You have got enough experience and expertise with your quilting. You can make different types of quilts. Your quilting speed is also increased. Now you are thinking that you should start selling your quilt!
If that’s the case, then I am here to help you. Charging the right amount for your hard work and expertise can be a confusing process. You are not sure how much you can charge or how much the other person is willing to pay.
Most quilters think that charging less will attract customers due to high competition. But this is not the case. The market is always ready to pay you a handsome amount if you provide value.
Today, we will learn about the correct strategy to employ to know the optimal charge for your service. We will look at different factors and costs which will determine your service charge.
Handmade quilts are always in demand, so be sure to charge correctly, or you will be at a loss. The competition is there, but you can always create your niche.
Let’s start. Time for some calculations!
Are Handmade Quilts Valuable?
Handmade quilts are always in demand, and there is high competition for this industry. Quilting is seen as an art, and it takes a lot of effort to create one.
The process includes cutting the fabric and sewing the pieces together. Then add the finishing touches to the quilt and finally package it for sale. If you are thinking of starting your own handmade quilts business, you should charge correctly.
It is essential to know that quilters need to charge based on their time, effort, expertise, materials, and overhead costs. It does not mean that handmade quilts are valuable because they are handmade.
You have to consider all these factors before deciding what price to charge. We will learn about all these factors to price your service better. Let’s have a look at them.
The Factors on Which Pricing is Dependent
There are four main factors on which the price of quilting depends. You need to make sure that you charge your fee according to these factors.
i. Hand quilting vs. longarm quilting.
You can charge separately based on the type of quilting you are doing. In the case of hand quilting, you need to consider the time of piecing plus stitching. You need to know how much your time is worth. You will charge according to that.
In the case of longarm quilting, the price is dependent upon square inches. However, quilt complexity also defines the final cost of longarm quilting.
ii. The Size of the Quilt
As you know, the larger the quilt, the larger the work. Hence larger quilts cost more compared to small quilts. Many professional quilters charge a rate per square inch.
The rate includes the type of fabric used, amount of time required, specialization required, and the quality of batting. So it is a mixture of all of these patterns.
iii. The intricacy of the pattern
Although the quilt size is the main determining factor in the price of quilt making, in some cases, pattern complexity is also essential.
Professional quilters will charge more for the complex pattern. E.g., a smaller quilt with an intricate design will cost more due to the amount of time required to make the pattern.
Not only time, but the complex pattern also requires different types of fabrics and threads. This will raise the price of quilt making.
iv. T-Shirt quilting
T-Shirt quilting is becoming famous and is in demand. In T-Shirt quilting, we transform unique clothing into a quilt.
You need to provide professional quilters with particular types of T-shirts. They will then arrange the block of materials to create a quilt.
In T-shirt quilting, quilt style is the main factor behind the cost. The more complex the design, the higher the price. If you want to add batting, it will drive higher costs.
The Average Price of the Handmade Quilt
The quilt’s average price depends on the materials used, the complexity of the design, and the size of the quilt. If we take the example of a throw-size quilt(approx 60″ x60″), it will cost nearly $400.
Let’s take a look at average prices of other types of quilt,
- Twin(70”x 90”)= $500
- Baby(30″ x 50″)=$275
- Double/Full(85”x108”)=$700
- Queen(90”x108”)=$800
- King(110”x108”)=$1,200
Breakdown of Handmade Quilt Design
Now it’s time to learn about price breakdown. You should consider these factors before quoting your charge. These different factors should act as your guide. You can prepare your payment according to them.
Let’s have a look at them,
- Design time
- Shopping time
- Time required to cut materials
- Cost of materials
- Sewing the quilt top
- Sewing the backing
- Pressing and ironing everything
- Basting time
- Cutting the batting
- Quilting pattern design time
- Quilting the quilt
- Trimming and squaring up the quilt
- Creating the binding
- Attaching the binding
- Trimming all strings and loose strands
- Shipping cost
- Lint removing
- Sewing machine cost
- Quilt design cost
- Advertising cost
- Supplies and tool cost
- Website cost
- Rent(Some quilters rent space or long arm quilting machine)
It would be best to take all these factors as a guide only. You can prepare your quotation according to your needs.
Quilt Pricing Formula
Now it’s time to learn about the quilt pricing formula. This formula will help you to determine the correct cost for your work. You can use this formula for your work. You are free to create your formula for quilt pricing.
- Materials– The combined cost of material from start to finish.
- Time– Choose your per-hour work rate. Make sure to anticipate the time required for all the quilting processes. We have already discussed those steps above. Don’t sell yourself cheaply. You can either charge the same amount for all your work or a different amount for the other quilting processes.
- Overhead- Add any additional fees incurred. Like website fees, listing fees, transaction fees, or other miscellaneous fees.
- Shipping includes all the shipping fees like boxes, packaging supplies, and stickers.
Let’s create the formula now: Quilting Price= Material+Time+Overhead+Shipping
The price formula is quite simple. You can always use this formula for your work. Just make sure that you include all the factors while considering your pricing.
Quilting Repair and Finishing Cost
Many people want their quilt to be repaired. For example, a vintage quilt needs to be repaired if required. You can look at the work requirement and prepare your quotation according to them.
You are free to use the formula mentioned above to calculate the final price of your work.
Many people don’t have time to finish their quilts. They can easily hire any long arm quilter to complete their unfinished quilt. Those quilters charge according to the quilt condition and work required.
They charge a price per square inch. The price for easy work is less than the high prices of complex work.
A simple pantograph design price is approximately $0.02 per square inch. For complex or heirloom quilts, the approx prices can go up to $ 0.07 per square inch.
So we can see that the price of work is dependent upon the type of work that needs to be done.
Conclusion
We have seen the correct method to set the right price for your quilting work. Your charge depends on the type of work and the amount of complexity in work. You should include every type of cost into your final quotation.
Don’t try to copy your competitor’s prices. Their pricing structure can be different from yours. So always take into consideration various factors while you are fixing your price.
I hope that you like the information provided here. Happy Quilting.
