Once again, I’m joining Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl for her 2019 Planning Party. I’ve been thinking really hard about how I want to adjust my business in 2019.
Longarming has become the primary focus for my business. I have enough work most weeks that I can be quilting, and earning, five days per week. I still don’t want to be working on weekends if I can help it – I enjoy spending time with my family.
I would like to work on my skills with my quilting computer. I think I can be more efficient with it, but I haven’t spent the time to really learn the software yet.
My free motion skills need work, too. It’s time to buckle down and start really working on my sketches. That is one of the easiest things to skip every day.
I have persuaded the owners of Gotham Quilts to give me more classes to teach. This year I am teaching longarm certification (so people can rent time on the shop longarm) twice per month. I will also be teaching free motion and ruler work on the longarm. I’ve really come to enjoy sharing my favorite part of quilting with people. Usually my students come in nervous and intimidated by the huge machine. My job is to get them comfortable and confident with the shop equipment. The best part is when their eyes light up as they realize they CAN use the machine.
I’ll also be teaching at my local quilt guild. Depending on how that goes, I will be approaching some other quilt shops and guilds with my offerings. Fingers crossed! And, if you are local to New Jersey and haven’t tried the Jelly Roll Rug yet, I have a class coming up with Rebecca’s Reel Quilters on January 5th. Consider this your special invitation.
I’m going to keep taking interesting classes this year. I’ve worked with so many inspiring quilters this year, and I’ve learned a lot. I’m signed up for classes already with some of my favorite quilters. Not only do they teach me to quilt, but they teach me how to teach, too.
My pattern design aspirations are much lower this year. I might play with more of my sketches, but I’m not burning to only make original quilts. Last year the one time I submitted I was fobbed off for almost a year, and I still haven’t heard anything about that pattern. It was very annoying. I would rather be told “no” than be told nothing. I’ve got a few things submitted to magazines, but I’m going to be more picky with who I submit to. No more working for “exposure”.
With Island Batik I spent more time thinking about what to make than actually making it. This year I’m going to be using patterns I like from other designers. I’m going to make my life easier, and spread the word about designers I admire. I probably won’t follow their patterns exactly, though, because I like to put my mark on a project.
I’m going to continue to enter my quilts into shows. I’ve already submitted to QuiltCon – and of the two quilts I submitted, one was accepted. I plan to enter MQX and maybe some AQS shows. Also, the Eastern States Exposition. I missed it last year, and I was disappointed.
Finally, I would like to finish some UFO’s this year, rather than add to the pile. With that in mind, I’ve picked up an organizer that will sit next to my sewing table. When I have free time (haha) I will work on these. I’m also going to really push myself to finish my La Passion quilt.
Now, I’m off to fill in my Quilter’s Planner and get this party started.
What are your plans for the coming year?
Fabulous post. Looking forward to seeing how things go for you in 2019!!!
You have a terrific year ahead of you. It is always good to refine what you really want to do – out of the many options presented to us. It will be interested to see how you put your own spin on designs you like. I look forward to watching you grow as a longarmer and teacher – you are already doing such a great job!
It can be hard to set boundaries like “no working weekends” when self-employed, especially in the quilting world when classes are very popular on the weekends. I think that keeping the boundary for the longarm work is really a great idea, and I hope you have a wonderful 2019. Thank you for linking up!
Hi Jen! I love reading goal setting posts, especially ones that reflect on the previous year’s goals. Sometimes goals just don’t work out, or what you want to focus on changes. It sounds like teaching and longarming is a fabulous focus for you, and they tie together so well. There’s always time for patterns if you change your mind! And Oscar appreciates that you don’t work on the weekends! {{Hugs}} and Happy New Year. Here’s to a wonderful 2019! ~smile~ Roseanne
Hi Jen, What a great read! It’s so fun reading about your learning and teaching journey. You like the quilting part and I like the piecing and binding part. If you lived closer I would totally work out a trade deal with you. 😀
That would be fun! To be honest, I love piecing, too. My favorite changes day to day. I just decided that longarming is the way for me to have consistent income.