Somethin' for Nothin' and your Quilts for free...
02-08-2012, 08:33 AM
#111
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 13
sewsecksy
Oh, man, I think I really did myself a disservice. Agreed to make 2 quilts for 2 little sisters.
However, no discussion of payment (other than the cost of the materials) was mentioned.
The materials cost more than $300. It took more than 35 hours of machine and hand work.
In all fairness, I'm not going to bring up any payment above and beyond the materials.
I'm going to adopt a wait and see attitude.
But my question is: Who among you have experienced this and what happened to you?
However, no discussion of payment (other than the cost of the materials) was mentioned.
The materials cost more than $300. It took more than 35 hours of machine and hand work.
In all fairness, I'm not going to bring up any payment above and beyond the materials.
I'm going to adopt a wait and see attitude.
But my question is: Who among you have experienced this and what happened to you?
Johanna
02-08-2012, 08:38 AM
#112
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
Oh, I hope they paid for the material up front!...or you may be in for a rude surprise! Don't give the quilts till they pay for the fabric at least.
If this was a friend or coworker...and you don't have a regular quiltmaking business (even from home)...you may have just volunteered your services!
If this was a friend or coworker...and you don't have a regular quiltmaking business (even from home)...you may have just volunteered your services!
Oh, man, I think I really did myself a disservice. Agreed to make 2 quilts for 2 little sisters.
However, no discussion of payment (other than the cost of the materials) was mentioned.
The materials cost more than $300. It took more than 35 hours of machine and hand work.
In all fairness, I'm not going to bring up any payment above and beyond the materials.
I'm going to adopt a wait and see attitude.
But my question is: Who among you have experienced this and what happened to you?
However, no discussion of payment (other than the cost of the materials) was mentioned.
The materials cost more than $300. It took more than 35 hours of machine and hand work.
In all fairness, I'm not going to bring up any payment above and beyond the materials.
I'm going to adopt a wait and see attitude.
But my question is: Who among you have experienced this and what happened to you?
02-08-2012, 10:01 AM
#114
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Independence, MO
Posts: 3,560
Since I don't make tops, this is a lot easier for me. I tell them to buy (or make) the top, the backing and the batting and I charge $150, $200, or $250 (depends on size) for the quilting. I also inform them that it will be a long time for hand-quilting. That's all I charge because I enjoy doing it. I figure if I can get paid to do my hobby, it's a good thing!
02-08-2012, 10:15 AM
#115
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 1,102
02-08-2012, 10:16 AM
#116
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Newfoundland, Canada
Posts: 645
Whenever someone asks me to make something for them, I always say, " We'll go to the fabric store and you can buy the fabric, the batting, and the backing. Then I'll make the quilt." Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Sometimes they are put out and surprised that I expect them to pay for the materials. I don't mind giving my time because I love building the quilt. I also tell them the name of a long arm quilter to get it quilted.
Also those who do pay for the fabric, etc.. always say that they are very surprised at how much it all costs - they had no idea!
Also those who do pay for the fabric, etc.. always say that they are very surprised at how much it all costs - they had no idea!
02-08-2012, 11:02 AM
#117
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 1,980
I've had a couple of friends ask me to make a quilt for someone and have gone as far as to give them a list of supplies. I write down how much 100% cotton fabric, batting and even thread to purchase, and tell them when they get those together to let me know. I don't make enough to really have to figure out how much to charge for my time but if too many start asking for quilts that will also be discussed. There's a reason it's said to never "do business" with family and friends. It's because they think everything grows on a neat, nice, little tree in the backyard. LOL!!
02-08-2012, 11:41 AM
#118
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Carmichael CA
Posts: 507
People ask me all the time to give them a quote for a quilt. I lay it all out fabric costs, pattern, batting, etc. I seldom hear back from them again. Oh well. I have enough projects to keep me busy that deal with someone that wants to get something like a hand made quilt for nothing.
02-08-2012, 01:34 PM
#119
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Orange Park,Fl
Posts: 925
I sure have. Made a quilt for a friend(so called).Went with her to pick fabric out.She paid for that.Bit I ran out of the fabric.she kept changeing the size 1st full went all the way to a king.It took me over 80 hours to make.All I got for paymet was what she paid for the fabric.Which was 56$. I had to put another 33$ for extar fabric. so never paid any other maoney to me.I learned real fast. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!! I do everything up front now.
02-08-2012, 01:42 PM
#120
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sunny AZ
Posts: 570
My daughter had a friend whose cousin wanted me to make a tee-shirt quilt from her daughter's high school and college tees. I went online to check out the styles (with and without sashing, cornerstones, etc.) and costs of these quilts done by commercial businesses. I sent a link to the woman so she could look at the various styles and prices, then get back to me about what she wanted done. The sites were charging $250-350 and I told her that as a courtesy, I would do it for a little less than the business charged. Never heard from her again!!! Perhaps we should all have sites to which we can refer potential customers to so they get a dose of reality before they expect us to make a quilt for $20.
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Catherine Marie
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02-16-2012 01:56 PM
