My last wholecloth quilt (queen) had 608 hours in the hand quilting. I only tracked that out of curiosity, so no idea how long it took me to prepare the fabric and draw out the pattern, or the beading I added after the quilting was finished.
I gave it to a dear friend, and fellow quilter...who else could appreciate it?
Perhaps the disconnect among quilters as to real value of their work, can be explained in where each quilter is on their journey. Quilts made in a day with precuts, even well made, do not compare in perceived value with quilts that are an expression of an experienced quilter's work which for me, is each quilt pushing my skills, reaching further than the last.
My main output mid-80's to mid-90's was making wall quilts and wearable art, each one a different technique. I sold most of them 4 years ago, for a very good price. They showed refined techniques and were unlike anything the buyers would ever see anywhere else.
Quilting is a passion, one of the few constants in my life and each day I wake up excited, looking forward to my time with needles and threads and fabric and ending the day a better quilter than I was when I got up.
It was well said above, to get professional dollars, the quilter has to have built a professional life. I could have gone that route, but decided I never want to do for a job, what I do for pleasure.