Sell? Sell a Quilt????

I would never sell a quilt... too much of my life tied up in them.


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But offers starting at $250,000 will be considered.

tim in san jose

That is a really good question. I have people that will see one of my quilts and ask me how much will I charge to make them one. And I'm stumped. Theres alot of work, time, creativity, and how do you determine a price. Let alone the cost for doing one.

Someone told me once that the basic rate to charge is the cost of materials + labor x 3. (Labor cost is $per hour.) I timidly would figure it for my cakes and candies....always surprised at the price...even more by the payment and return orders. I must however admit, I have never sold a quilt.

If that's the case then my quilts are worth at least $1,000 if not more. But I don't think anyone would spend that much money on one of mine. If I were to sell for profit I would have to buy the cheapest fabs that I could find and cut corners to save time. BUT and and big BUT I don't think I could compromise my personal ethics to create a cheaply made product. I always strive for quality. But that's just me. Fortunately I don't have to sell my quilts to make a living but if you did then that would be the way to go. These are just my feelings.

I would be hard pressd to price a quilt for sale. I simply don't think anyone would pay what I think they are worth according to the time I put into it and cost of fabrics. No one would pay me for 2 or 3 months or more of work that it took to make a big quilt, so I make little ones and give them away. Not a very good answer I am afraid. I have thought about selling baby quilts once I retire because most of them can be done completely on the machine in less time. I sold one once for $100 years ago, but it was probably worth much more. So did I confuse you even more? LOL

Well, here we go................since this is what I do for a living!!!! I worked retail for 26 yrs and also did buying for these stores that I worked for, therefore knowing a little about pricing. Not much, but a little!!
When I price an item that I make, I usually consider the price of the fabric only, then times that by 2 or 3 the amount. These are for my small items such as table runners, totebags,small lap quilts etc. The big quilts that I do, I take into consideration the pattern that I will be doing and consider my time. Thats the hard part because people just don't understand the time to make these. But every year before Christmas, I have at least 1 or 2 queen size quilts that I will have to get done, and they sure make for some good spending money at Christmas! I use my gut feeling on these. Its the hardest thing I have to do.

I do buy alot of my fabric on sale and use Joanns mostly for these types of items. Plus I have to consider the area that I live in. Makes a big difference. People won't spend alot aroung here. Check out my ebay store and you can see how I price some things. Hope this helped a little.

you ladies haven't mentioned the blood ,sweat, and tears.oh believe me i've poked my fingers enough times , you should really take that into consideration to. tia sarah

ergo: with those things in mind......is the cost really too much? Beethoven wasn't paid nearly enough for the beauty of his musical works, nor would some say Michealangelo, even more current artist, say, Charles Russell? If it holds a part of you...value it ...everything else will take care of itself. Whether you sell or gift it...it is priceless, and as we have recently seen with Leslee's quilt, an enduring treasure. Truly priceless.

f v g, you must never forget the blood sweat or tears.you know what i'm sure what ever it turns out looking like ,i'm sure your friend will just love your quilt .just because you made it........tia sarah

I have a friend and fellow guild member here in Pensacola. Claire does long arm quilting, and also makes quilts for customers. Her website is bellaquilting.com and her prices are listed there.

I have one customer I make quilts for as a side job. It is really hard to price them because I put some much time and effort into them, then I pay Claire to do the quilting. (I don't even try because I know I would mess it up.)

Usually I count the cost of the fabric, the cost of the quilting and add $100 for my time if it is a queen size or king. Charging what it is really worth would never be affordable, so I count the time I got to spend making something beautiful for someone who actually loves it when its done as a gift to them and a treat for me!

I made a king size quilt for my own bed. Just the fabrics totalled over $300 and then there was the cost of getting it quilted - $180, so I know I couldn't sell it for even that much. Who would find it as beautiful as I do? See photo attached.

Anyway, I had it appraised by a professional quilt appraiser, and it is worth $850!!! If I lost it in a fire or flood without that appraisal, I would only get about $50 because insurance companies consider it a "blanket" without an appraisal.

