For those of you that sell...
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,688
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've sold quite a few now. Doll quilts are $22-40, baby quilts are $100-125, lap quilts are $175-300, and one 82" square one for $900. That one has very narrow strips. I have lots more for sale. I pay to have lap and larger quilted. Everything is done on machine. I ask my quilter what I should sell things for-she steers me in the right direction. I'd have no clue. She feels workmanship has a lot to do with it, and how complicated the pattern is, and how small the pieces.
99% of the time say NO if someone asks if I'll make them a quilt of their choosing for money. Only once did it happen. A student's mom said she'd never survive leaving 5th grade without a quilt from me :roll: and she was willing to pay. I had no idea what to charge, but decided $15 an hour, and said I'd only do a ragged flannel; and it wouldn't go over $300 so she had a top amount. She spent $100 on the fabric. It was a pain to keep track of the time, but it ended up being $260 or so. She gave me $300. I'd just rather have my time to work on what I choose. My time to quilt is so limited right now.
Hope that helps a little!
99% of the time say NO if someone asks if I'll make them a quilt of their choosing for money. Only once did it happen. A student's mom said she'd never survive leaving 5th grade without a quilt from me :roll: and she was willing to pay. I had no idea what to charge, but decided $15 an hour, and said I'd only do a ragged flannel; and it wouldn't go over $300 so she had a top amount. She spent $100 on the fabric. It was a pain to keep track of the time, but it ended up being $260 or so. She gave me $300. I'd just rather have my time to work on what I choose. My time to quilt is so limited right now.
Hope that helps a little!
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: fullerton ca
Posts: 580
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
i sold one for 200.00 but thats what i had in it. it was a patchwork of michael miller's fairy frost. it was nice, then i sold two to a lady at the golf course for baby shower's gifts now she ask me to make them and i gave her a choice of some i had on hand i charged her 50.00 each. i put my quilts in the general store in town, but there is no way you can provide an income unless you can put them out quickly like a day on two and have them displayed where there is a lot of traffic
us quilters love to quilt and that reward is that someone likes what we do
thats our payment money is extra
mema
us quilters love to quilt and that reward is that someone likes what we do
thats our payment money is extra
mema
#23
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You have a lot of good point here.
I kind of price guide for my quilts you mentioned and it does help when you can tell someone they can pick out two or three design for a certain price. When I had a shop that is basically how priced my quilts.
I knew a couple who made and sold quilts a craft fairs. They liked the type of quilts I made and bought quilt tops from me and finished them. The man would want to buy one and the woman would start figuring our how much they would have to sell them for at the craft fair. She didn't think any machine quilted quilt would sell over the price of $248.00. I saw some of my quilt tops that they bought from me selling in a store in Branson, MO for over $500.00. i decided, why not finish them myself and get $500.00.
I was looking on Etsy last night and couldn't believe some of the prices they want for some very small quilts. Don't if they are selling or not. Highest priced one is $12,000.00!
Regarding complexity, I'm thinking you could always have a price guide with some photos of "simple" and "complex" quilts to give people an idea of base prices, and charge extra if you make a design specifically for someone.
I'd imagine that it will be good if you can end up offering each customer a fixed price for their quilt once you've agred the details of what you will make. After a bit of practice and timekeeping, you'll have a pretty good idea of how long your work will take (and get a feel for your customers and how much they are willing and able to pay...), so you'll be able to do fixed prices.
I've never sold quilts (yet... :) ), but have been self-employed for years. I've found that clients respond much more favorably to fixed prices than per-hour fees and estimates. So do I when I'm ordering something! I like it. I know beforehand how much I'll have to pay, it feels reliable and solid.
I kind of price guide for my quilts you mentioned and it does help when you can tell someone they can pick out two or three design for a certain price. When I had a shop that is basically how priced my quilts.
I knew a couple who made and sold quilts a craft fairs. They liked the type of quilts I made and bought quilt tops from me and finished them. The man would want to buy one and the woman would start figuring our how much they would have to sell them for at the craft fair. She didn't think any machine quilted quilt would sell over the price of $248.00. I saw some of my quilt tops that they bought from me selling in a store in Branson, MO for over $500.00. i decided, why not finish them myself and get $500.00.
I was looking on Etsy last night and couldn't believe some of the prices they want for some very small quilts. Don't if they are selling or not. Highest priced one is $12,000.00!
Originally Posted by salmonsweet
Regarding complexity, I'm thinking you could always have a price guide with some photos of "simple" and "complex" quilts to give people an idea of base prices, and charge extra if you make a design specifically for someone.
