How to Make and Sell Quilts on Etsy

Creator Economy Expert & Etsy Seller

January 16, 2024

Making and selling quilts on Etsy can be a great way to turn your passion for quilting into a profitable business. With millions of active buyers on the platform, Etsy provides a vast marketplace for artisans to showcase and sell their handmade creations. However, with so much competition, it can be challenging to stand out and attract customers.

To start, it’s essential to identify your niche and create a unique brand that speaks to your target audience. Whether you specialize in modern designs or traditional patterns, having a specific focus can help you establish a loyal customer base and differentiate yourself from other sellers. Additionally, creating high-quality listings with professional photos and detailed descriptions can make your products more appealing and increase the likelihood of making a sale.

While selling on Etsy can be a rewarding experience, it’s important to understand the platform’s policies and fees. Etsy charges a listing fee, transaction fee, and payment processing fee for each sale, so it’s crucial to factor these costs into your pricing strategy. By following these tips and staying committed to your craft, you can turn your love for quilting into a successful Etsy business.

Understanding Etsy

Etsy is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of handmade, vintage, and unique goods. It was founded in 2005 and has since grown to become a popular platform for artists, crafters, and small business owners to sell their products.

To sell on Etsy, you first need to create an account and set up a shop. Once your shop is set up, you can start listing your products and managing your orders. Etsy charges a small fee for each listing and takes a percentage of each sale.

One of the key features of Etsy is its search algorithm, which uses a variety of factors to determine which products appear at the top of search results. These factors include keywords, product descriptions, and customer reviews.

To succeed on Etsy, it’s important to understand how the platform works and to optimize your listings for search. This can involve doing keyword research, writing compelling product descriptions, and using high-quality photos.

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Creating Your Quilts

When creating your quilts to sell on Etsy, it’s important to focus on quality. Use only top-quality materials and make sure your quilts are handmade with care. Customers on Etsy are generally looking for well-made, quality handmade quilts to gift or keep as family heirlooms. Consider picking a niche to specialize in, such as baby quilts or modern quilts, to help your shop stand out.

When it comes to designing your quilts, consider using unique patterns or color combinations to make your quilts more eye-catching. You can also offer customization options to customers, such as adding a personalized message or name to the quilt.

To save time and increase efficiency, consider using a quilting machine or outsourcing some of the work to other quilters. This can help you create more quilts in less time and increase your overall productivity.

Remember to take clear and well-lit photos of your quilts to showcase their beauty and quality. Consider using props or staging the quilts in a natural setting to help customers envision how the quilt will look in their own home.

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Photographing Your Quilts

When selling quilts on Etsy, it is crucial to have high-quality photos that showcase the beauty and unique features of your handmade creations. Here are some tips for photographing your quilts:

Lighting: Use natural light whenever possible and avoid harsh shadows. Take photos during the day near a window or outside in a shaded area. If you must use artificial light, make sure it is diffused and not too bright.
Background: Choose a simple, neutral background that doesn’t distract from the quilt. A solid-colored wall or a plain white sheet can work well.
Composition: Take photos from different angles and distances to show the entire quilt and any special details. Consider using props like pillows or chairs to add interest to the composition.
Editing: Use photo editing software to adjust the brightness, contrast, and color balance of your photos. Make sure the colors in the photo accurately reflect the colors of the quilt.

By following these tips, you can create professional-looking photos that will help your quilts stand out on Etsy.

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Ideal Etsy Listing Image Sizes

Listing Your Quilts on Etsy

Once you have created your Etsy account and have your shop set up, it’s time to start listing your handmade quilts. When creating a listing, it’s important to include clear photos of your quilt and all relevant information, such as the quilt’s size, materials, and any special details.

To make your listing stand out, consider using high-quality photos that showcase the unique features of your quilt. You can also use bullet points to highlight key details such as the type of fabric used, the quilt’s design, and any special care instructions.

When setting the price for your quilt, consider the amount of time and materials that went into creating it. You may also want to research similar quilts on Etsy to get an idea of what other sellers are charging.

Once your listing is live, be sure to promote it on social media and other online platforms to help drive traffic to your Etsy shop. You can also consider offering promotions or discounts to encourage buyers to make a purchase.

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Promoting Your Etsy Shop

Once you have set up your Etsy shop and listed your quilts, it’s essential to promote your shop to attract potential customers. There are several ways to promote your Etsy shop, both within and outside of Etsy.

One of the best ways to promote your Etsy shop is to optimize your listings for search engines. Use relevant keywords in your listing titles, descriptions, and tags to make them more visible to potential customers. Additionally, you can use Etsy’s Promoted Listings feature to get your listings seen by more people.

Another way to promote your Etsy shop is to use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Share photos of your quilts and link back to your Etsy shop to drive traffic. You can also collaborate with other Etsy sellers or bloggers to cross-promote each other’s products.

Email marketing is another effective way to promote your Etsy shop. Collect email addresses from your customers and send them newsletters featuring your latest quilts, promotions, and sales.

Lastly, consider using Etsy apps and tools to help promote your shop. Tools like QR codes, Facebook Ads, and Etsy Ads can help you reach a wider audience and increase sales.

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Handling Orders and Shipping

Once a customer purchases a quilt on Etsy, it’s important to handle the order and shipping process efficiently to ensure customer satisfaction. One key aspect to consider is whether to charge a handling fee on Etsy. As explained in this post, there are pros and cons to charging a handling fee, so it’s important to weigh the options and determine what works best for your business.

After the order is placed, the next step is to ship the quilt to the customer. It’s important to provide accurate shipping costs and options to customers, which can be calculated using a digital shipping scale or a kitchen scale, as explained in this guide. To set up shipping profiles on Etsy, follow the steps outlined in this help article.

In the event that an order is not shipped or delivered on time, it’s important to communicate with the customer and resolve the issue promptly. This post provides helpful tips for buyers who have not received their orders, but it’s also important for sellers to understand their responsibilities and options in such situations.

Finally, it’s important to provide customers with a seamless payment experience. Etsy offers a range of secure payment methods, as explained in this guide. After payment is received, it’s important to print and attach shipping labels to the package, which can be done directly through the Etsy platform, as explained in this guide.

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Maintaining Your Etsy Shop

Once you have set up your Etsy shop and started selling your handmade quilts, it’s important to maintain your shop to ensure continued success. Here are some tips for maintaining your Etsy shop:

Regularly update your listings: Keep your shop fresh by regularly adding new listings and updating existing ones. This will help keep your shop relevant and attract repeat customers.
Respond to customer inquiries promptly: When a customer contacts you with a question or concern, respond as soon as possible. This will show that you value their business and are committed to providing excellent customer service.
Monitor your shop’s analytics: Keep an eye on your shop’s analytics to see which listings are performing well and which ones may need some tweaking. Use this information to make data-driven decisions about your shop.
Stay on top of your finances: Keep track of your shop’s finances, including sales, expenses, and taxes. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are meeting your financial goals.
Continuously improve your craft: Keep learning and growing as a quilter. Take classes, read books, and connect with other quilters to improve your skills and stay inspired.

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