How long does it take to make a quilt?
 

I have been asked to estimate the time I spend making a charity quilt - for their records, not mine. The quilts I donate are about 60 x 70 inches, tops are pieced blocks (not simple large block patterns), I quilt on my domestic machine and machine bind. Such a tricky question. I don't really want to spend more time logging my time, and I want to be fair. Any suggestions?

LOL my last 62 by 60 has taken 5 years.

The only way to truly know is to log your time. I had to start doing that for longarming because I was grossly under-estimating how long it took me. So I simply put a blank piece of paper on my bulletin board. As soon as I walk in the room I write the date and the time. As soon as I stop I write the time. Now it is habit and it takes less than a second to do it (I make sure to keep a pencil or pen right there as well). You could time yourself for one block start to finish. Even if you chain-stitch several blocks at a time, by clocking how long it takes to make one from the moment you make your first cut until you take your last seam. Then multiply that by how many blocks are in the quilt. But then you have to log your time for assembling the quilt, quilting it and binding it. Everyone works at different speeds so the only way you will get a fair estimate of your time is to take the additional few seconds at the start and end of every sewing session by writing down the start time and finish time. Try keeping a small notebook right next to your sewing machine.
You will be surprised at how quickly it becomes habit and that it only takes a second to jot it down. I suspect you will be very surprised to see how much time it really does take. Also, if you are a prewasher, don't forget the time and effort to prewash and prep your fabric.

Problem is....you are the only one who knows how long you spend making a quilt. Each of us are different in the time spent. You must have a rough idea, just give them that number.

As it happens, I did track the time of one quilt years ago. It was 66 x 66 and took 77 hours. It was only tied and not quilted. If you need to track the length of time for the quilting. How about going for one hour and then seeing how much got done. Then you can do some math to see what it would take for the whole thing.

I just started a new quilt a few days ago, and am amazed how long it took me to cut all the pieces. Wow! :)

I have done queen size quilt tops in a weekend (very easy pattern) and one took me one in over 40 hours.
This was just the fabric purchase, cutting, and piecing. The quilting (long arm) takes me 3 to 8 hours, depending on the design. The binding, I have no idea how long that takes me.
Mike

You sound a lot like me

I have donated a lot of quilts and I have no idea how long it takes. No one has ever asked me and I have not thought to keep track. Since all I want to do for the rest of my life is make quilts it really doesn't matter.

We're all so different I wouldn't have any idea unless I tracked it. Also depends on the complexity of the project.

I did time myself once, and it took 40 hours. I quilt my own on my domestic, usually SITD. I have used that number any time anyone asked. It was so long ago that I don't remember if that counted fabric selection and cutting though. I'd just tell them 40 hours. That is one work week.

Dina