# How Colleen Granger Built Her Longarm Quilting Business Across States Colleen Granger shares 25 years of lessons on starting and sustaining a longarm quilting business, from pricing to finding customers. Quilting Business Success, Episode 36. Guest: Colleen Granger. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs ## Getting Started: From Alaska to California If you’re considering starting a longarm quilting business, Colleen Granger’s journey offers a candid look at the realities of launching and sustaining such a venture. Colleen began her business in a small Alaskan town, motivated by the long wait times for quilting services—"it was going to take at least six months to get my quilt back from a quilter if I sent it to her" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=345s). Recognizing a gap in the local market, she took a loan from her 401k to purchase her first longarm machine in 1999, paying in full before it was even built (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=410s). She set up her 14-foot machine in a friend’s quilt shop because it wouldn’t fit at home—a move that not only solved a space issue but also brought her immediate visibility and customers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=474s). Her story highlights the importance of identifying local demand and being resourceful with setup and financing. Even in a town with only 500 people in a 50-mile radius, Colleen found that "quilts started stacking up before the machine arrived" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=381s). Colleen’s approach was practical: she started quilting for others to pay off her machine, while still holding a full-time job as a PR person for the local electric company (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=834s). This dual approach allowed her to test the market and build skills without the pressure of immediate full-time self-employment. ## Paying Off the Machine: Part-Time to Full-Time Colleen’s initial goal was modest: cover the cost of her machine by quilting for others while working full-time elsewhere. She succeeded, paying off her machine in less than three years by quilting "two hours a night and either Saturday or Sunday" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=843s). This was in a town with only 500 people in a 50-mile radius, yet she found steady business due to a lack of local competition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=724s). Her experience shows that even in small communities, consistent demand for quilting can support a business, especially if you are the only provider. She later transitioned to quilting about 30 hours a week, describing herself as "a business of one" who also teaches, designs, and writes books [[t=984], [t=1105]]. Colleen’s story also illustrates the importance of adaptability. She moved her machine multiple times, from Alaska to California, sometimes setting up in her mother’s garage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1830s). Each move required her to rebuild her client base, but her reputation and willingness to ship quilts for distant clients helped maintain a steady flow of work (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=268s). ## Pricing and Turnaround: Setting Rates and Managing Flow Colleen’s pricing is straightforward: "I charge for edge-to-edge, I charge two and a half cents a square inch, which runs about 50 bucks an hour... If it's custom then it's usually closer to five cents a square inch" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1164s). She notes that her edge-to-edge work makes up about 65-70% of her business, with the rest being custom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1122s). Turnaround time is a key selling point: "usually it's like less than 30 days that I have a quilt" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1027s). Some customers are more flexible, using her as a storage area and requesting delivery months out, but others benefit from her efficient workflow, often receiving their quilts within two weeks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1006s). Colleen emphasizes that her rates are fair and transparent, and she collaborates closely with customers who want custom work, especially art quilters who bring specific design requests. She describes custom quilting as "doodling with a machine... you're doodling with thread" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1247s). This hands-on, creative approach is a draw for clients seeking something unique. Her pricing and workflow reflect a balance between efficiency and creativity, allowing her to serve a broad range of customers. ## Finding Customers: Word-of-Mouth and Guilds When Colleen moved states, she had to rebuild her client base multiple times. She found that "paid advertising has got me absolutely nothing" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1369s), but joining local quilt guilds and participating in show-and-share events worked wonders. Bringing her own quilts to guild meetings sparked interest—"they're like, whoa cool can you do that for me, it's like of course I can, here's my card" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1406s). Word-of-mouth referrals have been her most reliable source of new business, even leading to customers she never met in person: "I quilted for one lady who happened to be driving through town and found the machine in a quilt shop... I had ten people from Alaska Airlines that sent me quilts that again I had never seen their face" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1431s). Colleen’s story underlines the power of community engagement. She recommends that new longarm quilters make themselves visible and approachable. "People need to know who you are, people need to know that you're approachable" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1475s). Her approach is echoed by other successful quilters: building relationships, showing your work, and letting satisfied customers spread the word are more effective than any paid ad. ## Adapting to Technology and Workflow Colleen’s business evolved with technology. She started with a manual machine and later upgraded to a Statler in 2017, then to an Ascend, embracing automation to support multitasking: "I can cut out kits, finish writing patterns... while the machine's still running" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1094s). She values the flexibility of combining freehand, custom, and computerized quilting, which sets her apart from those who rely solely on automation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1189s). She emphasizes the importance of learning both hand-guided and computerized techniques, recommending that beginners start with hand-guided classes to build confidence and skill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=2747s). Colleen notes that the technology has made it much easier to get started today: "if you walked up to a dealer and you bought yourself an Ascend and had it put in your house... you would be in business in hours, not days, which is phenomenal" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=2595s). Her workflow is highly efficient, with the ability to multitask and keep the machine running while preparing teaching materials or working on other projects. This adaptability has allowed her to maintain a steady income and keep turnaround times low, even as she balances teaching, designing, and writing. ## Flexibility and Life Balance One of the greatest benefits Colleen cites is flexibility: "the nice thing about being self-employed is... my grandson has a hockey game, I can take a week off and I can fly to Alaska and I can go watch a hockey game" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1775s). She highlights how understanding her customers are when life events arise, and how the business can adapt to personal