Cheap quilts on Etsy and Ebay???
01-20-2014, 04:00 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 589
I just put 4 quilts up on etsy. as you said their jaws dropped. I have 3 baby quilts for $85 and 60 x 70 quilt for $130. We made these and yes we put alot of time into them. If they don't sell then when the time comes we have some pretty awesome gifts to give
01-20-2014, 04:07 AM
#52
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2
Hi, new to the group. I am one of those people you see with their products for not much on etsy. I do local craft shows too. I am really struggling to get stuff sold. While I just do quilts with 6 or 9 inch blocks in patterns, it does take some time to do. I do not hand quilt them nor machine quilt them. I tie with yarn or ribbon. When my mom and I first started, we was getting our fabric from our local Thrift shop. That ended after the first ten quilts and we sold a queen for like $50. Now, we charge considerably more. We do save money by only buying when on sale or with a coupon. We buy our batting in bulk online and save considerably as well. We also are in the process of buying wholesale. We sale our queens from $200 to $300 depending on materials. We would love to charge for our time but, that is virtually impossible. While we like to make money, we do quilting projects for our therapy. Ideally we want to get our cost back and a little extra. All the money we get back goes into buying more materials and donating to local places and people who need help. I understand the issue with not charging as much as others, I have had to lower my prices considerably at craft shows due to so many vendors and. Competitive pricing. I have had many repeat customers the past few years for Christmas gifts, willing to pay the money for such beautiful work. Unfortunately many non crafters do not realize the time and money put into such great quilts.
01-20-2014, 04:07 AM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Midwest
Posts: 5,051
Originally Posted by Ladibug
Most people look at things like this in this way, right or wrong, things are worth only what someone is willing to pay for them. It depends on how bad, most times, someone wants something that's for sell. It doesn't only apply to quilting. It is anything.
Yep, this is Marketing 101. You learn this in an entry level Marketing class. Apply this theory to the $200.00 Air Jordan tennis shoes.
My theory is that people "have" the $$$$ but they also must have the "want" and at what price?
i think we need to realize that other factors come into play besides the price. Colors, pattern, quality of workmanship, item function, etc. It is so easy to default to the price objection but there are other factors to consider. We all discern our buying decisions every day.
sandy
Last edited by Sandygirl; 01-20-2014 at 04:13 AM.
01-20-2014, 04:14 AM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 2,916
Originally Posted by dunster
I have a different take on it. If you're not making quilts as a business, you are probably doing it because you enjoy the process. Once a quilt is finished, the money for fabric has been spent and the time you spent making it is gone, never to be recovered. It would be nice to be able to sell the quilt for what you have invested, but it's rarely possible to do so. After all, if everyone could get paid a reasonable wage for indulging in their hobby, how many people would have outside jobs? When a quilt is finished, you may decide that you would rather have a little money (to pay rent, buy food, pay for insurance, help out a relative, donate to charity, buy more fabric... whatever) than keep the quilt. You're not really selling your quilt-making services, as you would be doing if you were making a quilt on consignment. Instead you're exchanging an already-made quilt for some money. It may not be a good deal from a business sense - but you still may feel that you're better off with the money than with the quilt. I don't think it cheapens your labor, which you actually spent doing something you loved. And I don't fault people who don't see the value we do in quilts. It's our hobby and obsession, not theirs.
01-20-2014, 06:20 AM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: md.
Posts: 1,879
Originally Posted by dunster
I have a different take on it. If you're not making quilts as a business, you are probably doing it because you enjoy the process. Once a quilt is finished, the money for fabric has been spent and the time you spent making it is gone, never to be recovered. It would be nice to be able to sell the quilt for what you have invested, but it's rarely possible to do so. After all, if everyone could get paid a reasonable wage for indulging in their hobby, how many people would have outside jobs? When a quilt is finished, you may decide that you would rather have a little money (to pay rent, buy food, pay for insurance, help out a relative, donate to charity, buy more fabric... whatever) than keep the quilt. You're not really selling your quilt-making services, as you would be doing if you were making a quilt on consignment. Instead you're exchanging an already-made quilt for some money. It may not be a good deal from a business sense - but you still may feel that you're better off with the money than with the quilt. I don't think it cheapens your labor, which you actually spent doing something you loved. And I don't fault people who don't see the value we do in quilts. It's our hobby and obsession, not theirs.
01-20-2014, 10:38 AM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
etsy quilts
Many of us who sell on etsy are not buying our materials at 'regular' stores. Most of us purchase either wholesale or at our fabric districts. While I may get a half yard of inspiration fabric at a local store, the rest for a double size quilt costs around $20. Batting for this quilt costs me $10. If I stitch in a ditch or do minimum quilting, I can get a good profit selling for $100 - $125. Obviously, if I long arm quilt, the price goes up a bunch.
Originally Posted by PlanoDebbie
I've often thought it might be fun to sell quilts on either Etsy or Ebay, but when I see prices for full sized quilts selling for maybe $25.00 over the cost of materials it amazes me.
Why would someone spend say $75.00 for fabric, and spend upwards of 40 hours to create a quilt and sell it for $100.00? That gives them about 60 cents per hour for their time. I don't understand some of these selling prices. While I've seen some of these quilts look extremely poor quality, I've seen just as many beautiful quilts selling for next to nothing.
