I feel kind of bad right now. A few years ago I went to a quilt auction and paid $250 for a queen size Amish quilt. At that time, I thought it was rediculously expensive. Oh, how your point of view changes.

$800 for a king size is not enough. $1500 is more like it and still not enough.

$800 is what I want for a single.

Thanks for all the advice and comments. Hopefully this helps others who have wondered or felt the same way about this topic.

When I consider that I will have $400 in materials and then my time it doesn't seem so much after all. Really I do want to be fair to myself about my time and I will be hand quilting this king size quilt. You girls have helped me to look at this project in a better way. I am going to rethink this some more and not let myself feel so guilty. I would never pay that much for a quilt, but then again, I know how to make quilts.

This situation is simply crying out for open communication before agreeing to it.

Spend some time talking to them to find out what they really want. Do they want an investment in hand made art, or something to toss on the bed for a few months, a bed that they may share with their pets? :shock:

If they do want a beautiful hand made quilt, then it's up to you to educate them on the amount time and effort that goes into it, and especially the anticipated price. Perhaps they would like to talk to a quilt appraiser before beginning, or get the quilt appraised when it is completed.

If you don't communicate, then simply hand them the quilt and a bill for $800 or more, they may well be shocked and angry, and rightfully so....because they simply had no idea what to expect, and you didn't tell them. And how would you feel if your quilt was appraised for, say $3,200 and you only asked for $800?

Once they understand what they are asking for, and if they decide that they truly want the hand made piece, then making the quilt will be a joyful process for all of you. If they decide they are not ready for that commitment, then you are all spared.

By the way, Libby Lehman prices her quilts, and has no trouble receiving, $400 per square foot! :thumbup:

Recently at our quilt show, an appraiser gave insurance values for several quilts. Most queen-sized quilts appraised in the $1200 to $1600 range, depending on the quilting and piecing/applique quality. I think $800 for a king-size is a bargain!! I don't really have an answer for how to educate a non-quilter about value.

I have been a handquilter for hire. I am very fast in comparison to most non Amish people. I start my prices just for the quilting at $.10 a square inch. Then I charge additional for marking , binding etc. If I have to supply the back and batting I sell it to them at my cost. My best customer was a woman who owns a custom framing shop. She was also a musuem curator. She had inherited at least half a dozen tops from her grandmother. She didn't batt an eyelash at paying my prices.
Last year I made what ended up as two T shirt quilts for a couple. The majority of that was machine quilted but I had to put together the tops. Their son had gone to Harvard on a full scholarship for wrestling. The quilt was a real pain as they gave me t-sirts, sweatshirts and even wrestling shorts that they wanted included. When I handed them the bill the look on the woman's face was priceless. She wrote me out a check and her husband asked if he could refer me to his friens.
I have a feeling the other brother will be getting a quilt one of these days.
While I have no problem doing the quilting I don't think I would make a quilt from start to finish for anyone else unless it was wholecloth or another T shirt quilt. Piecing and tradional applique are not my thing.

Show your friend your estimate. If they still want it for that price remember someone sold a quilt for $70,000. 800 Is a lot less than 70,000.:)

if you're handquilting, then $800 is definitely not enough money. 3x the cost of materials ($400) is already $1200. that price would have included the time for machine quilting (although i don't agree that that's enough), but it certainly doesn't include the time spent for handquilting.

btw: i never understood how anyone can come up with a formula such as '3x the cost'. that doesn't take into consideration the hst, or inset triangles or 1" unfinished pieces. compare that to all squares or larger blocks or strips. the yardage costs may be the same, but the work is as different as night and day. how can they be judged by the same formula?

I wouldn't do the work alone, for $800.00.

Let her supply the material and then you charge for your time and don't sell yourself short. Your time is as valuable as anyone else's

As you said in your first sentence, I think often we women, especially, have trouble valuing our own worth. They obviously value your quilting talent/art since they chose you to make a very special quilt for them. I am sure you will feel better once you talk to them about your estimate and they will be thrilled! You know you are being honest so just go for it and try to enjoy the process. You are worth it.