I have had someone ask me how much I would charge for a king size rag quilt. I do know to charge for the material and supplies. After this how much should I charge for time and labor? I have never really made a quilt to sell before and need suggestions on this one. I want to make money, but I also want to be fair.

most triple the cost of the supplies.

I always tell them they couldn't afford to pay me what I'm worth...that usually ends the conversation....lol.

If you stop and think of how many hours you put into a quilt from start to finish, at $10, $20, or $30 bucks an hours, depending on how much you think you're worth, you would see that it would be lots!

And then of course the cost of all the materials added on to your labor costs.

I only make quilts for gifts to people who I think are worthy of them...another words, only the people I wanna give them to because I think they will appreciate them.

Well I know this person will appreciate the quilt. He collects them. He saw the small one that I made for my son and is wanting one for himself, just a lot larger. Earlylace, I never thought about tripling the price of the materials. I think the problem is that it is hard for me to charge someone for making a quilt. However, I know he can afford it and I do not want to do all of that work for nothing. I also do not want to say just pay what you think it is worth. I did this once with someone else and was very disappointed. I will have to pray about this one some more and keep looking at your suggestions.

Because he is a collector, he should at least have some idea of the true scope of work and time that goes into one quilt. I would charge no less than double the cost of supplies, and I would request the first half of that up front so as not to be paying out of pocket for supplies.

I have a friend who asked me how much to make a quilt for her DD's toddler bed. I am charging her $150 +shipping, which is cost of just fabric x2, not including batting (because I have a lot in my stash and she is my friend). I did let her know that she's getting it cheaper than if I'd been making it for a random person. So if you feel inclined to not to charge what you *really* think it is worth, tell him he is getting a special "friend" discount, and not to "advertise" that price.

I have not made a quilt and sold it, but have done other things. I make wedding gowns, etc. I tell them to buy the fabric and all the supplies and I will just charge labor, $25 per hour. Most of the time they price all the fabric and I never hear from them again. Fine by me because some people are a real pain in the end. I find that way they get an idea of what a product REALLY costs. If you buy the fabric and charge them accordingly they still don't really get it.

Yup, my point exactly. If he's a true collector, the price of the fabric and materials won't phase him a bit. Good luck on your endeavor.

Add the price of the material etc and triple it. If someone truly wants a quilt or anything else they will pay your price. If not they are looking for a freebie.

boy i'd love to be a fly on the wall when you tell this person how much it would cost. most people think $35.00 to $50.00 is enough for a quilt, any size!! good luck.

i would have them supply the fabric and supplies as they have a hard time believing how much it adds up to

I'm a nurse, with 15 yrs experience and specialty certifications, so thanks be to God, I earn a nice hourly wage. Sometimes, knowing that I sew and quilt, people, even coworkers, ask me to do alterations or make tshirt quilts for them. I do sometimes do simple shortening of garments for friends who don't sew and can't afford to have it done. But I tell my coworkers that I sew for pleasure on my off time. If they offer to pay, I say, "Oh, you know what I make, you can't afford me". I give them some resources for either doing it themselves or hiring it done. What makes folks think I'd like to spend my free time doing their mending? This must be a constant frustration for professional quilters and seamstresses and tailors.

Me too...I make a high wage in my daytime job, so why would i want to make a meager wage in my afterhours.

Thanks this is what I came up with as well. I found a calculator on line for the amount of fabric. Then went to Joann.com for an estimate of the price of homespun fabric. I am adding the cost of thread and batting as well. My son says that he wants to pay for this in order to give to the person for his birthday so I will not charge labor this time. I am also letting him know that if it were someone else then labor cost would be involved. Thanks for all your help. BTW, I am getting the money up front for the supplies.

It will never be enough!

have you ever used homespun fabric? I think it is harder to work with, and you should charge extra for that fabric. I think you should make sure the customer knows that you are doing a favor by not charging labor--the most expensive part--in my opinion. Hope they appreciate you.
Sue

How about doing a search on Etsy to see what the going rate is for a king sized rag quilt?

Ebony

No matter the price, you know how much fluff a regular sizes rag quilt gives off when washed. IMHO, I would do the fluffing for a King size at the laundromat if they will let you. They are nice and comfy aren't they?

piney

Yes I have worked with homespun. I used this to make my sons lap quilt. I did not find it that hard to work with. Yes I think he does understand I am doing him a favor by not charging labor. However, like I said if it were not family then I would charge labor.

