How to Price Quilts - Custom Quilt Pricing with FREE pdf

Hello everyone!! I've been thinking of doing this video for a LONG time. I often get asked......How do I price my quilts??? I have read so many blog posts, Facebook posts, threads, articles and so on and so on. First let me say.....I believe we can always agree to disagree AND still be friends!!! With that said, in today's video I'm going to explain how I price MY quilts, and what works for me. This could be different for you, and what works best for you. THAT'S OKAY :) I hope this information is helpful!!

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[janiceberg]

My husband has a retail store and a friend had made a quilt and wanted to sell it in his store. It was a very simple quilt made of squares of old jeans, had a flannel back and was very heavy. He marked it for $150.00. People would look but couldn't believe it was handmade for only $150.00. He marked it up to $300.00 and sold it within a week. Thank you for you information. It is very helpful.

[philipwilkins]

My wife is an avid quilter and she’s been doing this art for 30 years. We always have stern discussions about pricing these. Since I’m in business for myself in a complete different field I’m probably off in her industry. I’ve told her that material costs need to be tracked and to add 50 percent to this part of the pricing. So if she spends $100 then charge $150. It takes time to obtain these items in labor and other costs. For her labor we really have a huge difference. She believes that people won’t pay what its really worth for her time. I’ve seen her spend countless hours on most quilts. She’s never really tracked her actual time. She only gives me estimates based on her guess. For instance she’s made many queen size quilts. She quilts these on a small hobbyists machine that fights her every step. I’ve seen her charge $600 for her queen size quilts many times. In my opinion this is worth a minimum of $1000-$1200. With the amount of time in each quilt even my numbers aren’t worth it. This is an art! Quilting can be a hobby buy each one is a creative process and she really puts a lot into the design of each one. So the next time your at a craft show and you see a quilt with a high price tag know that it’s a piece of art your buying. Don’t believe me then try it for yourself. You’ll never part with your art because of the creative process and many many hours you’ll have in this.

[vickylongcrier]

I am so thankful for this video! My husband's aunt suggested I make a quilt similar to one I had made for my MIL and donate it to a fundraiser for a school in their area. She said she was sure they could get $50 for the quilt at their auction. I had to quickly educate her on the value of the quilt (90x90) and I ended up saying that I would rather donate the $50.

[angieallen]

This is a great video with excellent information; thank you! I don't sell quilts but a friend of mine who does sell various sewing projects (like costumes for dance groups) doubles the cost of her materials. Some makers I know triple the cost of materials. When I figured what I would have to charge for a set of log cabin placemats made from a kit, I realized I would continue giving them as gifts and never going into business. Even a small, simple rag quilt (my particular specialty) would have to be priced at $150-$210 using the method above. A recent one I made for my son for his birthday used a total of 18 yards of fabric, some bought on sale, and would price out at $240-$360. I hear folks at craft shows all the time comment, "well, I could make that myself for a lot less!" By all means; go for it!

[sandyrichmond]

Before I retired I had a co worker ask me to make her a quilt two different times. She said she would supply the material and thought that should cover the cost of everything. I explained more than just fabric goes into the cost of making the quilt and what I would need for my time etc. and she declined the quilt. About a year later she approached me again with the same offer and I just said no. Why is it that most think if it’s handmade it’s not worth as much as if it’s store bought? Thank you for this video it puts it in black and white for the person requesting the quilt to see that a lot of work goes into our craft. Love your videos if only we were neighbors....💕

[latashar]

Thank you so much for doing this video. It's hard to determine a price for our skillset. Folks just don't realize the blood, sweat, tears and love that we put into quilting.

[deneseswackhamer]

Thank you so much for this video! The first quilt "commission" I accepted, I did NOT charge enough to even cover my labor costs, at all! Needless to say, I learned quite a bit about pricing from that experience. I do my own quilting on my home machine, sometimes straight quilting, sometimes free motion, and sometimes edge to edge with my embroidery unit, and sometimes a combination, depending on their choice. This video and pricing break out sheet will definitely make it more understandable when someone has sticker shock at my prices. I've had people say to me, "Well, so and so, only charges $100 for making a t-shirt quilt." I usually respond, with "Then if that's all you want to pay, you should take your t-shirts to them. But remember, you get what you pay for." I definitely feel that my skills and time are worth what I charge. Again, thank you!

[tracystrobel]

I had a woman ask if “if i give you a 100.00 would you mKe me a quilt”? I told her that wouldnt even cover the material for the top. The look she gave me was priceless. Followed by i can buy a larger one for 100.00 and without sounding rude i told her to go do that. People dont understand the craft. Its like asking a woodworking artist to make me a cabinet if i go buy a 2x4... lol thank you for the break down on pricing

[elainefagin]

Thank you for this. I sew as my side business and pricing is the hardest part. I have had people balk at the price of something they think they could get at Walmart. I inform them that my quality is not walmart quality and I do not work in a sweat shop. In addition, I remind people that they are asking for something to be custom made, not something off the rack. Non-sewers or non-quilters have no clue what it takes to do what we do. I have offered to teach friends now to make what they want and have had a couple take me up on it. After that, when they ask me what I would charge to do something, they don't balk because they understand there is skill involved. I love your chart! Again, thank you!

