Good luck Pokergal. I have followed this thread to see what happens. I agree with the last posters, don't take a check, cash only. Fire off an email now telling her $126 is the expected CASH payment and nothing less will be accepted. Don't let her take advantage of you, she has already tried and obviously won't stop now.

PS, I am doubly appalled at her behavior when you told us she is an artist and does custom murals. What we do is absolutely no different expcept our paints and canvas are fabrics and thread. She should be ashamed of herself trying to low ball you on the cost like that.

Wow!!! Let that be a lesson to all who quilt for others. Get it in writing (even for friends and family) and get at least a 50% deposit. That way, it will cover your materials if they never take quilt. I have only been left with one quilt that was never picked up. For a custom quilt like that I would've charge at least $300.00. Hate to say it, but I wouldn't give it to her for $60. Make her pay you at least the $125 you discussed previously and the cost of the materials. No discount. Don't mean to sound horrible but your work is work. Could she have made it? As an artist you are only appreciated if you appreciate yourself!

One more thought on this post: One of my neighbors does artistic paintings and she has been doing murals for far less than she was during better economic times. I told her that she has costs of paint, brushes, gas costs to the client, time and her experience. When a quilter makes a quilt, there are fabric, batting, thread, rulers, machine, pattern, time, experience.... I have told her that I cannot discount my fees as there are more materials involved in quilting. Quite frankly many people won't recognize the cost difference between a custom quilt and one they find at a discount store. DH says these type of things are all about perceived value. He's right!

I would so buy this from you for your asking price..I absolutely love it.

I too have been following this thread all along. Monday should be interesting for you. You might want to read all these before she comes, and let her read some of our comments. In addition I would have an itemized invoice for her, showing the total cost, plus your overly nice discount (I have no clue why you would have done this) and then stick to your guns. As you are talking to her, think of all of us standing there with you, because we will be in spirit at least, to have your back. Good luck my quilting friend. You did a beautiful job on this, and it should be appreciated.

Seriously? What nerve! I can't believe that this has happened to you. Discount, shmiscount! You had a verbal agreement with her for $125 + cost of materials. That in itself was a steal. I learned a long time ago to get a deposit on projects. No project is too small for a discount. Unfortunately good faith has gone down the toilet. You can hold it hostage until she pays you the full amount agreed upon or you can hang it somewhere and enjoy it or you can sell it to someone else. I'm sure if you put it on ebay or craig's list, you'd get a buyer for more than your requested amount! Good luck. Please let me know if you do any of the following.

You got a lot of folks wound up!! I thought this thread was couple of years going! Don't you dare let her have it for less than her $125.00. You even made the awesome design!!! Yes , we will all be standing there in spirit!

Just wonderful, great job and thank you for sharing, I also agree with DebraK
Have a Blessed night
Ellen

UPDATED!!!! It went much better than anticipated. She fell in love with it. She was so nervous and scared to see it. She was amazed and was so happy with it. She said it was 3 times better than she had thought. She raved on and on. The best part is that she paid me $250 for it!!!!!! Then we had a good visit and she wanted me to make a quilt for her son and several purses next year. Whew. It all worked out and many many many thanks to all of you for your kind supports, advices, and love among us. May u all have a wonderful Holidays!,,,

That is GREAT news!! I am happy for you! What a relief!

Please make sure you get your next "deal" in writing. Since she was so nervous, she might want that too.
I wasn't thinking about her side of it before, but she might want a sentence about what happens if she does not like the item. If I were doing the paying, I would want that included. That way everyone is protected.

SO glad it all worked out! Too bad you can't charge emotional distress fees- I'm sure you lost a lot of sleep over this. Before doing another commission for her - or anyone else - consider what guarantees you want to be put in writing, and a hefty 2/3 deposit so you aren't out of pocket up front for materials. If it is a custom design have her sign directly on a copy of the pattern you create so she can't claim it was switched. I'd do this even with my best friend. Give yourself Plenty of leeway if promising a specific deadline, as Life sometimes gets in the way of the best plans. Celebrate your successful outcome, and enjoy the Holidays.

I hate customers like that and over the years I have learned to be very clear on price. In the last few years I have become very firm on this, however I hate confrontation so I usually tell them up front that if for some reason they don't want to pay my price then I will hold the item for them for 2 weeks and after that it will go up for sale. I would think that with it having her grandfathers fabric in it she would want it no matter what the cost. The radiant star quilt I posted a picture of is actually going on my bed, but I had taken it to show my Simon Folly embroidery class and while I was out of the classroom a lady came in to admire the blocks the ladies are making. They showed her my quilt and she asked them if I ever sell my quilts, they told her I do so she came back to talk to me about buying it, she offered me $100. if I finished the binding. I did nicely let her know that I was honored that she liked my work but for $100 she should probably look at Walmart. Iknow people want a bargin but buying custom made quilts is usually going to cost you. Don't cave into her, tell that is the price and if she doesn't want to pay you, you will list it on Ebay.

Good news..glad it worked out for you. (and her)....isn't it wonderful to have so many quilting friends...xoxoxo yetta
hope you have a happy holiday....

Hooooray!!!!!
I'm so glad for you that it worked out as well as it did. But then, how could she NOT love it?? It's so beautiful and, I'm sure, so much more than she expected.
You did a fantastic job! Congratulations!

