Home longarm quilting service

Hobby quilters and sewers who piece tops but lack the space or machine to quilt them, plus people with inherited or commissioned quilts.

Usually a price per square inch or per quilt size, with extras for thread, wadding, binding prep and custom stitching. Repeat customers and guild word of mouth drive most work.

• Sewing and quilting knowledge
• Patience and steady hand control
• Attention to detail
• Clear communication with customers

• Longarm machines and frames are large and heavy, so check your room size, floor strength and access
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to business use at home
• Consider public liability and insurance for customers' quilts while in your care
• Customers' quilts can be precious or sentimental, so agree what you will do if something goes wrong
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep records of income

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the longarm machine and frame you choose and your other supplies. Check your room size and access before you buy.

Check room size, floor strength and access for a large, heavy machine and frame. Also check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council must agree to business use, consider insurance for customers' quilts, and register as a sole trader with HMRC.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many quilts you take on and the designs customers choose. Hours start at about 10 a week.