I've been quilting for about 7 years and have made about 30 quilts. I would say I am an intermediate quilter. I have given away some quilts, donated some to charity and sold one (a lap quilt, for $100)

I have two friends who are wanting me to make them quilts for family members. One for a friends son (queen size), one for a friends niece (king size). They both want blue and maize (U of M colors).

My sister is a long arm quilter and for a brief period had her own business, so I know what she will charge to actually quilt the top. My question is, how much do I charge to put the top together? I've read some charge by the hour, some triple the cost of supplies. I'm using a large 16" block, fairly simple pattern. Plus, the batting and backing.

Both of these women are well aware quilts are not cheap to purchase, but they're asking for an estimated cost, which I don't really know. $400-$500???

Thanks for reading and for any feedback.

I struggle with the same thing - I sometimes throw out a number to see the reaction - sometimes close friends/family are looking for a deal - but sometimes they really do value your skills. I think being up front about the time and costs may give them a better idea how much time it really takes to finish a quilt- I confess I have a hard time charging also even though it takes up so much of my time. I wish there was an easy answer.

does the 400-500 get them a finished quilt? If so, that sounds about right. If it is just for the top, maybe a bit high, esp. since it is simple blocks.

MM, I've been quilting about the same time as you and someone asked me the same thing and I, like you, didn't know. So someone told me to charge what you think your time is worth + supplies. If it's for MY family, then I don't charge. If it's for a friend, not as much as I would the average Joe Blow from town but definitely something. Sorry I couldn't be much help either but you really do need to decide that on your own.....what's your time worth??

BTW MM, welcome to the board, I just joined on the 9th myself! Perhaps we can learn together!

There has been a lot of postings in the past about this subject. Do a bit of searching. There was some good answers and advice.

Hi and welcome to the board from Iowa. I am sure someone will come along that will have exactly the right answer (smile).

I don't have any idea on that, but I suspect a deal breaker would be to take them, one by one, to a quilt shop and tell them to look at and price any fabric they want or like. And to add backing and batting prices..if they don't faint at that final cost (take a calculator) then you can set down with them and talk prices for your time. Then let them look at the total all written down in black and white..might shock them speechless at your actually wanting money for "keeping busy"!!! I've actually heard someone say that about the art of quilting..

Yes, $400-$500 for finished quilt.

Your price sounds pretty good. A friend of mine gets $700 for a Queen size t-shirt quilt. She always asks for half up front. When asked to make a quilt always ask what pattern, what fabrics, Because a Double wedding ring would be a lot more time consuming than a D9P.

Thank you, everyone, for your quick replies. :-D

Welcome from Michigan! Good luck and show us the finished projects!

I was in a quilt shop the other day and they said a friend of their's charges 10 cents an inch for quilting. I would make sure I got the money back for the supplies and see where that comes to my $400 to $500 esimate. My quilt guild just spent $265 on fabric for a queen/king size quilt. not including battin, or thread or the piecework or quilting. Charging a friend is hard but time spent is another thing. Good luck.

Keep material costs separate from labor.
Let your friends buy the fabric, batting & thread.
Charge for your time.

I've heard of people who were making a quilt for a friend and got stiffed. People really don't understand what fabric costs these days. I'd have them go to the quilt store (and somewhere cheaper) to choose fabric. Have them pay you upfront for whatever they choose. Then charge minimum wage for your time (yes, your time is worth more than that, but it's at least a fair amount). You can see if they're really interested this way.
My usual answer if someone wants me to make them something is that I'd be glad to show them how to make a quilt...

Go with them to a quilt shop, let them choose and buy all needed supplies. Then two times that amount for the labor.

I don't have the foggiest idea what to charge; I just wanted to say "Go Blue"!!!

When I was in Lancaster, Pa. I went into a shop which was owned by an Amish family. There hundreds of handmade quilts- nothing was under $500.00, and most were way more.

Morning, I have been quilting for about 10 years now and last year had 3 custom quilts. I do everything including the longarm work. My charges were: Twin $350.00, Full $550.00, Queen $850.00 and King $1200.00. Start to finish. I did a queen rush custom in 15 days and did not charge enough, by time I bought supplies (and customer even supplied shirts for top) I made less then $8.00 an hour. With fabric so expensive now my prices will be 450, 650, 950, and 1350. Now that being said. I would not charge a family member, except to maybe have them buy the fabric, and if I have farm something out like the longarm work. A good friend would be the same, unless I wanted to make it as a gift for them. Do not under charge, your time is worth it, and when we devalue our art, it hurts everyone. Hope this helps.

I had an issue with a custom job because I underestimated the charges. Better to overestimate, and have a happy customer when the charges end up being less.

I agree with Galynn. And definitely get the cost for the supplies up front. I too find people are stunned when the find out the real cost of just the material and what it costs to have a quilt long arm quilted. In my area $250+ for a queen.

There is NO magic formula..no set number..it really depends on the cost of the materials you USED, not what you bought, the amount of time, the cost of quilting...

I did a quote for a king size double wedding ring, buying the fabric at less than $5 yd, batting wholesale, thread wholesale, easy template pieced top, and with getting it quilted was looking at an estimate of no less than $1,200! Needless to say the lady did not want it done! But the actual cost to make it was $780+..without my TIME into it...

I had a friend who wanted three baby quilts in three days. Simple checkerboard until she wanted custom applique added and minkie on the back. I had her buy all the material & then made them for her at no charge. She was so pleased that she ended up paying me $200 "for my time & promptness". It was a win-win for both of us.

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

I go along with the 400 to 500 dollar price. The price of fabric is going up, batting has gone up plus what it cost to have it quilted and your time. Also get at least hald for a deposit

I just made a queen size batik quilt for a relative (free) and it cost me an arm and a leg. If I had charged them it would have bee $500

Daryl

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I agree with the majority...let them buy the batting and fabric and thread then tell them what the quilting costs, then figure in your cost for making it. Get some of the quilting money up front and then when it is finished get the remainder of it.

Your estimate sounds about right to me for quick and easy for friends. I told someone making a casual inquiry (lady in checkout line at Walmart) awhile back that my prices would start at $350 and go up from there depending on size, complexity and how quickly it needed to be done.

I am sure they will be worth more than you can charge.

Remember, these are friends and you would not charge them that much. Why too high.
IdahoSandy

I have the same problem, I'll follow this thread to find out.

I believe you are right on in asking between $400 and $500. At least $500 for a queen.

:lol: I charge by the squared yard as I do for my long arm service.
Pricing, Depending on the patten and how much piecing there is.

I never let them buy the fabric and bring them to me. They have not a clue what goes with what or have any vision of how it will look. And they may bring me fabric from JoAnns not the quality that we get and use from the quilt shops. I feel if they are not thrilled it would fall back on me they don't realize that they had no clue how do pick the right fabrics. ;)

I would start by taking them on a trip to a LQ shop and let them pick out the pattern and fabrics then yes charge them the 400 - 500 for making the top, but tell them they will then send the top off to be quilted by a LA and they will also have to pay for the batting and backing then, make sure they get enough fabric for the binding, .10 an inch is a steal! (ladies around here are charging .17 - .23 an inch) and you will be happy to trim the quilt out and sew the binding on for them. this way they have a part in there quilts and realize some of the time and investment they are putting into the end quilt.