Absolutely right. Get the agreement up front and make sure they know how much it costs to make a quilt and how much work and time goes into it. If they don't agree to your price, don't let them have the quilts - sell them to someone else who will pay price for them. Also, don't buy a thing without 1/2 down to begin with to cover your expenses. The other 50% should be for your labor and time. Don't sell yourself short. Do your math first and you won't be unhappy next time!
How about some photos of your projects?
Originally Posted by
RST
I think that people sometimes assume that because you like quilting, and do it as a hobby (presumably) that they need not pay you for your time and skills. They also mostly likely underestimate how much time goes into a quilt. And faced with a $300+ total for two quilts, they are likely to think that is a lot of money for two "blankets", and never once think that really, for skilled custom quilt making, they should be doubling that figure.
So, take it as a lesson learned, and in future, if you want to do a quilt for pay, talk specific numbers from the get-go, and get it all in writing. If you don't mind occasionally doing a favor for appreciative recipients, then so be it -- take pictures of your work so you can enjoy them, and think happy thoughts about two little girls who have nice new quilts. And tell them that this is a one time thing just for them, otherwise all their friends will think they are doing you a favor by giving you that same kind of "business".
RST
RST