Welcome to Quilt Logger! We're thrilled to have you here. Whether you're new to managing your quilting business digitally or switching from another system, this guide will help you get up and running quickly.

Why Quilt Logger?

As a long arm quilter, you wear many hats—artist, business owner, customer service representative, and accountant. Quilt Logger was built specifically for quilters like you, bringing all your business management tools into one beautiful, easy-to-use platform.

Setting Up Your Account

Getting started with Quilt Logger is simple. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Create Your Account

Sign up for your free demo account or start your basic or pro subscriptions with a 14-day trial at quiltlogger.com. No credit card required to make an account! Just enter your email and create a password.

Step 2: Complete Your Business Profile

Once you're in, head to the Settings page and fill out your business information:

Business name
Contact information
Business address
Tax ID (optional)
Logo upload (optional)

This information will automatically populate on your invoices and communications, saving you time with every customer interaction.

Step 3: Set Up Your Pricing

Navigate to the Pricing section and set up your base rates:

Edge-to-edge quilting rate
Custom quilting rate
Rush fee (if applicable)
Batting stock and rates
Additional services (binding, backing, etc.)

Don't worry—you can always adjust these later, and you can customize pricing for individual customers or projects.

Adding Your First Customer

Now that your account is set up, let's add your first customer:

Click on Customers in the main navigation
Select Add New Customer
Enter their contact information
Add any notes about preferences or special requirements
Click Save

Pro Tip: Use the notes field to track details like preferred batting, backing preferences, or any special instructions. This makes future projects with the same customer much easier!

Creating Your First Quilt Entry

With your customer added, you're ready to log your first quilt:

Go to Quilts and click New Quilt
Select the customer
Enter quilt details:
- Quilt top dimensions
- Batting type
- Backing information
- Quilting style (edge-to-edge or custom)
- Pattern
- Top and Bottom Threads
- Extra services (binging, backing, etc)
- Due date
Add photos of the quilt top
Click Save

The system will automatically calculate pricing based on your rates, but you can always adjust the final price if needed.

Tracking Progress

One of the most powerful features of Quilt Logger is status tracking. As you work on quilts, you can update their status:

Received - Quilt top just arrived
In Progress - Currently quilting
Finished - Quilting complete
Ready for Pickup - Customer has been notified
Completed - Customer has picked up and paid

Each status change can automatically trigger email notifications to your customer, keeping them informed without any extra work from you!

Creating and Sending Invoices

When a quilt is finished, creating an invoice is simple:

Open the quilt entry
Click Generate Invoice
Review the details (everything auto-populates!)
Add any additional charges or discounts
Click Send to Customer

Your customer will receive a professional invoice via email with payment instructions. You can also print invoices for customers who prefer paper.

Communication Made Easy

Quilt Logger includes built-in communication tools:

Automated Notifications - Send status updates automatically
Email Templates - Pre-written messages for common situations
Customer Portal - Let customers check their quilt status online
Photo Sharing - Share progress photos directly with customers

Tips for Success

Here are some tips from other Quilt Logger users:

1. Take Photos Immediately

When a quilt top arrives, take photos right away. This protects both you and your customer by documenting the condition of the quilt top upon arrival.

2. Use Status Updates Regularly

Keep customers informed by updating quilt status as you work. Most customers love seeing their quilt move from "In Progress" to "Finished"!

3. Set Realistic Due Dates

Use the calendar feature to avoid overbooking. Quilt Logger will help you visualize your schedule and prevent conflicts.

4. Review Reports Monthly

The analytics dashboard shows you important metrics like:

Revenue trends
Average turnaround time
Most popular quilting styles
Customer retention rates

Use these insights to make informed business decisions.

5. Backup Your Photos

While Quilt Logger stores your photos securely, it's always good practice to maintain your own backup as well.

Common Questions

Q: Can I import my existing customer list? A: Yes! Contact our support team and we can help you import your customer data via CSV file.

Q: What if I make a mistake on an invoice? A: No problem! You can edit invoices before they're marked as paid, or create a credit memo for already-paid invoices.

Q: Can multiple people access my account? A: On Pro plan and above, you can add team members with different permission levels.

Q: Is my data secure? A: Absolutely! We use bank-level encryption and perform regular backups. Your data is safe with us.

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, here are some next steps to make the most of Quilt Logger:

Add all your current projects - Get your entire workload into the system
Import your customer list - Build your customer database
Set up email templates - Customize automated messages
Explore the mobile app - Manage your business on the go
Check out video tutorials - Visit our help center for detailed walkthroughs

Get Help When You Need It

We're here to help! If you have questions or run into any issues:

Email us at support@quiltlogger.com
Check out our Help Center
Join our Facebook community
Schedule a one-on-one training session

Start Your Free Trial Today

Ready to streamline your quilting business? Start your free demo account and see how Quilt Logger can save you time and help you grow your business.

No credit card required. Cancel anytime. Setup takes less than 15 minutes.

Have questions about getting started? Email us at support@quiltlogger.com—we'd love to hear from you!