the site. That was my first "attempt" at a business.

Picture of one of my quilted ornaments

After spending a few years quilting and giving my creations as gifts (I also stopped making ornaments since they took too much time for me), I began to hear suggestions that I should sell my quilts. To be honest, I never considered my quilts to be anything special. They were simply a creative outlet that I enjoyed sharing with family, friends, and a few coworkers. However, when people I had never met echoed this sentiment, I started to entertain the idea of actually selling them. It's funny how advice from loved ones can easily be dismissed, but when it comes from a stranger, it suddenly makes you reconsider.

Quilt I made for a family member

I spent a lot of time thinking about my target audience for my quilts. While any sale is a success, who, in particular, was I trying to reach? After weeks of pondering, I realized I aim to connect with the person that wants a handmade quilt but lacks the time, skills, or inclination to create one. The person I'm trying to reach could be a soon-to-be mom that wants something 100% cotton that her child could pass down. Maybe the couple who just married or the person who just moved into that first house wants something a bit more unique than what can be found in stores. How about the parents who want to give their children, who are moving away, something special that will last for years but never learned how to make them? There are so many people who, due to time constraints or lack of knowledge, would cherish the opportunity to purchase a quilt instead.

I researched mass production trends and, honestly, became discouraged, especially after seeing posts and graphics of how expensive a handmade quilt could be. This prompted me to track how much fabric and time was actually used, especially since I work a full-time job. Once I had the number of hours it truly took me to make a quilt, I developed my pricing strategy. I am able to still build my business while keeping the quilts affordable. My research into the mass produced also revealed three key insights: very few of these "quilts" are crafted from 100% cotton materials, most of them are NOT patchwork quilts but are simply three layers quilted together (technically still a quilt), and most of them are not made here in the US.

Quilt gifted to someone in need

I came to a clear realization: I wanted to create affordable, high-quality quilts made from 100% cotton for those who lack the time, skills, or interest to make them on their own. With my Etsy store already established, I dedicated time to enhancing my product listings and began promoting them. Etsy had recently emphasized its commitment to handmade goods, requiring sellers to select specific categories when listing products. I thought to myself, 'This is fantastic! I'll finally connect with my target audience!' However, the response was underwhelming... It was eerily quiet. A few items were favorited, many carts were abandoned, but I struggled to gain any real momentum. In fact, when I ceased my advertising efforts, I discovered that the only visitors to my Etsy store were those I had attracted through my own promotions. Seeking alternatives, I explored Shopify, and now, as you read this, you can see that I have successfully launched my own website.

I started doing in person markets as well. It takes time to discover which markets suits my quilts best, but I'm having fun, learning a lot, and meeting fascinating people along the way. Balancing site promotion, quilt-making, and market appearances has been a rewarding experience. Even if my venture eventually returns to a hobby, I'm fully committed to giving it my all. I don't know what the future holds, but I hope it holds a quilt for people who might not otherwise have access to them. As quilting becomes less common, I hope to spark renewed interest in this craft through my sales, and if even one person who purchases a quilt decides to take up quilting, it could help revive this cherished tradition.