I'd imagine that it will be good if you can end up offering each customer a fixed price for their quilt once you've agred the details of what you will make. After a bit of practice and timekeeping, you'll have a pretty good idea of how long your work will take (and get a feel for your customers and how much they are willing and able to pay...), so you'll be able to do fixed prices.
I've never sold quilts (yet... :) ), but have been self-employed for years. I've found that clients respond much more favorably to fixed prices than per-hour fees and estimates. So do I when I'm ordering something! I like it. I know beforehand how much I'll have to pay, it feels reliable and solid.
#24
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Very interesting thread, not that I am thinking of selling, I am a beginner, but I would be interested in what my own quilts would be worth, money wise. I agree workmanship must come into it and also perhaps original designs over the more commonly seen designs. Some quilts are master pieces both design and workmanship. Hand quilting would obviously take longer so should by rights be dearer but I have also seen some pretty hairy hand quilting! Custom made would be dearer for sure.
Myself, I would hate to work to order, I do not think I could keep focused on a project I had not created myself or had my personal imput. I respect other quilters may feel differently about that.
I paint and sell my work but never take on commissions because I always lose interest the moment they say,'What I want is'....)I like to be completely original and if a buyer likes my work enough to part with their money for it then that's a bonus!! I imagine quilt creations to be much the same.
Gal
Myself, I would hate to work to order, I do not think I could keep focused on a project I had not created myself or had my personal imput. I respect other quilters may feel differently about that.
I paint and sell my work but never take on commissions because I always lose interest the moment they say,'What I want is'....)I like to be completely original and if a buyer likes my work enough to part with their money for it then that's a bonus!! I imagine quilt creations to be much the same.
Gal
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NW Wa
Posts: 1,549
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I charge 3 x's the materials. Fabric, backing , batting and threads to piece and the quilting. Plus gas, shopping time and washing and ironing the fabrics. And + minm $10 per hour. Then it also depends on the piecing.
Some tops can be made in a day or two but the quilting may take 3 or 4 days. So just depends. And I never start till half is paid.
ConnieF
Some tops can be made in a day or two but the quilting may take 3 or 4 days. So just depends. And I never start till half is paid.
ConnieF
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NW Wa
Posts: 1,549
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Gal , you are so right , I'd much prefer to make something and have them buy because they like what I did. I used to sew 24/7 and did wedding dresses for a few years.... brides have to be the worst to sew for, and the ones who know the least are the worst... anyways,,,, we'd like to see a few pictures of you art sometime here too.
I do one of a kind jackets and vests and wall hangings. Love to do the whole cloth stain glass look...
My rooster is for sale as just the top or more if I finish it.
I do one of a kind jackets and vests and wall hangings. Love to do the whole cloth stain glass look...
My rooster is for sale as just the top or more if I finish it.
my stain glass rooster
[ATTACH=CONFIG]60181[/ATTACH]
#27
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi Connie, love your rooster, (my Mum would to!) yes I agree I used to do weddings as well, you are so right, the ones who know the least about fabrics and textiles are the ones who expected impossible things from satins and lace, not having a clue what the fabric is actually capable of doing! I promise I shall put up some of my paintings for you when I get organised!
Gal
PS. Just another thought on the pricing of quilts, reputation and experience of the quilter would also be a contributing factor I should think as to what could be reasonably asked for.
Gal
PS. Just another thought on the pricing of quilts, reputation and experience of the quilter would also be a contributing factor I should think as to what could be reasonably asked for.
#28
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm curious Sometimes we make a quilt "just because". At the time of making it, we have no particular purpose, I'm just curious as to what you guys put on the labels of those quilts. I know we put special labels or whatever on ones we're making for a particular person, but what do you put on the ones with no home yet? or ones you're going to sell and don't know who or where they're going? I'm just curious.
#29
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by ConnieF
I do one of a kind jackets and vests and wall hangings. Love to do the whole cloth stain glass look...
My rooster is for sale as just the top or more if I finish it.
My rooster is for sale as just the top or more if I finish it.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,688
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Happy Tails--I have to admit--I've never put a label on a quilt--to family or sold or keepers. I'm not sure why. I wrote a book--and going to book signings was always a little weird for me too. I just can't do it--I have 0% interest in the label part. I'd be willing to stick my initials on a back corner with a perm fabric marker, but that's as far as I want to go. shrug.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blzzrdqueen
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
7
06-27-2011 01:35 PM