quiltingchic

Ok I made a quilt for my mom it was a very special quilt as she was going in for open heart surgery. She paid for all the materials including thread, I did the quilt for free but if I was to charge as it was a Queen size I would of charged at least 300.00 and that is not including the materials the reason being is the quilting was a work of art and I designed it and putting the top together takes time too. So I felt that the whole queen size quilt was worth 500.00.
People do not realize how much time and work goes into a quilt and that it is one of a kind.
Dawn

bj

The twin I got back from the quilter was $139 just to be quilted. I put the binding on it. I don't think $100 is near enough if you are doing everything. I don't thing we should sell ourselves or our art short.

cherie

WOW! Sounds too low to me. I wouldn't do it for that.
Cherie :shock:

MCH

Hmmmm...well, you don't want to "low ball" it, but yet you don't want to lose the sale. My $.02 would be to treat this as a project (like a new roof, new carpeting, etc.) and you're the consultant who will complete the project. In each of those cases, the salesman / consultant provides an estimate based on price of all the components in the project. You will have to decide if you want to add a percentage to each of these costs so as to have some "wiggle room". You may run out of something and need to replenish your supply.

So, here's my suggestion: Break this project into all its components:

Fabric -- estimated cost if purchased at a quilting shop, Wal-Mart, JoAnn's, Hancocks, or an on-line store. If your client goes for the on-line option, be sure to include shipping costs if you're expected or order it.

Laundering, Ironing, Cutting, and Piecing -- estimate the number of hours

Thread -- estimate number of spools at x-price

Batting -- based up type (wool, polyester, cotton, silk, other) and size

Sandwiching and basting all the layers -- estimated number of hours

Quilting -- You will need to find out the cost, based on quilt size, if you took it to someone to be quilted. Break this out to include the options of hand quilted, non-specific designs in the quilting, and specific designs (hearts, flowers, birds, etc.)in the quilting

Number of hours you believe it will take to complete the project

Cost per hour, i.e. labor (YOURS!) THE MOST EXPENSIVE COMPONENT OF THE ESTIMATE! While this is subjective, you can get some idea by checking with other professional quilters. Then you will have to decide the worth and value of your time. Just remember, as an example, that most of the cost of having someone install carpet, fix your plumbing, etc. is directly related to labor costs.

Payment -- 50% at signing the estimate, and 50% at completion

Once you have all of that information, present your written and itemized estimate. You will have to decide if your estimate will allow for "negotiations".

If your client balks at the initial estimate, you may want to negotiate a flat fee for the project, but be sure to include in that fee a reasonalble number of hours at your hourly rate.

The goal here is to objectively set expectations such that there are a minimal number of "surprises" as the project progresses.

Bottom line is that everything is negotiable, with the exception of your hourly rate. Your time is a commodity that is very precious. Once you've undervalued it and used it, you will never recover that spent time.

Lastly, consider the old saying that tell us to "never do business with family or friends. It can cost too much."

You could just say, "What would you be willing to pay for a custom quilt?" The answer will tell you lots about your client...and yourself, if you accept what will probably be a "low ball" number. A written, itemized estimate is an objective tool that will enable you to either proceed with the project or call it off.

While you love your craft, giving it your best efforts, as well as what it brings you in satisfaction, remember that not everyone has that same attitude / perspective. They may be just looking for another gift item or another accessory.

Hope this helps.

madolyn

Bill'sBonBon

This is not going to be a job. But doing it once in awhile will be ok. I don't want a job to take over my enjoyment of quilting. I do it to keep stress levels manageable. It will be machine quilted. I don't have a longarm. Probable stich in the ditch.
Bill'sBonBon

Elizabeth A.

I think it sounds a little low as well, as bj said just to have a quilt longarmed will run you $100. How were you planning to quilt it? Madolyn made a great list, but I would add a pack of needles to that list, you change the needles once every eight hours of sewing, and at the very least it would be good to start a new quilt with a fresh one. I've found that quilting on a sewing machine goes through needles faster.

Also making binding vs buying it, once you know how you'll never forget and it's rather easy, but that's time consuming cutting, sewing, and pressing.

Oh and don't forget a new rotary cutting blade. I borrowed my mom's rotary cutter and she warned me it might need a new blade, but it felt sharp to me so I kept using it, I used it through cutting more than 3 1/2 quilts expending way more effort than otherwise would have been needed, and as we all know the more pressure you use the more likely you will cut yourself, and it would simply not do to bleed on the quilt. :) I've read here that it's best to start with a new blade with the start of a new quilt.

Bill'sBonBon

Thank you Madolyn. I think you are a very smart and wise lady.

wilma osmond

Hi :
I think that those prices are to low also. I do just the tops for a lady and she buys all fabric and I get 135.00.also if there is any fabric left over she will usually leave it with me . Wilma Osmond

thequiltlady08

I have a friend who just finished a queen size long arm quilted quilt - she is going to ask $625 for it - that includes ALL - material, thread, quilting, binding, tools the whole kit and kaboodle (whatever a kit and kaboodle is??) :) I have charged $125 for a baby quilt about 40 x 40

sunflower

We went to Newfoundland in July. Many small isolated villages with winters very long and I think all the women there quilt because there were quilts everywhere for sale. I didn't see anything under about $400.00 and many were just simple blocks using nice coordinated colours.