she is still a friend but I feel taken advantage of.I had quilted about 6 quilts for free for her and it was the 1st time she offered to pay and didn't.
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I'm betting that it was the last time you will do anything for her, isn't it? No more free quilting either.

Unfortunately, non-quilters have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA when goes into a quilt from start to finish. As a fairly new quilter, I can't believe how much work goes into finding or creating a pattern, selecting fabric that will make the quilt pop, cutting . . . and cutting and cutting, pinning and piecing -- always being held hostage by the 1/4" seam, pressing . . . border(s) binding, perhaps appliques . . .

People are spoiled by the "ready-made" world: Go to the mall, find something, buy it, use it tonight! They have no clue. That's why you're hard-pressed to charge a reasonable price and actually get paid that.

It's sad.

Janet/Michigan

I agree, 1/2 upon ordering it, have a contract stating that and the other 1/2 upon completeion. Write out the $ amounts paid and the $ amount needed upon completion. Also, in that contract state that IF for any reason they change their mind and cancel the order - at least 1/2 of that 1rst 1/2 is NON refundable. And, if AFTER completion they change their mind - then deposit of the 1rst 1/2 is NON refundable ( you have already done ALL of that work!)
Most people will not back out after the large deposit has been made.

Definitely a hard lesson for you to learn, but the rest of us will benefit by learning from you. I've only made 2 quilts from scratch on commission. The first was a baby quilt for a friend's granddaughter and she basically only paid for the material, but I knew going into it that she really could not afford to pay what it was worth.

The second one is a Cal-King bedspread...we went together and she bought about $100 worth of the material, gave me $60 for thread and we agreed upon $600-700 for the completed quilt. Well, after extensive piecing and buying quite a bit more material, the top is pieced, not quilted yet. After I showed her a picture of the quilt, she gave me $500 cash and said that when I finished the quilt she would give me another $500...and told me if I had to buy more material for the backing I was to let her know because she didn't think it was fair for me to have to pay for it! THAT'S the kind of friend/customer we all need!!!

From now on, I will ask for 1/2 the price up front, with a contract detailing that the deposit is non-refundable and when payment in full needs to be made or the customer's interest in the quilt is terminated. I never thought to ask a customer whose quilt I am quilting to pay anything up front, but I do know that I won't give back a quilt without getting paid in full.

Very good discussion. The largest company I deal with is the slowest to pay. But I have always received my money. Another thought is that by law the customer has three days to change their mind. So I would wait those three business days before I bought thread or fabric. Another hard lesson.

The 3 day law is only good for door-to-door salesman. At least, here in TX. I know, because I researched this once for my daughter who purchased something and couldn't return it (not a quilt; returns are not required by law and there is no 'Buyers Remorse' law here). However, she was stuck with it, due to the non-existent 3-day Buyer's Remorse Law here in TX that she thought would cover her. I don't know about other states though.

I have friends who create beautiful quilts on commission, and they always ask for 1/2 non-refundable deposit, and have a contract terminating a clients interest should the quilt not be paid for within 15 days of completion. They also spell out they are free to donate, sell, give away, or keep the quilt if not paid for in full within the 15 days.

I wouldn't hesitate to get 1/2 deposit - I think $100 isn't enough, but 1/2 would at least cover the majority of your financial investment in the quilt - not the time, of course, but the fabrics, thread, etc.

Debbie in Austin

I ask 50% up front, that way at least my costs (fabric, batting, etc.) are covered.

Yes no more freebies.I have over the yrs given her tons of fabric,thread,etc. no more-when I have freebies I will post them on here

People seem to have no clue as to time, energy and cost of quilts! One thing that is never mentioned is the knowledge that we quilters spend time and money developing...taking classes, going to workshops, buying and reading books and magazines, etc. It takes years to become good at what we do!

A year or so ago a friend of a friend of a friend asked me to make a tee-shirt quilt. I found 3 websites online that make these quilts. I told the woman that she needed to look at these websites to get a clearer idea of exactly what she wanted, and that I would take $50 off the website price for her. Needless to say, I never heard from her again. I think she had "sticker shock" when she realized that these quilts run about $350. I suspect she thought I'd make it for free since she was supplying the shirts! I am always amazed at the number of "friends" who feel comfortable asking for your services for free. Do they ask their dentist or doctor or lawyer for free services????

I feel it's totally acceptable to ask for half up front and a quarter of the balance before quilting. This way you're not on the hook for the batting, backing and quilting. If they fail to make the last payment at least you know it will be a finish and sell quilt. There will be no more waiting until it's ready to be stiffed. If you were hiring any house repairs they ask for progress payments to protect themselves. Cover the cost of materials and quilting costs that way it's your labor that you're out.