crzy4qults

you naare not alone i feel the same exact way that u do ....i thought i was alone....i add so much love into my quilts.. and do u ever think that someone who does not cherish hand made quilts will get them dirty and then just throw them into the washing machine like u would to wash towels....i dont think i will ever be able to sell them but i occasionally give them as a very intimate gift

mama lyn

I do make quilts for other as a business and enjoy it immensely. I agree that sometimes it seems more like work than fun and that some people don't grasp the actual costs and time involved. They are the ones that won't sign the work order. My thoughts are I'm better to know up front. Some quilter's actually break down the expenses: fabric, batting, thread, piecing labor and quilting labor. I feel this helps others understand why the price is what it is. I think it sounds like a great idea to start out selling quilts that you don't want or need, using the above criteria and see where it goes! Every local is different and it won't take long to figure out what your demographics will pay for hand crafted quilts. Once you get a little business going it is very satisfying to see the joy on the faces of your clients when they pick up their quilts!

barri1

I couldn't agree more with what you all are saying.. I brought into the office a panel I outline quilted for someone that did an externship in my office.. A person saw it, and wanted me to make one for her grandchild.. I don't want to do it.. I do the quilting to enjoy, and give to people of my choosing..

maryfrang

I was told when I first started making crafts, remember to enjoy what you are doing. My grandmother sold for two or three times her costs. She knew you can never get your time paid for, so if you enjoy makeing the quilt that bacomes part of your profit. I do long arm quilting and also making quilts or putting blocks together for others. I make sure I write everything that is requested down and have my customer sign that the request is what they want. Then there is no changing once I start. Best way to work for others. Good luck with what you decide.

Sewze

Thank you everyone for posting your opinions. All this information from your experiences is very informative. I've only sewed,quilted, and embroidered for my family and friends and never charged....only my personal enjoyment.

Michellesews

I have sold many quilts, being a professional longarm quilter, I often get requests for quilts 'from the ground up'. I start at $500 for a lap and $1000 for a queen or larger. Usually my clientel only know what colors they want, they really have no idea about patterns etc. I had a 75 foot tree cut down and in exchange I made the fellow two 'recliner' size quilts with a foot pocket at the bottom. I used my AccuGo to cut out the pieces and they went very quickly, I was also able to use fabric I had on hand. Another lady ahd boxes and boxes of baby clothes from her granddaughters and I made each a quilt from those...and charged $500 a piece for those, but she got a deal on that and I would never do that again, it was a nightmare. So, you have to stay open minded, is what I am saying, I guess. You cannot make a quilt and then expect to sell it, it may not sell and then you are stuck with it.

pioneerlady

A quick explanation about the way I quilt. I'm impatient, when I start a project I want it done now. I would hand piece quilt tops and the only thing I knew to do was tie them, some quilts need to be quilted. Hand quilting takes too long, and I have not mastered machine quilting, bexides I love the hand work. About 20 years ago, I thought there has to be another way to hand quilt but that is faster. So, I came up with this idea. I had to teach myself quilting, we traveled with my husbands job and we still do. I stretch my quilt tight on the frame or hoop, when it's done, it's a bit poofier. I didn' know until a few years ago that it shouldn't be so tight, but it was too late then. I like the outcome. The pattern determines how close my stitches are and what I quilt around, what's quilted is what stands out. All the traveling is where my user name came from. I'm sure back in the wagon train days we would have been pioneers, or the ones attacking the wagon trains. lol. The first pics are my latest barbie quilt a 2" tumbler. The other 2, table toppers.

Tuxedo Mom

May I suggest looking around for an Arts Council or other artists group in your area? My younger sister is a self-taught (awesome) weaver who makes incredible rugs out of furniture upholstery selvage. Her rugs are plushy, comfy and very comfortable and she was selling them for peanuts at local craft sales. She joined the Artist Council and her prices have increased modestly, but the increase in sales has been dramatic. When people go to an "Art Event" they know they are looking at true artwork and that it will cost more than $30 at Walmart. She no longer has an issue with wanting to hold on to all of her precious "babies" because she knows they are going to a good home with someone who really appreciates them. And the rate of word-of-mouth orders has skyrocketed almost as much as the orders from previous buyers who want one or two or four more rugs for their homes. When you consider the time and cost of making a quilt, you are thinking of artwork and should be going someplace where your art is truly appreciated.

mdall

I understand what you are saying. I too am making the transition from just doing it for the fun of it to selling. There has been some joy taken out of it but I am on my way to solving that problem. Now when I am making something to sell I first look at as will this be a fun quilt for me to make. That is the key, if its not fun then I dont do it. Second, are the little things. I dont let myself get stressed over the small stuff, fabric choice, colors, etc. because in the long run it not for me. Just make things you enjoy making and keep in mind that someone out there is gonna love it. The price to charge is the sticky part. I try to keep mine as low as possible knowing that Im probably not going to get every dime for my time out of it. Most I have talked to break it down, Materials needed, then a set price for piecing the top, set price for sandwiching and quilting, then finally a set price for binding them. This tends to keep the prices a set level for the size your doing and you dont run into the destress of much time your putting into it because your fee has already been set. hope this helped.

needles3thread

Yes, Pioneerlady, I would like to see a picture of your quilting. Thanks