Quiltonomics: Should I Sell Quilts? | SEWING REPORT
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- At least once or twice a week, someone asks me if I'm going to open an Etsy shop or inquires about purchasing something handmade from me. In this video, I explain why I don't sell sewn goods or quilts and why you should charge more $$$ if you do.
Editorial: Quilts Need to Be a 'Luxury Item': wp.me/p7ePxp-ar
Quiltonomics article: bit.ly/2ajyM3m
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So You Want to Sell a Quilt? katiesquiltingc...
What's it Worth? huntersdesigns...
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ABOUT SEWING REPORT:
Helping you discover your love of sewing at sewingreport.com through videos, articles, and tutorials. I aim to inject humor, passion, and realism into this space.
Let me introduce myself - I’m Jennifer Moore - Atlanta-based sewing & quilting enthusiast since 2013 and television journalist with 14+ years of experience.
Ever since I discovered sewing soon after moving from the Tampa Bay area in Florida to Atlanta, I’ve been absolutely hooked. My love of all things involving a needle and thread has driven me to brainstorm ideas of how I could contribute to the community and help to encourage others to learn to sew. If I can do it, you really can too!
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Jennifer, thank you for speaking to this topic! I agree 150% with you. I believe I've hurt relationships with coworkers by trying to explain this to them. They just don't seem to understand.
It is definitely easy to inadvertently cause friction over sewing - which is crazy! Next time someone asks you about buying quilts - feel free to just share this article with them. Hopefully it can save you some heartache.
www.sewingreport.com/2016/02/quiltonomics-the-real-cost-of-quilts/
Jennifer, it is true - only another sewer could understand the time it takes to make anything...from a wedding gown to an intricate quilt. Cost of materials even differs from maker to maker. For instance, someone earlier posted a break of costs including $150 for fabric for the top, $150 for the bottom, $65 for the batting, etc. I would never spend more than $7 per yard for fabric...of any type. Sure, I purchase $12.99 fabric, but only on half-off sale days. And our time. There is just no way to seriously track the time it takes to sew something...perhaps we're raising children while we sew; perhaps like you, we sew only "after hours" or between other tasks. But I struggle, truly, with your asking other people to check their prices and raise them...because "the rest of us..." trying to make a living. There was a time when I did sew for $$$. Garments. What little I did helped me be able to stay home with my children. No, I didn't make a ton of $$$, but I also was not having to wear work clothes, lunches away from home, daycare and other costs endemic to working outside the home. I do know many women who make items for sale on etsy and other sites, and yes, their prices are lower than I think they should be. However...consumers are far more demanding - and outspoken with their demands - than ever before. The artist - for we are all artists, aren't we? - is not respected for their efforts, but looked down upon if we don't have a store front or a huge following. The hand-crafted items are not cherished for their value...and with the cheaper quality - and cost items flowing in from other countries, the artisans will struggle. And yes, I'm even going to say...male artists will reap more profit than the females. Even in my industry - the beauty industry, the men will be more sought, more valued, and rewarded better for their artistry. And so, the seller must price their items in a way that they will sell...in their areas. Otherwise, we simply have museums, not incomes. An excellent video, thank you.
Thank you, Jennifer. I completely agree. I went on Etsy to see what people were asking for their quilts. I just couldn't believe it. I mean, did they ever consider the cost for shipping? I shipped out a small quilted milk crate, and the cost to ship it at the post office was like 47.00! I almost cried! I can't imagine a heavy quilt and how much that would be. So again, thank you for this video. BTW, I love the quilt behind you. So pretty!
Thank you so much. Exactly what I’ve tried to explain to people to who tell me I should start selling my quilts. People aren’t willing to pay the price that they are actually worth for all the time and effort that you put into each one. Quilt making is definitely a labor of love meant for ones who will appreciate and treasure them.
Love your video. I have been a quilter for many years and the general public needs to be educated on the cost...6 to 8 yards of fabric for the top, $150. Batting $65. Fabric for the backing $150. Thread $50. Needles for machine $5.00. Sewing machine $150. Years of knowledge...priceless. Minimum wage. For a queen size quilt, $2000 is a steal! I do sell quilts, usually lap size so I can keep the cost down around $250. But generally, I can sell a class before a quilt. Once I educate someone on the cost of a finished quilt, they are happy to sign up for a class and learn how to make one.
Thanks for stopping by Joseph! I would much rather teach/help someone to sew and quilt and not just outright sell them a handmade item. Appreciate your thoughts!
