We'll walk you through all the steps of "getting legit" with your business, including:

• Determining your business structure and naming your business
• Filing for all the appropriate forms and permits
• Opening a business checking account
• Investigating insurance products
• Understanding branding and creating your logo

In week two, we'll work through outfitting your workspace with all the tools and supplies you'll need, and provide downloadable checklists to help keep you organized.

We'll talk about:

• Bobbin and top threads
• Batting - what to carry, how to charge for it and how to recommend to clients
• Storage options for all your supplies
• Room organization
• Our top 30+ tools with links

In Week 3 we'll be digging into the details and giving you step-by-step guidance on loading quilts. Then we'll hone in on specific quilting techniques.

Here's a sampling of what you can expect:

• 12(!) step by step videos on loading a quilt
• Advising clients on backings
• Loading a quilt sideways
• Unpicking stitches and healing holes
• Realigning digital pantographs
• Fixing fullness in a quilt

This is the week we'll do a deep dive on using digital pantographs.

• Assessing the difficulty of a pantograph
• Scaling a digital pantograph
• Making pantograph suggestions and developing your own aesthetic
• A list of my go-to pantographs with advice on building and organizing your own pantograph library
• As a BONUS you'll get fifteen beginner-friendly, modern pantographs from the Longarm League for FREE (Value of $225)

After the last couple of weeks on focusing on the technical aspects of quilting, we'll turn our attention to working with clients. With several downloadable handouts and worksheets, this module will guide you through:

• Creating your menu of services
• Creating a custom quilt intake form that you can begin using immediately to accept quilting requests
• Receiving a quilting request
• Setting up workflows for intaking and returning quilts
• How to communicate issues/problems with a client
• Tips for time management

Managing your business finances is a critical part of running your business. We'll cover everything you need to get started on the right foot, including:

• Understanding finance terms
• Choosing an accounting system
• Navigating expenses, income and reports
• Creating Invoices
• Setting up your chart of accounts and categorizing expenses
• Paying yourself
• Working with finance professionals

Does building a website sound scary? It doesn't have to be! We provide Rookie Season students with a pre-built website template we created just for Rookies that contains all the pages you'll need to start running your longarming business. We've even included sample wording one each page so you don't have to start from scratch! Through step-by-step videos and lessons we'll walk you through customizing the pages to match your brand, and show you how to update and personalize the wording and images. During our website weeks you'll get:

• A multi-page pre-built Wix website template
• Detailed walk-throughs on how to update your site to customize it for your business
• Instructions for embedding your quilt intake form into your site
• SEO guidance

We cover a lot of ground in the first eight weeks of lessons. We'll take a break during week 9 to let you catch up on any outstanding lessons or continue building out your website. At the start of the following week we'll be welcoming you into your guided Longarm League membership!

A: Yes! We are talking to beginners here and that sounds like you! This is all about starting a business though, so hobbyist longarm quilters might be better served with a different resource.

A: If you are beginning to shop for a machine, you might find this article helpful.

If you plan to have your machine in the next several months, the timing should work great! You can join us now and start working on the business side of things.

If your machine is ordered and on the way, that's even better. Many students have had machines delivered during the course and it works perfectly! 

Access to the course online lasts for one year (longer if you extend your membership), but all lesson text is downloadable. I've been told that if you are a person who likes to plan and need ALL THE INFO before doing something, taking the course now will work out great for you!

A: I'll be honest, computerized quilters will get the MOST value out of this course. That's not to say that it wouldn't be worth it for handguided quilters. Quite the opposite! Of all the modules, Week 4 will be most geared to digital pantographs, and maybe one lesson in Week 3, but everything else is applicable to a hand-guided quilting business. Go ahead and look over the lessons again and ask yourself whether the topics covered would benefit you.

A: Yes, to a degree. A lot of it is findable, provided you know what you're looking for. That is not always the case. There are also specific strategies that I've introduced to other longarm quilters via the Longarm League that they have deemed "game-changing". Realistically, how many hours, weeks, or (in my case) YEARS would it take to get all of this information pinned down? How much money did I leave on the table by not getting my systems in place earlier? I don't want that for you. What if instead of spending that time researching, you were able to invoice client work?  By taking my course, you'll have a road map delivered to you AND you'll get a built-in community of support.

You are investing in a business you can operate for YEARS into the future. Once you get rolling and especially after you cover your initial investment, your longarm can feel like a money-printing machine. It's awesome! And perhaps—if you're like me—the flexibility of working how and when you want, cannot be beat!

A: YES!  Starting and building a business takes time, and we want you to have all the time and support you need. After Week 9 of the course, you'll automatically get access to all the archives and benefits of the Longarm League membership for the rest of the year.  

A: You will be able to go at your own pace if you wish. When each module is released, you will be able to download every lesson (including supplemental worksheets & templates) whether PDF or video. Additionally, you will have online access for a year.

If you are a person who enjoys a group aspect and the accountability that comes with it, I'd encourage you to work through the lessons when they are released, but it is not required.

My personal opinion is that there is SO MUCH VALUE in showing up to the Zoom calls. I can't tell you how valuable it would have been to me to "pick the brain" of a quilter who had the experience of building the kind of business I wanted for myself.

A: Check out the guided walkthrough at the bottom of this page. Maybe it'll help you decide? If you would like additional help, please fill out this questionnaire and I'll make a personal recommendation. Please provide context in the additional notes section about your quilting and/or business experience. Ultimately, you know your business best, so tell me what you are needing most and I'll do my best to help.