Guys help!
 

Here is a quilt I just finished, I didn’t buy the fabric it was a Christmas present for me, but I spent a lot of time on this quilt, I have a lady wanting to buy it for 20 dollars, I don’t want to be greedy, but I think the quilt it worth more then that, any advice?[ATTACH=CONFIG]606925[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]606926[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]606927[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]606928[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]606929[/ATTACH]

You have more than $20 worth of fabric. I'd rather donate it than sell it so cheap. Just my thinking.

I would just tell them that you made it for yourself as the fabric was a gift and leave it at that. You don’t owe anyone an explanation as too your decision. There is no sense offering to make her one or even have a conversation about another quilt, they have no clue about quilts by the offer. Best to shut the door on this one and leave it closed. Pretty fabrics!

Way too low. Your time and skills are worth more than a Walmart 'quilt'.
Figure out how much $ you have invested in it, then add a fair amount for your time/skills.

Honestly, IMO, quilts are rarely sold for the amount of time it takes us to make them. But $20 is almost an insult.
Not taking into account that we don't know the person who offered it and their circumstances. Maybe it's all they can offer... in that case, its up to you whether you choose to accept their offer with grace and gratitude that it was all they could afford to give - and know in your heart that it's truly giving them a gift, not a sale. Your choice...

Good Luck!
Donna Mc

I think $20 is insulting too, but people just don't realize what goes into a quilt. If you took her to a fabric store she would learn really fast! :D
I really like your quilt.

She either has no idea how much goes into a quilt or she hopes you are a sucker.

I don't feel it is greedy to want more than $20 for your quilt, regardless of whether you purchased or were gifted the fabric. It is way too low. You also added batting, backing, and thread, plus wear and tear on your rotary blade and sewing needle. Not to mention your time. I would hesitate to sell a small wallhanging for that price.

Acquaintances often ask (practically demand) I make them a quilt (usually a bed size), expecting it to be a gift, or, if they offer to pay, it is what they would expect to pay discount store prices. I don't think it is insulting to be offered such a low price for a quilt, I believe it is ignorance. Most people do not think of quilting as a skilled craft or art form. They have no idea what is involved in the process of making a quilt. I am usually happy to educate those people. :)

I've learned to say I would love to make them a quilt once they purchase the materials. I explain how many yards I will need for both the front, back and binding at an average of $12, the cost of batting and an extra $20-25 for non reusable supplies such as thread, needles, basting spray, and a fresh cutting blade. If they are a good friend, I might offer to donate my time, otherwise I say we can negotiate the cost of labor once they choose a design. I then explain the how the simplest of designs will take (x) amount of hours, to cut, piece, baste, quilt, and bind, and how the amount of time could go up exponentially based on the design.

Occasionally run have someone who is bold enough to suggest I give them a quilt as a gift. I ask them if they would spend hundreds of dollars on a birthday gift for me? Would they spend 20-30 hours cleaning my house for free?

Once they have some understanding and appreciation of the time and money that goes into making a quilt, they usually change their mind in a hurry. In almost 30 years of quilting, only one person has taken me up on my offer. If it is a good friend, someone I actually want to give the quilt to, I would turn down their offer of money, and give them the quilt they like as a gift.

if you feel its worth more than $20 tell them and give them a price that you will sell it for. Most people don't want to pay for what quilts are worth

Consider the length of time it took you to cut it and then the sewing as well. Be fair to yourself.

I would stop it by saying, "No, this is my Christmas Gift, I can't think of selling it, it is mine". That would be the end of it. You have really pretty fabric in your quilt. I really would keep it.

She is no lady so don't be one either. :D

Way to cheap of a price. I donate lots of quilts and have given many away. No one would want to pay a good price for them.

People love bargains and like to brag when they get something really nice for a cheap price.

Your quilt is very pretty.

What!? Are you serious? She offered just $20 for this quilt? No way! The fabric was a gift to you; not to this woman! There is more that $20 in the fabric alone... not even considering the time, talent, misc. expenses involved. No way should you think about giving her this quilt for near that price!

Few people can break even, let alone make a profit, by selling their quilts. So I believe it comes down to a fairly simple decision. Would you rather keep the quilt, or sell it for $20? It's your decision, and there is no right/wrong answer.

I would have laughed in her face.

Can you buy enough fabric to remake the quilt? I think we all know the answer to that.

You need to either take her to a quilt store and let her price the fabric, or sit down with her and show her some math. I suspect she won’t care tho, and is only looking to take advantage of you. I wouldn’t even sell the unfinished top for $20! Insulting!

For comparison, I just sold a twin sized quilt for $165... and I thought that was a darned good deal.

Well said. (Either she's clueless, or she's the greedy one, not you.)