I know a lot of non-quilters who have no clue how much time and resources go into a quilt and would drop their jaw if I gave them a quote of even $200 for a lap quilt. Their point of reference would be the $19.99 manufactured bed cover they can buy at Target or Wal-Mart.
I've made several T-shirt quilts on commission locally, but not on-line yet. Now that I feel reasonably confident in my long-arm skills, I will probably increase my prices. An average t-shirt quilt takes me about 15-20 hours to measure, prep, cut and assemble all of the shirts and sashing pieces. About 4-5 hours to do an all-over meander stitch on my long-arm. About 6 hours to attach the binding my machine, and hand-stitch it to the back of the quilt. With a total hours of 25-30, I multiply that by $10.00 (minimum) and add in the cost of materials. For cost of materials, I always use full retail prices, even if I had a coupon and got it at a discount. My quilts usually finish out around 65-72" by 75-82". I've been charging $320, and want to increase this to about $350-$360. I also make a coordinating pillow case for each quilt that can be used to either store the quilt in, or put on a pillow to be used. I kind of think my prices are pretty cheap for what goes into them, until I start scrolling through Etsy or Ebay.
Knowing the time and cost of making a t-shirt quilt, I'm always shocked when I see someone on Etsy offering to make one for under $150.00. There's no way to compete with those prices, and I would rather give mine away then sell them for such ridiculous prices.
I'd be curious in any thoughts regarding pricing on Etsy and Ebay with regard to selling quilts.
Thanks,
Why would someone spend say $75.00 for fabric, and spend upwards of 40 hours to create a quilt and sell it for $100.00? That gives them about 60 cents per hour for their time. I don't understand some of these selling prices. While I've seen some of these quilts look extremely poor quality, I've seen just as many beautiful quilts selling for next to nothing.
I know a lot of non-quilters who have no clue how much time and resources go into a quilt and would drop their jaw if I gave them a quote of even $200 for a lap quilt. Their point of reference would be the $19.99 manufactured bed cover they can buy at Target or Wal-Mart.
I've made several T-shirt quilts on commission locally, but not on-line yet. Now that I feel reasonably confident in my long-arm skills, I will probably increase my prices. An average t-shirt quilt takes me about 15-20 hours to measure, prep, cut and assemble all of the shirts and sashing pieces. About 4-5 hours to do an all-over meander stitch on my long-arm. About 6 hours to attach the binding my machine, and hand-stitch it to the back of the quilt. With a total hours of 25-30, I multiply that by $10.00 (minimum) and add in the cost of materials. For cost of materials, I always use full retail prices, even if I had a coupon and got it at a discount. My quilts usually finish out around 65-72" by 75-82". I've been charging $320, and want to increase this to about $350-$360. I also make a coordinating pillow case for each quilt that can be used to either store the quilt in, or put on a pillow to be used. I kind of think my prices are pretty cheap for what goes into them, until I start scrolling through Etsy or Ebay.
Knowing the time and cost of making a t-shirt quilt, I'm always shocked when I see someone on Etsy offering to make one for under $150.00. There's no way to compete with those prices, and I would rather give mine away then sell them for such ridiculous prices.
I'd be curious in any thoughts regarding pricing on Etsy and Ebay with regard to selling quilts.
Thanks,
01-20-2014, 10:52 AM
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 314
I've given a lot of thought to the posts here, and I'm sure that others will not like my response, but reality is ... why should I be overly concerned what others are doing? If someone is selling below their cost, that's not really my problem. But if someone is selling a twin quilt at $400 because they have so much invested in it, either they need to look at streamlining their process, or check into buying wholesale, or maybe both. The thing is, I don't think people who are truly looking to make money off their quilting would be paying $13/yard for their fabric - they're going to buy at wholesale prices which are considerably less.
I don't sell quilts regularly, but I have sold quilts at "cost" because I wanted to get rid of fabric that maybe I bought then decided I don't really like. I'm more interested in getting more money to buy more fabric to make more quilts than I am interested in making money off the quilts for any other reason.
I don't sell quilts regularly, but I have sold quilts at "cost" because I wanted to get rid of fabric that maybe I bought then decided I don't really like. I'm more interested in getting more money to buy more fabric to make more quilts than I am interested in making money off the quilts for any other reason.
01-20-2014, 02:04 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 830
I have a quilt on Etsy. I made a quilt as a donation for a raffle for someone who was ill. When that person unfortunatly died, the raffle was not held and I still had the quilt. I estimated the cost of materials and what I paid my LAQ. I posted it for a certain price, but did not factor in my time because I was going to give it away for a good cause. I only wanted to recoup my costs. It has not sold and I've even reduced the price. Please don't judge all by the acts of some. I did not make a substandard product nor did I attempt to undercut other quilters by pricing it for what I thought was a reasonable amount, under the circumstances.
01-20-2014, 04:03 PM
#60
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,884
I agree that there are many opinions here and all are valid. There are many reasons quilts will be for sale, and the reasons may affect the prices. And I agree all the opinions are valid. And if you have to/want to sale it, it is reasonable to at least get the cost of materials, if not something for your time even if it isn't as much as minimum wage.
I think Skratchie also made a valid point in that if someone is making quilts as a business why aren't you treating it like a business and buying supplies at wholesale.
I think Skratchie also made a valid point in that if someone is making quilts as a business why aren't you treating it like a business and buying supplies at wholesale.
Last edited by starshine; 01-20-2014 at 04:06 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
9
07-11-2010 08:34 PM
