A friend is wanting me to make her mom a quilt i have not done one for money before. She said she would like it to a be a lap quilt or twin size. the fabric in the middle of quilt she wants a panel (like one i made for Christmas for my mom) and then go from there. do i need to take her to pick out the fabrics? she has not gave any other directions and i have never met her mom. she suggested 35.00 for me to make the quilt. would it be mean to tell her it will cost more than that If i have to purchase the fabrics?

i would take her to purchase the fabrics backing, batting and thread and then decide if you feel comfortable with the 35 for labor

Be honest, you don't want to take advantage of anyone, don't let anyone take advantage of you.

Let her select the fabric (incl. the batting)with your supervision, to get the combinations of colors right. She needs to pay for it, and still be pay for the work.

Most of the time, people don't know, how expensive fabric is.

Be honest and let her know, otherwise it will haunt you.

$35.00? That's not even a a serious request!!! Not only is there fabrics to consider, but batting, thread, time on your machine, ( after so many hours, machines need to be serviced). I would take her to a LQS, show her the price of fabrics, batting and thread then with her there ask if they service machines and how much it is, then I would tell my friend that quilting is a fabulous thing to do (which is why we love to quilt) but that it's not an inexpensive endeaver then you may want to offer to help HER make the quilt for her mother. Could become a new quilting friend for you.

What's minimum wage in your state?
How much is fabric in your neck of the woods?

$35 is, what, 4.5 hours of work at minimum wage. Do you think your work is worth little? Can you finish the quilt in that time? Because if not, your hourly wage has just decreased.

A lap quilt - 72x72 - has around 8 yards of fabric (front and back and binding) - if it were a whole cloth. Even if you buy FQ's/cut yardage for variety, you still need the 8 yards.

Plus batting.

Plus thread.

See where I'm going here?

And you think you're being mean? :roll:

Unless you want to do it as a present, because that's what it will be.

Let her buy a quilt at Kmart for $35.

If $35. is all she can afford then maybe a small wall hanging with a panel in the middle, and she buys the material, thread, batting etc. You should probably break down the cost, material, labor, expense of running machine and explain nicely that $35 comes no where near to covering costs. If you do it with her setting the price, then I think you will resent it and may end a friendship, not worth it.

Is this a joke????
Oh my, you need to re-think this one!!

Those that do not sew have no idea about the cost and the time put in a quilt. If this is a good friend and you don't mind doing it for her then do a small lap quilt.

Take her to buy all the fabric, batting and thread and let her purchase it all - include sewing machine needles. Find a pattern in a book that you think will work with the panel so that she realizes that you are just following the requirements of the pattern when getting the supplies.
Let her choose what she likes - you can help guide her as to what will go together. Perhaps when she sees the cost she may change her mind or may have a greater appreciation for what goes into making a quilt.

If you don't mind accepting what she has offered and are willing to make it, I would keep a log of the amount of time that you spend making the quilt. When it is finished, pass it on to your friend so that she will learn more about the time involved.

Another alternative is to tell her that you will make it with her help and have her come and do pinning or small cutting so that she realizes what is involved. You will have the opportunity to introduce her to a wonderful craft and hobby!!

Always , when I have been asked to make something for another, I go with them to the fab shop, help with the selecting, get all items needed, and they pay for that, plus whatever I feel is fair for my time. I've also enlisted their help with preparations. I learned that the hard way with a friend. I had a sister who gave me freedom to choose for her, and our arrangement was that whatever I spent for her item, I got the same amount in cash to buy for myself. Back in the lean years , that was a blessing for me!

I was asked to make a baby quilt for a friend's new grandbaby. No payment was discussed and honestly, I didn't really want any because I would have made it as a gift. When I delivered the quilt, she and her daughter were thrilled and my friend said she would like to have 3 or 4 more for her other grandchildren and asked me what I would charge. Since I have a huge stash and know she is struggling a little, I priced them at $75 each. She looked shocked and I have never heard another word. People just don't have a clue as to the cost of making a quilt!

Your friend being a non-quilter probably has no clue as to the time and money involved in making a quilt. Once you determine what your price will be (plus letting her choose & pay for materials) you can go from there. If she isn't interested in paying that much maybe she would want to learn how to make her own quilt for her Mom? - and you'd bring another quilter into the world :)

I made a quilt for a friend for her Mom and did it because she was a friend. She selected for and paid for the fabric which wasn't too much because the top was made from her Dad's shirts.

I agree, she definitively has to come with you to a quiltshop and buy the fabrics etc.
If she won't, 35 $ is an insult.

i am not sure about doing it. i may suggest to her about her doing it i would not mind helping her and showing her how to put one together but she has never sewed anything and she does not have a machine so i would have to let her use mine. if she insists on me doing it i think i will just tell her that it will be 35.00 after she purchases everything to put it together and it will only be a one time thing next time it will cost more the only reason i am doing it this time is because she is my friend if she does get mad which i hate the fact of that , but, that might happen she will just have to get over it Thanks fellow quilters for your oppinions