What would you consider charging?
 

I made a baby quilt for the daughter-in-law of a good friend. At the shower everyone loved the quilt to the point where a neighbor asked me how much I would charge to make one for her to give her son and daughter-in-law for their baby girl coming in August. The request took me back a bit and the only thing I could say was that the fabrics were expensive and I don't know how much time I had in making the quilt. Another neighbor chipped in and confirmed that the fabrics are expensive, they were 30s and in our area normally run from $9.95-11.50 a yard. I discussed this with a seasoned quilting friend of mine and with the cost of fabrics ranging around 35-45 dollars, I thought $85 total would be fair. My husband overheard the conversation and thought I should charge no-less than $100 because my time is worth more than my first estimate. What do you think? The quilt I made was 38x42 inches.

I've done a few baby quilts on commission. No less than $150. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t192511.html Here's one I did for $160, only because she is a good customer, and orders often.

I agree with your husband - not less than $100 plus the cost of fabrics. What I've done in the past is to have the client purchase the fabrics or reimburse me separately for them with the understanding that I will keep any leftover fabric.

How about using a formula? $__ per square foot or square yard. Determine an average cost for materials, then double that to include labor. Just a thought.

I agree with your husband, and everyone else. I would at least charge a $100.00-(maybe $125.00). I had a lady friend ask me to make a quilt for her grdaughter. I told her the cost would be at least the cost I mentioned in this message. She told me she'd get back with me. Never did hear from her. That was okay with me. I would go with $100.00-$125.00

Costs of materials is one thing ... and don't forget all the supplies that are used. It's not just fabric!

Your time ... consider how long you take to make a quilt. At $50 ... can you make that quilt in just 2 or 3 hours? Unless it is a very basic one, I doubt it! And even the simpler ones still take time thru to the end of sewing on the binding!

Next time you make a quilt, track how many hours ... it'll be an eye opener!!
And don't forget washing the fabric and cutting it out ready to sew ... all takes time!

I did that for a friend who thought I'd give her a "good price" for a wedding cake for her friend's daughter. I itemized the approximate cost of ingredients, supplies (like boards, separator plates, etc.), and the amount of time that would be spent working on the cake, then gave her the estimate. The subject never came up again. I do make cakes for friends and family and just have them buy the ingredients but this was a case where she thought she could make a "good deal" off of our "friendship." I agree with Tartan.

Cost of materials plus a MINIMUM of $10.00/hr for your time...to me, my time is precious, and I would charge at least $12/hr...I have enough of my own projects, that I wouldn't make something for someone else unless I am compensated well enough for my time. A quilt that you give away as a gift is a labor of love and priceless, but if you are making one to order, you should be paid appropriately for your TIME!

I like to make purses. I had a gal ask me about my current purse. She loved it. When I said $50 she really backed up. She said, "I can buy purses for much less than that" My reply was, "Well I don't have a sweat shop full of people being paid pennies per hour to make them. Also, I don't like to use cheap fabric." I got the perverbial nose in the air and walk off from her. People think "well you are doing this at home" and you shouldn't be compensated for your time.

I do agree with the husband, the MINIMUM charge for the quilt should be $100 over materials cost. OR you could give her the "friend of a friend of a friend" pricing and charge $150 over materials!

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!

Alot of people say I should sell my quilts, but same as everyone else...People are shocked to hear what it cost to make a quilt buying from LQS, batting, thread..not even including labor...the cost of the materials for a custom quilt is expensive. that is one reason why I make more scrappies as give aways...I am going to start keeping more of my quilts that i have a plan for. Sometimes I wonder why I do this...but I do find it relaxing and enjoy the process.

Couldn't agree more. And it isn't just your time... it's your skill and craftsmanship as well. I like the idea of having her pay in advance for materials. That will make it less likely that she'll change her mind, and ensure that you don't get totally stuck if she does.

This has been my experience as well. Someone asked me to recreate an old, well-loved quilt. I very carefully wrote up a proposal. I estimated about $100 for labor and $100 for fabric/supplies. She was shocked and said "Oh, I just assumed you'd just use fabrics from your stash." So, because I've already purchased it, that means she should get it for free???

When calculating the cost of your time, don't forget the added stress of making sure you "get it right" for someone that's paying for it. When I make make one for myself I don't worry that much if there are flaws. I worry a bit about a gift, but usually I know they'll be so touched by the gift that they won't notice mistakes. I would feel the most stress about doing something on commission.

I agree in principle, QuiltE, but there are exceptions. As a "foot in the door" move I once underpriced myself to get an initial commission (basically covered materials, plus enough extra for an expensive bar of chocolate) gambling that this particular person would request other quilts and be willing to pay a higher price when she saw what I could do. It paid off for me, and she has been a loyal customer for three separate projects so far, with a fourth pending. If I hadn't lowballed my initial "bid" (on the now defunct Alchemy section of Etsy) I would not have got her repeat business.

