Originally Posted by Ms Elaine Va
Everywhere I go people ask me if I am still making quilts. Of course, the answer is yes. Then the next question is am I selling them. When I say no - I get this look and then the response "What are you going to do them all"? Some even try to get me to set up stands at the local farmers market, craft shows etc.
My husband has a fishing boat - he catches fish but noone expects him to start selling fish.
It is my hobby I do it for enjoyment. Am I the only one that gets these questions?
My quilts are given to people and charties and the rest I like to look at often. I use them on my bed to keep us warm. lol
My DH also has fishing boat, and every year from April to November we generously pack up haddock and cod he has caught to give to friends and family, and we take them out on the boat fishing if they want to go and do not ask for gas contribution etc. It's a social thing. We have had people ask if he sells fish but that is because Japanese market is so hot for tuna that even casual weekend recreational fishermen are getting caught up in it.
Maybe people ask you if you are selling quilts because yours are very very good and they expect you should go commercial. Figure... a carpenter here in our area earns $35/hour and has to measure and cut and fit wood just as precisely as you do fabric; the work is of course more physical than yours, but figure your labor cost and markup on material and give an 'average' value for a quilt. A sensible and serious answer may get them thinking.
Or ask them why they want to know and if they are potential buyers what price range they are at.
I read the other posts and I find it hard to believe anyone would say $10 or $50. You can't buy a quilt at Bed Bath and Beyond for $50 never mind at Macy's and they are all made by near-slave labor in the third world. Even the church rummage sales can offer better than that pricing!
I say, take it as a compliment!