Quilt in a Day Forums

Hi Ladies,

I need some help. I got ask today that I could make a quilt from someones Baby cloth. She would give me all the Material. How much would you charge to make a quilt? Should I get paid by the hour and if so how much would I have to ask? Its the first time for me so I really need your opinion. Thank you

hugs to all
gabriele

Gabriele,

I have ask $35.00 for a baby quilt. Or you can ask $10.00 an hour. I can make a baby quilt in 8 hours. What is your time worth?? Say high then came down but so low that your giving it way.
Juat my thoughts.

Katherine

Thanks Katherine, I don't know which size the Lady wants yet. We were thinking about 10 $ a hour but then I got nervous. I will post more info when I have talked to her.

Gabriele

if you go with the "by the hour" rate I would suggest you let the lady know how fast it can add up...

I would also keep a time sheet showing what hours you worked and what you did.. for instance.. 8am to 10 am cut fabric two hours $20... and so on.. kind of like an itemized invoice..

people who don't do this are amazed at the time involved.. it can add up quickly and are stunned when their bill is $200...

Here, we usually double the cost of the supplies, but in this case, the supplies are being provided. By "baby cloth" do you mean baby-themed fabric or baby clothes? If clothes, will you have to spend time taking the baby clothes apart and washing/pressing them? Is your pattern going to be a simple one or more complex? When we are QUILTING (as opposed to piecing) for clients, we charge 2 cents/square inch unless the pattern they choose is busy (takes more time & thread) or requires special attention. Then we charge 3 cents/square inch. Not sure if this helps you much, but it is another method to figure a price.

Gabriel I have had people ask me to quilt but never would because I figured they would not want to pay what it is worth.I would feel her out I think first before I proceed with the work.Hope it works out for you. Becca

I've made many quilts for people with clothes of their loved ones ( usually deceased ) and would never be able to charge what it cost in time and product. So I do it from the heart and only charge the price of the added materials and a little bit more ( maybe $50 to $100 dollars ). I don't know if that helps you at all, but I don't think most of us will ever be able to get the amount we truly deserve for a quilt.
Good luck! Joan

Only twice have I charged for making a quilt. Once for my boss, and another friend at work. asked the price of the fabric +$50 for labor. I usually won't do it because it is time consuming (and I don't have enough of that to get my own done) and I don't want any hard feelings when it comes to friends. Most don't realize that if they bought these retail price they would be paying a lot more.

I don't use the hourly method. My labour costs are obsolete. What I do is charge a flat fee. Example the ingredients covered then set a ie $20.00 fee for panel quilt very loose stitching.

If you've done more work, say machine quilted charge $100.00-$150.00 if they show interest but find too much you can always go down..

Another place I found orders, is show homes, up for sale, contacted the housing company if they wanted to display as wall plaque or bedspread to promote the sale.. If they agree, keep quiet as we know others will follow your lead... Then, show/tell to a friend at coffee place and have her go OH1 WOW! little loud to get public attention that worked for me.. Have business cards ready, or create something yourself on sheet paper and photocopy which is less if anyone asks for info to reach you.. Those worked for me..

I just made a memory quilt that was only 38x38 and it took me over 50 hours to make it, most of my time was cutting up clothes.....way harder then cutting fabric. I wasn't going to charge anything but she insisted on paying me $100. Hope this helps.
Tina