Originally Posted by PatriceJ

i've become convinced that getting the right price for a quilt depends almost entirely on where it's offered for sale. the same quilt will sell for $1,000 or more from a gallery. at a craft sale or flea market, i'll bet a person would be "lucky" to get a few hundred.

i don't seek commissons. i don't like working under a deadline. i also end up having to make quilts using colors and fabrics i may not like very much. not fun.

if somebody asks, i tell them my prices start at $200 - regardless of size.


if they have the "guts" to keep the conversation going, i talk to them about the different factors that go into determining the final price.

if they keep going, and i'm interested in taking the commission, i offer to show them a few design proposals and quotes for each.

if they gasp at any point during this process i remind them that they will end up with a one-of-a-kind family heirloom (IF they take proper care of it). i promise that i never make the same quilt for more than one person.

in the case of baby/children's quilts, i point out that every quilt i make is test laundered so they KNOW it will stand up to use, abuse, and lots of love.

i explain that i won't be offended if they go for a bed-in-the-bag. if they don't care that their bedroom looks exactly like 5,000 others then neither do i.

if they "insist" on making the deal then i "sacrifice" my time and take the money when i'm done.

if they decide to go elsewhere, i'm VERY happy to have rescued the time i'd have spent making something they want so i can spend it making whatever pleases me at the time. ;-)