stillclock

textile work has long been a radically underpaid trade, in large part because it is traditionally women's work.

the whole horrible concept of piece work - that no matter the labour involved, the finished product is worth x - has been a massive issue in women's labour. we still use piece work concepts in textiles. quilts are one example. beading - especially bridal beading - is another.

but. the market is the dictator, and the ultimate answer has already been given. it's worth what someone will pay.

i always chuckle when people suggest i make quilts for money. at the rate i quilt they'd be worth a college fund or two by the time i delivered them. another time i made a twirly skirt for my girl out of quilt fabrics and someone suggested i sell those. i saw her gulp when i told her there was $45 worth of fabric alone in the skirt, nevermind the labour and potential cost of distribution etc. boo-tique! snork!

ifi make a quilt for you it's because i love you more than words. the chances are i might ask you to help pay for the materials anyway, unless otherwise stated

aileen

bearisgray

I think the more experienced (and aware) we become, the more we value what we make - and also know how little most of the rest of the world values (and is willing to pay for) what we make.

ptquilts

Ditto - I sold an antique quilt once to a psychiatrist - he thought it was a bit high in price. I bit my tongue to refrain from commenting on how much HIS services cost!!
And yet I have been at craft fairs and someone who doesn't look like they have two nickels to rub together, will buy a quilt and not quibble about price.

LadyElisabeth

Another thing to consider is location, what part of the country you live in.

AshleyR

I quilt because I love it. I quilt for others cheap because I like quilting. I can't afford to buy as many quilt tops as I want and I don't need a closet full of home made quilts that I can't use. So my "perfect" solution is quilt for others. Why would I charge $20/hour to do something that I want to be doing? something that brings me joy and peace and pride? If I didn't have someone else's top to do, I would be bored, and/or spending money on something else.

117becca

I quilt for others because I love to quilt, and I charge enough to pay for my next project with the hopes to make some fun money.

I was at a quilt store the other day when a young man came in wanting to know if he could get a quilt made for his bride - they were getting married in about a month. I was standing there w/ the owner and he got a lesson in how long it takes to complete a quilt. I had a sample of a block - intricate block that takes about 45 min to complete.

I was able to break down the cost and time, he understood more. Ironically, the $1000 - $1200 wasn't a problem. I wish I could have done it for him. I have 3 projects in front of when I could start his and that means I'm booked til next summer before I could even get to him.

Told him that his idea would make a great 1st year anniversary present!

MattieMae

Yes, this is an interesting but confusing topic because of price, cost, value, worth, as well as hobby, business, vintage finds, etc.

I make quilts because I enjoy doing it. The cutting, piecing and quilting makes me happy. I am a bit of a perfectionist and relish the challenge. I buy quality material, but don’t intend to sell anything, so I never considered the monetary value of a gifted quilt.

I’ve been crazy about jigsaw puzzles since I was a kid, and have shelves stacked with puzzle boxes, some quite expensive because they're "collectible." I can pull one out, complete it, undo it, return it to the box, and do it again later. I can’t do that with the quilts. I keep the puzzles and give away the quilts. I consider both a relaxing hobby.

When you sell your quilts is it considered “egg money” or is it taxable income or barter? That would surely make a difference, no? Say it’s etsy or ebay sales that are taxable (don’t know if they are) can you deduct your costs and maybe the price of a new machine? Hmmm.

Farm Quilter

Yes, MattieMae, if you sell a quilt it is considered income. You can deduct the cost of the materials used and that's pretty much it unless you are a business (with a license).

I was asked by someone if I would sell the wolf quilt I have as my avatar - it is 41" in diameter - I told them sure, for $10,000. I wasn't interested in selling it as it was a gift for my daughter, I traveled across the country from Washington to Florida, up to Ohio and back to Washington collecting material for it, and have around 250 hours in the creation and quilting of the quilt. And I found out that if I sold it, the lady who designed the wolf pattern expected me to pay her 10% of what I sold it for!!! Be aware that many quilt pattern designers will either not allow you to sell a quilt made with their pattern or expect you to pay them a kick back for your creation using their pattern. If you are interested in making quilts to sell, be safe and use historical patterns that are free of copywrites or design your own pattern completely.

MattieMae

Thanks for that information Farm Quilter. I think I'll keep it my hobby. Great blog and quilts.

ghostrider

This is just not true and there are court cases that prove it. It's a frequent topic of discussion here as a search will show.

Unless you actually signed a license agreement when you bought the pattern, the designer has no say in what you do with works made from it as long as you do not claim it as your own original design. She can neither forbid you to sell it nor charge you a pecentage.