Thread: What would you charge?

Originally Posted by Jan in VA

1. The deadline is way short, too much pressure on you. See if you can negotiate this with her by including pictures of the fabrics and the design in a gift envelop so that the recipient can see what she'll be getting a couple months later rather than on Christmas Day.
2. You will likely have to purchase interfacing/stabilizer/something fusible for use on some of the fabrics, allow for the cost of this yardage in what you charge. This stuff ranges from $.99 to $5.29 at JoAnns.
3. As these will be used clothing, you may have to wash, dry and iron the fabrics before you can even start to cut and assemble. Allow for this labor.
4. Always include a thread charge, even if it is the cost of just one spool. In your case, a cotton wrapped polyester will likely be the best for mixed fabrics, just like general, all-purpose sewing.
5. Will the quilt be washed again after making it? Allow for that time and energy use.
6. Will you have to set aside other things you were planning to do for the holidays to take on this project? Consider that in your fee.
7. Will you have to drive to deliver it to her or will she come to you to pick it up? Gas fee.

I know I seem to be nickle and dime-ing this to death, but my point is to show that we often do not realize that there is MUCH more going into our "offer to help" than what we do at the cutting and sewing table. If you are being paid "just for your time", then consider ALL of your time put into the project.

Jan in VA

Consider Jan's list very carefully; she is so right. These kinds of projects can, and often do, eat your lunch. There is also an emotional factor involved, so you will want to handle the negotiations gently while protecting yourself.

Back in the spring I had a customer ask me to make a quilt for her daughter (graduating from high school)from her baby clothes. It was to be a memory quilt of her life. There were all kinds of fabric to deal with. I told her it would be $10 per square for the job plus the cost of batting and fabric for sashing, borders, and backing. There were enough garments for 30 squares. That made the job $300 plus the materials used. They were very pleased and the daughter loved it. It was a total surprise to her. I have pics, but I do not know how to post.

Originally Posted by Mollie'sMom

Back in the spring I had a customer ask me to make a quilt for her daughter (graduating from high school)from her baby clothes. It was to be a memory quilt of her life. There were all kinds of fabric to deal with. I told her it would be $10 per square for the job plus the cost of batting and fabric for sashing, borders, and backing. There were enough garments for 30 squares. That made the job $300 plus the materials used. They were very pleased and the daughter loved it. It was a total surprise to her. I have pics, but I do not know how to post.

I make a t-shirt quilt out of one of my friends onesies, (it turned out super cute!), but I charged her pretty much the same way. When I did the math, charging by the square or charging by the hour was the same. plus materials, it ended up being $600 by the time it was done, but she has a quilt that will never be replicated!

I just posted almost the same question. Will look forward to hearing the replies.

I'm going to send this link to my daughter. I did tell her that I wanted to hear from the great members here before deciding on anything. Always lots of great advice.

A lady that I know wanted to make a Trip Around the World quilt using her mom's clothes. We just plotted out the placement and she did the rest. An easy pattern for her.

I agree Christmas this year is too soon unless she is talking wall hanging size.

piney

My DD said she's just going to tell her I don't have the time, but maybe we can discuss it after the first of the year if she wants to.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

there are a lot of variables that enter into this. Fabrics? if they are poly they may be harder to work with. Whar pattern does she want, what size will the completed quilt be? Does she want it long-armed, tied or can you quilt it yourself. Quite often these projects take a lot of time, and unless it is very simple you might be pretty harried trying to complete it in 2 months.

Jan,
You 'nailed it', as usual. The Christmas deadline request makes it obvious the lady hasn't a good idea of the time needed for such a project. Perhaps you could suggest a tied comforter of squares or rectangles and show her a picture of one. It would be the quickest--and maybe the easiest way in which to combine different fabrics. If she just wants an adult Linus quilt, it might be the way to go. Otherwise--AFTER the holidays.