This is very true, and is something I wrestle with each time I make a commissioned quilt. I haven't had any negative reactions so far...but I am always nervous right 'til the end! It is the worst part of the process for me.

Alison

Usually when you tell someone just what the fabric costs they nearly faint...so I bet she won't really pay to have you make it.

Your sunbonnet Sue quilt was precious, I think what you charged was more than reasonable, even too little.

Thanks everyone for your opinions, I value all of them regardless of the position. I quilt for my pleasure and have only given quilts to family and dear friends on special occassions. I do not want to do it as a business, I would be too critical of my work and don't need the stress, I had more than my fair share before I retired. I'm looking forward to seeing more ideas, and yes, my time is very valuable, as it is I don't get enough time to sew as it is!

If you are quilting it yourself I'd say 125.00. If you take it to the long arm , more.

Thank goodness you budgeted some high quality chocolate in your pay cheque!! :)

I understand your strategy ... and can totally support that providing the person is ready to walk away if the client starts to whimper and whine about the sudden jump in price. Not everyone would, and would be too willing to crumble ... though might factor in two deluxe chocolate bars! :D

The smaller objects don't automatically mean less worth as they can and often take more time than a straightforward large object. For a baby quilt, I would ask no less than $100.
MaryKatherine

I always heard it was the cost of material Times 3 or 4. So that would be $105.00 to $120.00. A more difficult quilt would be 140.00 to 160.00.

this is why I really dis-like making baby/kids quilts- you really need to charge more than most people are really willing to pay. I have made a few- for a while everyone wanted me to make a game quilt for them- I could not find a way to make one for less than $150 - but felt bad having to charge so much- some people still wanted them and paid- but I find it stressful so I try to avoid the situation. now if I make a baby/kids quilt for a gift before I wrap it up I decide (just in case) what it would take for me to make another one- *hours spent, materials, quilting* - decide on a price (generally somewhere between $150 & $200) and if it's one I really don't want to make again I will double that-just to ward off the request...sometimes I make a really great quilt that I really hope to never make again.

I agree with QuiltE, 'all takes time'....just ask any car mechanic....ever get a bill from one of them? (their labor IS their time!) and no I'm not saying that a quilt is up their ($-wise) with what would be charged to fix my car, but quilting is very labor intensive with all that is needed to complete a quilt from start to finish. $150 for a baby quilt sounds reasonable....you could also check the price for baby quilts sold at higher end department stores - they aren't cheap!

Thanks again everyone, I sincerely appreciate all the comments. If she calls to ask about a price I think I will tell her how expensive the fabrics, batting and thread will be and then give her an estimate of time and at least a minimum of $100. I think that will turn her off, which is great because she is the type of person who thinks her kids are the best ever, her house is the greatest and everything she does is simply the best. She doesn't sew so she couldn't compare that, I did see her looking at the quilt very close so she must have appreciated the work. Again, thanks, you guys are so super, you really helped me make a tuff decision!

good posts and something to think about if you are asked to make a quilt for someone. Thanks all.
Pat

I am currently struggling with the same question. I have been asked to make 2 baby quilts for 2 different people. One has picked a pattern. I figure about $50 for materials for one. Was thinking of charging about $150 to $200. It is a pattern that is medium difficult. The other quilt we haven't even discussed much yet. She would like me to make it from her moms old scrubs. So minimal material costs. Both of these people are highly paid professionals. I wonder what they think my time is worth?

It doesn't sound to me like you really want to make this quilt for her. Here's my answer..Just say "No"!! It is certainly OK to say you only quilt for yourself. Its not worth the stress. We are not obligated to satisfy requests of acquaintances, friends, or even family.

On the price..I think many people assume they can get "homemade" cheaper than "store bought". If she really is concerned about the thought that goes into a gift rather than the cost and since everything she does is "the best", she won't really care much about what you charge her and should be willing to pay for quality.

I made purses for the daughters and DIL's. One of the other mothers asked how much I would charge, I said $300. Because I make and give from the heart, not the purse. I sew for my pleasure. She never asked again. Now what it really comes down to, "Do you want to make quilts as a business?" Because that is how you have to go into this. For me, NO!!!!

I only give my quilts to family, friends and relatives and some friend of relatives. I quilts my choice of who gets them and which ones. Charging for a quilt is more stress than I care to deal with. Plus keeping track of material costs and all that for taxes, is not worth it. My time is not worth a lot because I do quilt making instead of wasting time watching TV or something else.