Selling quilts?
01-15-2013, 07:31 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Madison, Alabama
Posts: 9
Selling quilts?
Hi everyone. This is CraftyPerson here. Ok so I have been familiarizing myself with block quilts and easy patterns like that. And realisticly speaking, looking at these tutorials, it looks as if I will have to pay about $50-$75 per sitting just for fabric and batting. I have heard of people selling quilts and I was wondering if that is even a possibility of block quilts. I don't expect to be able to be really good at quilting right away but I was thinking maybe after I get good. I just think it will be hard to keep up quilting if it costs what it does and I only make $20 a month. So I suppose when it boils down to it my two questions are:
-Can block quilts be expected to sell?
-If so, how much can I ask for them that is not too expensive but I will make good profit?
-Can block quilts be expected to sell?
-If so, how much can I ask for them that is not too expensive but I will make good profit?
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 01-16-2013 at 04:58 AM. Reason: pm to member
01-15-2013, 07:41 PM
#2
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: So. Central MO
Posts: 2,759
A friend of mine used to own a fabric/quilt shop and she had to give up the store. She brought home lots of fabric and made a bunch of quilts to sell and all she was able to get was the cost of her fabric - none for her labor. By the time she pieced the blocks and quilted the quilt - the cost was so much that nobody could afford them.
01-15-2013, 07:52 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Madison, Alabama
Posts: 9
Thanks. I would most likely only add $10-$15 for my labor. It just seemed like upwards of $90 was a lot for such a simple beginner quilt pattern, but I guess since they are handmade....... I suppose it is because I am used to seeing lots of listings for crochet and knit things so high price tags can be a little scary. And I suppose I am at somewhat of a disadvantage becuase of my age. Quilts done by a 13 year old probably aren't so appealing.
01-15-2013, 08:04 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Selma Alabama
Posts: 3,628
I sell many of my quilts mostly around the holidays but this year I noticed people are buying more smaller things like table runners, pot holders, things like that. I think some of it is the economy. Good luck.
01-15-2013, 10:17 PM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by CraftyPerson
Hi everyone. This is CraftyPerson here. Quick update: I am pretty sure I am going to start taking the beginner quilting class taught by Sandy Raber (sananddandy). Since it is a half hour drive from my house, my parents are out of town, and my friends who were going to give me a ride decided not to go today, I wasn't able to make it this time. There's always next week. Haha. Ok so I have been familiarizing myself with block quilts and easy patterns like that. And realisticly speaking, looking at these tutorials, it looks as if I will have to pay about $50-$75 per sitting just for fabric and batting. I have heard of people selling quilts and I was wondering if that is even a possibility of block quilts. I don't expect to be able to be really good at quilting right away but I was thinking maybe after I get good. I just think it will be hard to keep up quilting if it costs what it does and I only make $20 a month. So I suppose when it boils down to it my two questions are:
-Can block quilts be expected to sell?
-If so, how much can I ask for them that is not too expensive but I will make good profit?
-Can block quilts be expected to sell?
-If so, how much can I ask for them that is not too expensive but I will make good profit?
And forget selling!
01-15-2013, 10:45 PM
#8
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ludlow, Shropshire, UK
Posts: 85
I don't think that you can recover enough to cover both your fabric and time costs through selling quilts unless you're a really well known designer. I agree that table runners and small items are more likely to sell, but you could also consider baby quilts - they make great gifts.
01-16-2013, 05:33 AM
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
Posts: 38,181
I don't sell quilts, I just give to family, friends and some people I don't know. I choose what quilt goes to which person, never had anyone refuse them or complain about them. Selling anything depends on location, customers and how cheap things can be bought for. It would be hard to make enough money for your time spent.
01-16-2013, 06:04 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: kannapolis, nc
Posts: 392
You have to be creative to keep your cost down. Use coupons, watch sales, thrift stores, yard sells and CL to name a few ways to save. Don't expect to make a lot but don't sell yourself short either. You will have plenty of time to get stock up before next winter.
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