I hope Claire's website helps you with the pricing!

quiltmaker, do you have any idea what things the appraiser considered to get the value? and it is beautiful!

Quilt Appraisers base the value on quality of fabric, design, colors, pattern popularity, and the quality of the quilting itself. She looked for damage, fraying, what kind of binding and backing was used, etc. It took most of an hour for her to thoroughly evaluate it, and she took several photos.

And she told me that Stack N Whack quilts are really not of lasting value - they are a fad. I guess I won't take a class on that one!

Patterns that have been around forever are the best ones to make if you want a valuable quilt.

thank you for your response, it's interesting about the patterns

i don't doubt that a professional appraiser knows well enough the $$$ value "assigned" to quilts made between "then" and "now". but unless she has a crystal ball she can't possibly know whether or not stack-n-whack, or any other currently popular trend, will amount to a mere "fad". for all we know those quilts will either stand the test of time or bring piles of money 100 years from now because there aren't many still intact or being made.

"they" sniffed and sneered at cotton fabric, gas, electricity, telephone, horseless carriages and computers.

don't decide what to learn or pass by based on somebody else's opinion-driven speculation. follow your heart and instincts. that's the real foundation - and future - of quilting.

quiltmaker101, this is simply a beautiful quilt.

I have to agree with the appraiser.. Stack and whack computers... they were just a fad.

tim in san jose

And just think... Log cabin was just the stack and whack of it's day.

tim in san jose

how could any body call someyhing made from your heart ,something you pour so much of your time ,and so much of your self into,weather it's a stack and wack or it could be any other quilt . a fad ... i say shame on that person.

Sarah, you have hit the nail right on the head.

besides, different methods come and go in popularity. crazy quilts started out as a "fad" then "went away" for years. now they're all the rage again. what started out as a way to use up scraps and show off embroidery skills has turned into a "technique", complete with books, patterns and classes. go figure. 8)

My Sister-in-law and I make and sell quilts here in the Southwestern New York State ( 2hrs south of Buffalo). We have found that you need to talk to find out how quilts will sell in your area and what the people are willing to pay. Here, we sell for a baby quilt (40"x40") for $145. And King size (110"x110") we sell for $400. That is for tied quilts. If they were machine quilted we coulod charge $150 more for each. Lap quilts (5'x5') is $165, twin sell for $200, and Queen is $300. Check with quilt shop owners in your area are your local chamber of commerce. They should give you some idea of what to sell your quilts for. One quilt shop owner here told me that add your cost of all the material, and then add on $10/ hr for your labor and time. that should equal the price of your quilt. But it does depend on your area where you are living and the cost of living in that area. Hope this helps you! Beckie

Quiltmaker, your quilt is stunning.

This is good information. I sat down with a calculator...

Based upon the speed (or lack of) that I quilt... That 250,000 dollars is way too low a price for my quilt. Sorry.

tim in san jose

So, do you have the first Million Dollar quilt?? If so, how much are you going to charge us to see it?

Let's see. There must be a million quilters here on this board... $1.00 a piece and I will donate the quilt to the charity of choice for y'all to auction off... if I ever get it done (No 'f' words here).

tim in san jose

Beautiful quilt, quiltmaker

quiltmaker I think you need to talk to a different insurance co. or hang it on the wall and call it art for the appraisal because that is what it is. I think the $850.00 appraisal is more like it and that even seems low. I saw some selling a smaller quilt-top for $750.00 I can't remember who it was. It was some one who'd had her work featrured on one of the pbs. sewing shows. And the work she was selling was nice but like I said It was only the top not even quilted. I think like Tricia said to go with your gut for the price you could feel comfortable parting with it.

rebecca If someone asked me how much I'd charge them for a quilt I believe I would have to answer the Q with the Q "How much do you think it would be worth?" If they are serious I'd expect a serious offer. If the offer was ridiculously low I would wonder about their qualification to be a recipient of fine art. :lol: Like if they are looking for a dog blanket Wallyworld, or even better, Big-Lots sells quilt look-a-likes for about $12.00. I'd let them know about how long it takes to do 1 square. to start with and let them add that up for themselves at whatever rate you consider worth your time. And mention the cost of materials and the cost of time you might spend on the quilting. If this person seems serious enough I might indicate I would be open to negotiation. :twisted: :arrow: :thumbup: Of course this is a moot point if you are not availiable to do the work. But having an opportunity to eduacate a non-quilter about what it actually takes to create a "one of a kind" masterpiece in the medium of fabric art would certainly be it's own reward don't ya think?

