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Old 10-04-2013, 04:28 PM
  #38  
IAmCatOwned
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
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Ladies, she asked how much to charge. That was the TOPIC.

Grammy, you aren't really giving enough information, so I will try to be more general. A commissioned quilt usually involves some choice by the customer. The first question I ask someone who wants me to make them a quilt, I ask what size? I then calculate the costs of the fabric, the batting, the yarn (if tied), the thread (additional if quilted), plus tax for all of these items, and tell them that the materials cost alone would be at least X and that would have to be paid up front. I use only quilt shop quality fabric with only the rare exception of a good quality novelty fabric. Giving them that price will chase away all but the person who understands the cost of making a quilt. Most people think you are going to make a quilt for the same price that they can buy it at Sears ($50). Even with Joann's fabric, you would be hard pressed for the materials costs for a full sized quilt to be under $50. I've only managed to do that with a tied quilt backed with Joann's Snuggle fabric (bought during that big annual sale after Thanksgiving).

Don't base your charges on a 'size' either. What is the customer expecting? The complexity of the pattern not only increases your sewing time, but also your materials needs in both fabric and thread.

You need to be sure to get your materials' costs up front. The person commissioning the quilt may never pay up otherwise, having changed their mind, not liking the colors THEY chose or simply disappearing. Then you are stuck with a quilt you didn't want at YOUR expense.

For what it's worth, most people who have asked me to make them a quilt (or a sweater) have never followed through either giving me money for the materials or buying the materials themselves. Only those who make handmade stuff themselves follow through - they appreciate both the costs and time it takes to make such things.

My last commission used mostly leftover novelty christmas fabrics (quilt shop stuff) to make a simple square and sashed twin sized (about) quilt with a flannel back. It was meander quilted. I based my materials cost on CURRENT costs of fabrics, not the fact that they were leftovers. You end up buying something even with a scrap quilt, maybe just the sashing or binding and thread. Don't short yourself. I asked for $200 above materials costs. The woman who commissioned it gave me $75 more, she was so thrilled. Given that there are a number of quilting hobbyists at the hospital, she was well aware of the costs and time involved but she didn't sew herself.

I do very few commissioned quilts just because my health is such that I can't guarantee when or if I can complete within a specified time period.
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