Am I good enough?
 

Ok folks, I have a question. I have been quilting for some time just as a hobby. I have made quilts and given them as gifts. I have made quilts for Quilts for Kids... I really enjoy doing this. But I don't really know how good I am. I know I am far from perfect, but I just do my best and enjoy it. The other day a lady at work asked me if I would make quilts for her kids... and she would pay me. I mean wow! I know many people make quilts on commission, but I just assume those people are much better than I am. So how do I know that what I make will be good enough to sell? Have any of you guys ever felt this way?

Show her one of your completed projects so she knows what your work looks like and go from there. Yes, it is a compliment for someone to want you to do something. Now - paying you for your time is often a different story!

I think I would ask her how much she is willing to pay me for making the quilts. Maybe she doesn't know how much work, money and time you will have to put in to make them for her.

I also would try to show her some of my work before you begin. That way there is no surprises on either side and you can relax while making them.

People's standards differ widely. I would say that if your coworker has seen some of the quilts you have made and says she would be happy with the quality she sees in them, then you could safely make one for her for pay without worrying about disappointing her.

I would say that you just have too many irons in the fire and you only do this for fun and not for profit. Sometimes sewing for a friend can ruin a friendship. Ask me how I know.

I have been making quilts off and on for 30 years. They are fun to make and every once and a while someone hears that I quilt and ask if I sell them. My response has always been, "No, I'm not that good." My family thinks I am much better than I think that I am, but they love me and do not look for the imperfections. People paying for something will look and find each and every one. So rather than let anyone be disappointed, I just don't sell anything that I make.

I would show her some of your quilts and ask her if these types/styles/quality is what she is looking for. Then explain the time involved, and what you would charge her (wide estimate is OK, just to see if she faints...). If she is still interested, then go for it if you are comfortable with the stress of making a quilt for compensation, not love.

I say go for it. I am certainly not even remotely close to a professional level quilter, but I am careful with my piecing, creative with my layouts and quilting, and always include the person paying for the quilt in my ideas for the finished product. I've made several quilts - 4 memory and 4 or 5 t-shirt quilts for people who have paid me for them. I let them know ahead of time what the approximate cost (WITHIN 10 - 15% ) will be, and then I totally agonize while putting the quilts together, worrying about whether the person paying for the quilt will be happy with the finished product. Happy to say that every single person I've made a quilt for, so far, has been totally thrilled with them. So again, I say go for it. But do not give your time away. Make it worth your effort - for you!!

I would definitely go for it. My suggestion would be to show her pictures of the patterns you have confidence in. If she likes one of your patterns, you can't go wrong.

Most people have no idea the amount of time that goes into a quilt. When this person said she'd pay you, I suspect she was thinking of a much lower price than your time is worth. Personally, I would not want to quilt on commission. I think it would take the fun out of it, and I would worry about deadlines and customer satisfaction. If the idea appeals to you, make sure you settle your terms up front, and that she is familiar with the quality of your work.

I don't think I would ever make quilts for money! I've sewed all my life, and I'm not bad, but I don't want to turn what is a hobby into a money-making venture! LOL! Just my humble opinion! Besides, I don't know when I' have the time -- I'm still working full time!.

Jeanette

I agree with this. People don't have any idea how much quilting materials cost, even before you add anything for labour. A friend said she wanted to commission a quilt from me, but when I told her how much the fabric was likely to cost, things went very quiet!
If you show her some examples of your work and point out any shortcomings, she knows the score. A friend of mine asked if she could buy one of my quilts recently. It wasn't too bad, but the "sins" included a patch where the backing hadn't quite covered the batting, so it was far from perfect. When I pointed this out, she said it added to the home-made charm!!! (I hadn't planned to sell the quilt, so let her have it for a price that probably just about covered the cost of the thread).
If it would stress you to make something for someone else and to a deadline, say no. You don't want to ruin your enjoyment of quilting.

