Originally Posted by Jan in VA
There are some of the best comments here I've ever heard! Wonderful sentiments, valuing your own work.
Remember to print this out and keep it at hand for future 'questioners". (And as it is, it's behind the times fabric price-wise!)
What It Really Costs To Make a Quilt
QUEEN SIZED, MACHINE PIECED, HAND QUILTED
MATERIALS:
Fabric 12-16 yards @ $9per yd. $108 - $144
Batting $25 - $40
Thread $8 - $16
Total $ invested $141 - $200
LABOR HOURS:
Piecing 20 to 60 hours
“Setting” (designing your quilt) 10 to 20 hours
Quilting 100 to 750 hours
Total hours invested 130 to 810 hours
TOTAL COST
Paying $1 per hour (Would you do this type of work for $1 an hour?!)
Materials $141 - $200
Labor $130 - $810
Total $271 - $1070
Paying minimum wage $7.25 (by law in 6/2009)
Materials $141 - $200
Labor (130-810hrs) $942.50 - $5872.25
Total $1083.50 - $6072.25
Paying skilled labor wage $20 per hour (Don't you consider yourself trained and skilled in this craft?)
Materials $141 - $200
Labor (130-810hrs) $2600 - $16,200
Total $2741 - $16,400
(Found on the Internet 1995; unknown author)
Jan in VA
I really like the way you broke this down in terms of material, labor, etc. Most quilters definitely don't get paid what their quilts are worth...they are doing it often for the love of the craft and for the recipient...which is priceless. But still, if they are going to be paid they shouldn't be reluctant at all about deciding the price that's best for them. Their work is worth it! Then the person can decide if they want one or not.