I might suggest using a sturdier fabric such as denim, or upholstery fabric weight as the weight of items put into the walker bag get heavy and might stretch it out. I know my mother had one and she put LOTS of things in it.

my 21 yo dd has a walker and could use a cute bag to hang on it. (Shea's taken a cloth purse and tired it on the walker to use). I think $ 20-25 is a fair price.

The one i made for my brother..
i used blue ticking fabric..it worked out pretty good..very plain,but sturdy. it served the purpose..
i never thought to use denim!

Actually, I've only made one quilt and a lap size, so I don't think I really qualify as a 'fellow quilter'. Please disregard my opinion on the price of $10-$15.00 and listen to the real quilters. I'll just keep my mouth shut in the future.

try ordering fabric from marshallsdrygoods.com. the store isn't far from where i live and they have great fabric for LOW prices.

I use to get a bundle of nice drapery material from a company in town who made drapes and pillows. I bought it by the pound. Saved oodles and it helped me and it helped them by getting it out of their way. Worth a try to make something to help the handicapped like me. Pillows for wheelchairs if they are to deep or seat to hard would be nice too.
Angeline

I just retired after last 5 years working as a nurse with elderly-most of our folks would not pay that, and often got them donated from churches.

I just retired after last 5 years working as a nurse with elderly-most of our folks would not pay that, and often got them donated from churches.

your bag is really georgous but i would save that beautiful fabric for a purse maybe...its not a problem buying from your lqs but it needs to be on sale..actually i would stick to joanns with a coupon..they do have really cute fabrics..i would say go for 18.oo and then maybe you might sell more..good luck

That walker bag is pretty. I live in a Senior's community and they dont seem to have the funds to purchase anything over $10 it seems. So I really dont think anyone would pay $20 to $25 for them unless it was a daughter or son or friend of someone who is using a walker.

Is there an upholstry shop or drapery shop near you? I bought a HUGE bag of fabric that was stuffed with approximately 1/2 yard pieces of the fabrics you typically see on mid to upscale restaurant or hotel seating...for $10. The bag was about 'hugging size' and approximately 6 feet long. My friend and I split it and I ended up with a medium size tote (the ones that were on sale after Christmas for $3-$4 at Wal-Mart) full of fabric after I folded it up neatly...and had already passed some on to another user and also had set aside a good sized bagful for a lady who wanted to make cushions for her dining room chairs.

If I had purchased those fabrics by the yard, I would have had to pay $100-$200 for them at fabric outlet pricing, not even regular retail.

If you could find something in your area where you could get this kind of deal, then you would be able to basically be charging only for your time instead of it all going to the price of fabric.

Keep an eye out and you'll be able to find a good deal, I'm sure.

A friend of mine is in the sewing business and the classes she took before selling told her that you need to take the $$ it cost you for materials and quadruple it. One quarter of the price is your investment in materials, another quarter is for your equipment upkeep, another quarter is to set aside for new equipment to replace what you have when it is worn out, and the last quarter is your profit.

I think they are a great idea even though I don't know anyone with a walker. I would pay $20-25 for one. Look around for fabric donations. A local organization gives away decorator fabrics (which sound good for this kind of bag) left over from decorating firms (samples and such)...

I agree about using a lesser costing fabric. Even the canvas cloth is beautiful nowadays. If you catch it on sale,
you will pay a decent price and re-coup what you paid out.
Maybe offer the LQS bags at $25 and the lesser costing fabric bags at $15 - 20.

Don't forget to make some in masculine prints. The guys like using these too. How about making matching lap throws? Just a thought.

Fellow quilter, Opinions and suggestions were asked for, never apoligize for your opinion. Kim

my neighbor was in a nursing home for rehab..she was given an "allowance",that the family added to ,that was held by the home.

I use my LQS as much as possible, but I like a bargain as much as the next person, too. If you like to use you LQS in order to support them and the theory of "think globally and buy locally" try to buy fabric on sale and from the remnant section.

