Pricing our Quilt "Works"

[Sue R.]

Hi everyone -- I have just been asked for the thousandth time to sell one of my quilts, and again, I am at a loss for a consistent, sensible answer. I don't know how to price my work!

I'd like to sell some of my work, I've been turning over in my mind lately how to make some money quilting. But how to price: by the hour, materials, quilting (usually sent out to a long-armer), all of the above? Using a traditional pattern, so no copyright issues, just don't know how to price without overpricing, and be fair to myself.

I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Kathy B.

[Sue R.]

Kathy, could you find a quilt appraiser in your area to give you an appraisal of your quilt? This might help you know what you should/could charge. And she/he might be able to point out some strengths and weaknesses in your quilt. And you could use that as a jumping off point. And something to point to when they gasp as the price you ask!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Sue R.]

I think the quilt appraiser is a good idea but if you have to pay for that then you will feel you have to charge for that too. When someone ask me to make a quilt I usually tell them how much it cost for materials and they run the other way. So, I guess what I am saying is I don't know. Whatever the market will allow. If they want the quilt--they will pay what you want for it.

[Eileen K.]

When you sell a quilt, you have to factor in your labor, materials, and yes-how much you paid your longarmer. Don't underrate yourself in this.
eileenkny

[Diane O.]

You need to charge for everything it cost you to make a quilt. This includes, fabric, thread, batting, cost of the long armer, appraisal and most importantly, your time at a fair wage.

I like the idea of getting your quilts appraised before selling them. That way, when someone scoffs at your asking price, you have the appraisal to show them. Plus, if they do purchase it, they get the appraisal so they can show it to thier insurance company to add it to their insurance policy.

I beleive that a lot of people have no idea how much goes into planning and making a quilt. I am thinking about eventually selling some of my quilts, but I'm not at a point where I'm ready to do that yet, and I have only had one or two friends that have even mentioned wanting to buy one of my quilts. So I will be interested in what others have to say about this.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Susan B.]

Food for thought...

http://www.theoldcountrystore.com/quilts/

Check out the prices here. Many are long-arm quilted, some hand-quilted. I would love to know how many people work on each quilt. The quilts may not be unique though they are all beautiful. Table runners start at $60.

A quilt shop owner told me that many of the quilts sold in Lancaster PA are not 100 percent cotton, so the fabrics don't have to be ironed.





:shock: :shock: :shock:

[Susan B.]

Hi everyone -- Thanks for all your input!

Remember that blue & yellow trip around the world that I made for the folks who are renting our house? Well, the realtor is so crazy about it she wants me to make a similar quilt & pillow sham, twin size, for a holiday gift. That's who I need the pricing for.

I am thinking of asking $500-600, and the finished quilt will be about 65" x 85", and that will include having it longarm quilted. What do you all think? I would value your opinions as to whether I am overpricing, underpricing, or on track.

Kathy B.

[Jo H.]

Hi everyone -- Thanks for all your input!

Remember that blue & yellow trip around the world that I made for the folks who are renting our house? Well, the realtor is so crazy about it she wants me to make a similar quilt & pillow sham, twin size, for a holiday gift. That's who I need the pricing for.

I am thinking of asking $500-600, and the finished quilt will be about 65" x 85", and that will include having it longarm quilted. What do you all think? I would value your opinions as to whether I am overpricing, underpricing, or on track.

Kathy B.

Kathy,

Is the pricing you have above with her purchasing the fabric? If not, it seems low to me.

And related to this thread -- Hubby and I saw some beautiful Amish quilts yesterday and it really made me appreciate how wonderful their hand piecing/quilting is. And to show off a little, they used a dark navy thread for quilting on a solid white quilt. I stared in awe at it. The cost was $2600.

[Jo H.]

Nope, I would be purchasing the fabric, batting, backing, quilting . . . setting a price is hard! Kathy B.

[Damaris E.]

Kathy, awhile ago I did some research on this topic, and this is the formula I came up with:

Supplies:
Fabrics (not sale prices)
Batting
Needle
Threads
Transfer paper (or whatever else you need to embellish)

Take ALL of your supplies and multiply x 3 and that is "the price".

After all is said and done, your time might come out to minimum wages.

Good luck, and let us know!!

[Damaris E.]

This is the problem with anything 'we' make now a days. Out there is a market that has been swamped with imports that really cheapen what we do in real time. I have made things for years from quilts to jewellery to paintings commissioned and the response is always the same. They won't pay the proper value most of the time unless you can mass produce or corner a market.

The old saying goes 'the only rich artist is a dead artist' and it rings true whatever form of art you are in!!!

Biggest golden rule, Don't Sell Yourself Short!!!!!!

[Damaris E.]

One of my former supervisors saw my class sample that I used to demo Rita Hutchens Tubular Quilt Method. She enjoyed it soo much that she asked me to make her one. When I told her that style would start at a $300 range for a twin size she reconsidered, (BTW I was very happy she did, life was too complicated right then,) She figured for the King Size that she wanted it would estimate at around $600-$900, She quickly reconsidered her request.

[Damaris E.]

I quoted $900 for a double wedding ring queen size and I never heard from her again. Also glad, but If she had said sure okay, then the $$ would have been nice.

But for priceing, I do the materials X 3 then add a little if the pattern is complicated.
Cheryl

[Susan B.]

I wonder what a custom built car would cost?

Nonquilters don't have a clue on what goes into our works of art.

[Susan B.]

Well, I'm coming up with $600 for a twin Trip Around The World quilt and matching pillow sham (which basically amounts to a mini-quilt), both professionally longarm quilted. I'll let you know what happens! Kathy B.