For family, I would do everything I could to not be paid. It just doesn't seem right. However, if she insisted, I would throw out some low-ball figure like $50. I'd be afraid of causing offense if I asked for double the cost of it--I always spend waaaay to much on quilting supplies!

If you don't give it, friends and family can AT LEAST pay for supplies and LA expense.

Hello,

Can't help on the selling price to non-family, but for your family member what about asking for a donation to a chosen charity instead of payment to you?

You would need to make it clear that this is a family-rate situation only (i.e. hugely discounted) if you do ever go down the sale-to-strangers route.

Panchita

I would probably do the same thing...but this is a special family price...to anyone else it will be cost of materials +++++

When you start doing it for money it doesn't become fun anymore

Just say no...thanks for the compliment....Most people will not pay the cost it takes to make a quilt and expect for 1/2 nothing. Unless you really love quilting and are not interested in making money then take it on and have fun ..Or give them your honest figure and I bet they don't bit....But make sure they know the cost before you start buying fabrics...You might want to get a deposit if they are serious of 1/2 the cost of the fabric. This way if they back out you have something on the cost.

I paid $150 for all materials to make a quilt for my aunt. She paid me for the materials and then asked what I wanted on top of that. I told her to just buy me an icecream cone. She later gave me another $150 for all my hard work. I turned around and went right to the LQS and bought a lovely kit for $152 to make for myself! That's payment enough for me!

That's the truth!!!

If someone asks me about what a quilt is worth I tell them, "if I were to make this quilt for money, I would have to charge... $$$$(fill in the blank). That usually stops any thoughts of payment. By the time you add up the cost of the fabric and count the hours you worked on it, the cost is up there. Use minimum wage times your time..... WOW!

I used to make quilts to sell and it was still fun. Just figure how much time it takes you to make the quilt. For instance, how long does it take to make a block TIMES how many blocks are in the quilt. Don't forget your time to get the fabric, washing, pressing, cutting, etc. Add 20% for all those things you forgot.
Now, how much do you want to make per hour? Are you happy making $1 an hour, I know I am not. However, I don't need to make as much as someone going out to a job, as I don't have the expenses of commuting, work clothes, etc.

I would never do it for twice the materials costs. I tend to buy things on sale. When you get a job done by a plumber, carpenter, or auto mechanic, you are paying twice what they paid for materials and THEN they add in their labor costs.


PS - if they don't want to pay the price you come up with, smile sweetly and say, "Try Kmart, I'm sure you'll find something you like there..."

PPS (not really, that's kind of snarky. But you can think it.)

Agree will all of the above - don't lose the joy for the money. Be so proud of the compliment and enjoy doing it for yourself. good luck either way.