Hope the amazing ladies here have some suggestions.

Normally I machine quilt for just myself and a friend. I do hers in exchange for her doing the handwork on my binding. Once in a while another friend will finish one and I'll quilt it for her. I have always done my FMQ table top with my juki.

So, 2 months ago I purchased a grace start right/juki frame combo. It's my first frame and I've already quilted 5 tops on it. I mostly do meandering (large, small, medium depending on quilt design), hearts or leaves with loops, small curls and on the borders what I call waves. Nothing fancy. With my frame I did buy the Grace Pattern Perfect but haven't used yet as i like doing it freehand. I'm just starting to practice some flowers but I love meandering.

With all that said, here's my situation. The ladies in my weekly group send their quilt tops to Kentucky for $25-40 per top. The LAQ advised them last month she is retiring so they asked me about quilting for them. I looked and her patterns she's done look pretty much the all over standard pantographs I see for sale for most FMQ. My question is how can I figure what to charge them. They're telling me crib size should be about $15 and lap or throw size no more than $30. Apparently the LA was only charging $40 to do a queen size. Maybe I'm slow but it takes me half hour just to pin a queen on the frame. I finished a carpenter star 70 x 70and did it in 2 colors thread with small curls all over the top. It took me several hours.

Is there a way to decide what would be fair? I think about squaring the backing, pressing the backing and top, pinning it all the the frame and then charging $15-20 and I'm thinking it's not worth the trouble. Any ideas? I attached a couple I've quilted but not sure you can see the actual stitching. I haven't learned all the fancy feathers and not sure I want to but I think I do a nice job.

Well it sounds like a great price for the ones paying you to do all the work but I'd be darned if I'd do it for that :)

Although the prices they have been paying are very reasonable, they are not very realistic. It sounds like the quilter was not trying to make any money on her quilting.

I have been quoted from several places $40-$50 for a large, all over meander on quilts approx 50 X 72" and then shipping on top of that. It may have been more, I am not sure, as these are all charity quilts and they may have been giving me a better deal. :D:D:D

OK ....I try to stay out of these types of topics because everyone has a different opinion and since I have started LAQ I have had to adjust my prices several times. It is the nature of the business and trial and error...chalk it up to experience.
:wink:

I know why that other quilter retired! I don't know her or anything about her. But she was worn ragged and clearly under valued herself. :thumbdown: They were paying more in postage sending stuff back and fourth...hardly seems worth the time.

You are right! It isn't worth it. I would look at fair market value...check out other local quilters. See who offers the same type of services you do and keep it within the same range. You know after a few quilts you will realize what is worth your time ...I really feel bad for that other quilter..honestly!

Your quilts and quilting are beautiful.

Around here that wouldn't even pay your thread costs!!!!
I don't send out any quilts because I don't want to spend over $200 for a double to queen size quilt.

I would not think it would be worth your time for even double that price!

I did one about that size this week for a friend and said $40 cause it was a large meander so didn't take long. She immediately said no at least $50 and I accepted that. The one I have on order now is 96 x 105 and is a star pattern with light teal and maroon. She wants the little curls all over in teal and small flowers in the maroon centers done in maroon thread.

Thank you Chrismah. She actually told them she was simply overworked. She has enough on hand to quilt for almost 4 months and couldn't keep up. I have a full time job at a tax and investment firm and I enjoy the FMQ but I'm just thinking those prices are crazy but it explains her 1-2 month turn around.

Thank you. And good thought - I didn't even think of the price of thread. I usually buy gutterman or Isacord and the gutterman cotton is $8 a spool.

I recently paid for a queen top, batting (W&N) and shipping at $125.00. I thought I got a wonderful price and the work was beautiful.

That is the wonderful thing about choices. I would put your price list out there and they can pay or go elsewhere. I wouldn't devalue your time and efforts just so you won't hurt feelings. What about yours? How long would you be doing this for "nothing much" before you begin to resent the entire process.