Longarm quilting by post

Quilters anywhere in the UK who piece their own tops and want a professional finish without owning a longarm.

Priced by quilt size or by square inch, with a clear price list online. Add-ons such as wadding, thread choice, binding and return postage increase the order value.

• Longarm quilting experience
• Photography for showing finished work
• Organisation and tracking orders
• Clear written communication

• Parcels can be lost or damaged, so decide on tracked and insured postage and say who pays
• Consider insurance that covers customers' quilts in your care
• Keep a backlog and waiting time you can realistically meet, so customers are not left waiting
• Distance selling rules on returns and cancellations may apply, so check current consumer guidance
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to business use at home

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the machine and frame you choose and how you set up your website and workspace. These are estimates, so compare equipment options first.

Monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,500, depending on how many quilts you take and the services you offer. These are estimates, and the low end assumes around 15 hours a week.

Check tracked and insured postage and who pays, and insurance covering customers' quilts in your care. Also check consumer guidance on returns and cancellations, keep a realistic backlog, and check whether business use at home needs agreement from your landlord, lender or council.