Was she serious about this offer? Perhaps this was a "tongue in cheek" proposal? Are you interested in selling it or letting this person have it? Would the person who gave you the fabric as a gift be offended that you didn't keep it? Even though the fabric for the top was a gift, I assume you have about the $20 in backing, batting, etc. Aside from that, there is the "gift" of your time and talent. It depends if you want to pass on this quilt but I'd keep it.

Years ago -- too many for me to remember exactly (sigh!) -- the price of handmade items was figured by multiplying the cost of materials by three. Even if you were able to find a charm pack, and it wouldn't make a very large quilt, would it, for around $9.00, the cost of the quilt would start at $27.00. Then figure in another charm pack or two to make the quilt a really usable size, add the cost of the backing and the batting, and you have a truer idea of what a quilt would be worth.

$20.00 for a quilt, unless it had been made for a doll bed or something that size, would be kind of an insult, wouldn't it?

Kinda' sad isn't it? There are not many people who understand quality anymore and that, when you purchase most things retail, you get what you pay for. Poor quality and no one seems to care because you get rid of it at the end of the season and get something new next year. But, quality is part and parcel of quilting. I would rather give something away than to sell it for a pittance.

I also would rather give my quilts to someone who would appreciate it versus selling cheap.

to me it is like giving it to her.... this is very sad ... and then the door is open for similar requests from "friends"

I would either sell it for a lot more or just give it... but 20$ for me is an insult in my book.

I am in the camp where I'd donate it to charity rather than sell for $20.

$20.00? Not a chance. The materials cost more than that and then you put in your time. Explain this to the prospective buyer and propose a reasonable amount. Not accepted? Then thank the buyer for the complement and move on. :)

I just saw the comments about donating the quilt. I agree. If you cannot gain a reasonable cost, donate the quilt. Someone will appreciate it more than $20 worth.

I agree with JJBlaine. Tell her you will not sell this because it was a gift, but you would be happy to make her one if she will purchase the supplies. Tell her how much fabric to buy, how much and what kind of thread, how much batting and what kid, plus the backing. That might change her mind about wanting one.

No way would I sell it to her for that price. You didn't say what size the quilt is but even lap size I wouldn't sell one for less than $150.

My DIL whom I love dearly asked me if it was cheaper to make a quilt than buy one in the store. I gave her a fast lesson in quilting costs. I had just gifted them with a “Tree of. Life” quilt made from Mayeood flannels. Cost of fabric, batting and custom LAQ was close to $700.00 but to mention hours of labor. I hope she has better appreciation but this is a woman that cannot sew a stitch and doesn’t own an iron. Lol

You can politely tell her that you could sell it for the cost of materials only, but not for less. Then figure fabrics - easy way is full size of top = how many yards = $6 per yard (I am thinking used a 40% coupon) double this because you have a top and backing. Add in cost of the batting. Personally, I would then add time and work, but, if you are trying to be polite, this would be an absolute base cost. Chances are she will not want to pay it anyway! Someone who would offer $20 for a handmade quilt has no idea of the work you did.

Take her with you to a LQS and price the materials needed to make a quilt. Be sure to include thread, needles, etc. Explain to her that this dollar amount does not include your labor and time. The fabric was a gift to you and the quilt is pretty. I'd want to keep the quilt you have made to always remember the friend who gave me the fabric.

"No, I can't do that." is my response when asked to do something that just leaves me feeling cheated or under pressure. I bet she would purchase it for $20. Tell her to purchase a blanket and keep the quilt for yourself or simply give it away. To put a low price is too much. Giving it with a feeling of gifting is better.

I would smile and simply answer her "no."

I think you are selling yourself short, here are two examples of a charm pack with 42 pieces - Moda, and 5 - half meter cuts (Canadian Prices) Measur[ATTACH=CONFIG]607018[/ATTACH]e your quilt and see what it adds up to[ATTACH=CONFIG]607017[/ATTACH]

I agree that offering $20 for a quilt is an insult. I've seen coffee cakes for that amount and they don't take the time, money or effort like a quilt.

What tallchick said...

I just priced fleece blankets at Ross, Tuesday Morning, and Big Lots. None were under $20, and few were even that low priced.
Just say, "No. Thanks for the offer."

I can just hear the "friend" bragging about her "steal" at your expense! Perhaps she needs some education about what all really goes into making a quilt. I have taught 2 gd's, 6 cousins, and numerous friends to quilt, and they are all so happy to have learned this skill. My 9-year-old gd made and donated a wall-hanging to the local psch ward because the felt the walls needed some decoration.

Since the fabric was a Christmas gift I think you should keep it.

My first thought too. Her suggestion is insulting.

Don't sell yourself short. You have put a lot of time making this quilt and the fabrics were a gift so it may mean a lot to you. It is a very nice quilt and you need to check around on like ebay and etsy to see what quilts like yours sell for. But---as someone told me a long time ago that it is your quilt and you can do whatever you feel comfortable. Good luck on your decision but the price someone offered is way too little for all the work you put into the quilt.