People have no clue the amount of time it takes to make a garment or a quilt. I make both. The cost of the fabric is nothing compared to the labor involved. I decided to make children’s clothing to sell on Etsy. After pricing a garment for what I felt was fair compared to other things I saw on Etsy, and then totaling the price of the fabric plus the amount of hours it took to make the garment, I would have ended up working for less than $2.00 an hour. Uh, no. Like most quilters I make quilts for the pleasure of making them and either keep them or give them to family and friends or donate to charities. Quilting is something we do for ourselves. It’s creative. It’s a community. It’s an art. It keeps me sane.
Thank you for talking about this. This became an issue recently, where, at the end, I decided not to sale my work/quilt. I feel that many people are not willing to pay what my work/time is worth...and I am not willing to just give my work/quilt to them. Today, only people who are very close to me are more likely to receive one of my quilts...
So glad that you value your own work and time, as it doesn't seem like every maker does. Totally agree, that you can't just give your work and talent away for free to everyone.
Jennifer, you are spot on!! I have been quilting for over 30 yrs and have only done for family and friends. I have been asked to make quilts but i discourage it because of what you stated;the labor, quality of fabric etc . I do comfort quilts for the sick and elderly but that is on my time. Will read your article and look forward to more conversation on this topic!!
Miriam - as quilters, we can feel a lot of pressure to make quilts for free or even quilts for people we barely know. We gotta stand up for ourselves and our talents.
Thanks for your comments. I get asked by people to sell my quilts sometimes and they don’t understand how much goes into making one.
Don’t you wish they did? Feel free to let me do the talking!
Thank you for the wonderful information! I love Suzy Willams and have purchased 2 of her patterns!!
The only time someone paid me to make a quilt was when she brought me a bunch of embroidered blocks and she wanted me to put them together to make a baby quilt for her expected baby nephew. Other than that, I always tell people I don't make quilts for money, I just like to give them to friends and family. They really have a problem understanding that. There's no way I could make money after buying expensive material and spending all that time making it. I certainly agree with this video!
If only more people realized how much work, skill, and talent goes into quilts!
And Jennifer, I just love the quilt behind you, absolutely gorgeous!
I was just getting ready to post this same comment. Hoping Jennifer can respond with what method she used to assemble this. Jennifer, I have Deb Tucker's ruler and wondering if you used her Rapid Fire Hunter's Star ruler, by chance?
www.mooreapproved.com/2016/01/quilting-tips-scotch-guard-your-fabric-marking-quilt-lines-spinning-seams/
First, I would also encourage any artisans wanting to go professional to Time their projects and figure out a fair hourly rate for their work that would be above minimum wage. Think of that and remember if you had to pay someone to assist you, how much would that cost per hour, therefore part one is a Labor cost.
Part two, of course, is a Materials cost, keep track of all receipts for fabric, thread, machine depreciation or machine use fee, also add into the mix an educational cost for all the classes it took you to get to the skill level you have to help you accurately assess pricing. Also remember time and gas to select fabrics should be included.
Totally agree! I get the impression many folks don't do that and end up undercharging.
nope, pay by hour makes sure you get paid less. charge for the whole thing only. It's what clothes people do where I live. if they charged hourly they would make so much less. They take payment beforehand to purchase the materials also
Most quilters have to purchase their supplies at the retail price. If we could get it at wholesale price then the quilt price would reflect the savings.
Ivdon't mind if they pay for the supplies, I get to have the fun!
Well said, my sister! ❤️
Hey Jennifer. I just happened upon your video. I agree 100%. I am a seamstress and a quilter (for many years) and I am sooooo tired of hearing people say "you could sell that...." ,(I know I could but I don't). My canned answer is "I don't sew for hire." If I did I would never have time to sew for fun. Also I would like to know what pattern you used for the quilt behind you in the video. I followed the link you listed below in another comment but that was the cool video you did gifting a quilt to that Casey blogger guy.lol
Ah, I thought she'd meant the quilt in the thumbnail photo. I posted a bit on that quilt behind me on my old blog. www.mooreapproved.com/2016/01/quilting-tips-scotch-guard-your-fabric-marking-quilt-lines-spinning-seams/
thanks for saying this I quilt but give them with love to family no one that I know could buy a quilt for even a $1000.00 so I give with love
+Audrey Daigle exactly! Most quilters I know don't sell quilts - they just give them as gifts. Great to hear from you!
Love that quilt!!!! Can you pls share the patter name? And you are so correct!