I would say thanks but no thanks!!! People are not prepared to pay for your time!! They see something in a shop/market/magazine then decide they know someone who will make it cheaper!!!! She might want you to work in fabrics/colours you don't like which is added stress! Just explain you sew for your own enjoyment and pleasure not for profit!! If you are asking us what we feel you obviously have doubts so go with your gut instinct and say NO!!!!

If they have seen your work, and are still asking, I would take that as a sign that they are comfortable paying for your work. There are alot of opinions on selling or not selling our quilts, and I think this is something we all have to decide for ourselves.

I do take custom orders, and I am happy with the price that I get for them. Could I charge more ? Sure I could, but then no one would be able to afford it. I have also been paid MORE than what I was asking because when the final product was delivered they felt guilty that I only charge them what I did.

My personal opinion is this. What would I be doing if I was not making a quilt for a client ? I would be working on a quilt anyway ! I love quilting. I love every part of it. I am one of those people that starts working on the next quilt within hours of finishing the previous one. I am also disabled, which means I have alot of time on my hands, and well, quilting keeps me from getting into trouble LOL. So my thoughts are, why not get PAID for doing something I would be doing ANYWAY!

I've had a number of people ask me the same thing and I always say 'no, sorry - have too many projects going on, and I don't do that.' In my case, it would ruin what I do for enjoyment. People don't have any idea of what things cost, much less paying for your time in doing it. They see a quilt in a discount store priced at less than $100 (made overseas of cheap materials) and think that you can make it for less. What I make I give away -- that way I enjoy the process, and the other person enjoys the gift. Since what I make nowadays is scrappy (using scraps from 40 years of quilting), it only costs me the batting, thread and occasionally, a fat quarter or two of fabrics that 'fit' that person's interests. I am continually looking for old blankets, short fleece, sheets, etc, at yard sales & Goodwill, so the batting is often very inexpensive, too. Not long ago I used a mattress pad from the guest bed (after bleaching and washing it, of course!) for batting -- that made a really nice thicker quilt that is nice & heavy for winter.

It is a slippery slope. Most people who are NOT quilters do not understand how much time it takes to piece something. Think of how long it takes you to make a quilt for charity and keep track of your time. Think of how much fabric you will need for a project. Then you have to figure out what your time is worth. I would always pass on any saving as far as thread and fabric to my customers. It is NOT easy trying to please someone else's taste that might not be yours. I find it more enjoyable making quilts for charity then trying to please some customers I had. Good Luck and tread slowly and carefully.

I wouldn't do it. If I'm spending my time doing something for somebody else I don't get to do my own stuff. Plus people rarely want to pay what a quilt is actually worth in time and materials. They're still of the mindset that "homemade is cheaper than store bought." Which was true before every thing came from foreign countries. When you can buy a "bed in a bag" for less than $100 and even the "fancy" store bought quilts are less than $100 people generally aren't willing to pay $1200 and up for a quilt. Even a nicely done lap size quilt will appraise at that much.

Just smile and thank her for thinking of you and tell her your time is more valuable to you than what she's willing to pay for it.

Thank you for all of your thoughts. I love the experience this board has!! She told me it will be a month or so before she can get with me to plan anything. So I went ahead and gave her some prices on a Facebook message... if a month goes by and I don't hear from her that settles that. If I do hear back then I guess I will show her some of what I have done and explain that I am not perfect.. I won't give it another thought until I hear from her again. And just to let you know.. we work together, but in different departments. .. so we are not very close. She is more friends with my brother in law....who I made memory quilts for.

I would say that if she wants you to make them, she is already impressed with your ability. Relax and get sewing. She will love them. It isn't as though you are about to open a shop.

I've done a few quilts for other people who have seen my work in the flesh and Most times I've made sure the price has covered the cost of the fabrics. UK fabric prices are crazy so I really make it very clear to people that a quilt is not cheap. So far I've only had one person stepped back from the brink but I don't mind that at all, better that than being left with a quilt you have no need of especially if its personalised.

