Wrapping Up Year One in the Biz

I have learned so much in one year as Autumn Air Quilting, LLC. This year had its ups and downs and I was able to flex around it with this business. For that, I am very grateful. 

Here are some fun numbers.

1. 28, the number of quilting jobs I did this year NOT including my own quilts

2. 2, the number of T-shirt quilts I did…honestly, I thought this would be a much higher number. So, I’m waiting to see what happens in 2025

3. 93, the number of magna glide bobbins I emptied

4. TNTC (in science lingo, Too Numerous To Count), the number of nights, middle of the night, and mornings, I lay in bed strategizing how to run challenging quilts or how to make that schedule bend to my will. I have some serious skills now when it comes to challenges. LOL!

Besides the quilting aspect, I have learned more about marketing, my machine, and taxes than I ever thought I would need to know. Some challenges were expected and some were not; such as the massive software upgrade for my machine, which, many, many thanks to Innova, went smoothly once I convinced myself it was time to do it. My family has also been immensely supportive and I can’t thank them enough.

I have some 2025 promises to you as well, so don’t leave just yet!

Our industry has been hit by what may be a triple whammy. One of the best brands of batting, Quilter’s Dream, announced a price increase on all its batting in early March, Hurricane Helene devastated cotton crops this summer (think where that batting comes from, Quilter’s Dream is made in the USA), and now the talks of tariffs.  Most quilter’s cotton comes from overseas.

Promise 1 - I will NOT increase any of my pricing in 2025! What you see right now, is what it will be until 12/31/2025.

I am using the holidays as a time to reset my machine and switch back to Innovatech thread. This does mean more time in winding my own bobbins and higher costs for thread, but…see Promise 1. This thread is literally made for this machine and with it, I will be able to offer a broader choice of colors.

That brings me to Promise 2 - New thread colors coming soon!

Promise 3 - More webpage updates in blogs and inspirational pictures. Come back often!

Blog posts are not my forte.  However, I will try to provide more and with it, I will be adding a page of finished projects of both customers and my own to provide a place for inspiration. A few simple tutorials will be coming as well.

So, (to steal a phrase from my husband’s company) as we dim the lights for the holiday season, I wish you a ‘pieceful’ time with friends and family and look forward to hearing from  you in the new year!

~Erin