Scrappy Hunter's Star by the Hopeful Homemaker
I just started quilting recently and honestly would LOVE it if I was paid for materials only. I will take a batch of cookies for the time and effort. At this point I want to make so many quilts but the fabric etc is getting a bit expensive and eventually I will run out friends and family to give them to. At this rate I will have to get a second job just to support the fabric habit and end up giving quilts to neighbors and the mailman. Haha! But my quilts are of course not comparable to a professional job. I do it just for fun after all so not all seams have to match up.
+J Len GREAT that you started quilting!!! Welcome to the club! I'd recommend gifting your quilts to friends/family/charities who will appreciate them. Even though it's just for fun, don't undercut yourself and other quilters who rely on fair prices too sustain their businesses. While you may not need the income, professional quilters do and you could inadvertently cut into their income potential.
Sewing Report I get what you're saying. I would hate to hurt somebody's profit. $75 definitely does not cover any labor cost. Not even material in most cases unless you buy everything SUPER cheap. I think I'd have a hard time selling that cheaply to a stranger. At least if they pay more you know it will be appreciated, right? And as for me: I will see if the mailman wants to pay for material. Haha! PS: Love your channel!
Such similar conversations with dressmaking! I mean, I regularly consider pursuing sewing as a business but I wouldn't want to kill the enthusiasm, not yet anyway. I'm still loving being a largely selfish sewer. Whilst I take your point about pricing, some people do just enjoy what they make so perhaps for them, the making part is a form of reward so might only want to cover their costs. But yes, it is harmful to others in the handmade industry. Whilst I'm really not at the stage of an Etsy shop, when I do make things for others, I do only charge them the cost of materials but that's because I'm still doing it as a hobby and I am still getting something out of it (learning new techniques etc.) which isn't just (any!) financial gain. If I were to start selling more seriously, I would consider appropriate pricing, certainly after watching this video. Thank you!
+gingerella I keep getting hit up for sewing tasks that are out of my skill set like alterations or upholstery. People seem to lump all sewing/needlework forms together and don't know there's a big difference with each one. (Garments, home dec, quilting, upholstery, knitting, crocheting) I'm so glad I don't know much about alterations yet, although I'm going to experiment with some items I already own. It is frustrating when friends and acquaintances ask you to sew something like it's no big deal and won't take "any time at all." If I'm asked to do something out of my comfort level, I'd have to spend a considerable amount of time researching and practicing to get it right.
Damn right! Couldn't agree more. And this comment has reminded me I have someone's pair of jeans that they wanted me to repair which I've done nothing with. :(
If you're doing it free of charge, I'd say it's on YOUR timeline. Don't feel guilty!
I totally agree! I sew everything, quilts, home dec, clothing, bags. I became obsessed three years ago and while on bed rest with my last pregnancy all I could do was research and with all the online tutorials I couldn't stop with one type of project. It does seem like there is this movement towards loving and bringing back the importance of handmade items. I don't know if as a society we will ever get back to a place where we value these skills as precious and artwork, when walmart and Target sell nice things at a fraction of the cost we would charge. I feel like that's what is so great about Etsy, having a place dedicated to this idea of handmade is valuable gives us crafters a place to just be ourselves. I don't think price differences really hurt the "movement" because I look at those 75.00 quilts and I see them for what they are, something I wouldn't say was heirloom quality and the ones I have seen are a case of you get what you pay for.
I love the quilt that you have behind you. I'm a quilter though, so know what you're talking about.
Exactly!! Thank you!
Just falling in love with quilting, and I would have to spend only 3-6 days on a quilt (from design to finish) to fall within the "super high" pricing range you discussed at 6:15. Just not a viable business selling the actual handmade goods when you have competitors in the market that undervalue their time.
Teaching, patterns, fabric design, and sponsorships seem to be the most viable sectors of this "side business".
Also, THANK YOU for encouraging other makers and designers to value their work.
+Terra Henderson Yes, I completely agree!
+Terra Henderson If we ever want to elevate what we do that totally needs to happen!
$10,000 per quilt seems a little cheap to me. You'd have to sell at least 3 a year to live off of that. Maybe like $20,000 per queen size quilt.
I think most quilters would be ecstatic to command such a price!!! Now we gotta figure out how to get there!
I thought quilts ARE considered a higher end item. Like 200 a pop right.
