Quilted Wallet a big hit...but?
 

Ever since I made my first quilted wallet, so many of my friends want one now...how much do I charge? I was thinking $5, but is that too little? It still takes a lot of time, as the fabric has to be quilted and the wallet is finished by binding it. It is so hard to charge for something that I love to do... anyone else have this problem?

I wouldn't charge that low.

I would charge $10, you have fabric, velcro, time and quilting

Very nice wallet! I think $5.00 is way too low...you cannot buy one for that amount and they are not hand made. I would go about $12.00. Better to start a little high and be able to come down.

That looks so cute, i'd charge $10.00.

Cute wallets. A company called Thirty One sells mass produced soft quilted wallets for $22.

great wallet-at least 10.00 or up to 13.00

lol-and if you have to sew them forever at least make a few bucks.

mmm...agreed... $10 seems very very reasonable...nice job by the way

Yup! I do have that problem, but you have to be realistic when charging, I usually state upfront how long it will take to make and the rough cost of materials and put some on top for more fabric! If it's too much then it's their decision to not have it. It's a skill you have like a plumber or carpenter, dress maker or cook they all charge. If it's for friends then I have "mates rates" but tell them not to quote that to some one else who may want the same item. It is a difficult one to decide on. Good luck. Oh could you make me one LOL!!!!

Don't sell yourself short, I would go $15.00 and tell them if someone else wants one then they are $20.00

I'd say $10 is even too low. I'd go more like $15-$20. That way your friend gets something they cherish, and you're not having to make them for every Tom-Dick-and-Harry. Your time is valuable. You're not devaluing your friendship by asking "enough" for your adorable wallets!

I agree.. You sure would not find a decent one in a store for five bucks. With time and supplies at least fifteen!

I would agree with the others.......$10 to $13 if your using scraps. That's a great buy for a handmade item.

I definately agree. How long does it take you to make one, starting with fabric selection? What is the going hourly wage in your area? Don't sell yourself short. In S.Cal you could easily get $20.

If you don't charge a reasonable price (ie too low) you will find yourself making wallets at a loss. My Mom made beautiful things, but did not charge enough and wound up selling items at a loss. And customers did not want to pay the increased cost. I agree $12-15 would be a good price. Remember your time is valuable.

I agree with Becky also. 15.00 for friends and 20.00 for everyone else.

My friend makes quilted wallets, she sells for $25. Looks the same as yours. Guess things cost more here, she uses scraps.

Depends on long it takes you to make them and what the materials cost. $12 sounds low to me. $15? my 2 cents
sandy

I did not know that "scraps" are free... devils' advocate that I am! Why discount the value of scraps? You still paid good $$ to buy the fabric.
sandy

I say $15.00.

Pay yourself $10 an hour at least and calculate how long it takes to make.

Yep, with folks paying up to $6 for a cuppa joe, you should ask at least $10. If they want a specialized wallet (monogram, certain fabric, etc.) you could charge more.

I would tell them the prices start at $10, then offer embellishments for a certain price.

I would say $12.00 - $15.00. With the cost of materials going up and your time, $12.00 is more than fare and $15.00 if they want something special. Because the next thing your know, they will want one for there friends. At $5.00 it just isn't worth making a lot of them. Besides, it's hard to find something for $5.00 any more. Let alone if it's hand made.

absolutely $20 and friends rate $15.....your materials will be at least $5....they are fun to make and won't take much time, but make some money while doing them or you will be expected to make things for next to nothing in the future

My rule of thumb is charge enough that it makes you happy to get another order. If you charge too little, people will be ordering them to give everyone on their list for xmas. Will you be happy if several of your friends think they are doing you a favor by ordering 6 or 10 each. Most people have no idea how much supplies cost and how much time goes into them. Just my thoughts on producing for others.

Anytime I need to price something, I figure cost of materials plus about $10 an hour for my labor, and I state it that way. I figure that's fair since none of them would work for less, and most earn a whole lot more. Then, like others have said, you won't regret getting more orders.

I would start by asking myself, "Do I really want to make these for a bunch of people?" If, in your gut, the answer is no, then either tell them no, or quote a price that would make your gut okay with it. :) If they don't want to pay $20 for one of these, well, you didn't really want to make a bunch of them, anyway.

You may not love doing them after a while when it becomes a "job." I think $10 as on the low end of what you should get. JMHO

Very cute wallet, I too would say at least 10 dollars! Yes, I have that problem too, never know what to charge. Not that I sell that much, but once in a while. Right now I'm making LSU baby bibs, and they're paying 10 dollars for em! I thought that was a lot!

I agree - at least $10. They look very nice! If they don't sell at $10, then go to $8. I work at a fabric store and women will show me bags they make and sell - they aren't cheap! $10 is not too much at all. Put a penny in the pocket for good luck!

People have no idea the amount of time and work in something hand made. Just go to a store and price the Vera Bradley line of purses, wallets, etc. Extremely expensive and I think the quality of the cotton used leaves a lot to be desired. I would charge $15 for friends and $25 for others. Granted, you are using scraps but nevertheless, figure in the cost of the velcro and other things and you still aren't compensated for your time.

Yes, $5 is WAY too low! I wouldn't do it for less than $25, or you'll find yourself being a wallet factory and not making much money .

Really like your wallet, but $5 is way low.

I'd charge $10.00, minimum. I charge that for my little cell phone bags that I make with small pockets for money, drivers' license and a place for a cell phone and then put a cord on it so that it can be worn around one's neck. My family loves them and I have sold a few as well.

If you are furnishing the fabric, etc. I would charge $15. How much time do you have in them? Figure the time involved and fabric and then go from there. You have to make something for your time even if they are friends.

At least $20, if not more.

Quilted wallets do take a lot of time. I like your pattern too. Is it your pattern or a purchased one?

As for how much to charge? When I was making them, they were similar to yours, tri-fold with a place for lots of card slots and a checkbook section, I charged $30 and people paid that. I'm in the Detroit, MI, area where the economy is pretty tight but ladies still like their wallets. Don't undersell yourself or you'll get to where you hate making them for such a small amount of money.....just not worth your time for only $5.