[casageorgia]

I just found your channel. I am a yoyo quilter of forty years and have never attempted to sell a quilt due to the amount of fabric and time that it takes to make one quilt. For your example of a twin size, it would take about 28 yards of fabric and probably two months of almost full-time hand sewing to make that quilt in yoyos. I love making them and will continue to do so. I make about six king sized quilts a year. I’m a full-time care giver of my mentally challenged sister, so I have a lot of time on my hands. Quilts are very rewarding to me.

[cynforrest]

Very well put. Most clients need to be educated to costs, time, etc. A quick way to relate this: buy two shirts — one at Walmart and one at Sacs New York. Evaluate and compare the materials and workmanship. Now it’s easier to understand the quilt pricing. I enjoy your channel very much. Thank you. Hello from So California and Merry Christmas from my home to yours. ❤️🎄🎁

[JesseLoren]

I loved your video. I sewed as a teen, sewed with mom, sewed couture as a young adult, dropped it for 30 years, and am back to sewing. I have a Master's of Fine Art and am an artist. I loved your video because it was clear about costs, talent, and materials. I'm totally ok with people not being able to pay for what I do, and I am totally ok with making quilts for free at great cost to myself. It's personal. I do think that textile art, being a field dominated by women, is undervalued and underpriced. I'm doing my part to remedy that.

[TerriRomano]

You are an absolutely fabulous soul!!!! Thank your for perspective! To be honest, I would never have the budget for a $575 quilt, but your valuation is dead on! When I followed your collage t-shirt Quilt for a friend's daughter's graduation, I told her it would be my gift to her for graduation. I won't lie, I was so scared to cut up her t-shirts that were her memorabilia. With your guidance, my creation was a success. However, when I told her how much they sell for, she said, "I'm not paying for this, right? I thought it was her gift!" Well, it definitely was her gift, but she needed to know value. Her friend paid $210. Her daughter said mine was much more awesome than her friends! Payment 'nuff actually! But truly, they don't know how many hours go in to the planning. One time I did a DVD video for a graduation. I had 72 hours in this! I loved every bit of it, but again, needed perspective. Thank you again for your talent that you share.

[reginamcteague]

Hello. Your description is great. While it maybe overwhelming for those who have not had to venture down this road of pricing, I appreciate the overview. It took me years to have people understand that you would not have an artist paint your garage, one cannot expect a quilter to spend up to double digit labor hours and only charge what a person might pay for in a big box store. Since I've started with my own sheet, many prospective clients have said no but educating them on the process has been very successful. Once clients realize that quilting is a craft not a hobby, their appreciation rises for what a quilter does in the process of his/her craft. Thank you!

[lilolgreyhairdlady]

Just a note: The material cost for using fabric scraps should be double the average store-bought price. It takes so much more time to organize, sort, choose & cut scraps. Plus, the aesthetic value of many different fabrics included in the quilt is huge.

[wandagreenlee]

Hi Lisa, I just wanted to say that this video was right on time for me! I have struggled a long time trying to figure out a way to develop my pricing strategy. I always want to be reasonable, but I also want to be profitable. Seeing how you broke down each section of your pricing sheet was most helpful. Thank you for willingly sharing your knowledge and experience with us. Blessings❣

[inestavelin]

Thank you for doing all the rundown on quilt pricing. A homemade quilt is always going to be in that range, It takes all that energy and time creating one not including the stress to satisfy the client. I quilt to relax, enjoy doing the process and for my own satisfaction. I stay away from taking orders and give away to one who would really appreciate it.

[elenagurrilevis]

Your advice is very timely. I just got my first commission and am not sure how to price my work. Thank you!

[conniejd]

I've been making a quilts a long time now people are asking me if I can make them one so you are the perfect person that I have heard. Thank you so much for sharing this. God bless and thank you again

[paulettemcwaters]

A complete and logical explanation to how much goes into handmade projects, quilts or otherwise. My husband and I just returned from an extended drive across country. At one stop I sat and enjoyed Tatting, while talking to some strangers, one man inquired as to what I was doing. I love to explain, and did, and after a few minutes he asked what I would charge for the piece I had completed, about 15 inches of tatted flowers. I told him it was priceless and all I could do was give it to him, it had talked a miniscule amount of thread, given me Tatting practice, and I love to share this old fashioned and delicate work. So nice to do that, but maybe not if I had spent hours and tons of money on choosing and sewing fabric. I sew, smock, and quilt and I do it only for family and church, I just tell others no...