Advice needed on pricing Not OT

Take a few scraps and make a few blocks.... get an idea of how much time it will take to make the blocks. Estimate how long to do the borders and binding. Come up with an estimate # of hours to make the quilt. Determine what you think your time is worth.

Add cost of batting. (assuming she will providing backing and binding fabric -- if not calculate those).

Add those costs together and you should come up with an estimate. If the number seems high -- show her how you calculated it. (She shouldn't expect you to "work" for less than $5 - $7 per hour MINIMUM.

You may be surprised how quickly it adds up. If that number seems too much ... and you like this person and really wouldn't mind doing it -- show her this number ... but tell her because she is a friend you will discount.

Otherwise you run the risk of her "advertising" your work at rock bottom rates... and you may not always want to work so "cheaply". This way she knows what the quilt is really worth - and you are protected from future requests being "low-balled" on the prices.

Does that made sense? Sound fair? At least that is how I would do it!

Decide how much you want (and deserve!) to make per hour (minimum wage or a fair wage?). Then try to estimate how many hours it will take you to piece the top based on your experience. Multiply the two amounts and that is your price. You can have a low to high range to quote the customer in case it takes you less time or more time to do the work. That way, you can maintain your price per hour goal. Do not undersell yourself or your time!!!!!!

She may decide that the quilt in Pottery Barn looks much better to her now! :-)

Laurie G. in CA

Do you really really really want to do it? Will you have a 'deadline'?

Get 1/2 the money BEFORE you start...she's less likely to say 'I didn't think it would cost so much' in the middle of the project leaving you with nothing but fabric in hand.

Do you KNOW HOW HEAVY a king size quilt is to work with? I do and I wouldn't do it again for anyone...and that isn't even doing the quilting. Did ours in Eights and then I had HELP to do it in quarters as it was the only way 'I' could handle it. The Pro Quilter had DS help her put it on the frame--she was 'up in years' but with our help got it done in 3 days. Said that would be her LAST King-size.

Just a bit more to mull over. Sorry now that I didn't look at prices at the one place we stopped where the lady did the entire quilt on her own...her quilts were for sale....since I was looking 'for' fabric she gave us a map and sent us on our way.

Butterfly (Glad I don't have to do another)

Thanks to all for the answers. Need to factor in the cost of someone else doing the machine quilting on it. I know for a twin sized wicked easy that I did in January, cutting the fabric took 4.5 hours, piecing the top took 6 hours. The pinning and tieing, binding [final sew down by hand turned to the back] etc took another 10 hours. I'll check locally for a machine quilter.

Years ago I did a king sized Trip Around the World, that was tied. I recall the huffing and puffing to lay it out and did it all myself. At that time I did not use rotary cutters so each square was cut by hand. Oh, heavens!

G> Do you really really really want to do it?

snipped-for-privacy@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

Ginger, about ten years ago I ended up (somehow!!!) making about 10 queen to king Log Cabin tops for various people and to donate to charitable raffles. I got to where I could pull the fabrics, cut (using 2 in. cut strips to save time since they were mostly 'donated') and assemble the queen/king top in 14 hrs. of non-stop hard work- working straight thru. I *know* I couldn't do that now! (Yes, Polly, that's when I did "The Famous 118 Blocks Sewn With No Bobbin Thread"!) Your king-sized will be considerably larger (queen @ less than 8'X8'= 64 sq. ft. vs. king @ more than 9'X9'= 81 sq. ft.) Giving yourself 20 hours and a wage of $7 an hour would be $140- and I think you would be VERY generous to price it that low!

Just a few thoughts to toss around... it's really going to depend on how much free time you have, how much you would love to make this top (and how much you'd enjoy working with her fabric choices) and how much you like the person requesting it.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.- with a cold snap and freeze warning tonight!

A twin mattress is about half the size of a king, so double those numbers (except for pinning and tying) and multiply by what you think is a reasonable hourly wage. I realize that a twin quilt is less than half the size of a king, but you need to allow for the extra time and effort in handling the king size. Add the cost of the batting and the cost of the machine quilting. As someone else said, she'll probably decide the Pottery Barn quilt looks like a pretty good deal.

Julia > Thanks to all for the answers. Need to factor in the cost of someone

messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@q24g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

Just to add a thought.......I wouldn't do this quilt for less than $10.00 per hour.......and probably would quote between $12.00 and $15.00. It isn't worth my time to do it for anything less.....

Laurie G. in CA

How much money do you make at your regular job? Charge at least that. There's also thread, batting, back, and wear and tear on your sewing machine.

Do we know why she isn't just buying it at Pottery Barn? She may be surprised to learn that you're not competing with workers in China and that she's not Walmart with bargaining power to make you come down on your price.

--Lia

The Pottery Barn quilt wasn't Hawaiian fabrics. That's what she wants.

To add in regarding other posts. I like Terri, like I said she is a former supervisor. At the same time I will not sell myself short. Hmmm my pay at work is $23/hr. I think once she approves the pattern - I will show her all three, she would want to do the final audition of block placement. I got the name of a local long arm quilter and will have to contact her about pricing.

Back in 1995 I had a lady contact me to do a baby's room. We met and I explained the fabrics, her design, etc. We went to a local fabric store and I pulled fabrics for her to consider. She was excited. Then I told her the pricing, which was more than [actually waaaay more than] the $29.95 she thought was reasonable to pay. This would have been for a custom wall-hanging, bumper cover, crib coverlet, and curtains. She felt I was "trying to take advantage of her" since "my husband is a pro soccer player". Uh-huh, right.

