ckcowl

$1,000-$1,500. With a 50% deposit with balance due upon completion.

ckcowl

I visited my favorite little local shop yesterday, first time in a few months. I found about 95% of their fabrics were now $12.50 a yard, they did have a few that were $10.50 & $11. I purchased what I needed for the current commission I’m working on.
Good thing I’m serious about my ( fabric moratorium) there won’t be any * shopping sprees * in my near future.

coopah

Yes to charging what your time is worth and for the supplies. Good points already made.
I am fortunate to be able to use my stash and am seriously attacking that stash before buying. One quilt shop that I frequent has a 1/2 off room...and I've lucked out on finding just what was needed. Most of my quilts are for friends and family. The charity quilts are usually made from "leftovers" or else donations that people place on the free table at our guild.

klswift

You can not sell your quilts and recoup costs if you buy retail - period. The only way some of us make money at all is that we NEVER buy retail, for fabric, batting, etc. And, almost always, it needs to be a throw or lap size quilt in a fairly simple pattern so the time involved is lower. If you buy retail, make big and do a complex pattern, just ask whatever and think of it as gifting the rest. (As an example, I buy batting wholesale and only when they have a deal happening and pay less than $4 per yard for fabric and I quilt it myself. This is the only way to make a profit and then it is not a big profit.)

Innov8R

Quilting is NOT a high-profit business for the quilters. The notions and fabric companies mostly benefit. Quilting IMHO is an art form that offers personal satisfaction on a myriad of layers. If you need to make a profit from it, you might want to focus on small, unique items that can be made quicker and can be sold easily (tote bags, pillows, quilted luggage, etc). I do sell my quilts sometimes but only to further finance this wonderful hobby of mine and keep the quilts from stacking up in my storage space.

selm

I know what you mean exactly. I had a part-time quilting business and found that when I was quilting for a customer I swear, I had more problems with everything(tension, etc). On my own quilts I hardly ever have those problems. I finally decided I was putting too much pressure on myself that lead to many errors so stopped the business. Wasn't worth it to me in the long run.
I'm hoping the pressure was because of their expectations and the pressure of performing for pay. I have a quilt coming up that has been requested by a family member but don't think I'll experience that pressure.

mic-pa

Making quilts for sale is just not a profitable business . Cost of fabric it at least $10. and up a yd. I do buy my fabric at quilt shops. So most of my quilts are gifted to family and close friends. Its my go to hobby and no matter what hobby you have it costs money. I don't bowl, fish, hunt play golf, smoke or drink. LOLOLOL So my money goes into fabric.

grandmasquilting

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will be charging only 400.00 and the rest charity I guess. You never get paid for what it is worth. One good thing it it helping me get rid of scraps. It will be machine quilted by myself. You will never get rich that is for sure. It seems our time is free. Most of my quilts are gifted to family and our church auction.

Fabric Galore

I am kept busy making quilts for my family with weddings, babies, graduation, etc. I don't think I would make a quilt for someone who wanted to pay me. My mother loved to crochet and she made a beautiful table cloth for a friend. When the table cloth was finished the friend asked my mother to enlarge it. No words of thank you or appreciation. The same goes for knitting. Another friend charges 3 times the cost of materials and her customer went out and bought yarn on sale for $.99 and expected to pay $5.00 for a sweater. An easy way to lose a friend.

nativetexan

I want to meet these people who would pay $1,000 for a quilt. I quilt and can't even see that. I know, i'm not one who could afford to do that.