joe'smom

I wouldn't be able to do a commission quilt; I wouldn't be motivated enough, or able to deal with the pressure of expectation. I also doubt anyone would be willing to pay what it was worth in time and materials.

Kim63

I don't sell my quilts, but off of the top of my head, if I were going to purchase one as you described, I would expect to pay $1000 to $1200.

Gay

(What I discovered in the end is they wanted a bed spread not a quilt. It is HUGE)
This is my story too. I have made & quilted for 2 friends and will be more particular in the future if asked again. Both bought the fabrics and one top was half done, but she chose drill for the front and back and it is darned heavy. I still have to put on the binding. The other ended up around 115 x 115 and had to have the pillow sham as well. To top it off the lady bought very thick poly batting - which I had said not to get - it was too thick to quilt the whole thing on my Tin Lizzie so had to be turned to finish the last 30".
If you want to do this and are not getting paid I would make something easy and as small or large as YOU like.

aashley333

When asked to make a t shirt quilt, I just say that I'm expensive, and you can find cheaper places online. (I don't work for strangers for free.) It's usually a friend of someone I know, and I'll quote $17.50 per shirt used. So 20 shirts would be $350, plus the backing.

Watson

I made a commission that was for a baby grand piano cover that was around that size. I told them I would give them 3 patterns to choose from, (Because I'm not doing a pattern I don't like...) and once we decided on it I would price materials and labour and let them know.
It came out to $380.00, as it was pretty simple.
Since then, I've said I don't take commissions because I just didn't enjoy the process.
I usually have a number of quilts hanging around that I will offer if someone asks me for something.

Watson

Karamarie

I just finished a T-shirt quilt for my granddaughter. It has 30 12x12 inch squares. If I could post a pix I would and will keep trying. I have been asked more than once if I would make one for someone and I will not. Too much work and time involved. And there are always critics out there that will find something they would do different.

pennyhal2

I won't sell quilts, but I will teach them how to make a quilt. I tell people that I will help them, decide on fabric, get batting, and to make a quilt. I tell them that they will make a log cabin 5x7 because no matter what mistakes they made, I could fix it. I also tell them that they can come to my house and bring a friend to help if they want. Many of people actually agreed. It's a time commitment on my part, but the way I set it up it only takes them a couple of Saturdays. One person actually brought her mother from another state to teach her how to quilt too!

I'd set up two sewing machines on the dining room table. I'd set up an ironing board and cutting board nearby. Some had never used a sewing machine before, so I'd have them practice on a couple of strips. They are all scared of the rotary cutter, but I have them wear a "wire mesh fish cutting glove" and have them cut a few pieces just to learn. My role was to go with them to buy fabric/batting with them before quilting day, cut up the fabric, iron (and show them how to iron the pieces) everything as they went along, and keep the fabric colors in the right order. I also bought some frozen Weight Watcher frozen meals for lunch, set out some cookies, drinks, etc. away from the fabric to keep energy up.

Yes, this is a big time commitment on my part. I have to admit that I loved every minute of it. The good thing is that only people that I really care about asked me to teach them. The only expense to me was the food. Some people went on to make quits on their own. They were very proud of their accomplishments!

Butterfli19

I would respond with a smile and a price of $1,000,000. Then when that person stops laughing, I would ask what they would pay for a handmade quilt of that size, and when they tell me that price, I would start laughing. And politely decline.

But to be serious, let's look at the process: discussing with them the colors, fabrics, pattern-lots of cutting?, notions, shopping, designing, redesigning, preliminary approval, cutting, arranging, sewing, errors-another trip to the store?, then quilting it yourself or subcontracting it out. And you have to fit your life in there as well.

I would say if the pattern was easy, min maybe $500. If complicated, $850+.