you gals all make so much sense... i'll have to reconsider my time when asked to make a quilt!

and leadtheflea... your quilt is gorgeous!!!

http://www.custommade.com/gallery/custom-quilts/

here is a website where you can see lots of quilts and the prices they're charging. the panel quilts are cheaper than fully pieced quilts.

Being ask to make something really puts you in a spot. You don't want to sound like you'd overcharge but people don't have a clue about the cost of materials and the time you have to spend making something. I've only made a baby quilt like that once..... many years ago. I used to make clothing for people some time ago, too. I don't do that any more because no matter what I do, how well I do it, or how quickly I can get it done, I always feel that they thought I should have done more ...... doesn't satisfy me. I give my quilts to those I love or keep them. I'll never do another quilt or any sewing for that matter, for money. My gifts are gifts.

I think you should make sure you have all materials covered and your time is worth a lot to.

I think that if you are doing this for a "living" than yes, charge like you have a real job - $10/hr or more. If you are doing it because you love to do it and would really like to make this for your friend's son, than just charge for the materials, matter a fact take her with you and let her pay the cashier. I get a kick out of people who think they do such a good job that they need to be paid the top dollar for a hobby. Sorry, but unless you are doing this as a business (which I could not do, don't like making two of the same thing), you should be happy to have the materials covered. A friend of my husband, his wife was making stuffed animals, you know the panels you buy and cut out, assemble and stuff - I wanted to be kind and courteous, and complimented her on a dinosaur she made. Said, "wow, that is cute, I have a nephew who really likes dinosaurs, bet he would love it." She made one and her husband brought it over and of course as surprised as I was I asked what I owed her, $25!!!! Got out the purse, paid and was much less enthusiastic when complimenting people. So - some of us are pretty proud of our work, but are we all we think we are?

I agree with Marti. It depends on where you want to go with this endeavor. Do you want it to become a job that makes actual money or do you just want to support your quilting habit? Some people love to quilt enough that just having their supplies paid for is a blessing. Other people need to make actual income. You've got to know your own situation.

I understand all about appreciating our time and effort, BUT you also have to look at it from the buyer's perspective. I do not know about you, but I would not pay $200+ for a baby quilt. If it is priced right, more customers will come. We like the craft and we do it for fun. If we get paid for it even better. I would say that staying between $100 and $125 total would be a good price. I may be wrong. Good luck!

I don't do sewing of any kind for the public. Friends and family I usually do whatever I do as a gift. Occasionally I will do something that I get paid for.

If a "random person" asks me how much I would charge to make a quilt my standard answer is my prices start at $350. Haven't had any takers! Thank goodness.

Usually for a friend I will ask for the left over fabric and possibly a nominal amount of cash. A lot depends on whether I really want to do it or not. Lol!

And I'm trying to break my daughter's habit of telling people "oh my mom can. . ."

It's not so much not wanting to do it as fearing I won't get it done in a timely manner.

Personally I wouldn't make one for less than $150. My time is actually worth something. Even every day mundane tasks if you had to pay someone to have them done would cost at least $10 an hour and I think housekeepers have gone up to $15 an hour in most places. Every second I spend working on something for somebody else is time I'm not spending on my own tasks.

And quilt making is NOT unskilled labor!!! Just because you do it for a hobby or your own personal pleasure does not mean that you should have to do it for pennies an hour for somebody else.

When you get paid for a quilt you are in business, even if it's just once, it's still a business transaction.

Well Said, ScissorQ!!

And I'll add ... once you do one at a less than realistic price, you have set a precedent. So what then, when that same person says I'd like another? .... or a dozen?

One should treat themself fairly ... unless they want to be treated like a doormat! :D

If they want cheap .... then tell them to go to WalMart!