Somethin' for Nothin' and your Quilts for free...
 

Oh, man, I think I really did myself a disservice. Agreed to make 2 quilts for 2 little sisters.
However, no discussion of payment (other than the cost of the materials) was mentioned.
The materials cost more than $300. It took more than 35 hours of machine and hand work.

In all fairness, I'm not going to bring up any payment above and beyond the materials.
I'm going to adopt a wait and see attitude.

But my question is: Who among you have experienced this and what happened to you?

Learned not to open my big mouth!! (Sorry) It seems when I do, that it costs more in time and money than I have and I end up stressing more about it.

I am right now. My daughter asked me to make two baby quilts for friends of hers at work. I am almost finished with one. Did not expect her to pay me to do the work but materials would have been nice! Not a word from her about the cost and not sure I want to have upset over it, but still just not right. Money does not grow on trees.

I think that people sometimes assume that because you like quilting, and do it as a hobby (presumably) that they need not pay you for your time and skills. They also mostly likely underestimate how much time goes into a quilt. And faced with a $300+ total for two quilts, they are likely to think that is a lot of money for two "blankets", and never once think that really, for skilled custom quilt making, they should be doubling that figure.

So, take it as a lesson learned, and in future, if you want to do a quilt for pay, talk specific numbers from the get-go, and get it all in writing. If you don't mind occasionally doing a favor for appreciative recipients, then so be it -- take pictures of your work so you can enjoy them, and think happy thoughts about two little girls who have nice new quilts. And tell them that this is a one time thing just for them, otherwise all their friends will think they are doing you a favor by giving you that same kind of "business".

RST

RST

This comes up pretty regular on here and honestly it always confuses me. My family and friends all know I sew, quilt, whatever and none of them would ever expect me to provide my skills like this. nor would I expect anything like that from them.

Before I do a quilt for anyone I explain how much fabric and batting costs nowadays. I find that people that don't sew think it's cheaper to make things than to buy it from the store and they still think that fabric is $2.00 a yard. I took my friend to the store with me and let her pick out and pay for her own fabrics and then she realized that things don't come cheap! I also let them know that I'm not a factory and making a quilt takes precious time. By the time I finish all of that, they are either glad to pay me or decide that they really didn't want anything so expensive after all. That saves a lot of hard feelings for me in the end.

This reminds me when my dad and mom owned a trendy nightclub years ago. Everyone (including me and my brother/sister) always paid the cover charge and for the drinks and food. It was understood that this was the way everyone did it. When I am asked to sew a quilt for somebody as a gift that they will be giving. We set up an excursion to the LQS to pick out the fabric for the pattern they like, or I give them a list of fabric requirements and ask that they pick out what they love for the gift. Usually when they realize how expensive the fabric costs - their desire to have me make a quilt lessens. Non quilters have no idea the love, time, and $$ go into a quilt. I brought in a quilt kit to show a woman at work what I will be making for my first dgd college graduation - and her remark was "You can buy 4 quilts at macy's for that much money!!! Why make it!!!

I recently had listed some quilts of mine for sale on Craigslist. They were all lap sized quilts that I pieced and machine quilted (in quite a lot of detail, if I do say so myself). One person e-mailed me to say she was interested in the quilts and asked for the price, I told her $85. She said that was "way more than she expected". I really wondered what on Earth she did expect to pay for a handmade lap quilt.....$20? People who don't quilt really have absolutely no clue how much the materials alone cost, nevermind the time and effort involved.

When we continually sell things in this country made in China, at slave labor costs, they don't get why things cost so "much." I had a woman I know from Facebook, she asked me to make her a quilt from some fabrics I had posted. I sent her the links to buy them, and haven't heard from her about it since. :)
Nancy

if you want to make money making quilts it is very important to discuss cost before any purchases or cutting a single fabric- people who do not quilt have no idea what goes into making one- i hope the person you made these for expects the $300 you spent already ---or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise---
and to expect more is kind of wishful thinking- all money matters should be discussed in the beginning.
since it is next to impossible to really know how long you will take to piece, quilt, bind ect- a "rule of thumb" for pricing arts & crafts is materials x 3---the fact that you spent $300 on materials really makes this an unrealistic amount for a kids quilt- in the future you may want to have the recipient purchase the fabrics/batting ect themselves- then you can just charge for your time.

I've posted this before but it bears repeating here. I used to have this posted on the wall in my shop in Dallas, TX, and got many "aha" comments from quilters and non-quilters alike. Now I bring it out on occasions like the one described and say, " I hardly expect someone to actually pay me over $10,000 to make a quilt, although there ARE nationally known quilt artist receiving that regularly, but minimum wage consideration would be nice considering the hours that go into making one, wouldn't you think?"

What It Really Costs To Make a Quilt

QUEEN SIZED, MACHINE PIECED, HAND QUILTED

MATERIALS:

Fabric 12-16 yards @ $9per yd. $108 - $144 (This was figured 3+ years ago!)
Batting $25 - $40
Thread $8 - $16

Total $ invested $141 - $200


LABOR HOURS:

Piecing 20 to 60 hours
“Setting” (designing your quilt) 10 to 20 hours
Quilting 100 to 750 hours

Total hours invested 130 to 810 hours


TOTAL COST

Paying $1 per hour (Would you do this type of work for $1 an hour?!)

