New Job???
 

I'm thinking of starting a quilt binding service from my home. I would square up the quilt, attach binding that either the customer has provided or choose something on my own and hand sew the binding. I'm wondering if any of you would use such a service and what I might charge someone to do it. I'm doing some work for a friend who has a quilt shop and she does custom orders. I work there one afternoon a week and she likes my work on the binding better than her own. I have traded some time at the shop doing my own work there and bringing hers home with me because I have a better set up. I make $10 a hour working there 5 hours per week. Just thought I'd get some input from all of you about the possibilities. Thanks!

That sounds like it has potential! Lots of people don't care for sewing on binding. I wish I could offer practical advice on pricing. From various pricing discussions we've had here, the method that makes most sense to me for hand sewing, is charging a certain amount per a certain length of thread, as some hand quilters said they did. This eliminates time from the equation, so whether you're a fast or slow sewer wouldn't impact the price. I probably wouldn't use such a service myself, but it seems like there could be a market for it.

I would charge more then $10 per hour. Quilting service is not have to have service so the charge for it should be for a convenience/luxury fee. Those that want the service will pay for it. Those looking for someone to do the work for as cheap as possible won't pay what it is worth.

This sounds like a viable opportunity, but I agree that you should charge more than $10 per hour for this type of work. This is repetitive action and you can end up doing your hand joints a disservice by working them too much. It's true that quilters in the past spent many hours every day hand piecing, hand quilting, and hand sewing on bindings but these tasks all require slightly different hand motions. Spending the same amount of time sewing on bindings only makes the actions more repetitive. Also, we tend to live longer than quilters of the past, which means there is more time for joint wear-and-tear to show up. Five hours a week isn't so bad, but if you are looking to double or triple that number of hours, you absolutely need to charge more to compensate you for the risk of joint damage (or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is more reversible if caught early but can still involve doctor visits).

Many long armers offer binding, the pricing is usually per inch. If you google 'quilt binding prices' you can get an idea of what others charge for this specific service. Keep in mind that prices may vary by geographic location.
If you do decide to proceed, make sure that you develop some sort of written work order: size of quilt, binding style (if applicable) color of thread estimated cost, estimated completion, who provided the binding fabric etc. When the quilt is dropped off, make 2 copies, keep one with the quilt & the other goes to the customer.
Many quilters do hate this step! It's worth at least investigating. You could get some brochures from local long arm quilters, and offer to work with the ones that don't offer this service.

When I started to long arm quilt, I was told to charge $1.25 per foot for binding. When you think of all the work that goes into binding, it's reasonable.

It would make sense to do the per inch charge - because by the hour is just too subjective, thinking as a customer.

I would not pay hourly for a sewing service- I can't determine how fast or slow they might sew.
I would possibly pay by the inch, depending on if the total price was worth removing the hassle of me doing it myself. (I hate binding.)

I would also expect near perfection if I was paying to have the binding done.

I would find out how many feet you could sew in an hour, then charge by the foot. Charge only what your friend and you feel comfortable with. Make sure that both of you understand. Usually because of my set up I could easily square a quilt up in 15 minutes. Be sure to get an approximation on how much thread is used. Sometimes customers will supply their own. Take it one step at a time. This could bring you in some extra cash which most people these days could sure use a little more.

Thanks for the good suggestions. I think I do a really good job on bindings, mitering the corners and my stitches are near invisible from the back. I did a quilt today that was 65 by 45 in about 4 hours. That was squaring up the quilt, making the binding, attaching and then hand sewing. This is something I don't mind doing in the evening while watching TV with my husband. I also make knitted dishcloths and I have so many I need to be doing something else. LOL I might put it out there and see what happens, we are a small community so I have no idea who would like this service. Something to be investigated! I knew you guys would have a good take on this.!