Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • How much to charge? >
  • How much to charge?

  • How much to charge?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 07-12-2017, 05:24 PM
      #11  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Posts: 981
    Default

    My advice, don't start doing this. "They" come out of the woodwork if "they" get wind of it.
    pewa88 is offline  
    Old 07-12-2017, 08:38 PM
      #12  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2013
    Location: Saskatchewan
    Posts: 838
    Default

    Originally Posted by Kani
    I have someone who wants me to make them a lap quilt top (Yellow Brick Road pattern.55x63). I have no idea what to charge her for the top. I don't normally make tops to sell. Anyone have any idea what sounds fair? Thanks in advance.

    Please delete if not allowed.
    This is interesting to me... most people don't want just tops! Is this person a quilter who doesn't like piecing? Have you made a YBR before (so that you know how long it will take)? I think the biggest question for me is if they will be supplying the fabric- that will have a huge impact on the price.

    YBR is a pretty simple pattern. I feel like I could whip that top out in a day, so I might charge a friend $100, someone else $200 (labor only). I haven't actually made one, though, so I might be dramatically underestimating the time required.
    Jennifer23 is offline  
    Old 07-12-2017, 09:51 PM
      #13  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: San Joaquin Valley, California
    Posts: 829
    Default

    I have been making lap quilts for charity, simple 4-patch, rail fence etc. If someone gave me the fabric and asked for something simple I would ask for $60. for the top. Just to keep the hobby going, if they wanted it quilted then I would say $100. I retired so any $$ is better then nothing..that is just me.
    mamagrande is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 04:09 AM
      #14  
    Senior Member
     
    Sophie2's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Ocala, FL
    Posts: 970
    Default

    I usually figure out the cost of materials and then double the cost and round up from there. I like to make quilts for people who are willing to pay for them. If they don't want to pay the price, I don't make it. I have learned to take a 50% non-refundable deposit, as I have had some people change their minds.
    Sophie2 is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 04:42 AM
      #15  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2013
    Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
    Posts: 16,105
    Default

    I get asked often how much I would charge for a quilt. When they say I'll give you $50, I tell them no. They don't want to pay and then if and when they do, they want to "make payments". I just say no. To me it isn't worth the aggravation. Also I'm not Eleanor, I don't do quilts in a day!
    tessagin is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 05:14 AM
      #16  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Location: Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 1,141
    Default

    I charge $15 per hour for my sewing time. I explain to them that I pay one of my best friends $30 per hour to give my girls piano lessons...(which is a bargain for piano lessons) Teaching piano is a skill developed from many hours of practice... quilting is also a skill that many do not want to take the time to perfect. I look at it like this... if I'm not making at least $15 an hour to work for someone else, I may as well be working on my own projects.

    Last edited by Kris P; 07-13-2017 at 05:16 AM. Reason: add text
    Kris P is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 07:32 AM
      #17  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Posts: 527
    Default

    I just looked on Etsy for finished Yellow Brick Road quilts. Prices seem to be around $260-$480.

    https://www.etsy.com/search?q=yellow+brick+road+quilt
    alikigirl is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 07:44 AM
      #18  
    Super Member
     
    ArtsyOne's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Canadian in Minnesota
    Posts: 3,078
    Default

    I've made only 2 quilts that were for "customers". There was no pleasing the first customer and I spent countless hours changing colors out, adding more batting, increasing the size with additional borders and in the end he balked at paying me even for the fabric. Several years later I again stupidly agreed to make a quilt for someone and frankly the joy in making a quilt was just taken out of it. I was paid generously, but had no fun in the making.
    Now I just make baby quilts or lap quilts and give them away to pregnant coworkers or to the local fire/rescue squad and get to make what I want, when I want and using whatever color or pattern I want. I would never again make a quilt for a "customer".
    ArtsyOne is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 08:11 AM
      #19  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2015
    Location: Southern United States
    Posts: 481
    Default

    I have a lap quilt made with the Yellow Brick Road pattern in my living room and get lots of comments on how pretty it is and can you make me one. My answer for the Yellow Brick Road pattern in a lap size quilt is $300. No one who has asked the question has taken me up on making one which is a relief because I only quilt for myself
    marge954 is offline  
    Old 07-13-2017, 08:23 AM
      #20  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2012
    Posts: 1,857
    Default

    Absolutely show her the price breakdown BEFORE you start. Most people have no idea what the cost is. I sell both in a store and online. The two standard ways to price are 3 x's the product cost or the products cost + hourly cost (these also need to be adjusted for what the market will spend). My suggestion is you take her with you to purchase the fabric. She pays for it and then pays you for your labor. I try to never spend more than $3 per yard in order to recoup my costs. But, I spend a lot of time getting these fabrics (downtown fabric marts, online, huge sales, etc) because I do it as a business. Show her the fabric requirements for the fabric, give her an approximate time (if she doesn't know quilting, break it down - cutting, sewing etc.). The point is to educate her in what goes into making a quilt or even a quilt top BEFORE she commits to it. Many, many, many of us have been burned by folks thinking it was a simple, quick and inexpensive thing to throw a quilt together. And, as hard as it may seem, try to keep it fun, nothing worse than working on a project that has stopped being fun!
    klswift is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    Becca
    Main
    4
    04-27-2011 11:20 AM
    adirondackgrl76
    Main
    4
    07-05-2010 02:51 PM
    ladygen
    Main
    13
    01-14-2010 04:48 PM
    raksmum
    Main
    2
    09-10-2009 09:24 AM
    quilter.tena
    Main
    30
    07-21-2009 11:46 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter