I have about 20 Bow Tucks bags made. I'm going to be in a Christmas Craft festival at my church come Nov. I've made table runners, purses, lap quilts and such. I was going to charge $30 for the mini Bow Tucks and $40 for the larger one. Most all are made with designer or drapery fabrics. My friend thinks that I'm going to be too expensive and she says I may not sell any. She says $12 - $15 for the mini & about $20 for the larger one. I wouldn't break even after buying fabric, supplies & my time sewing them. She burst my bubble. What is the going rate for them? Below are a few bags.

cute purses

I think you're on the right track. She is WAY too low. Do not give away your beautiful work or worse yet end up paying someone to take them.

Put your prices on them...you can always take a "little less" for them. At least you will have a feel for the market. Give these as gifts to loved ones if for some reason they don't sell.

I love the Santa One. I think the $30-$40 range is about right. However I would not make too many unless you can use the left overs as gifts. The craft shows around here the people want something for nothing. However the collage and pro ball teams items do well. I've made 10 Mini Bow Tucks and have given then all away. I still don't have one.

I've given quite a few as gifts, too. I have made 10 mini & 10 large...that's going to be it. And I'll give the left overs as gifts. I recently posted a Santa one that has leopard print. I've been thinking of keeping that one. But, with saying that I'm stopping at 20 - you made me want to make some pro ball team ones...ha.

Your "friend" must have never made anything before or purchased fabric. You are very reasonable and don't come down. If you are going to give them away, give them to someone you know! (Or me, I love them all!) great job.

These are one of a kind 'designer bags'. Don't sell them cheap. I pay $30 to $40 for a good purse in a store. If people won't buy them that is their loss. Be sure and let us know how it goes. Things are not cheap at the craft shows around here and the vendors must sell things because they come back every year.

I was wondering the same thing myself. I think the $30 and $40 price is fair. Of course, at craft fairs people do want everything for nothing. Take them and sell as many as you can, then the ones left over you can use for another fair.

It cost about $20 in materials for me to make the mini Bow tuck, I charge $35.

Those are so cute!
You are right on the money (so to speak) with your prices.
Your hard work and skill are so worth it.
Good luck!
Lori

I think YOUR pricing is about right..have you searched them out on etsy/ebay?

just do not forget the following info from Penny's website!

Frequently Asked Questions

Making bags for resale?

Can I make your tote bags for resale?
Yes, as long as you are making them by hand on your home sewing machine and the bags are not mass-produced. We also request design credit when selling the bags. This can be a simple as a card included with the bag that says "Designed by Quiltsillustrated"

I got $40 for the mini. It isn't cheap to make (or to replace your stash if that's what you used).

I think what you have for prices is right on! I think most that I've seen for sale are around that price.

I sell simplier bags locally & @ craft shows. I started out @ 25, soon went to 30 & settled @ 35. People who know quality will pay the price. Don't sell yourself short. You always can take something off the price if you want to. Let us know how it goes. I also found out that some items in the 8-10 dollar range sell well - coin purses, book covers, simple wallets etc.

There is a HUGE craft show here every fall..prices are not cheap I think you are well in line with going prices...you can always go lower if you "want" to.

this is a good idea... be sure to put a sign up that these are designer bags... might help. however, folks at church craft shows probably don't expect more expensive items like in other venues. best wishes for a good sale.

I charge $40 for the mini bow tucks and have had no one turn me down yet.

Your friend is wrong. My friend, a quilt shop owner says people don't think too much about a purchase until it gets over $40. She vendors a lot at quilt expos

Your friend is wrong. My friend, a quilt shop owner says people don't think too much about a purchase until it gets over $40. She vendors a lot at quilt expos

I think your prices are fair. If it turns out you don't sell that many at that price, then you can always look for another way to market them...like this board for instance, where people know the work and resources that went into making them. Good luck.

where is huber heights? I live in n.e. ohio. niles.

Your bags are beautiful and you deserve more than your friend suggests. Go look at Vera Bradley bags. I see women carrying them all over. They cost $75 and up.

What I was going to say.

i sell them for $45 & $65

You are right on track. Obviously your friend has not purchased materials and made a bow tuck bag.

I think your prices are right, beautiful bags:)

You have great taste in fabric matching. Love you purses. I think the price you quote is reasonable.

No, stick with your price - I pay a little more for my fabrics from LQS (trying to keep it local) and mine come out to be $25- 28 my cost for fabrics - I sell them for 50 - $60 each - I have no problems selling them either. Good luck.

Your prices sound just about right. Your friend is a little out of touch with prices. Don't under sale your time, energy and talent. I've seen them on line for $50 or more.

sorry double post

I think you are in the right price range.

Huber Heights is just north of Dayton.

your prices sound right. that's what I see most sold for 15 is way too low,

I can only make quilts. I bought a similarly sized quilt to your larger one and paid $35. I love it and feel like I got my money's worth.

I get $40 for the mini and $45 for the regular size.

I think your prices are fine for a bazaar. I most certainly would NOT lower to what your friend is suggesting. If you are not going to profit, then what is the point of making/selling? Personally, I think you could still go up 10$ on each size.

In thinking about bazaars and craft shows...I am always willing to pay $$ for something that is well made...even when I say I could make it myself the real question is, would I ever make it. At holiday time, I am doing my Xmas shopping. When I go to a holiday bazaar I take cash with me. I make one circuit around to see what all there is to see then I go back and do my purchasing. That way I do not spend it early and wish I had saved for something else. Many people I know on a budget do the very same thing.

You may have some people who are interested in your bags but do not have the funds (at the moment). You might make up some business cards so people can contact you later when they realize that they really wish they had purchased a bag.

As for Vera Bradley bags...everyone carries them and most people do not think twice about their cost. I love making my bow-tucks bags (and carrying them) because they are one of a kind and I always get compliments on them. I do carry Vera bags, as well...in fact, I just purchased one of the brand-new fall line bags.

I disagree with your friend. I think $30, and $40 are very reasonable prices for your Bow Tuck Bags. I don't think you will have any trouble selling them at that price. Honestly, I think you could get $40 and $60 for them. They look great :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I agree with these prices. There is way too much time and materials in these bags to let them go for less than that.

I will second the motion on doing at least one Pro Team. Your choice - Cincinnati or Pittsburgh. Or if you get a lot of lookers, take orders with half down right then. I haven't made a Mini Bow Tuck yet but have the fabric with pattern in the queue for next month. If only I had designed the pattern...

Pricing??? I first thought your prices are right on but after thinking about it - I would go up $5-10 on mini and 15-20 on large. With fabric prices around $10 a yard - whether you buy at LQS or shop online paying postage - washing, ironing, ... go up a smidge.


I love the paisley one. Great job!

So, your really only making $15 profit, all your time and labor? People who don't sew just don't know the work that goes into all of this.