Awkward financial situation
#11
I have learned to take the person that asks me to make a quilt for them to the quilt shop and let them choose the fabric and let them pay for it after they understand I charge 3 1/2 times the cost of fabric for making it. Very seldom does one make it to the cutting table after seeing the cost per yard. LOL
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
I have some of that fabric and it is some of the beautiful fabric I have ever seen. On another note ...Did you give an indication as to the cost a supplies to the customer prior to construction? As a general rule of business practices... no final bill/invoice should come as a surprise to the customer.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 577
If the quilt is for a good friend and you want to keep it in the friendship vein and not get business-y with it, maybe you could look at materials and get an estimate before you buy anything, giving them a chance to back out if they want to. People who don't sew don't know the cost of fabric, and it's completely understandable when they experience sticker shock - I still do!
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 421
Why are you horrified? Why do you feel so uncomfortable? Your friend said no problem, so why are you making this a problem. Quilting is NOT a cheap craft. But what is? Have you checked the cost of yarn for knitting? Not cheap at all. The costs of paints are not cheap either. Fabric is not cheap, nor are threads, backing fabric,batting. You didn't charge anything for your labor,why didn't you charge for labor by the way? Was it because it was for a good friend? If you have made any other quilts, you really shouldn't be so surprised at the costs involved. Please, don't be so upset about this, your friend is O.K. with the cost, why aren't you?
#17
I always get everything, I mean everything down on paper first. Then I give an estimate, next is either a materials list that they buy or a deposit. If they can't afford the materials, then they can't afford your labor rate.
I once had a customer tell me that my price was too high, I told her that this quilt would take about a week from start to finish. I the said "you work don't you? she responded that yes she did, I then asked her what did she make in a week? She wrote me out a check without another word about price.
Every quilt is a labor of LOVE, and we do not make enough from them, but they are priceless. Don't short yourself.
I once had a customer tell me that my price was too high, I told her that this quilt would take about a week from start to finish. I the said "you work don't you? she responded that yes she did, I then asked her what did she make in a week? She wrote me out a check without another word about price.
Every quilt is a labor of LOVE, and we do not make enough from them, but they are priceless. Don't short yourself.
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