Charging someone for finishing a quilt
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 11
Hi, I'm Carlene from Columbus OH. I was recently approached by the son of an older woman (96) who has passed. He found two quilt tops unfinished and inquired if I would be interested in finishing the quilts for him. I haven't seen the quilt tops, so I'm not sure of the size. What would be the charge to complete these quilts? I prefer to complete my quilts with handquilting. Let me know you thoughts. Thanks,
#3
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7,286
You need to look at the tops before you make any commitments. They may not be "fixable" without totally remaking them, and maybe not even then. Then, try to figure out how many hours it would take you to do one. Be GENEROUS, not conservative. Figure up the cost of supplies, such as thread, backing, batting, etc. Then decide on a per-hour cost and do the math. And remember, your skill is worth much more than minimum wage, so the $10-15 and hour seems reasonable to me. Good luck.
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
Originally Posted by mimom
if I were to hand quilt for a fee, it would be 10-15 dollars per hour plus materials
Is the quilter someone you knew well?
Do you know the son well? How much "love" factor is there in your taking it on?
What kind of work is involved....sewing some of the blocks together? Sewing the blocks into rows? Assembling the top, adding a border? Just doing the quilting...by hand or machine? Adding the binding?
In my opinion, this is one of those questions you answer *with* a question...."What is it worth to you? What did it mean to you before you decided to finish it? Why do you want it finished? How are you going to use it/display it? Have you ever watched your mother work on her quilts/do you know how much is involved? What is the maximum you had in mind to pay someone you don't know to work on this?
I've done a few quilts like this and charge differently every time, depending on the answers and my attachment to the quilt, the quilter, the heirs.
Good luck to you as you find your own way to the answer.
Jan in VA
#5
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 7,286
Originally Posted by Jan in VA
Originally Posted by mimom
if I were to hand quilt for a fee, it would be 10-15 dollars per hour plus materials
Is the quilter someone you knew well?
Do you know the son well? How much "love" factor is there in your taking it on?
What kind of work is involved....sewing some of the blocks together? Sewing the blocks into rows? Assembling the top, adding a border? Just doing the quilting...by hand or machine? Adding the binding?
In my opinion, this is one of those questions you answer *with* a question...."What is it worth to you? What did it mean to you before you decided to finish it? Why do you want it finished? How are you going to use it/display it? Have you ever watched your mother work on her quilts/do you know how much is involved? What is the maximum you had in mind to pay someone you don't know to work on this?
I've done a few quilts like this and charge differently every time, depending on the answers and my attachment to the quilt, the quilter, the heirs.
Good luck to you as you find your own way to the answer.
Jan in VA
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Halls Cross Roads, TN
Posts: 987
If you do any machine quilting, now would be the time to do it. It would be easier on you by not tying up so much of your time and easier on his wallet. It would also make it much easier to price. Glenda
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