Definitely! It avoids any misunderstanding later on and, if necessary, can be used in court if one party doesn't live up to their end of the agreement. Sounds like a good deal to me but just make sure each party agrees with the other.

GOOD point! I forgot about the income tax....and the advice about selling original designs to a quilt shop are absolutely "on point".

Just start small and see how it goes. But If you have the time and he has the resources then go for it.
Lisa

Have you collected your first quilt's pay? Why not try it? I currently have 3 tops that someone gave me and asked if I could quilt them. I said YES BUT not to expect them for at least one full year! I also have a lady who wants me to make a T shirt quilt and again I told her not to expect for possibly a full year. This one I could do on the machine the other 3 she wants done by hand. They are more than willing to pay me and once I quoted a possible price (the hand quilted ones I suggested $350.00 to $400.00 each and the T shirt one I said $300.00 and they both said "fine". YIKES! I think I might have started something!

No way!

Don't forget about the taxes and such. I'm going to work closely with these two ladies and I'm thinking of making an agreement of some sort. I need to think this part through more. Give lots of thought to this subject BUT ask for "help and advice" before fully taking this on.

I would think long and hard before deciding anything. Some years ago a friend asked me to make samples for her shop, she supplied everything. I would make the quilts, wall hangings, etc. and she would put them on the shop walls. After a bit the items were mine, but no longer wanted. Just me but I began to resent having to make something for someone else. Good luck no matter your choice.

Be careful ... it's hard to put a price on a handmade item. You put a lot of hours into it, and one thing I would consider. Do you REALLY want your quilting to become a chore or do you want it to remain a relaxing and fun hobby? To me, anytime I do something for $$, it becomes a job and no longer fun ... just me!

TRY and see how it goes. This could be your way for extra income and maybe--just maybe we'll see you on TV !!! :thumbup:

Make sure you get paper work on all agreements and don't forget the tax man.

I think it is a good opportunity, but you need to be cautious. Do you know this person, are there friends who know this person and his reputation? Julie R. gave some very good advice. Start slowly, but up front get details - such as how many quilts would he expect, what type of quilts, would you be making one type of quilt always, or could you make a good variety of quilts, and get a price range for what he would be selling the quilts. Plus GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. I wish you luck as it sounds like a great idea if he is truly interested in selling your quilts, but I also think that 50% is a bit high, even if he does supply the materials. Let us know how it works out.

The quilt is beautiful and I can see why he would offer this opportunity. Just protect yourself, is he aware of the time involved on your part?

ABSOLUTELY - ABSOLUTELY - ABSOLUTELY.

Until you both agree to what you (1) understand the arrangement to be and (2) both sides agree to it, you'd be amazed at how screwed up things can get and how quickly.

I also agree to start small - do not agree to a fixed number of quilts or other (quilted) items such as purses/totes ON A SCHEDULE for several months down the road. You both need to see what he can sell and in what time frame.

As good as this sounds, he may NOT be as successful selling your items as he may think or hope. Does he have any experience marketing and selling quilts? I doubt it. Every market (buyer) needs to be approached differently, and he needs to learn about selling quilts before he commits also.

Protect yourself first. I speak from my own experience and that of several friends and guild members.

Be sure you have a well-written contract that lists specifics!

By all means!

Also, set realistic completion dates and numbers. You don't want him expecting you to produce more quilts that you can handle.

And one more thing, be sure you have a say in the pattern and fabric choices. In my experience, it seems that when I let someone else pick the quilt they want made, they will choose one of the most difficult patterns or will choose difficult fabrics, like striped fabric with a curved pattern. Keep the choices within your comfort/experience zone.

You can sell your own quilts, so why do you need him?? You just have to advertise them. Also word of mouth is a good source to start by getting your friends to help. There is e-bay, newspapers, flyers and much more. Then think again, do you want to work full time making quilts that someone else is going to get half the money for. Just start out slow, building your stash, going from there. Don't think you can crank out quilts like on an assembly line, as the quality goes down. Good luck.
IdahoSandy

You can sell your own quilts, so why do you need him?? You just have to advertise them. Also word of mouth is a good source to start by getting your friends to help. There is e-bay, newspapers, flyers and much more. Then think again, do you want to work full time making quilts that someone else is going to get half the money for. Just start out slow, building your stash, going from there. Don't think you can crank out quilts like on an assembly line, as the quality goes down. Good luck.
IdahoSandy

It was your avatar he saw right? No wonder.

Katy,

Your quote at the end made me really laugh! I never heard that one before. I'm going to make a print out and hang it above my stash!!!!

"She who dies with the most fabric wasn't sewing fast enough".