Gathering more tips and suggestions, thanks!

Ginger wind is definitely up, so is my coughing

So -- her daughter will bring the fabric? Do you have a really solid faith that it will be the fiber content, "hand", weight, and amount that you will need plus some extra? Personally, unless the daughter is an experienced quilter, I wouldn't trust that fabric purchase for a minute! If the daughter is experienced with quilting, why isn't she doing the quilt for her mother?

Personally, I wouldn't do it, no matter what price you negotiate! I would, however, offer to help the mother do it herself -- point her toward some classes, and then sit down with her.

(People often ask me to knit for them, which I refuse, although I offer to help them learn so they can knit their own sweaters, afghans, etc. Once when I was really pushed, I told the guy to start adding it up -- $50 for decent but not spectacular yarn, $15 for decent but not great buttons, and double the minimum wage per hour multiplied by 45 hours, which is the average time for me to design and knit a sweater. He about died!)

I used to get this kind of query from people all the time. They see something in a store and think that because I do woodworking, I can do it cheaper. When they saw the price I quoted them they quickly beat a hasty retreat. I would think it is better to give a fair to yourself price quote with the knowledge that if they think your time is not worth that much then they probably are not somebody with your best interest in mind. It used to make me so damn mad to hear them say "Gee, you are doing this in your basement and should be cheaper". They fail to realize that those things that are for sale in Pottery Barn, or other venues, are likely produced in runs of 1000 units in an off shore sweatshop with little regard for hand craftsmanship. Don't sell yourself short just to get a commission. Now if you want to do it as a gift, then that is another matter. Money is not the object. My 2 Cents.

John

Howdy!

Taking all that into account, a custom, original, one-of-a-kind, made-to-order, personal quilt, king-size, Finished: $750, minimum.

R/Sandy-- "know what you're worth so others will, too"

About 20 years ago there was a little shop close by who ONLY make custom baby quilts that were one of a kind. A crib quilt sold for $75, way back then! These were machine outline quilted around a baby type design. She also made matching curtains and other baby things. Barbara in SC

I concur with John ! You might end up charging too little because you feel that you don't want to be overcharging ! Try to talk her into buying it at Pottery Barn . Mary

I used to get this kind of query from people all the time. They see something in a store and think that because I do woodworking, I can do it cheaper. When they saw the price I quoted them they quickly beat a hasty retreat. I would think it is better to give a fair to yourself price quote with the knowledge that if they think your time is not worth that much then they probably are not somebody with your best interest in mind. It used to make me so damn mad to hear them say "Gee, you are doing this in your basement and should be cheaper". They fail to realize that those things that are for sale in Pottery Barn, or other venues, are likely produced in runs of 1000 units in an off shore sweatshop with little regard for hand craftsmanship. Don't sell yourself short just to get a commission. Now if you want to do it as a gift, then that is another matter. Money is not the object. My 2 Cents.

John

I've read most of the replies. I have to say most folks are not aware of the work that goes into hand crafted items but not everyone is a skinflint. Some folks do know the work and are willing to pay to get a well made, custom item. Sometimes it is nice to put something together for someone that will appreciate and pay for it. Yep, it is the exception but it happens once in awhile. I haven't done much sewing of any kind for payment in a lot of years. It become work when I got paid. Just be sure you cover yourself from getting had and don't hesitate to get what your time for this is worth to you.

It is pretty nice over here > Good morning, all

Oh, I have [at this point in my life!] no problem charging what I am worth for my time, and experience. In 2000 a one of a kind wall- hanging I did of a stained-glass style horse's head with beading was appraised at $2250. It was 36x48.

Yes, the mindset of those who look at mass-produced goods and figure it is simple/cheaper to produce locally really have no idea.

Neither one of them sew, or are craft oriented. I would have to stress the fabric is to be 100% cotton, and give her how much to buy based on how many fabrics she is interested in.

G> I concur =A0with John ! =A0You might end up charging too little

;)) Sandy I have done a bit of figuring today, and have questions to ask her that may make her reconsider. All said and done, the $750.00 is defintely not out of line. Tomorrow I will pose the questions, and slide into the pricing by asking if she has thought about how much time this would take, the prep etc.

King size mattress is 76x80. How much drop do you want? 108" backing will run about $20 [need 3.5 to 4yds] per yard from Christian Lane Quilters. Good W&N batting about $75 I think. Waiting for a phone call back on the machine quilting.....Yep, she may decide to go with a commercial product instead.

G> Howdy!

Ginger- I am a long arm quilter and based on the measurements you mentioned plus the drop - 100x104 - for an all over medium spaced freehand design, I would charge approx. $240.00 plus a minimal thread charge. Not an unreasonable amount......although I'm sure in other areas the cost could be less. I am in CA, as are you.

Have a chair handy when you discuss all the costs involved with making your friend a quilt from scratch. She may need to sit down..... ~~~~~~~ Laurie G. in CA

King size mattress is 76x80. How much drop do you want? 108" backing will run about $20 [need 3.5 to 4yds] per yard from Christian Lane Quilters. Good W&N batting about $75 I think. Waiting for a phone call back on the machine quilting.....Yep, she may decide to go with a commercial product instead.

G> Howdy!

Thanks Laurie! There are not many long arm quilters around here, and they usually have a waiting list.

Yep, you're right, she'll need a chair.

G> Ginger- I am a long arm quilter and based on the measurements you mentione= d