Let her know the price first. Most people have no idea the cost and time to make a quilt. They just know they can get one at Walmart for 25.00 to 80.00 . I had a lady that wanted one I had made. I had about 230.00 in it and I would let her have it for 300.00 because she was my daughters friend. Never heard from her again. lol

This is my philosophy too. I am happy to take custom orders. It gives me the opportunity to work with colors and patterns I might not normally use and learn new techniques - without me having to pay for the materials. Plus - I benefit by being able to use leftover fabric in scrappy quilts that I can give away, donate, or even sell at bazaars to fund my quilting addiction! I guess it depends on WHY you are considering taking the commission. Do you want to become a professional quilter? Or do you want to just be reimbursed for the cost of the materials for something you would normally do anyway?

Good point! My standards are probably higher on my work than someone else looking at it. And I figure I will charge her what I want for my time ..... I am sure it will be too cheap. I will just let her know what bargain she is getting. Then I will chalk the experience up as getting practice and a little pocket money... its not like I am in a position to start a business anyway

I don't wonder if I'm good enough because the only person I need to please is me! If you're not certain that your current skill level justifies taking on a commission quilt, show her samples of your completed quilts so she can be the judge.

Beyond that, once she understands the true cost of making a quilt, she may back out of her request and you need not worry further. If she is undeterred by the cost factor, then you have to consider the imposition of her projects on your time and the fact that your projects will fall by the wayside as you become tied up with hers.

Good luck with your decision.

I agree. I've had people want me to make them things until they find out how much I want to do it. A woman I met who was a professional seamstress and did beautiful work told me she once had a woman bring her some fabric and a pattern and want a dress made. When she told her how much it would cost, the woman said "I can buy one at Foley's for less than that." The seamstress said she just handed her the fabric and pattern and said "If you are happy with a Foley's dress, then I suggest you buy one" and showed her the door. Most people have no idea of the difference between the quality of items. Or any respect for the time others put into their quilts.

Do not say you are not perfect. Your opinion of yourself is not part of the negotiation. If you say you are not perfect then I might think I would get inferior work and reduced price. You are not " not perfect". You have the ability and are showing you do good work. What is perfect anyway. Don't undersell yourself my declaring you are "not perfect".

If she responds after you fb message, take her fabric shopping with a pattern in mind. Do the math while in the store. Will give her an idea of the fabric costs. I take my clients shopping all the time. They pay for the fabric before I start. Any boo boos come out of my price. Decide what it is worth to you. Keep the pattern choices simple, if they are for children, nothing fancy. If you aren't comfortable with the pattern, say so. Keep it within your skill level and both of you can enjoy the experience. Have fun.

On a different angle.....if she balks at your price, you might suggest that you help her make the quilts. I would think she would get a lot of satisfaction from making the quilts for them herself. But then again, that is how I would feel. She might have no interest in learning and, of course, it would take up your time. Could create another quilter! Am I going to get stoned for suggesting this? LOL

If you are going to do a quilt on commission, then it's a job. And like any job,you need a contract that both you and the other party sign. Do research, give her an estimate of costs of materials and then give her an estimate on how much you charge for labor. Do NOT skimp on the labor costs. This is a job and you need to be compensated for your time and expertise. If you go into this job with the idea that you are not good enough, then you will not be compensated fairly for your labor. I think sometimes we think that because we can go and make a beautiful handcrafted when ever we want to, sometimes we think that it's not really that important. First of all, not everyone can take some fabric, thread,batting and binding and turn it into something not only beautiful, but useful as well. When my Dad was alive, he did all the repair work on all our vehicles. Our vehicles never saw the inside of a mechanics shop until he had a stroke and could no longer do the work. Well, I found out real fast how much the work that my Dad did on all the family's vehicles truly cost in the real world. The same is true of your ability to make quilts. Do not undersell yourself or your ability.