needs. Colleen’s story also touches on family support. Her husband helped transport supplies and deliver quilts, and her mother’s local connections helped her find clients after moving [[t=3016], [t=2891]]. She describes how her husband, a truck driver, would bring home batting from Anchorage and sometimes deliver quilts for her in his 18-wheeler [[t=3009], [t=3016]]. This flexibility and support system allowed Colleen to continue her business through major life changes, including caring for her mother after a stroke and coping with her husband's passing. She also notes the importance of measuring rooms for her 14-foot quilting table when buying a house, showing how the business shapes even personal decisions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1896s). ## Advice for New Longarm Quilters Colleen encourages newcomers to be approachable and honest: "if they can find somebody who is approachable, who does a nice job, who charges a fair rate, then anybody could start this business" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=3237s). She recommends practicing on charity quilts to build skills without the pressure of perfection: "you could practice on a philanthropy quilt, because it's going to someone, usually a homeless person around here. And, and they were so happy to have a beautiful, warm quilt. They didn't know that you made a mistake in your quilting" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=2636s). She also stresses the importance of community: "people need to know who you are, people need to know that you're approachable" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1475s). For those hesitant to start, she says, "bite the bullet, you know, take the plunge" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1502s). Colleen’s advice is grounded in her own experience: she started in a remote area with little support, learning by trial and error. She wishes someone had told her "how addicting this is" and how valuable it is to have someone to call for troubleshooting early on [[t=3077], [t=3099]]. ## Is It Still Possible Today? Asked if someone could start a longarm quilting business today, Colleen is unequivocal: "Absolutely. Absolutely... anybody could start this business" [[t=3188], [t=3237]]. While she notes that quilting may have slowed since the pandemic, the core market remains strong, especially for those who are open, skilled, and willing to engage with their community. She points out that there are "dyed-in-the-wool quilters that you find no matter where you go, and they are always looking to share their tails and find a new quilter" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=3210s). The need for approachable, quality-focused quilters remains, and Colleen believes that anyone willing to be honest, fair, and engaged can succeed. Colleen’s story is a testament to the enduring potential of the quilting business, regardless of location or changes in the market. Her 25 years of experience, adaptability, and community focus offer a blueprint for others considering the same path. ## Key numbers Every article reports the same metrics. 'unclear' means the guest did not give it. - Edge-to-edge rate: 2.5 ¢/sq in (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1164s) - Custom rate: 5 ¢/sq in (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1177s) - Queen-size price, edge-to-edge: unclear [unclear] - Queen-size price, custom: unclear [unclear] - Average price per quilt: unclear [unclear] - T-shirt quilt price: unclear [unclear] - Thread and batting charges: She did not state how thread and batting are charged to customers. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=0s) - Quilts per year: unclear [unclear] - Backlog / waiting list: unclear [unclear] - Turnaround time: 2–4.3 weeks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1006s) - Time per quilt, edge-to-edge: unclear [unclear] - Time per quilt, custom: unclear [unclear] - Edge-to-edge share of work: 65–70 % (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1122s) - Mail-in share: unclear [unclear] - Quilting hours per week: 30 hours (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=984s) - Hourly rate (stated): $50/hr (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1169s) - Annual revenue (stated): unclear [unclear] - Worst year revenue: unclear [unclear] - Lifetime revenue per machine: unclear [unclear] - Annual earnings (est.): $72,000 [calculated] - Effective hourly rate (est.): $50/hr [calculated] - Machine (model, throat, table): Gammill Classic, 14-foot table, upgraded to Statler in 2017, now has Ascend (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=958s) - Machine cost: unclear [unclear] - Machine payback (stated): 3 years (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=843s) - Machine payback (est.): unclear [unclear] - Number of machines: 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=916s) - Studio size: unclear [unclear] - Years in business: 25 years (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=327s) - Years quilting: 26 years (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=3144s) - Customers: unclear [unclear] ### What the numbers say Colleen’s quilting business operates with one machine and a stated workload of about 30 hours per week (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=984s). She reports that 65–70% of her work is edge-to-edge quilting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1122s), with rates of 2.5 cents per square inch for edge-to-edge and 5 cents for custom quilting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1164s), (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1177s). While the average price per quilt and the number of quilts completed per year are not specified, the stated hourly rate for edge-to-edge work is about $50 per hour (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1169s), which aligns with an estimated annual earnings figure of $72,000 (based on 30 hours per week over 48 weeks). Turnaround time is typically between 2 and 4.3 weeks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1006s), suggesting a moderate throughput, but without data on the number of quilts finished per week or year, actual capacity remains unclear. The business model appears to be sustainable: Colleen reports paying off her machine in under three years while working part-time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=843s), though the machine’s cost is not disclosed, so the payback estimate cannot be independently verified. Thread and batting charges are not specified (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=0s), and most pricing details for specific quilt types are missing, so it is not possible to analyze average transaction size or revenue per customer. Overall, the available figures indicate a steady, experienced operation with a clear pricing structure for core services, but key metrics on volume, pricing details, and customer base are not provided. ## Quotes > I paid for my machine in less than three years... working like two hours a night and either Saturday or Sunday. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=843s > I charge for edge-to-edge, I charge two and a half cents a square inch... if it's custom then it's usually closer to five cents a square inch. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1157s > Usually it's like less than 30 days that I have a quilt. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1022s > If they can find somebody who is approachable, who does a nice job, who charges a fair rate, then anybody could start this business. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=3226s > The nice thing about being self-employed is... my grandson has a hockey game, I can take a week off and... go watch a hockey game. > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6z4fhZExs&t=1766s