A lady from down south really wanted one of my tops. Not a quilt yet. I said off the top of my head $350.00 for just the tops and she took it. It is queen sized and all half square triangles and 41/2" sqs. I think it was worth it. Takes a long time to do all those. I hadn't really wanted to sell it so just threw the number out there. So, now instead of making 5 tops I will end up making 6 tops of the same pattern. I know this one by heart until it comes to the layout. That takes time. But I am loving it because it is all scraps. My girls hate scrap quilts and they both asked for one of these tops. I don't even have to quilt theirs. Yeah. They are going to do some quilting for me in return.

I'm doing a queen size Trip around the World for a customer for $400. That includes all the fabric, thread, batting, my time to cut, piece and quilt it in a simple fmq. This is the first time I'ver ever made a quilt for money so I'm keeping track of my time so I can figure out my "pay rate", LOL!

I think $400-$500 is reasonable. I recently went on the Keepsake Quilting website and was astonished at what some people were charging for their quilts. A few years ago while visiting the Keepsake store, I saw a log cabin wreath (ala Eleanor Burns) quilt hanging up for sale with a price of $96, and the fabric wasn't even all that special. I have made dozens of them and sold them for $35 at my church fair, some people thought it reasonable and others thought it was too high. $50 to me would have been more reasonable price, but having said that, in that area of NH with lots of summer homes and summer tourists, she probably got that much. Don't be afraid to ask a reasonable price for your work and materials.

You have to get out of it the amount you have in it, then add what you think is fair for your time. (some take more time than others.)

So, how much would you charge then if one would just charge someone their time spent on the quilt?

I love this... I will remember that one... it is so hard to charge what it costs and its worth...

Sometimes you can have over $200.00 in materials, depending on the size. I would think it's very appropriate to charge $150 to $200 for the labor.

For a lap, $100.00 for labor (plus materials).

What are your thoughts?

I am currently making a king size quilt for my son and daughter-in-law. I estimate that the materials (fabrics, batting, not even counting thread) alone are between $250 and $300. I estimate the longarmer will charge me about $300. So the quilt is expensive even without any charge for my labor (of course I'm not charging my son, but just to give an estimate).

I'm sure you could find cheaper fabrics (mine are Moda)...

I think 400.00 is too cheap for the time and energy that goes into a quilt. Your pattern design also needs to be considered. Visit an area quilt shop and ask the ladies there what other people has sold their quilts for. You just might be surprised.

$800-$1,000 for queen (includes the cost of longarming)
$1,000-$1,500 for king (includes the cost of longarming)

Don't under-estimate the PITA factor of wrestling around quilts that large!

How much to charge is such an objective thing, unless you're actually quilting as a business. For many of my friends I would make the quilt for free, from my stash, just to have the pleasure of giving them the gift. Or I might ask that they pay for the materials (if I could not make it from my stash) and would donate my labor. First you should decide whether you really want to make this quilt, and whether it's for the pleasure and experience of making it or for the income you might produce. Either way is perfectly acceptable. If it's for the income, then decide how much your time is worth and charge on that basis. I know there are rules about doubling or tripling the cost of the fabric, but I wouldn't use that formula unless you use a set dollar/yard for the materials, for instance $12/yard. (Why should the customer pay less for your time, just because you found the fabrics on sale or used cheaper quality fabrics?)

Here's board link that might help. http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-125917-1.htm gives you a break down of costs and labor . If you WANT to charge what your skills are worth, this hekps back that up to friends who want quilts, and MAY be trying to get one cheap.

This is what I would do too. Have them pick out their own materials and pay for the materials. Ask them to pick a pattern. Then you take them and make a quilt. I would charge according to my time. The more complicated the pattern the more time put in. If your sister is doing the quilting then add that in. Give them an estimate so there is no haggling or sticker shock :shock: after the quilt is made. Romana is right. Once they see how much it will cost, they may not want it done and once you see how much they are not willing to pay, you may not want to do it.

I agree - do a bit more searching of this topic on this chat board. There's way too much to even summarize here, a lot of wise advise, and good business savvy.

Hi everyone, I did read some of the other threads on this board. I decided to give these ladies a rough estimate of $300-$400. Now it lies with their husbands. Haha, they (the gals) were quite suprised by the price, so they'll use their hubbies as their out.

Doesn't matter, I have several other projects to keep me busy!