Your opinions needed on pricing

[Joyce D.]

I would like to know your opinions on pricing for making quilts.

I agreed to make a t-shirt quilt for someone. I said that I would make it for $80 plus reimbursement for materials (that I would purchase). I knew that $80 wasn't nearly enough for the style and size the customer wanted, but it is my first t-shirt quilt and my first commission quilt and I am not confident that I will do a great job on it.

My dilemma is ethical in nature. I have made purchases using coupons to save money. Should I pass that savings on to the customer? Or should I ask the regular price for reimbursement?

If I didn't have the coupons or find the good sales that I found, I would have been paying full prices for these materials.

Is this even a good way to price commission quilts?

I want to figure out the best way so I have a standard to go by if I am asked to make quilts in the future. I'm not going to advertise, but word-of-mouth advertising can spread far and wide.

Thanks for your input!

[Annette R.]

I have not done any commissioned quilts but have done commissioned needlework and other art work. I have always used the replacement price for any materials I use in the project as the cost of the supplies. So even if I was able to get an item on sale now but to replace that item in my working supplies, I would have to pay full price, I charge the full price. Coupons and sales are transient things and if you need that same material for the next project or if you use something from your stash, I do not believe it is unethical to charge the price you would have to pay to replace it. As far as pricing for your time and effort, you need to decide what you think your time and skill are worth and then what the "market will bear" and come up with a price that values your skills but will still sell. (If selling is your goal) I learned long ago that selling my needle work or other art turns my hobby into a job. So I need to decided if I can earn enough to make the "job" worthwhile. Hope this helps. Ann

[Paula D.]

There is a very interesting group, I think on Yahoo, called Machine Quilting Professionals. You should check them out.

[Eileen K.]

Joyce,
If you go to my website, http://www.designingquilts.com on the custom quilting page I have my price list for making t-shirt quilts. All the customer provides are the shirts; I do every thing else.

I did a lot of research before I decided on my pricing. Google t-shirt quilts and you'll find loads of information.

Machine Quilting Professionals is mainly for longarm quilters, not commission quilters.

eileenkny

[Hannelore N.]

A simple pricing formula: Hours spent making the quilt x national minimum wage + any expenses (like materials, phone calls, postage, etc.) = most likely a price that your customer would not be willing to pay.

Also remember: Your 1st customer will no doubt be delighted with the quilt and so tell others. They may come to you and expect the same price.

Good luck with that quilt!

I decided a long time ago that it works best for me to have a demanding full-time job that pays all my basic bills, so quilting can remain a relaxing hobby. A lot of what I make is given away. Suits me, and no pressure.

Lorchen

[Keith D.]

I laughed out loud, Lorchen - your first line caught me off-guard. =)

And you're spot on in each of your other comments too. There's a lot to think about if I want to start another business when I retire - more than pricing and profit.