True cost of making a quilt, part 2
05-30-2011, 02:02 PM
#111
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: washington
Posts: 1,424
To me it is more important to see the smile on the face of the person getting what I make than how much it cost. I watch for estate sales,coupons (just got some wide kona muslin for daughters quilt at 40% off) and regular sales. Our JoAnns is having a grand opening sale next weekend. guess where I am going. LOL
05-30-2011, 02:27 PM
#112
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: N. California
Posts: 323
Originally Posted by laynak
I make quilts for customers & 'labor' is absorbed within the total price I charge (what people consider 'reasonable' averages about $3.50 ph, they'd simply not afford 'minimum wage' pricing).
A quick 'real value' estimate is to charge about 50 cents per square inch, which seems very expensive. Local LAQ's now charge 30-40 cents a sq. inch. That leaves a quilter to add another 20-30 cents square inch for the design/piecing/ materials & labor will receive $8 ph for their labor in the total cost.
A wall hanging that's 40x56 generates $425 at $8 ph and $270 at $3.50 ph.
Quilting really is expensive! And, profit is near impossible. The rules of supply/demand prevail.
Just like other artists...only a few make it to earning a living doing what is loved.
A quick 'real value' estimate is to charge about 50 cents per square inch, which seems very expensive. Local LAQ's now charge 30-40 cents a sq. inch. That leaves a quilter to add another 20-30 cents square inch for the design/piecing/ materials & labor will receive $8 ph for their labor in the total cost.
A wall hanging that's 40x56 generates $425 at $8 ph and $270 at $3.50 ph.
Quilting really is expensive! And, profit is near impossible. The rules of supply/demand prevail.
Just like other artists...only a few make it to earning a living doing what is loved.
05-30-2011, 02:37 PM
#113
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
Originally Posted by laynak
I make quilts for customers & 'labor' is absorbed within the total price I charge (what people consider 'reasonable' averages about $3.50 ph, they'd simply not afford 'minimum wage' pricing).
A quick 'real value' estimate is to charge about $5-6 per square inch, which seems very expensive. Local LAQ's now charge $3-4 a sq. inch. That leaves a quilter to add another $2-3 square inch for the design/piecing/ materials & labor will receive $8 ph for their labor in the total cost.
A wall hanging that's 40x56 generates $425 at $8 ph and $270 at $3.50 ph.
Quilting really is expensive! And, profit is near impossible. The rules of supply/demand prevail.
Just like other artists...only a few make it to earning a living doing what is loved.
A quick 'real value' estimate is to charge about $5-6 per square inch, which seems very expensive. Local LAQ's now charge $3-4 a sq. inch. That leaves a quilter to add another $2-3 square inch for the design/piecing/ materials & labor will receive $8 ph for their labor in the total cost.
A wall hanging that's 40x56 generates $425 at $8 ph and $270 at $3.50 ph.
Quilting really is expensive! And, profit is near impossible. The rules of supply/demand prevail.
Just like other artists...only a few make it to earning a living doing what is loved.
05-30-2011, 03:40 PM
#116
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Posts: 23
I don't want to measure the cost, because we all know that we are working for less than "minimum wage" (whatever that is nowadays)...
The way I look at it is that we are creating heirlooms, whether for our family, for our community, or for fellow quilt-lovers, artisans, the quilting heritage. Just think of all the great quilts you have seen, at museums, online, at quilt shows, etc...
I bet that when some of these pioneer women were sewing by hand, in cabins, covered wagons, etc. that none of them thought that they were creating history and adding to the cultural legacy of our great country. We are doing it for the future.... and that is why we keep sewing one more stitch, even after midnight!
The way I look at it is that we are creating heirlooms, whether for our family, for our community, or for fellow quilt-lovers, artisans, the quilting heritage. Just think of all the great quilts you have seen, at museums, online, at quilt shows, etc...
I bet that when some of these pioneer women were sewing by hand, in cabins, covered wagons, etc. that none of them thought that they were creating history and adding to the cultural legacy of our great country. We are doing it for the future.... and that is why we keep sewing one more stitch, even after midnight!
05-30-2011, 03:59 PM
#117
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 116
I will give up alot of things before I give up my quilting.
I use both fabric from my stash and from my LQS.
It just depends on what my project is and what it will be used for.
Right now it looks like fabric from your LQS is running between $11.00 and $12.00 a yard.
I use both fabric from my stash and from my LQS.
It just depends on what my project is and what it will be used for.
Right now it looks like fabric from your LQS is running between $11.00 and $12.00 a yard.
05-30-2011, 04:12 PM
#119
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Galloway,Ohio
Posts: 616
I did a raffle quilt for a fellow worker who had terminal cancer. It had OSU appliqué and was a full size. I had 325 in it when work paid for the backing. It was raffled and we got 3,500 for her funeral cost. The appliqués where 15 dollars each .
05-30-2011, 04:14 PM
#120
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
Originally Posted by Loretta in Indiana
I don't want to measure the cost, because we all know that we are working for less than "minimum wage" (whatever that is nowadays)...
The way I look at it is that we are creating heirlooms, whether for our family, for our community, or for fellow quilt-lovers, artisans, the quilting heritage. Just think of all the great quilts you have seen, at museums, online, at quilt shows, etc...
I bet that when some of these pioneer women were sewing by hand, in cabins, covered wagons, etc. that none of them thought that they were creating history and adding to the cultural legacy of our great country. We are doing it for the future.... and that is why we keep sewing one more stitch, even after midnight!
The way I look at it is that we are creating heirlooms, whether for our family, for our community, or for fellow quilt-lovers, artisans, the quilting heritage. Just think of all the great quilts you have seen, at museums, online, at quilt shows, etc...
I bet that when some of these pioneer women were sewing by hand, in cabins, covered wagons, etc. that none of them thought that they were creating history and adding to the cultural legacy of our great country. We are doing it for the future.... and that is why we keep sewing one more stitch, even after midnight!
I saw fleece throws that look like quilts at Sears the other day for $8.95!
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