Lisa's Stitching Post

Three years ago last October, my cousin's wife asked me to make his 'n' hers lap quilts for her and her husband (for Christmas that year). This past December 23, I finally finished both quilts and mailed them to her. She loves them & wants to know what she owes me for labor (she already paid me for the supplies up front). She told me to "keep track of the time" I put into the quilts--and charge her accordingly.

In the beginning, my machine broke down & had to be put into the shop for months at a time. After I embroidered the borders, I discovered the bobbin stitching on the back looked slightly loose. I spent hours tearing that out--only to find it looked the same when I re-quilted it.

What I'm trying to say is, because I have so little experience--and I rarely ever have time to sew--every time I abandon everything else for quilting or sewing, I have to re-learn how to use my machine and my embroidery software all over again--so lots and lots of time is involved. There is absolutely NO WAY I can charge her for all of the time I put into it.

All of the quilts I made up to these two were given as gifts--so this is the first time I've made a quilt for pay.

Would any of you be willing to look at the photos (below) and let me know what you think I should charge for the labor on these two quilts? I would really appreciate your input! :D

Lisa

mom-6

Those are beautiful! I have no idea on pricing though, sorry...

Lisa's Stitching Post

Thank you very much, Mom-6! :)

jljack

When I started out I charged the same amount as the materials cost. Since I am a thrifty shopper, I never made any money. But I got a lot of experience, made some repeat customers, and eventually I started charging more as my skill improved, and they were happy to pay it.

Since it's family....hummmmm, I would maybe ask her to give you a gift card to a fabric shop or something like that, and leave the amount up to her.

Lisa's Stitching Post

Thank you for your input! :)

I asked her for $100 for the materials, but she sent me a check for $125 (she's a very nice lady--and patient, lol). Would asking her for $100 or $125 be too much?

Pat P

Its always hard to set a price for a relative. Awkward. Most folks have NO IDEA what quilts cost. The cost of materials should be her clue as to how much to give you. When someone gives me a ride, I never ask, do I owe you money for gas? I throw 5 or 10 bucks on the seat and say Thank You, or I buy them lunch.

Lisa's Stitching Post

Thank you, Pat! Because of my perfectionism, I always under-value everything I make, anyway. I want to tell her the labor is "on me," but I know she'll insist on paying me something. I made quilts as gifts for three of her grandsons before these two. She liked them & said she really wanted to have something made by me--and said she didn't care how long it took me to finish them. Yes, it is awkward!


:-D

jemma

fabric giftcard

Tropical

I agree. Charging family is tough. When I made swedish weaving type afghans for all of the ladies in my family, I gave them as gifts. One DSIL asked me if she could give me anything for hers. I was at first taken aback by her question since I offered to make the afghans. Then I quickly said sure - a hug. She was happy and said she had lots of those. My DMIL attempted to pay me so I could by more fabric and yarn. I insisted it was a gift. And so it went with some of my ladies. My neice makes jewelry and made me a watch. One DSIL crocheted and made me an afghan. So anyway, I agree that a gift card to a fabric shop would be nice and maybe in the future set a price ahead of time. Even if only to set a dollar number per hour besides the cost of materials.

KandiKane

Yes I agree to the gift card to the fabric store , you can use it to buy more fabric or anything else you may want or need..