How much do YOU charge?
I was reading an article on selling your quilts and although that is something that I’ve done before, I find that letting go of something made is a lot easier said than done. What do I charge for something that I’ve spent time and effort on? I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and there are hundreds of sites out there that go over the topic. The best I’ve been able to glean is to charge .05 an inch. I did the math and on the surface that sounds reasonable if you are quilting it down yourself. If another person is involved quilting it however, most of the money you make will go to the quilter and the fabric shop.
After thinking about this for quite some time, I’m not sure that I will sell any of the quilts I make at least not at .05 an inch. I do not quilt them myself… yet! The wonderful quilters I’m able to use don’t do a simple meander, they quilt in designs that are rich and dense and take the fabric from being a blanket, to a quilt that will last several lifetimes if cared for properly. I like to think of them as more than something to keep you warm, they ARE works of art or more correctly, usable works of art.
To give you an idea of size and cost here’s a quick look:
| Crib | Twin | Queen | King | |||
| 36” x 54” | 65” x 88” | 86” x 93” | 104” x 93” | |||
| 1944 square inches | 5720 square inches | 7998 square inches | 9672 square inches | |||
| $97 at .05 per inch | $286 | $400 | $485 | |||
| Quilter | Quilter | Quilter | Quilter | |||
| $40 | $150 | $200 | $275 | |||
| Fabric | Fabric | Fabric | Fabric | |||
| $20 | $50 | $80 | $100 | |||
| For your labor… $37 | For your labor… $86 | For your labor… $120 | For your labor… $115 |
These are just some figures that I’ve encountered. I think this is why I would have a difficult time letting any of my quilts go for sale, or at least not at the .05 per inch amount.
Books quilts and sewing 
Great post! Go to Etsy and check out the prices for some quilts, so many are insanely low! I think some of these quilters are paying people to buy their quilts! Quilting is an art and takes time and skill and the quilter is creating an heirloom, quilters don’t undersell yourselves!!!
Definitely Jayne! The fabric used in my quilts are premium fabrics, do I buy them on sale? yes, but the quality is always there. If I’m not quilting it myself, I have shopped around and found an accomplished quilter that does a professional job with quilting that will last several lifetimes. When I bind a quilt, I make sure to use a double fold mitered binding which will also allow the quilt to last.
I believe if you’re making something with so much quality and care, it’s a crime to sell it for nothing. I’d just rather give it away.
Thank you for your post, any pricing info is always a help in determining if you are setting right price for your own work. I’m not a traditional quilter, but all my art is quilted. Right now I’m placing the value of $.10/sq in for my ‘quilt tops’. Due to nature of my quilts, the quilting is a separate charge (I usually do the quilting myself at my local quilt shop). I know my ‘Quilted Photo Art’ is worth more than that, but the pricing is being set by the economy.
You’re welcome!! I agree with you that it is important to me to set a reasonable price on the things I’ve created. It’s important that it’s reasonable to the customer and to me.
I, also, have often wondered how much to charge (not only for quilts but for any of my handmade projects). I usually make most of my projects to give away for different friends’ special occasions. The times I’ve gone to Crafts Fairs, or a similar venue, I think about the people who will be attending and set my prices accordingly. If it doesn’t rain, it usually goes pretty good. Also, there are some projects I’m willing to come down on the price a bit, but then there are others that I’ve spent either a lot of time or money on… I usually can’t bring myself to go lower on those. I figure a good rule to follow is, I ask myself, “How much would I be willing to pay for this if I was purchasing it?”
I think that’s a very wise question… “How much would I be willing to pay for this if I was purchasing it?”
I would only add that at times we buy expensive items that we save up for… a large television, a sewing machine that is currently too expensive but would make the work much easier.
buriedinscraps.wordpress.com one of my favorite blogs was showing pictures of her trip and one of them was a 150 year old quilt that still looked beautiful. Art lasts, don’t sell it cheaply.
I wholeheartedly agree!
once i went to a fair where I displayed all my hand knitted scarves. It turned out to be a windy rainy morning—and you would be surprised to know that i only sold a few scarves. Most of the people dropping by my booth and had not planned for such a cold morning–still only a few got sold. I think they may not have liked my price of 12 to 20 dollars. But with the price of yarn what is a crafter to do?
I agree and as I said it wouldn’t hurt to give it away to someone that I know would appreciate it, but I refuse to undersell something that I feel has a lot of work put into it.