JulieR

Years ago, my hairstylist and I had a conversation about pricing. His salon was still charging top dollar while others were going the way of MasterCuts. He said, and this has really stuck with me, that the experience in his salon is a luxury. Not everyone can afford it, and not everyone who can afford it wants to pay for it. But for those who want that luxury experience, they will.

It's the same with art, including quilts. I can buy a cheap quilt at WalMart to help keep me warm, and if that's what's in my budget that's exactly what I'm going to do. Or, I can save up my money for the luxury of buying a handmade item of superior quality, and perhaps beauty.

It's needs v. wants, and you're selling your goods at fair value to the "wants". There's nothing in the world wrong with that!

Sunnye

Amen, Tartan!
I just "sold" one of my baby quilts to a friend yesterday. Without discussing the price in advance, she had a check already made out for $30. Well, it is a baby quilt so not TONS of fabric but it was minky which we all know is expensive. Not to mention the work and other materials that went into it.
Of course, she is a friend that likes my quilts. Another friend won't give a gift unless it's high-end but on sale. NEVER a handmade quilt. She buys quilts from stores right in front of me.

CookyIN

I stumbled across this the other day and bookmarked it. Once you read through it, there's a link to a Part 2, plus comments on both pages. It certainly provides a lot of food for thought.

http://huntersdesignstudio.com/2012/...hats-it-worth/

Skratchie

This topic has been discussed a LOT on this board. My opinion remains the same - if one is looking to make quilts to sell, then one should buy fabric at wholesale, not retail. No one can afford to make a profit off retail prices.

Jan in VA

I love posting this article I found years ago (and update occasionally) when this question is asked on the Board.

Jan in VA

What It Really Costs To Make a Quilt

QUEEN SIZED, MACHINE PIECED, HAND QUILTED

MATERIALS:
Fabric 12-16 yards @ $9per yd. $108 - $144
Batting $25 - $40
Thread $8 - $16

Total $ invested 141 - $200


LABOR HOURS:
Piecing 20 to 60 hours
“Setting” (designing your quilt) 10 to 20 hours
Quilting 100 to 750 hours

Total hours invested 130 to 810 hours


TOTAL COST
Paying $1 per hour (Would you do this type of work for $1 an hour?!)

Materials $141 - $200
Labor $130 - $810
Total $271 - $1070


Paying minimum wage $7.25 (by law in 6/2009)

Materials $141 - $200
Labor (130-810hrs) $942.50 - $5872.25
Total $1083.50 - $6072.25


Paying skilled labor wage $20 per hour (Don't you consider yourself trained and skilled in this craft?)

Materials $141 - $200
Labor (130-810hrs) $2600 - $16,200
Total $2741 - $16,400


(Found on the Internet 1995; unknown author)

GrannieAnnie

The problem I see with a site like that, you have NO WAY of seeing what the quality is. Some are probably worth $50, some $500 and some $5,000

hsquiltingmom

Thanks to all for the wonderful comments. After sharing with my daughter, we have decided that I just worry too much, and that my quilts are high quality, and I should keep them at the pricing I have them at. So now, I have another question. Someone mentioned being able to buy wholesale. How do I go about doing that? I know I need to probably get a business license, but how do I find the places that sell wholesale to me?

ptquilts

the nice thing about selling quilts is, you only need ONE buyer for each quilt, who is willing to pay the price. Not like you are creating a line of jewelry or pottery and wondering what would be a good price. Don't lower your prices unless you just want to get rid of the quilt.

I have sold many quilts over the years, sometimes the buyers surprise you - like, MEN have bought several of my quilts. Also sometimes someone looks like they don't have 2 nickels to rub together, they will buy a quilt without haggling.

JulieR

Good questions, I 'd like to hear about this, too!

quiltmom04

I would imagone some quilters think their time does not have a monetary value, and it they were given fabric, that's "free", so they charge very little, and only work for the fun it gives them. Others quilters want (understandably!) to make a profit and perhaps a living from quilting, and should be paid for the talent and skills they have as well the expense of materials. I don't think we will ever resolve these two sides of quilting ( or even crafting of anything!)