loves_2_quilt

I knew it was a lot but not the true price. The gifts I have given are/were worth a LOT more than I was thinking.
D

mjsylvstr

just wanted to add into your chart.. needles, changing them often adds to the cost...and OMG, when that rotary blade gets dull.it's time to change that also.......

Those two will add to your total........you can retire after one quilt

that is, if you can find someone to pay you the going rate......

mshawii

This sure does give me some self worth. I don't quilt for a business but do it for friends and family as a gift. I do tell them the approximate value of each quilt I make and say. This is to let you know the value for insurance purposes. They are usually shacked till I tell them just the cost of fabric, and then I tell them how long it took me to make the quilt and the cost of sending it out to be quilted on a long arm. I can no longer hand quilt. By the time I am finished, they know how valuable a gift they are receiving. Jan

justflyingin

True, but I can't think of any "handcraft" that actually pays $20/hour for something actually detailed. Counted cross stitch takes hours and hours and people sell them on ebay or yard sales for a pittance.

Maybe painters/sketchers who do portraits at county fairs will clear $20/hour easily. But knitting/crocheting, tatting, lace making, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, quilting, etc. ?

pnptrapp

[quote=justflyinginTrue, but I can't think of any "handcraft" that actually pays $20/hour for something actually detailed. Counted cross stitch takes hours and hours and people sell them on ebay or yard sales for a pittance.
quote]

There are the woodworkers and hand carvers who get at least that much an hour, and for typical skilled labor in any area the bidding usually starts at 20 per hour.

I attended a home business seminar a few years ago and one of the points they brought home was how little people who are in the "home" businesses usually charge people for their labor. If we were going to hire someone to hand quilt a quilt for us we'd be willing to pay 20/hr for an heirloom quality piece.

writerwomen

That's one of the reasons I stopped sewing for others for profit. Course if we add up all the hours we put into refurbishing vintage sewing machines we'd be getting about that.

DebsShelties

Where is the backing material listed? I didn't see it in the list of here is the cost.

Jan in VA

I noticed these two comments here:

1. "... I could never charge that much for my time since I enjoy quilting,...."

2. "... I can't think of any "handcraft" that actually pays $20/hour for something actually detailed. Counted cross stitch takes hours and hours and people sell them on ebay or yard sales for a pittance. Maybe painters/sketchers who do portraits at county fairs will clear $20/hour easily. But knitting/crocheting, tatting, lace making, cross stitch, embroidery, sewing, quilting, etc.?"

To the first, I question...does that mean you can't/aren't/ shouldn't be paid equal wage for a job that you enjoy? I mean, my niece is a nurse, my DD is a 5th grade teacher and they both adore their jobs. Should they not be paid the same as someone who does not enjoy it? I'm sure this isn't what you really meant, but, as a group, as home quilters, as artists, we all too often undervalue what we do simply because we enjoy it, or are self-taught, or don't get to do it every day, or compare ourselves unfavorably with what we perceive as 'the competition", or whatever reason.

To the second question I note.....The quilters who are making a living at this art do not accept pittance pay for their valued labor/designs/creations. They get better pay because they expect better pay and appreciation. I really do believe we get what we expect.

If we keep doing what we've always done, we'll keep getting what we've always gotten.

I challenge each of those being asked to, or thinking of making, quilts for pay to add 10% more this year to any price they quote. And next year make it 15% more! If we did this all over the country, maybe, just maybe, we'd slowly begin to influence the public, and our families, and incresase our stash fund just a bit.:-D

Jan in VA.

okiepastor

I do not think you can do anything but a simple design in 12 hours! I know most of the Amish quilts take at lest 30-40 hours....and they are VERY experienced!

mountain deb

What about insurance on them?