It sounds like you are committed to creating a quality product. Maybe you need to think about where you are selling them. Maybe more upscale venues. Although it's true that most seniors don't have extra money, their families often do, and they are always looking for gifts that their oved ones will really use. In addition to upscale stores or craft places, how about hospital gift shops?

It's a gorgeous bag, but I agree with others about buying less expensive fabrics. Some Seniors might not use them for a long period of time and wouldn't get the use out of them. MY sister made one for my Mom and it's really handy. Eiltcoq.

That is a Cute item and have seen many, always seemed useful for user. :)

Now for opinion; where to sell, Hospital Gift shops a great idea, medical supply store, these may want commission, ask if you can put your contact info by the display. See if Senior center and Indepedent Living homes will let you post a notice that these are available, can always donate 1 oe 2 to see if can get a buzz going. Don't think 20-30 is out of the ball park for pricing. Sturdier base fab, denim, poplin, upolstery (samples) with the upscale Fabric as trim. Found some upolstery fab at WM 60" for 1.50 yd.
Keep in mind all will have to be a little different colors etc. Hate to see a who's walker is that argument, think that sometimes happens anyway!! (gotta add some interest even in at that age and situation)

Good Luck !!! Happy Sewing :)

What you made was quality & very pretty.
I think you should find a differnet market. Check your surrounding area for other market niches.
Any specialty shops that are doing well?

I think this is beautiful and have seen one in the nursing home where my cousin is. I would think of buying less expensive yet good quality material as I don't think you will profit much after your time, material, thread etc. The price range of $15.00 to $20.00 sounds reasonable but your profit after paying so much for the material will not really seem like it would be worth your time and effort.
Sorry

Your walker bags are lovely and I think would be a hit. I think an affordable price, using less expensive fabric, would be $20. Good Luck!

JanetM
First of all... let me say that I love your bag. I agree with the other quilters to try to get a cheaper price in fabric. I, myself, on disability not being 'old' yet; find it difficult to buy things for myself. I was on a walker for 3 years due to my back; BUT if my daughter would have seen one of these no doubt in my mind, she would have paid $20 to $25 for it. I ended up using a fanny pack wrapped around my walker at that time, I had to use the 'big' walker. Now 130 lbs lighter & my back operation, no more walker for me! Praise the Lord for that!
Just a thought that you just might want to make some bigger bags for people who use the wider walkers.
As someone else suggested, family members could always purchase one for a loved one in a nursing home. They could request that 'NO ONE Wash their bag' only a family member & that wish is granted. Ask how I know... my daughter is a nurse at a nursing home. Quilters take different things to display at her nursing home & family members purchase them.

Hi Janet,
I am new here but I have made these in the past and been able to sell them for $30.00 using the fabrics from your LQS. However if you could get your fabrics at a sale price as I have then I was able to sell them for $20.00. The higher price ones were sold to family members who bought for a relative and the lower price were more apt to be purchased by the home residents themselves.
I have also in the past made some as freebies for the homes to give to those who have no monies for such an item and they are much appreciated.
Good luck in your venture and believe me when you see there happy faces you know that you have made a difference.

I really do appreciate all the responses my topic has received.

I am going to give much thought to all of the opinions, but it goes without saying that I would need to find a more affordable source for fabric and batting to keep the cost down. I need to find the quality of fabric I desire at a better price, so I could price the finished bag accordingly.

If I were to sell them to the facility I mentioned it would be necessary to make each one unique. The residents eat their meals in a beautiful dining room, but after they are seated their walkers are placed near the walls to be out of the way. Each bag would have to be unique so that each residents walker would be easily identified. I also think they would appreciate having a bag that is uniquely theirs. My intent would be to make bags that are suitable for women and masculine ones for the gentlemen.

I think medical supply stores and hospital gift shops are very good ideas.

I have a lot to think about, deciding on how much time I want to devote to this endeavor, and maybe test the market to see if it is even viable.

Thank you, EVERYONE for your thoughts and suggestions. I really do value your opinions. :thumbup:

You are a "fellow quilter" and I do appreciate your opinion. I was not offended in the least.

