I do consignment quilts. All the money is paid up front, I need to buy fabric, and they might need to wait 1/2 yr for the quilt. I do spell everything out and it is all written down. Most quilts are made for people that I do not know but it is by word of mouth.

I don't make quilts for money either. Then it would be a job and would take away my enjoyment. :D

People who do not quilt do not understand the hours of work that goes into one. They need to go price quilts at
the LQS and quilt shops, Not JCPenny;s or cracker barrell.
They do not know the differents in quilts, before I started quilting I bought a quilt at a ARK quilt shop it was $300
for a king size I thought that was an expensive quilt,since taking up quilting I think I got a real bargain.
Give the quilt back and mark it up to finding out that when it comes to charging friends if they expect something
for free, they are not real friends. Sometime you have to take the high road even though it seems unfair.

I do the same thing. I have given many quilts away. I have more quilts than I will ever use or need. I love to quilt. I'm not a professional. My work pleases me. I find that when you give a quilt away the recipient isn't critical at all. Many people have asked me if I would make them a quilt and they would pay me. I tell them that I don't do quilts for hire but I will teach them to quilt. I've had two people, out of many, many that I've told that to, take me up on the offer. I enjoyed the time with them and I got a blessing from it.

I think it is funny how everyone wants a quilt, then when you tell them how much it cost, they give you that blank look! I had one woman tell me at a show I was doing that she could go to Macys and get one for $59.99. I told her she could go ahead and go to Macys, mine were hand quilted, and made here, in the USA.

I do occassionally make quilts "to order", most of the time because my customer wants something only I am crazy enough to attempt!
One lady contacted me about making a queen-sized quilt, matching pillow shams and curtains for three windows, she was willing to pay $300 for all! I don't do curtains (well, I do, for me) and once I sent her a quote with all the fabric prices she was happy and willing to pay $350 for the quilt and shams...some people just don't realize the cost of materials until you explain it to them. Fortunately, she got it!
I sent another customer a quote, and she called me back to tell me that "for that price she could buy several quilts at Walmart"! I wonder how her quilts are holding up? :wink:

Patrice said it all.

My husband had me practice the same thing!! :oops:

My son is into making furniture. He had hand crafted some wonderful pieces for me. Items that will be treasured forever, like a quilt. You would be surprised how many people balk at the price he puts on his custom work. I love it when they say, I could buy it for 20 bucks at Wal Mart. Kevin says, go buy it!! :roll:

I had the same problem when doing stained glass. Price of glass, tools, and ER bills ( :roll: -- okay - so I'm a klutz) would put the prices WAY above those pieces that come from China and are sold at Kmart, Penny's, etc.
I've had people ask me if I'm going to sell the quilts I'm making now. I point out I have 11 grandkids to make quilts for.....and that a queen size quilt is approx $150. for JUST the top - not including batting, backing, labor. That stops them cold. I do have 2 people waiting for me to get comfortable with the Longarm that I'll do work for. Good info on getting costs up front and everything in writing!!!!

I totally agree with all the ladies suggestions that you give it back. This may be a lesson that is hard to swallow, but it is the Honest thing to do.