Working with a "Customer"
 

All of the quilts I've made to date have been things I wanted to create that other people have seen and bought, or just a few quilts where people have given me a "muse" fabric and asked me to make something. I had someone who has seen my work over the years ask me if I would make her a quilt so I set up a time for her to come over and chat about what she might like. I really don't know anything about her because we aren't friends (we have a business relationship unrelated to my artwork).

I know this person isn't artsy and doesn't sew so I'm worried about making sure we clearly communicate about what she wants. I will certainly make liberal use of google images during this discussion, but I wondered how other people who do this all the time work through it. Any thoughts or pointers?

I'd be sure that you charge enough to cover all your expenses and time. Maybe cost out one quilt and use that as a stating point in your conversations with her.

I do jackets all the time and people always want one...until I tell them I sell them for $90.

Before she comes over, decide what you want to make from the deal and draw up a basic contract covering costs, time involved, how changes are to be made and paid for and by whom. A timeline of when to expect to be complete and what if she doesn't like it. How much you want to charge for your time and experience. Be sure to have whatever deposit she makes cover all the costs of the supplies and be prepared for the transaction to go wrong. I have found that lots of people want quilts and are happy to ask for one. Few are willing to pay what it takes to have one made. Knowing what it will entail, will help determine if she really wants one.

I agree with the other posters. It's not fun, but make sure you get it in writing. This board is littered with posts about quilters getting the short end of the stick.
As your actual question, in addition to showing her photos and your completed work, you can ask some specific questions: what type of item is she looking for? Bed, throw, wall hanging, runner?
Size
fabric types: cotton, flannel...
A non quilting design site, such as Design Seeds ( https://www.design-seeds.com/ ) can also help determine the color pallet without locking into a specific quilt design.

I would what comes to mind when she thinks of a quilt. Many think patchwork of all different fabrics. Some think a certain pattern like log cabin, DRW, or Sunbonnet Sue and some may think of a two color quilt.

I agree with the others. Before I even set up an appointment, I give clients a rough idea of where my prices start for the simplest quilts & I break out for them cost of materials vs. labor and explain how much time I tend to spend making a single, simple quilt (single "wholecloth" with a border, backing & binding & 2" quilting -- which I don't do anymore, but just to give them a starting point) as well as explaining that my popular applique crib quilts have an average of 10,000 1/16" needle turn hand-done stitches and machine quilting that should last a minimum of 20 years with weekly machine laundering according to the washing instructions I provide.

Once we've got that, I usually ask them to email me 3-6 photos of quilts that they like to use as a starting point for discussion. After that, I would come up with a piecing design that reflected some of the things they liked about photos they sent me and then we'd meet at the store to buy fabric. I personally prefer to be there to have input when a client is picking out fabrics, especially if they don't know anything about fabric/sewing, because otherwise they may end up picking textiles that don't play well with each other or will try to cheap out on the fabric & then complain about "my" workmanship (I've seen it happen to other quilters).

I buy batting in bulk & Kona solids (for binding) in bulk, plus the threads so clients only need to purchase fabric/notions for the top & backing unless they want a special binding (which I discourage) or silk thread. I will not substitute batting.

Be sure to calculate the cost for everything going into the quilt, plus your disposable supplies (needles, rotary blades), durable supplies (pins, markers, rulers, mats), wear & tear (sewing machine, washer/dryer) and utilities (electricity). Estimate the time for your labor & multiply by your hourly rate. If you're going to quilt and/or bind the quilt, you'll want to discuss that as well.

I have samples of the types of FMQ that I can do.

Once we agree on a design, I make a small practice sandwich that I show the client before I begin on her quilt. When she signs off on that, I collect 50% of total price (I never include cost of fabric in my price because I have clients buy that for commissioned work). In my contract, I write that if the client fails to pay, I will sell the quilt on etsy & keep the down payment & materials because people typically will pay much less for non-commissioned work, so I'm selling it at a loss. I send photos after each stage (blocks completed & on design wall, piecing completed, one section of quilting completed so they can see the progress before the whole thing is done -- although I've only had happy customers, and then I'll email them that it's completed & arrange to meet with them to exchange the quilt for the rest of the payment).

