Check out for another look at the cost of making a quilt.
Carol,
Please know that I posted this as general information interest, a means of reminding us that, often as women, we undervalue our work. I have sold many commission quilts over the years, but have not charged as much as this form suggested because, like others, I was more interested in receiving the money than in making the point at the time.
But I did have this hanging in my shop where anyone could read it and had many agreeing comments about to the effect of, "Wow, I never looked at it that way." Many husbands also "came to the light" after reading this. And we regularly emailed it to phone customers who asked us to make a quilt for them......of course, mostly they were calling us out of the yellow pages, didn't know a thing about making quilts, had no respect for the art of it - just the product as seen imported at Walmart, and would likely have been hard-to-deal-with customers anyway, because of their lack of education.
I have sold baby quilts, all machine done, for $225, table-toppers (Lone Star without the set in corners) for $300, and large quilts for $700. But mostly these days I tell people they wouldn't pay me what I'm worth. Some nearly fall over themselves trying to convince me they'd pay whatever, but I've learned the hard way, that sometimes dealing with them through the process is not worth any amount!
When I do a commission piece, I make up a contract clearly stating who will choose and provide the fabrics, the pattern that will be used, the thread color and type, batting type, the quilting design, and how it will be bound (hand or machine). I always require some creative license with no argument from the purchaser, and all costs plus half of labor up front. Both of us sign this and receive a copy. The finished product is delived wrapped in tissue, tied with ribbon like a gift, with the contract and final bill in an envelope. Have had only one argument from a client with this process. And she didn't get the final quilt or a refund of all her monies.
One can only sell something at what the buyer will pay, ultimately.
Jan in VA
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-62845-1.htm
Jan in VA