Is the general public really that ignorant?
#31
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 227
I wonder if someone asked to purchase a piece of his hand-made furniture, and he quoted a price in the hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars, would that person then gasp and retort that they can get that furniture at Walmart for a fraction of his price?
My husband and I had this very discussion a couple of months ago, and when I made the same point, my quiltmaking vs his woodworking, he thought about it for quite a while and agreed that people would balk at paying quilt prices but not woodworking prices. But why is that? Is it because people are truly ignorant of how much work goes into making a quilt? Or do we somehow, even in this day and age, still place a lower value on "women's work"?
My husband and I had this very discussion a couple of months ago, and when I made the same point, my quiltmaking vs his woodworking, he thought about it for quite a while and agreed that people would balk at paying quilt prices but not woodworking prices. But why is that? Is it because people are truly ignorant of how much work goes into making a quilt? Or do we somehow, even in this day and age, still place a lower value on "women's work"?
#32
Has he considered adding turned seam rippers? Rippers are being promoted as useful for opening packages and envelopes, removing labels from cans, clipping coupons, removing mats from pet hair, clearing out vacuum cleaner rollers, all sorts of things besides sewing functions. I'd love a beautiful wooden seam ripper and would probably buy them as gifts for special quilting friends as well. Just a thought.
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Small town in Northeast Oregon close to Washington and Idaho
Posts: 2,795
I always thought that if you saw a painting someone made and they told you what they wanted, you wouldn't say "I could go to Walmart and buy a poster for $10". We are artists, just like painters. Our paint is our fabric. We make beautiful artwork plus it keeps you warm. We do more than painters do. We have to piece the quilt, then piece the backing, then layer it, then quilt it, then bind it. It's an awful lot of work. My husband only sees the finished blocks or tops - he never sees me in production mode. He'd be amazed at how I put blocks together and how I put the top together.
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Live Oak, Texas
Posts: 6,133
I was ask if I would make a quilt for someone and I said I don't sell my quilts. She ask what I would charge for one if I did and I told her to go price the fabrics, batting ,pattern and thread and after seeing the pattern I could tell her but each pattern would be different depending on the difficulty. After a day shopping she informed me the fabric alone was more than she wanted to pay for a quilt. I just don't understand why people think quilts and other crafts are cheap. I made a Fall and Christmas wreath I payed over seventy dollars for the materials for each one. I had several people ask if I would sell them or make one for them. They did not want to pay more than fifteen or twenty dollars. I just laughed and told them to go buy one at Hobby Lobby or Michel's.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 816
Hmmm, I've never thought about that, probably because I won't spend more than $1 on one. I've suggested he do knitting needles, but he said it takes too much precision so it isn't worth it. But a ripper wouldn't be a certain size necessarily, so it could work.
Right now he doesn't stock an etsy or anything though: just makes them on commission, mostly around graduation time.
Right now he doesn't stock an etsy or anything though: just makes them on commission, mostly around graduation time.
#38
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: East Oklahoma - pining for Massachusetts
Posts: 10,477
That is remarkably LOW. He should have jumped at it. I charge 19 cents a square inch for a completed quilt. So 50x80 would come out to $760.00. I have not had any takers and I am just fine with that. It keeps the cheapskates way. I make what I want, when I want.
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
Has he considered adding turned seam rippers? Rippers are being promoted as useful for opening packages and envelopes, removing labels from cans, clipping coupons, removing mats from pet hair, clearing out vacuum cleaner rollers, all sorts of things besides sewing functions. I'd love a beautiful wooden seam ripper and would probably buy them as gifts for special quilting friends as well. Just a thought.
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