I am just completing (no "F" words out of my mouth) a 16 block lap/sofa quilt. It has taken almost 2 months of my free time. Unfortunately, if I were to seel this, no one would pay me for the time invested in it, so I just give them away and know the joy I have given the person getting the quilt.

Susan
I agree with you , about sort of being the one to ask the questions. Then point out everything thats in involved.

I'm working on a few give aways myself. And that's just the thing! Most people have no clue as to how long and hard hard we work on some of our projects.

Even when they actually see you working on them... :shock:

I sell my quilts through a consignment shop and after the shop owner's percentage average $45 for baby quilts and $30 or so for table runners (depends on the size). I figure I get about ten cents an hour! Worth it though, because I know they're going to homes where they'll be used, loved and appreciated.
Plus I get to try out my own designs.

Hi ~ I think this is a subject we all struggle with. I make quilts because I enjoy it. I keep records of time and all supply receipts. I always buy the best possible product and try to get it on sale. I basically figure the cost of the supplies plus 12 cents a sq inch for machine quilting, 15 cents an inch to machine & hand sew the binding on and then depending upon the quilt I charge between 15 & 25 cents a sq inch for the all over assembly; cutting & sewing of the quilt. If people want a hand made heirloom quilt they will pay the price. Explain to them, this is not made in China and with proper care instructions it will last a life time. I like to make a lot of scrap quilts which triples my time (because very little assembly line cutting is going on) BUT I enjoy the challenge so I don't pass that time expense onto my customer. I know fellow quilters that double the cost of supplies or charge $10.oo an hour. Some work fast some slow. Let your quilt speak to you. Its definitly not a job paid by the hour...I think more by the completed project. Hope this helps :)

Just joining, but seems the direction I was leaning in has already been covered.

A stroll thru local quilt shops is of immense help. I did that when I moved near the Lancaster, PA area. Beautiful handmade work carries a price and those that know quilts know the prices to expect.

When starting out fresh, the prices seem outrageous or in no way reflect proper compensation. Don't be shy about the commitment you made to your project. I was just on a site that I saw a quilt priced at $10,000.00!!

Another thought, never feel you have to justify your prices by all the explanations as to time, effort, materials and so forth. You need to be compensated satisfactorily for your work.

I've looked at several amish quilt sites in Pa and their quilts are hand sewn many of times. They are true quilters of days gone by. Many are priced well over $1000. But I know they are worth it.

I agree with the Amish If I have to dress like them to get a fair compensation I would do it.! (actually they look pretty cozy in those skirts). I was wondering what rate you charge for the time it takes you to figure out how many inches you sewed :lol: ? That, I think, would take me as much time as the sewing? It sounds to me like its high time we had a Quilt-makers of America Union... What do do you say Ladies and Tim? (I'm not totally joking!) Shall we set a standard for American Made Quilts? The thing which matters the most to me is that these are all INDIVIDUAL works of art. And WE as quilters need to learn to value our own work. Individual not just because ea. work is different but, also done by a single individual. these are Not turned out cheaply on an assembly line by piece work. I believe I am seeing a trend to value this type of industry much more than in the past and We can help by valuing our own contributions more. We should however keep doing what makes us happy tho and if that is selling them for pennies or giving them as gifts or to charity then I say your work has become priceless.

O.K. I'm off the soap box. I believe I was either a preacher or a politician in a past life! :lol: ( not much difference if you ask me).

the difference is that politicians claim to believe but sell their souls to the other side. preachers are there to drag them back.

:D