Yep, already told my DH that this one will have to go to the coin laundry. Besides my washer would not be big enoungh for this size quilt.

If you triple the cost of fabric, that's still not enough to charge. I let the lady at the quilt shop where I sold mine help set the price. I sold queen size that cost me around $50.00 for $250.00, other quilts that I made from pillow panels for $450.00. Check with shops that sell quilts and use that for a guide line. Good luck, always amazed me how much someone would pay.

Just looked it up. I was right on the money $300 if I were chargeing labor to my son.

i sold one to a friend from church. It was 70"x 70" and she wanted it to be queen size. i had to remove borders and make it longer and wider. i charger her $250. and my husband said that was too much. she paid it and didn't blink. she does crochet and she said she knows how much work is involved. i think i gave her a bargain. not that my work is that good, but my time is!!!

I would triple the cost of the fabrics.

I would consider going to a quilt shop for a higher quality of fabric, since it appears this would be a quilt he would want to last a long time. Joann's homespun, at least in my area, is not very good.

You would charge 3 times what your materials cost.

I have been in this position and usually if it is a good friend i would do it for the cost of the fabric plus 1 time and if it a friend who is some what an aquaintence it would be x's 2... for a "business" type it is common to do 3 x's the cost of the supplies including the fabric cost...
good luck .... just don't sell yourself short... this is time consuming work and an investment in you skill and talent!!! :thumbup: :wink:

I have not had any problems with the fabric I purchase from JoAnn's.

I think by him offering to pay for the quilt he appreciates all the work that will go into it. Especially if he collects them. I also was told to charge at least 3 times what it cost for materials. If you were a artist who painted portraits you would charge money for it.
Quilters are also artists, our art is with fabrics and the way we design and build the quilt.

Good point, mine would be too small also.

piney

I just recently learned of this site. I think it could do very well to refer them to it so they could get an idea of what quilters charge for what kind of work.

On it they have everything from placemats to California Kings and IMNSHO, I believe they are quite fair.

If you don't wish to refer them, it could do well to take a look there yourself. I think so often we sell ourselves very less than what we should.

The site is based in Canada (hence the .CA suffix in the web address), but the clear majority of quilts listed are from the U.S. Interesting place to visit from time to time.

Go to: http://www.quiltsforsale.ca/

~Jo

Yes -triple your cost.

I would have them purchase all the materials and I would not work with homespun as it just ravels too much. I then would charge $25 an hour to piece it and then my regular charge to quilt it on my LA. Our skills are worth much more then we are usually comfortable with charging. I wonder why so many quilters think so little of their awesome skills that they basically give it away? :roll: (I'm not talking about charity quilts here, but when we are asked to make a quilt for a paying customer!). If we don't value ourselves, who will??? :?

first off, I would tell him what a king sized rag quilt will WEIGH and that he would have to always take to the laundry mat to wash/dry it!

my friend in AK did one with just flannel top and bottom and and thinsulate batting, 110" sq...Wet it weighed in at 38 pounds! Dry it was over 25!

PS, the value of anything is simply what someone is willing to pay you for it!

Don't forget to factor in whether you will quilt it or send it out.

I just double my costs you hardly ever get enough for your time.It's free anyway IMO.If you double your cost then you are getting that much plus that much again tomake another one.

This is how I do my crafts at craft shows etc.
Keep praying HE will show you the way.You know He hates dishonest scales. :wink:

Discuss price before you accept to make the quilt and a downpayment - sizeable!. Np refunds after you have statred the quilt, and when it is completed, they must have the remained of the $ when they come to collect it.

I have read too many horror stories about not doing the above.

Helen

I understand your position, not charging for labor when it is your son paying for the quilt. I have done similar projects for my girls. I think it is a very nice gesture on your part to do this.

Will be interested in the final cost

Be sure this person is aware that you are making an exception about not charging for labor this time in case he asks for another quilt. I really think you are short changing yourself since you were given an opportunity to make money by charging labor.

It appears the person who wants the quilt is getting it for a gift, if the son is paying for materials and giving the quilt to the individual. It seems to me there would be no mention of the cost to the recipient of a gift. And, IMO, you don't charge a child of your own for the labor. - just my opinion, of course.