Materials $141 - $200
Labor $130 - $810
Total $271 - $1070


Paying minimum wage $7.25 (by law in 6/2009)

Materials $141 - $200
Labor (130-810hrs) $942.50 - $5872.25
Total $1083.50 - $6072.25


Paying skilled labor wage $20 per hour (Do you consider yourself trained and skilled labor in this craft?)

Materials $141 - $200
Labor (130-810hrs) $2600 - $16,200
Total $2741 - $16,400


(Found on the Internet 1995; unknown author)

Jan in VA

My good friend asked me to make a queen sized wedding quilt for her 32 year old daughter whom I haven't seen in over 20 years. She said she thought that would make a really nice gift, with no mention as to who would be paying for this really nice gift me or her. I just told her it was too expensive for me to make quilts as gifts. Peggy

I *never* give people a price for just the fabric and batting. Anytime I'm spending time making something for somebody else is time I'm getting farther behind on my own stuff. They can pay me for my time or do it themselves.

I just say "no", not doing it. Even told my dear friend,"no". Been taken in twice, not again!

Copied and saved this, thank you!

What an excellent idea to take the person who wants the quilt to the LQS and let them pick out and pay for the fabric, thread and batting. Even if we don't get paid for the time, stress and/or frustration at least we aren't out the money for materials.

My cousin asked me to make a quilt for him to give his sister for christmas. We talked about colors and a pattern and I told him I didn't think it would cost more than 200.
The quilter for some reason charged me 185 just to quilt it! So, yeah, I was out a lot of money. When I sent it to him, he asked how much and I said "I didn't think it would cost more than 200, so that's fine". so, that's what he sent me. oh well... live and learn

Nancy Lee has it right. We want everything at cheap prices, but then wonder where all the jobs have gone. We cannot have our cake and eat it too. My husband has made us some beautiful furniture pieces. People will say, why don't you make it and sell it? Well, we have a 5 piece entertainment center, an original one of a kind design. To make it for someone else, you are looking at $11,000 minimum. How many people do you know who would be willing to pay that? Yes, I know the market exists, but we have no idea how to tap that market and unless it was a commission, we don't have the money for speculative pieces. My husband is not young so he isn't looking for a new career. He does what he likes when he feels like it and that is all he wants his crafting to be at this stage of our lives. Quilting is the same way, unless you are willing to put in the time and energy to develop a realistic market, having it as a creative outlet and helping those in need is enough. Family is tricky, as we all have different dynamics and levels of communication. Having spent many years communicating with students, parents and fellow teachers I would like to humbly offer this observation: What we assume someone else means or what they assume we mean is rarely completely accurate. You have to say what you mean and mean what you say. Just sayin'...:)

I have a friend in the moving business and every time someone in the church was moving they just expected he would do it for them for free. One day he asked the jeweler if he could get a ring for his soon to be bride since he had been expected to donate his business for free maybe the jeweler should too. Well, you can imagine the look on the jewelers face when he understood that because he owned the store he would be expected to give his goods for free. They never had anyone else asking to be moved for free. These people that expect quilts for free wouldn't give you the time of day for free. We just need to stand up for ourselves.

I had a woman I worked with ask me to put together a quilt, she had several blocks her kids has made with that liquid embroidery, but it was sentimental to her. I bought the sashing, batting and backing, hand quilted (not a lot) but I had a little money and time in it. She asked me "how much do I owe you" not sure what to charge, but was hoping for at least 50.00. Well, she handed me 10.00, Never again, If I make something for someone the amount is discussed upfront.

I used to be heavy into cross stitch and I had a favorite shop I went to. One of the reasons I liked her was because she carried imported linens and fabrics. She was smart. Once I told her what I wanted she would calculate how much it would cost and tell me BEFORE she cut anything. There were a few times when I said "what?" and went with a lower priced piece. For a quilter that might mean that your client would go somewhere else. None of these civilians understand how much it costs to put together an heirloom.

when I'm "asked" to make something I always tell THEM to buy the materials. If I make it as a surprise obviously I don't expect any payment

I always so no because I tell them quilting is my FUN!! and if I begin making them for others it becomes a job!! I have enough work and I don't need more work. Usually they understand that statement.

Oh I do it my self every time when something comes up with grand kids I say oh I will make a quilt for them. Gees! Go back to mom will!

I think that maybe, just maybe, you are in "Dire Straits:".

If you want to get paid for your time, conversation should go like this -

"can you make two quilts for these two sisters?"

"yes, I usually get $X.xx for a quilt that size, and fabric costs $X.xx, are you sure you want to spend that much?"

Gives them an easy out if they are NOT willing to spend the money, and gives you a commitment if they are willing.