+AmyX $200 is what I think on the less expensive side for quikts. It depends on the materials, complexity of design, and complexity of quilting itself. If I were to sell my quilts I'd need to charge over $2,500 to make it worthwhile. Other quilters would have to charge more. I realize I'd have a hard time finding customers to pay that much, which is why I don't sell them.
lol I see beautiful dresses priced low on etsy too. wish people would raise their prices!
+Coco Pops Right???
When I started quilting 3 years ago, I just wanted a place to channel my creativity. I am sew addicted to the quilting process! I always aquatinted quilting with little old ladies sitting around with a quilt rack and hand stitching. Don't get me wrong, those quilts are absolutely precious as are the ladies who make them! I discovered the art of quilting here on RUclips with Leah Day. She was drawing designs on fabric with her sewing machine! I was so excited to get started! My husband however has a desire for me to make money doing it since it is such an expensive hobby. Well, I think it quite difficult to actually turn a profit making large quilts. My suggestion if anyone wishes to sell their quilted goods is to do home dec or baby ensembles. They are quick and there is more of a market for them. Save the larger quilt projects for loved ones. It really isn't economical to make bed size quilts for the average citizen and reap any real amount of profit.
That's awesome you hope to sell quilted items! Just don't sell yourself short and VALUE YOURSELF! Your time, talent, skills, and effort are worth a lot. I love to see handmade businesses charging more luxury prices - because they are luxury goods in my opinion.
Hi Jennifer. The matter of contention for me is that my hubby wants me to sell. Truly I just desire to create what I want to! Selling would be nice but only if it were worth my while monetarily. Otherwise I might as well just purely enjoy the gifting. I just think bed size quilts are under appreciated in the current market and agree with you whole heartedly that makers need to consider placing enough value on their goods to help in validating themselves and their fellow crafters. It is very confusing for a buyer that has no clue the amount of work time and supplies that go into making a quilt to shop for one and see such a huge discrepancy in the pricing from one crafter to another. My best friend told me she could just get one from Walmart for like $50. 😒
+Anitra Marinchek Ugh the $50 Walmart comment... That's one of the worst. You should tell your husband you'll sell quilts if he handles the business side of sales and dealing with customers.
Yah! My friend can't wrap her head around the expendature of a custom quilt when she can just get one from Walmart! She does however cherish the quilts I've made her children. She is terrified to wash them and ruin them. So she appreciates all I've put into them but could not afford to buy one. As far as my sweet shrewd businessman hubby he would likely be a great financial advisor as he has a business of his own but he's a bit gruff. 😬
I shouldn't have pitched that I would "make money" with the Janome! Totally my own fault!😣
+Anitra Marinchek Once your husband started dealing with potential customers I think he'd totally get the hard realities about selling quilts...
I'm seriously looking to buy a Janome Sewing Machine .. Could you tell me what model you have .. love it or hate it? Should I or shouldn't I? Price? Thanks!
I hope you don;t mind me saying something about the Janome machine. I have one and love it It is about ten years old and still going
+Sharon Pucci I bought a Janome 7700 last year for $2,500 from a local dealer. It came with 3 annual service visits and that included tax. I felt it was a decent deal, but at QuiltCon saw the 8900 for $2,000 and felt sort of sad about that. For quilting and lighter sewing I love it - the built in Accufeed foot is fantastic. I believe Janome is phasing out the 7700 though... I do like sewing bags and would like to get into leather, this is NOT the machine for heavy duty sewing. The 7700 really struggles with bulky layers and I get thread breakage and broken stitches. We recently bought a SailRite but I'm not sure how I feel about it, and regret not looking more into the Juki DDL-8700...
I just upgraded to the Janome 8200 memory craft and I love it! I got a killer deal online because it was right before the newer model came out and got tons of extras. I actually was saving up for a baby lock but didn't want to wait two more years to buy the 6,000.00 model lol. Now that I have been using my Janome 8200 for a month I'm thinking I'm a fan for life. I saw the commercial for the newest memory craft and had I known that one was coming out I would have gotten that one, the added features are so worth it to me. I paid 2,400 for mine but like I said it was an advertisement on Amazon for a quilt shop that was making room for the new model and I got a ton of extra feet, table, carry case, etc. I plan to give this one to my daughter in 3 years and upgrade myself. Hope that helps😀
I only sell quilts to family and friends if they ask...
If you focused on only making quilts you'd make a killing, you quilt is beautiful
I recently opened an Etsy shop, but haven't posted anything yet. I'm very nervous because my baby quilt has some imperfections.
Imperfections are one of the things that make it unique! Quality and durability are most important 😊 Best of luck to you!