T Shirt Quilt...What Would You Charge?
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NW IL
Posts: 493
Be-warn I have a friend who way under charges for her work. A few months back she was asked what she would charge to make a T-shirt quilt, she stated $50. to make one. This was not for a friend nor a relative. Well guess what happened? The lady took her up on it and told her she wants 12 done with 8 of them being done by Christmas, when she dropped off the T-shirts, yes 13 bags filled with T-shirts. I told her she better ask/tell the lady that she also needs to pay for the interfacing, batting and extra fabric. Which the lady did end up agreeing to pay for the extras, but so far my friend bought a bolt of interfacing right after the T-shirts drop off and was suppose to be paid back for the bolt that week and it took nearly 2 months as she just got the $ today (Firday) and now needs another bolt of interfacing if not more.
#22
I charge $15 per shirt for a bare bones quilt. For smaller ones I have a set price - 9 shirts is $150, 12 shirts is $200. After that it's $15/shirt -- 20 shirts is $300, 30 shirts is $450. I have 3 to make this summer and am not taking orders after that. It's the most requested thing I do, but I don't want to JUST do this!
Here's a top .... I'll use Quilter's Dream Poly for the batting since it only requires quilting to be every 12". The template I use is 14 X 18 so I generally just echo quilt around the graphics. I will take pieces I haven't used and applique' them into the blank spaces on blocks where the graphic is small. (The "CC" with an arrow in the second pic is appliqued on the block.
Again - this is as basic as you can get. This quilt with 12 shirts is 60 X 84. The vertical sashing and borders are wider than the horizontal ones to make up for the narrowness of the block (14 X 18). I've found that the larger graphics work best with this size. I also have a 15" square if there are no large graphics - and have even been known to make a row of squares alternating with a row of rectangles.
Here's a top .... I'll use Quilter's Dream Poly for the batting since it only requires quilting to be every 12". The template I use is 14 X 18 so I generally just echo quilt around the graphics. I will take pieces I haven't used and applique' them into the blank spaces on blocks where the graphic is small. (The "CC" with an arrow in the second pic is appliqued on the block.
Again - this is as basic as you can get. This quilt with 12 shirts is 60 X 84. The vertical sashing and borders are wider than the horizontal ones to make up for the narrowness of the block (14 X 18). I've found that the larger graphics work best with this size. I also have a 15" square if there are no large graphics - and have even been known to make a row of squares alternating with a row of rectangles.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 416
I have made several t-shirt quilts for other people. The most I have charged was $250 for approximately a twin size. Several people never contacted me again when they heard the price. I am don't use stabilizer or interfacing unless the t-shirt is very thin. I also might use stabilizer if the shirt is mesh (like a basketball jersey). I quilt each block differently. I use the 'Too Cool' layout method.The blocks are not all the same size. They are in increments of 4 inches. for example 4x4, 4x8, 4x12, 4x 16 - up to 16 x 16. The block size is determined by the size of the design/logo on the shirt. I do not use sashing strips. I do put a cotton border on the quilt top and cotton backing. Here is a link to a post showing one of my T-shirt quilts.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t171597.html - look for the entry by lakekids.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t171597.html - look for the entry by lakekids.
#25
I inform future client that first T-shirts quilts are great and wonderful memory keeper. Then, to avoid sticker shock I tell them $25 per shirt and it takes at least 8 shirts to make a good lap quilt. This is a great sales helper they do the math and in their head $25 is not bad, even though the total will still be $200 and up. Its easier pill to swallow than saying $200 and up. Good luck with your quilt and please post pictures when you are done :-)
#26
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 3
Hello, I just watched the demo from www.crookednickel.com. What a great concept! Although it looks like it can only be done with all the same sized blocks, I would do this! I'm wondering f there is a way to do use this same technique with all different size t shirt blocks.... have you ever heard or seen any? Thank you!
#27
Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 14
I have been asked to take some T Shirts of my DH'd friend and make a quilt from them. First would you tie the quilt or machine quilt it (stitch in the ditch?) and what would you charge to make it? I don't know yet what size/how many shirts she wants so any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!
I just finished a queen size tshirt quilt. Charged $22 sq foot. Total $1540.... lucky if I made $8.00/hr!
#28
I have charged $20 a block with the other person paying for all supplies. And learned very quickly that I cut the Tshirts not the client. The first one I did she cut all the Tshirts and that was a very big problem since there was no seam allowance.that one was a gift so there was no charge for that one. I felt comfortable at this price for all the work that goes into making one. with 20 blocks. so the entire quilt was $400 for myself.
#30
I had a quilt friend who charged $25 per block and that would cover the cost of stabilizer, all fabric for front, back & binding, batting and machine quilting and, of course, her time. She was really quick with them so she actually made some good money.
Will you be doing the machine quilting? Be sure you take that into consideration. Most of what I see on Etsy is actually a $100 . Would have to investigate further to see how much they really charge.
Good luck! They make great gifts!
Will you be doing the machine quilting? Be sure you take that into consideration. Most of what I see on Etsy is actually a $100 . Would have to investigate further to see how much they really charge.
Good luck! They make great gifts!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 04-12-2020 at 04:22 AM. Reason: shouting/all caps
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