I have to agree with the other comments I've read. People who don't quilt really don't understand what it costs in materials alone, not to mention the time you will invest. That's why I finally opened an Etsy shop and put a very few quilts and patterns in it. What I sell there helps cover some of the expenses of my charity quilts, and if someone really wants my quilts they can pay what I'm charging in an impersonal venue, and it they don't want to I never know the difference! :D I am full time care taker of my husband with Alzheimer's, and we're on a limited income.. I can't afford to make quilts at a loss for everyone who thinks I can do it for what they'd pay for a quilt at Walmart! You have to be realistic for your own sake! Quilters have generous hearts... but they must have sensible heads to go with them!

I have found that once a hobby becomes a job (something you are getting paid to do) it loses it's fun. I will never make a quilt for money.

If you really enjoy quilting for others, tell her how much time it would take. Then I would use a very simple pattern, such as Trip Around the World or Stairway to Heaven with larger squares. 5 inch squares would make a nice pattern, and fast. D9P quilts are easy and fast and look fascinating. Amazing Jelly Roll quilts are easy, and look very complicated and you can cut up your own fabric for the strips.
Then see if you can use fabric from your stash. I mean something that you've had around a while and have used in more than one quilt already, and really want to be rid of. I have lots of that around.
Then get at least 50% of the cost up front. Tell her it is to purchase supplies. And don't be too cheap on the cost!

Same here, I just turned down make a baby quit for one of DH's coworkers. I don't want to feel pressure and also don't want a critical eye even from non sewers. I enjoy making all of my quilts because I want to not because I have to. I did do a commission quilt two years ago, king size for a dear 94 yr. old friend, she was pleased and paid me fairly well- but the way I made the quilt took an enormous amount of time. I fussy cut roses from a bouquet of roses
fab. and appliqued them all over the quilt. I always felt like I was pressured while doing this quilt- especially because of her age and wanting to get it done before something happened to one of us. I WON'T do another one. I do not enjoy being under pressure like that. I quilt for the joy and fun of it.
But really only you can make that choice.

I freaked when I was asked to machine quilt 4 quilts for a couple of ladies. They said they wanted me to do my magical quilting on their quilts. I did them and when I shipped them back to Alaska I was so scared waiting for their comments. Not only did they love them they each gave me a big tip. A few months later two more ladies from Alaska wanted me to quilt their quilts after they had seen the first two ladies. I think we do not give our selves enough credit.

***
*** Better give her a quote or you will be holding the quilts.
*** People think homemade means CHEAP (like from Sri Lanka).
***

I have only made quilts for pay once and that was for a close friend and I still to this day think I got the best deal of a life time. She is a dentist and I don't have dental insurance any longer so she suggested free dental for life as I said I didn't want her to pay me for having fun.

Every time I start a project I ask myself that question and then do the very best I can. I give my quilts to friends and family and, they may just be being nice, seem to love my work. If you do the very best job you can, pay attention to the little details and people remark how beautiful your work it then you are definitely "good enough." I'd bet you are a terrific quilter, the fact that you would even question yourself should tell you how much you care about what you make.

Sounds like a great deal to me!

What a great question? I have often wondered the same thing, and for the same reasons. I quilt for the love of doing it. It is very uncomfortable to be asked to "go professional" when that is so far from the reason we do it. Keep us posted on your ongoing thought process. And be flattered that someone thinks enough of your work to want to pay you for it.

If the woman hasn't seen some of you quilts, I recommend you showing her pictures of some of your finished quilts. If she's willing to pay for a quilt after seeing some of your quilts (which I'm sure she would, or she wouldn't have asked you to make quilts for her kids), then give you a good idea of what the cost of the materials would be as well as an amount for your time. I can't tell you a good price, as I think it varies according to the fabrics and the design of the quilt; something like a 9-patch, D9P, or other simpler blocks would not be as much as a more complicated quilt. I wish there was an exact formula for how to price your quilts, but I don't have one.