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New Machine Makes Quilts For Profit
"A profitable sideline and an enjoyable pastime for family members," says Dan Wirtz, manufacturer and inventor of a new home quilting machine that lets you make a "custom quilt" in two hours or less that. he says, is comparable to most hand-made quilts.
"That compares with the months, or even years, required to make some hand-made quilts. Since interest in quilts is growing, due both to nostalgia and to people piling on more covers to turn down thermostats, an average operator can make $10 an hour or more making quilts," says Wirtz. He notes that most of the people who have purchased quilting machines find they have more than enough business right in their church, clubs, and schools, all generated by word of mouth.
The quilting machine is essentially a table, rollers and industrial sewing machine that allows the operator to sew together three layers of material (for example, two brightly colored sheets with rolled cotton batting in between) up to 12 ft. wide into one big quilt.
"All materials are rolled lengthwise onto the back roller and then continuously fed up to the roller under the arm of the sewing machine. The machine is mounted in a special carriage that allows it to move a full 360? from side to side and front to back, enabling the operator to sew intricate quilting patterns, including loops and circles.
"The operator simply moves the machine back and forth, following a quilting stitch pattern template that runs the length of the table. The quilt is gradually rolled forward and two more rows are completed," explains Wirtz.
The sewing machine has a 1/10 hp. variable speed motor that ranges up to 3,500 rpm. The safety switch control button stops the machine automatically when released. The entire machine and table weighs just 240 lbs. and fits into aspace 3 ft. wide and 12 ft. long. "It's much smaller than the old fashioned hand quilting frames," notes Wirtz.
Curtains, padded winter clothing, and other items can also be made with the machine.
Retail cost is $2,195.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dan Wirtz, Kenquilt Manufacturing, 111 Pattie St., Wichita, Kan. 67211 (ph 316 262-3438).
A similar quilting machine is being offered by A-1 Sewing Machine Company in Springfield, Mo. Outfitted with reconditioned industrial sewing machines instead of new ones, the A-1 quilter sells for $1,750.
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mike Bregin, A-1 Sewing Machine, 908 N. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo. 65802 (ph 417 831-0033).


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1981 - Volume #5, Issue #6