You've reminded me that everyone has their own personal threshold of what they are willing to pay for different things. I know that, for me, I am willing to pay a princely sum for some things, and there are other things I will only purchase if I perceive it to be very affordable or a real bargain.

I asked for honest opinions, and I welcome everyone's. Please don't hesitate to be heard, everyone's opinion matters. :wink: :wink: :wink:

I think some people worry about "valuable/unique" things "disappearing" in nursing homes.

Therefore, the unwillingness to pay a lot for a walker bag.

I do like the idea of each one being unique.

Dont forget the P.T. gyms and offices, could check durable medical goods catalog for pricing, also volunteer to do a how to classes as an activity, over several weeks then offer to sell to non-class takers!!!

Or sell the instructions/pattern?

Sometimes people (including me) are willing to buy the pattern, the fabric, etc - and balk at purchasing the already made item.

(And after we figured out how much time and money it took, we kick ourselves for not buying it to begin with!)

I had to laugh at this one. I will see things at craft fairs and my husband will say "go ahead and buy that if you like it". I of course say "no, I can make that myself" and then I don't. I've kicked myself more than once for doing this. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Have you checked the prices in "assistive living device" catalogs?
Or "independent living" devices?

Or even to see if they have walker bags?

That might give you an idea of what the "assembly line" bags are selling for.

Here's a site that has some:

http://www.walkerwonder.com/

I am not a senior or an old fart, I am 47 in August, and I use a walker. These bags are great, and sometime down the road I will make one for my walker, as I can not buy anything with out money. but if I could afford one, I would be willing to pay $20 or less. God bless. Penny

You might get an idea of prices on ebay. They have several listed under "Walker Bags"

I do love your bags (they are georgous and I love the colors) and you would do best trying to sell them at hospital gift shops and possibly medical supply stores. I like the idea about physical therapy (PT) locations. If you could get an "in" at one of these places and talk to the office staff for ideas or other PT location you might be able to make some money that way.

Different sizes are a good idea too. Have you though about making something a bit stronger than cotton fabric?

I went to this website http://www.marshalldrygoods.com/60in...oth/cat_3.html and they have 60 inch wide premium broadcloth for $2.29 per yard. Bad side is that they are only in solid colors. They also have some inexpensive quilting fabric as well.

I think you will need to keep your costs down if you want to make a profit at this. Try to do something unique. A lot of people in walkers are usually on a fixed income for one reason or another and will not be able to spend much money.

Have you thought about trying to sell your bags at a craft fair or something along those lines?

I guess it just depends on what you want to do, whether you want to try to make money from this, just want to benefit a small group of people, or whatever?

I don't know if this will help you or not. Good luck!

I would not use LQS fabric for the project. If these are used by folks in assisted living, they may not be cared for by the recipient and just be tossed in with the regualr laundry. Unless you are a quilter you have no idea the cost of fabric, so most would just consider it overpriced, and you are selling up against folks who used WM fabric. It is more of a utilitarian item than decor, so I suggest less expensive materails.

That is so sad to think how hard you work, do a nice job of it and can only get 5 pennies for it! My family , 9 of us, worked all our working years sewing for people and were always considered "not a real business"! What makes this so? If you do work on a sewing macine, is that less than an honorable job that should pay a living wage?Off my soap box now, I don't think $30 is too much. I've made quilts (queen size) hand quilted and tied ,the most I could ever get was $250 and had to give 25% of that to the shop where they were sold!I must say, also, they were beautiful!! :-( :-( :-(

Good idea! Yes patterns and get them copyrighted. :) :-)

Looks lovely, however, I would not buy one for much more than your expenses.
But then, I know I could make one myself.
Maybe someone who couldn't make one would place more value on it.

you make an excellent point !

LESS EXPENSIVE FABRIC MAKE NOT LAST AND WHEN IT IS WASHED, WELL, IT MAY NOT LAST OR HOLD UP AS WELL.