I hope this is a good person, that being said, get the agreement on paper, so there will be no misunderstandings. Sounds like a deal made in heaven. Have fun.

Is he going to sell them for you or are you supposed to find the buyers? I agree with going slow at first and see how it goes. There is so much time and love put into the quilts. You have to decide on the prices you would need.

Split the profit 50-50?
or
split the total proceeds 50-50?

My gut reaction was "no"

Without a question... especially since the times are the way they are and you being on a fixed income. GO FOR IT

Unless they are wall hangings, you WAY under-valued your time! Hand quilting is very time consuming and I think you are going to be working for less than a penny an hour! As a long-arm quilter, I charge $0.015 per square inch for an easy E2E design that I can usually get finished in a day or less. You should figure out how long it takes you to quilt 12" square inches, pay yourself $15-20 an hour, and price your quilting that way. Hand work is under-valued and under paid, but oh so beautiful when done well!

I am glad u like it. I have quite a few cute quilt related sayings and I love a good laugh. Makes the day go better. I have a t shirt that says

Cooking and cleaning is for people who have not discovered quilting yet

And another that says

I quilt therefore I am

Yet another that says

To quilt is human, to finish divine.

I just love it. One of my favs has a girl symbol like the stick fiquire on a girls restroom sign. She looks like she is moving fast and has a crazy look on her face. In her upraised hand is a rotary cutter. It says serial quilter. Makes me laugh every time I see it. Have a fun day. From KT, KT THE QUILTING LADY who is currently doing everything she can to put the FUN back in dysFUNctional. God bless

Everyone is offering good advice.

try one or two then you'll know but yes I'd do it

he buys the fabric (ie materials in total), you supply the labor (which is intensive), in my opinion, you take the cost (his expense), remove it, then figure your labor, i know what it is like to be undervalued, and broke, but you might find yourself working for fifty cents an hour if you are luck, if you look at the books "quilt in a day" log cabin for example, they take more than a day, look at what a good handmade quilt (handquilting) would really cost, i assume that is what you are planning, how many stitches to an inch? billions, i love the idea, but for other than art quilts i believe you will not be happy with the arrangement, do you have anyone in your area/family that can give you good legal advice, do not enter a contractual agreement without it, we all love to have our work admired, and appreciated, then sometimes a carrot dangles in front of us, and it is hard to get by on almost nothing, i wish you well

be careful, my instinct is to say yes to one, and test the waters, but nothing else, your pattern, your choice, and see how it goes, do not forget the time to wash (water/soap), to dry, to iron, to press the points (elec), and so on, plus all else goes into a fabric creation

jan in florida

edited due to the elec and water

If you live on a busy street or highway you could put up a sign and sell your quilts that way and take all the money rather than share it. Just a thought, as that is what I do and have repeat customers all the time.

I'm with Julie R. Especially important is a legal contract spelling out every parameter you can think of - and have it approved by an attorney. The benefactor needs to be aware that a quilt is not something you make in an hour or a day; therefore, production is limited.

i would go for it !!!

good luck

Sounds like a great opportunity. All postings are good advise. It seems to me that you should get a larger % of sales. You are the one spending hours sewing, designing, & using your talents. Try one or two commissioned items & see if YOU are happy with the income vs your pool of talents that went into making the items. Good Luck. Please let us know how this worked out for you.

ME TOO!

I say go for it just as long it doesn't become more of a chore than a love.

Just be careful. Sounds like a good opportunity, but check and make sure you can produce at the rate he expects. It would stress me out if I couldn't make deadlines. Be sure to put everything in writing and make sure you understand each other in what is expected. I'd try it and see if it would work.

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been burnt a lot of times by things like this. But the best advice, get it in writing, notorized, and a copy to someone you trust. If this guy is real you have a great thing for yourself. GOOD LUCK

I think I would let him commission a few quilts from me first!This way you get paid quicker (you don't have to wait for it to be sold). Don't forget to settle what your hourly charge is (it's not minimum wage, but higher). Also, remember you are a craftsman (just like woodworkers, seamstress) charge accordingly. Also, it gives you both a chance to see how the work goes (is he okay with your timetable for quilts being completed, what grade of fabric is he providing, etc.) Be sure to tell him that you need 100% cotton or if you are doing a special quilt what fabrics to get or offer to go with him to buy fabric the first few times. This could be a great experience.

sounds good but follow the posted advice and you should be okay. happy quilting.

Yes! Don't think too long! You know the old saying.... Think Long, Think Wrong!!!

Tell him you will try one and see how it pans out...if that works then do another same way atleast until you're comfortable with dealing with him..