QUILTING FOR OTHERS ADVICE
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 887
Hope the amazing ladies here have some suggestions.
Normally I machine quilt for just myself and a friend. I do hers in exchange for her doing the handwork on my binding. Once in a while another friend will finish one and I'll quilt it for her. I have always done my FMQ table top with my juki.
So, 2 months ago I purchased a grace start right/juki frame combo. It's my first frame and I've already quilted 5 tops on it. I mostly do meandering (large, small, medium depending on quilt design), hearts or leaves with loops, small curls and on the borders what I call waves. Nothing fancy. With my frame I did buy the Grace Pattern Perfect but haven't used yet as i like doing it freehand. I'm just starting to practice some flowers but I love meandering.
With all that said, here's my situation. The ladies in my weekly group send their quilt tops to Kentucky for $25-40 per top. The LAQ advised them last month she is retiring so they asked me about quilting for them. I looked and her patterns she's done look pretty much the all over standard pantographs I see for sale for most FMQ. My question is how can I figure what to charge them. They're telling me crib size should be about $15 and lap or throw size no more than $30. Apparently the LA was only charging $40 to do a queen size. Maybe I'm slow but it takes me half hour just to pin a queen on the frame. I finished a carpenter star 70 x 70and did it in 2 colors thread with small curls all over the top. It took me several hours.
Is there a way to decide what would be fair? I think about squaring the backing, pressing the backing and top, pinning it all the the frame and then charging $15-20 and I'm thinking it's not worth the trouble. Any ideas? I attached a couple I've quilted but not sure you can see the actual stitching. I haven't learned all the fancy feathers and not sure I want to but I think I do a nice job.
Normally I machine quilt for just myself and a friend. I do hers in exchange for her doing the handwork on my binding. Once in a while another friend will finish one and I'll quilt it for her. I have always done my FMQ table top with my juki.
So, 2 months ago I purchased a grace start right/juki frame combo. It's my first frame and I've already quilted 5 tops on it. I mostly do meandering (large, small, medium depending on quilt design), hearts or leaves with loops, small curls and on the borders what I call waves. Nothing fancy. With my frame I did buy the Grace Pattern Perfect but haven't used yet as i like doing it freehand. I'm just starting to practice some flowers but I love meandering.
With all that said, here's my situation. The ladies in my weekly group send their quilt tops to Kentucky for $25-40 per top. The LAQ advised them last month she is retiring so they asked me about quilting for them. I looked and her patterns she's done look pretty much the all over standard pantographs I see for sale for most FMQ. My question is how can I figure what to charge them. They're telling me crib size should be about $15 and lap or throw size no more than $30. Apparently the LA was only charging $40 to do a queen size. Maybe I'm slow but it takes me half hour just to pin a queen on the frame. I finished a carpenter star 70 x 70and did it in 2 colors thread with small curls all over the top. It took me several hours.
Is there a way to decide what would be fair? I think about squaring the backing, pressing the backing and top, pinning it all the the frame and then charging $15-20 and I'm thinking it's not worth the trouble. Any ideas? I attached a couple I've quilted but not sure you can see the actual stitching. I haven't learned all the fancy feathers and not sure I want to but I think I do a nice job.
#3
Although the prices they have been paying are very reasonable, they are not very realistic. It sounds like the quilter was not trying to make any money on her quilting.
I have been quoted from several places $40-$50 for a large, all over meander on quilts approx 50 X 72" and then shipping on top of that. It may have been more, I am not sure, as these are all charity quilts and they may have been giving me a better deal. :D:D:D
I have been quoted from several places $40-$50 for a large, all over meander on quilts approx 50 X 72" and then shipping on top of that. It may have been more, I am not sure, as these are all charity quilts and they may have been giving me a better deal. :D:D:D
#4
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ephrata, WA
Posts: 8,802
OK ....I try to stay out of these types of topics because everyone has a different opinion and since I have started LAQ I have had to adjust my prices several times. It is the nature of the business and trial and error...chalk it up to experience.
:wink:
I know why that other quilter retired! I don't know her or anything about her. But she was worn ragged and clearly under valued herself. :thumbdown: They were paying more in postage sending stuff back and fourth...hardly seems worth the time.
You are right! It isn't worth it. I would look at fair market value...check out other local quilters. See who offers the same type of services you do and keep it within the same range. You know after a few quilts you will realize what is worth your time ...I really feel bad for that other quilter..honestly!
:wink:
I know why that other quilter retired! I don't know her or anything about her. But she was worn ragged and clearly under valued herself. :thumbdown: They were paying more in postage sending stuff back and fourth...hardly seems worth the time.
You are right! It isn't worth it. I would look at fair market value...check out other local quilters. See who offers the same type of services you do and keep it within the same range. You know after a few quilts you will realize what is worth your time ...I really feel bad for that other quilter..honestly!
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Camarillo, California
Posts: 35,242
Your quilts and quilting are beautiful.
Around here that wouldn't even pay your thread costs!!!!
I don't send out any quilts because I don't want to spend over $200 for a double to queen size quilt.
I would not think it would be worth your time for even double that price!
Around here that wouldn't even pay your thread costs!!!!
I don't send out any quilts because I don't want to spend over $200 for a double to queen size quilt.
I would not think it would be worth your time for even double that price!
#6
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 887
Originally Posted by amma
Although the prices they have been paying are very reasonable, they are not very realistic. It sounds like the quilter was not trying to make any money on her quilting.
I have been quoted from several places $40-$50 for a large, all over meander on quilts approx 50 X 72" and then shipping on top of that. It may have been more, I am not sure, as these are all charity quilts and they may have been giving me a better deal. :D:D:D
I have been quoted from several places $40-$50 for a large, all over meander on quilts approx 50 X 72" and then shipping on top of that. It may have been more, I am not sure, as these are all charity quilts and they may have been giving me a better deal. :D:D:D
#7
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 887
Originally Posted by charismah
OK ....I try to stay out of these types of topics because everyone has a different opinion and since I have started LAQ I have had to adjust my prices several times. It is the nature of the business and trial and error...chalk it up to experience.
:wink:
I know why that other quilter retired! I don't know her or anything about her. But she was worn ragged and clearly under valued herself. :thumbdown: They were paying more in postage sending stuff back and fourth...hardly seems worth the time.
You are right! It isn't worth it. I would look at fair market value...check out other local quilters. See who offers the same type of services you do and keep it within the same range. You know after a few quilts you will realize what is worth your time ...I really feel bad for that other quilter..honestly!
:wink:
I know why that other quilter retired! I don't know her or anything about her. But she was worn ragged and clearly under valued herself. :thumbdown: They were paying more in postage sending stuff back and fourth...hardly seems worth the time.
You are right! It isn't worth it. I would look at fair market value...check out other local quilters. See who offers the same type of services you do and keep it within the same range. You know after a few quilts you will realize what is worth your time ...I really feel bad for that other quilter..honestly!
#8
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 887
Originally Posted by Jim's Gem
Your quilts and quilting are beautiful.
Around here that wouldn't even pay your thread costs!!!!
I don't send out any quilts because I don't want to spend over $200 for a double to queen size quilt.
I would not think it would be worth your time for even double that price!
Around here that wouldn't even pay your thread costs!!!!
I don't send out any quilts because I don't want to spend over $200 for a double to queen size quilt.
I would not think it would be worth your time for even double that price!
#10
That is the wonderful thing about choices. I would put your price list out there and they can pay or go elsewhere. I wouldn't devalue your time and efforts just so you won't hurt feelings. What about yours? How long would you be doing this for "nothing much" before you begin to resent the entire process.
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