Hi, my name is Sade. I have been making quilts as gifts for the last few years, free of charge. I know, I know that's crazy but I love making them so it's worth it to me. I recently decided to start getting paid for them. I piece the front and back and then I send it out to a quilter.

Now a friend of mine has asked me to make a quilt for her. She is quite willing to pay for materials and to have it quilted but I never thought to mention how much she should pay me. I also don't know how much I should charge for my services. I also feel like since I already told her I would do it, it would be unprofessional to suddenly tack it on to her expenses. Advice?

I don't mind making it since it's pretty much free but I guess I would like to know for future commissions.

Cute, cute, cute quilt! Sorry I cannot really help with the charges.

Accept that you will most likely never be able to get a full payment for the value of your time. Most people wouldn't pay it. I too make quilts for friends and relatives for free. Only once was I paid $300.00 to piece a queen size, simple block quilt. I didn't have to quilt it. I also was able to keep the extra batiks left over - $70.00 worth :0)

If I do make one for money, I go with the person and the pattern to pick out fabric-they usually want help. And they pay for the fabric, backing and batting (that is usually the first eye opener). I look at their pattern and ask them how long they think it will take to piece. Most guess 8-10 hrs (queen size).

I rotary cut and piece one block slowly and carefully and multiply that by the total number. Then I add another 20% of that total for border and binding and any "problems." I tell them my estimate based on the above for time and I usually get $5.00 hr (the $300.00 pieced quilt was $10/hr). I used to machine quilt, but can't now because of a bad back. For that, I used to charge by the square inch. I don't know what current rates are. Always figure 3-4 hrs a day max when figuring total time to account for fatigue and other commitments. Good Luck!

Since you had not said anything about your fee beforehand, then I wouldn't add that on at this point. Unfortunately, most people don't want to pay for your time, much less the cost of fabric. They just don't realize the time and money that goes into a quilt. Just put what you think your time is worth to put a quilt together, based on time and complexity. Don't sell yourself short.

Love your Dr. Seuss quilt.
Awesome job!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I genuinely seem to have a hard time charging people for stuff but I am trying to change. I just really like making stuff, lol. Thank you, that quilt was a gift for a close friend of mine and it came out so great. If this quilt for the friend comes out nice, I know I have a future customer in her and as long as I build the business part of it up, I don't mind doing some freebies to start.

Your quilt is darling.
Be sure to put a lable on the back with your name and date. At least if you don't get paid for your work, you will still get the credit.

I never think to put labels on my stuff either! I will definitely try to remember that with the upcoming quilt.

Love your Dr. Seuss quilt.
It's pretty