All I can say is Yea!!!!!!!

Congrats!! Much deserved price too!
Sandy

Four times the cost of your expenses will barely cover the cost and time you put into the quilt wall hanging. The woman is a bad person and you learned a valuable lesson. Always get the money/deposit up front. Keep the hanging until she pays or sell it to someone else.

I think the topic title should be revised to say "update!"...esp. since the resolution to this sage has been reached...a happy one!
Sandy

I am so happy things worked out for you. And I am glad she was so happy. Makes for a happy ending : )

I am SO glad that she paid you for this and then some!!! This is the hardest thing when you turn a passion into a business. The problem is - business is the OPPOSITE of art! We are creative and that involves emotion and passion and business requires logic and detachment from emotion. People forget that we who have small home businesses often pay retail for our supplies - and not only is she paying for the supplies she's paying for your creativity and your skill. It IS a skill to quilt and quilt well! You have spent years and money perfecting your skill and once you reach a certain level you should be compensated for it! :) My feeling is, if anyone could do it everyone WOULD be doing it. I have lost customers over my prices but it's ok, they are not my market. Your market is the group of people who CAN afford your prices and appreciate the SKILL that you perform!

So happy this worked out in the end! ;)

YAH!!!!
Life is good for you today.......

I know this may seem trivial but make sure it is paid in a cashiers check or cash do not take a personal check because she can stop pay on it. this is amazing I wish I could do this with my Grandfathers clothing you are amazing!

I just love a story with a happy ending! So glad everything worked out for you.

This a beautiful wall hanging and your quilting is lovely. I totally agree that this piece is easily worth $200.00 - $275.00. Those folks who do not do any quilting just don't have the faintest idea of all the work that is involved in making/designing the pattern, cutting everything out, and putting it all together to be sewn, let alone all the quilting that is done on such pieces and not to mention all of ones time that it takes to do this. Don't let her have it for the mere $60.00 that she wants to pay for it.

I too found myself in this same situation just a year ago. I was asked to make a quilt for a lady (a former boss of mine) and we agreed on a price of which she was fine with, I purchased all of the materials and went to work on it while waiting for a deposit on which I never did get. This went on for awhile and to make a long story short, it was a lesson learned to never start anything without a deposit or the full price right up front. So I now enjoy the beautiful quilt along with matching pillowcases and shams to go with on our bed.

You did a wonderful job on this and it is beautiful. So sad there are people like that. One very good reason I would not make anything for money. I give quilts to people that I decide need a quilt.

Thanks for the update and I am so glad it worked out so well for you. If you make the other things for her, I would sure get it in writing.

The price should have been negotiated BEFORE the project was begun. Did you talk about the cost of materials? Labor cost? At this point, submit to your client a showing of materials cost, and add an amount that he will pay. I'm thinking about $70. Most people think in terms of an hourly wage: so how many hours x your hourly rate. Good luck.
If you want to do MORE of this kind of special custom work, your Reputation for fairness might be more valuable than the dollars gained. Be wise, don't make an enemy.

So glad she saw the light and paid a realistic sum for such a beautiful work of art!

Hugs

Caroline

I am glad everything worked out for you but I am not sure I would want to do anymore work for her.
You should think about that next year when she wants more of you work.

I followed this thread and am so happy you got your money. She still got a beautiful bargain but if you're happy that is all that matters. Too bad this stressed you so much. That kind of ruins the fun of the project.

And a wonderful Holiday to you as well

So glad to hear the woman came to her senses, and paid you a fair price. Congratulations.

OMGoodness......I want one!!!! It's gorgeous!!! Would you share the pattern? This is a winner :)

If it were me and she refused to pay the agreed upon price I would do one of two things.

First I would tell her since you agreed on $125.00, that is what I expect you to pay for it. (Loosing the cost of the materials you had to buy is better than letting her have it for $60.00.) If she resists still, tell her I will give you ten dollars for your grandfather's material since there is no real worth to it and all of the scaps that are left over and I will keep the quilt and sell it for its real value of $300.00.

or

If she is getting snotty about "her" material then I would carefully dequilt it and give her material back to her along with a picture of the finished quilt. Tell her half the work is already done if she wants to find someone else to do the work for nothing. Just a suggestion.

I guess while I was ranting, it got resolved. LOL

I am going to have the pattern ready for sale after the holidays. Will let you all know when it is ready and also will post it on my Etsy store. I promised you when it is ready and it ll be like the first part of January.

Agree with this estimate as a starting point for making the quilt. It is gorgeous! If the clients grandfather was a tailor, then she knows this kind of work doesn't come cheap.

Take the $60 as a down payment AND hold on to the quilt until she coughs up the rest. If she doesn't want to pay, well, take the label off and keep it for yourself. It's beautiful. If Grandpa was in the tailoring business, she knows that custom work does not come cheap. Shame on her!

It is a gorgeous wall hanging. Your quilting really sets it off.I am so sorry this happened to you. Next time, put everything in writing before the customer leaves and have them sign it. I also agree w/momto5 about asking for a deposit as this would cover materials then she would only have to pay for the workmanship. Put it all in writing so everyone understands the cost, plus how long it will be before it is done. Good luck! By the way, she must not see the value in the quilt so just keep it. don't settle for less than what you both agreed.