I don't really do commissioned work anymore. I had stopped completely, but I do have a close friend that asked me to make a toddler quilt for her son. I had an idea that I really liked & told her about it & she loved it. So other than the fact that she told me the she'd really love to buy one of my quilts for her little one & that she mentioned the colors of his room, it's entirely my design. I'm so much happier doing that. But I think the main thing I learned was just to always be sure to talk about costs from the very beginning, ask plenty of questions & provide the client with sketches of my design & sample sandwiches so everyone knows what's being done before it happens. And, of course, put everything in writing so you both have something to refer back to should any sort of misunderstanding happen to arise.

Everything posted has been very good. I would just like to add that if she wants something that isn't doable, or would be fairly difficult for you, do not sugar-coat it. Tell her up front that you won't or can't. I've let customers persuade and bully me into doing something that was beyond my skill level and it was VERY stressful to get it done. Plus, once it's done, they're disappointed and I'm resentful.

Show her the difference light quilting and heavy quilting makes to the quilt. She may love it before it's quilted, then be surprised after.

Thank you for all the wonderful advice. I did send her to my etsy shop, so she has some idea of what I charge. Taking notes for Sunday!

I'm sure many others will have better answers for you than I do since I don't do commission quilts. But I like your plan for discussing the work. What I would add to that is some examples of quilts you have on hand to show her some of what you are discussing. Also, base your pricing on complexity of the quilt pattern and the quilting.

Good luck to you!

I used to sew for people and one of my policies was if I did it wrong it was free. But I found unless I had them write it down or sign what they wanted some would take advantage. Make notes and write up all needed in the contract and both of you sign it. I liked others ideas since it stirred up my creative juices and you should have fun with it! It sounds like everyone else has given you some great advice!!
Lynda

Thank you PaperPrincess for sharing this site.[QUOTE=PaperPrincess;7671121]I agree with the other posters. It's not fun, but make sure you get it in writing. This board is littered with posts about quilters getting the short end of the stick.
As your actual question, in addition to showing her photos and your completed work, you can ask some specific questions: what type of item is she looking for? Bed, throw, wall hanging, runner?
Size
fabric types: cotton, flannel...
A non quilting design site, such as Design Seeds ( [URL]https://www.design

Great advice to take heed. I was asked to make a quilt few years ago and I flat out told them I didn't do commissioned work because I just liked doing at my own verrrrryyyy ssslllllloooooooowwwwww pace. They were very upset because they needed one within a week. LOLL!! I directed them to a guild.

on your written contract make sure you outline when you can realistically have it done and in their hands.

I think everything that has been posted is very good. I don't do commissioned work (unless you count my sisters). I have a Log Cabin Quilt that my youngest sister has commissioned (she pays for the fabric and supplies, and I do the work for her -- my price -- she's a teriffic sister, and I'd gladly make the quilt and give it to her including all the fabric, etc., if I could afford it. I can't afford it and she knows it, so she'd never ask me to make it -- I offered to make it for her if she pays for the fabric (which she has done). I've only made a few quilts and I don't make them to sell, so I really don't have much to add. Except this: my husband was a cabinet maker -- he did custom kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and yes, even some furniture. If you're building something, or sewing something, (i.e., a quilt), you've got to have the full cost of your materials up front. Otherwise, someone's going to find something to grouch about and refuse to pay. I've seen it happen too many times! And, so many times, people have asked him to build something and they wanted to pay less than his material cost -- it's not a good business plan! I have finished a quilt top I made for myself and I know what I spent, just for the fabric for the quilt top (this is a huge quilt 130" X 114". I spent $300 in fabric, plus I've purchased thread, batting, backing, and who knows what the final cost on this one will be. Since it's for myself, I don't care. Even chain piecing, a Log Cabin Quilt takes a LOT of work! They do make beautiful quilts though!