I have said this before on the QB, what is it about us that makes us want everyone to like us? If someone expects me to work for free, I don't really care if they like me or not. Tough tooties. My time and expertise has VALUE - if I choose to gift it to someone I will, but I am not going to be a doormat to make someone else happy.

Now that you are already hip-deep in the situation, is there anyway you can get something "In-kind" from the requester? in other words, if she makes cakes or does taxes, for instance, ask for something from her in return.

I quilt because I enjoy it. I make gifts for others. I would not even want to take on making something for someone else even if I get paid for it. If I make a quilt that I am not sure what I am going to do with it, I can always donate it.

Exactly!!!! A few years ago my DIL's sister was expecting a little girl. I told DIL I would make her a baby quilt. The next day I recieved a call from DIL's sister telling me the colors in the baby's room. I made it exactly the way I had already planned.

Just an idea, but why not tell them that if they want quilts, they have to come shopping with you to buy the materials. Then they can have the fun of picking out the fabrics and your peace of mind will be assured when you see them pay for it all. As for the time, if you don't want to make a quilt you can always say, "I wish I had the time, but I'm afraid I don't right now." For me, all my quilting and sewing has to be a joyous experience - even the seam ripping part - or it's just not quilty.

My neighbor across the street loves my sewing/quilting. She brought a (her words) "Well to do" friend who was redecorating her bedroom over to see my work. My neighbor knew the friend wanted an oversized queen size quilt and matching shams/pillow cases all out of white/cream. My neighbor knew I could produce. So they came over on a Sunday afternoon. I showed her my book of finished items. I showed her a quilt that was in the middle of being worked on etc. She asked me how much for one just like it (not complicated and sized about 110x120) and I quoted her off the top of my head mind you $800 out the door. She GASPED - but I can buy one at Marshall's for $45! I kept my temper and was very polite as I ushered them out the door. That was almost 10 months ago. My neighbor still apologizes. It was quite eye-opening to me.

Maybe we all need to sprinkle flour on our faces (just like the old commercial for Rice Krispie Treats), and come out of the sewing room panting. Then people will think we are working very hard in there! LOL!

I totally agree with all of you. The first thing that comes out of my mouth when an interested party enquires is the cost of fabric and they have to buy it themselves. It is hilarious when the expression on thier faces change and then I get no business, which i want NONE of to begin with.

My brother got all over me when I gave him a price for a quilt. Out Mother quilted but used scraps from a factory and only charged for the quilting. (30 yrs ago). He thinks I should charge the same price.
He buys several from garage sales so has no idea what it cost to make a new one

I usually only sew for family and then only specific and special items. I also make halloween costume for the neighbor girls (I only have grandsons, so this is fun for me). Their mom takes the girls and me to the fabric store. The girls pick out the fabrics and patten and mom pays. I am there for 'guidance'. This works for me as I want to donate the time.

The older of the girls is 7 now and she is learning to sew. It's a great hobby for her and teaches the value of time and skill. Mom comes with little sister sometimes, but it is dedicated time for big sister to learn.

Thank you for this information... so far have only made quilts for gifts... when asked to make one for someone.. I've just told them the wouldn't pay for what it costs... and let it go at that.. made the mistake of turning something I loved doing into a business... now I don't like to do it anymore.. not happening again... but I have copied your information and do appreciate the info... just in case... Thanks

I have a friend who ask me to quilt two of her quilt tops that she said she would pay me to do. I said I would do one to start and then maybe the other. After completing the first quilt, that she said she loved, she did not ask how much or offer to pay me anything. Needless to say I will not be quilting the second. It is my own fault. At the time of request, I should have discussed a price. I think it is difficult when a friend/family requests quilting services. I do not quilt for others on a regular basis. I always feel like I should do it but, know it will end up being a gift. I have learned my lesson. In the future if asked I will either decline or discuss what I will charge to do it.

I was showing a close friend a quilt that had been pieced by me and hand quilted by the Amish. I thought it turned out nicely. A couple of months later we were discussing her son's upcoming wedding and gifts. I told her that I'd probably be giving them money so they could buy what they wanted. She replied, "Oh, that's better than an old, ugly quilt, anyway." WOW! Why didn't she just slap me? So, beauty is, indeed in the eyes of the beholder and no one, except other quilters, understands the work and love that go into these works of heart.

I have not been asked to make a quilt for someone in this kind of situation, but a long number of years ago I asked my sister-in-law if she would make a quilt for a raffle and I was really taken aback that she declined. I was not quilting at that time and did not know how much time it really took, how much the fabric and batting cost and how much of her quilting was done for the love of the process and the receiver of her work. NOW I understand. As many of you have mentioned, often goodhearted folks just don't know the costs in time and materials. Perhaps we need to gently but firmly inform them and make the quilt if WE want to and give it from our heart.

There was a time when making clothes was cheaper than buying but that time is really gone. I make quilts because I like to create something not because it is cheaper to make one than to buy one. It is easy to find a nice quilt on sale at a very low price. You did a smart thing in showing your friend the cost of a quilt. This is even more true if designer materials are used. They can be gorgeous but expensive.