My mom got so frustrated with people wanting a great product but a cheap price so she decided to give them a list of what they needed to purchase and then she restricted the size to a throw and she gave a few options on patterns that she knew she could piece quickly and hand quilt quickly. She charged a flat rate for the completed throw. She did not drive so they also had to pickup. She would laugh because people who acted like her prices were high before had no problem purchasing all the machine thread, quilt thread backing, batting, and Piecing fabrics...bring it all to her...agree she keeps leftovers..and make another trip to pick up...they weren't saving a dime but in their mind they were paying a cheaper price!😂 I also only do throw sizes lol

Very important video. One person said that each time we undervalue our time, the whole quilting world is damaged because the next person will have a hard time getting a fair price. I used to live in Amish country and they had annual quilt auctions. It was nothing to see a queen size quilt go for $3,000. Some people would gasp but that represented at least 6 months of someone's life because they were hand quilted.

I don’t make to sell but I’d like to start gently educating family and friends about the value of the quilts gifted to them by me, so I’ve decided to work out a valuation (costs including materials, labour, overheads etc). I plan to put it on a card with the washing instructions. Here’s an example: “Handmade heirloom-quality quilt. Bespoke design for you, created 2024. Valuation for insurance purposes: $450. For best care: Washing as infrequently as possible can extend the life of the quilt for generations, so shake out and air regularly instead. When necessary, warm machine wash on gentle with wool wash or mild detergent. No bleach. Spin off then dry over several lines with right side down to reduce fading. Or tumble dry on WARM/LOW.”

Whoa!! You did it. You talked about the big secret taboo subject: pricing! Idk why more people won't share this valuable information. I've had my unpleasant stories and no longer offer my services. You gave excellent tips.

❤ You are one crazy chick in a great way. I only mean that in the best sense of the word. I just love you and I’m an old lady who quilts. You just bring a breath of fresh air for the world of Quilting. Thank you.

My husband tells me I am making quilts for free. This last quilt was supposed to be a scrap quilt, nothing to purchase and I told the girl $450. Then the woman wanted designer fabrics. I am about ready to give up on selling them. Mostly giving quilts to my family and for gifts. I have been quilting for for 15 yrs and I love it. Recently someone asked me if I sold my quilts and I told them yes. Glad to see your video about pricing. My heart gets in the way..... Got to stop

When i was younger, i did alterations for a very short time. I took apart a designer gown, altered it and put it back together again. You couldnt tell that i had even taken it apart. I was so proud of myself. I am too embarrassed to say how litgle i asked for and she balked at paying that. I held my ground ( and her dress) so she paid up. Never again,i said. The reason i dont sell my quilts is because people dont have a clue of my money and time invested in them. Good video!

I can’t imagine trying to sell anything I make because the price would be ridiculous! I’ve had friends ask me to hem pants, with the caveat that “I’ll pay you!” No, it’s not fun, and there are alteration shops who will do it faster and better. I’m currently making a QAYG Mandelorian helmet quilt for my 9yo grandson for Christmas (he won’t appreciate it now, but maybe later?). So far I’m figuring 100 hours (10 hours a week on average, 9 rows, one per week plus slashing and binding) plus $150 in materials. Is anyone going to pay me $2150 for it? Doubtful. It’s a labor of love for him, and worth it.

People forget: when they ask you to make me a blanket. Walmart sells blankets. Quilts are 3 layers of fabric, hours of time! Plus thread etc. I got tired of giving people a price and being asked “wow! That much?” Now I sometimes just inflate the price x3! and they will then say they don’t want to pay that much. They change their minds and I tell them to go to Walmart. I’ve never made one for people where I’ve gotten even 5$ an hour. Not worth my time to do it. I’d sincerely rather give it away as a gift than have my work so undervalued.

For those who have no idea the cost, let them go get all the supplies themselves. They get the fabric they like and you're not out money for fabric they may or may not like. Then they only pay you for labor.

I make quilts because it's fun & relaxing. I don't want to be stressed out! I usually make them for gifts like new babies, wedding or graduation gifts. I'm thinking about making a few & take them to our local quilt shop for selling.

You are so right. People have NO idea the cost of quilts. They think it should be comparable to a blanket you purchase at a Big Box Store. Materials, time not only to make the quilt but how intricate is the pattern.

Thank you for talking about what people don’t want to talk about when honestly pricing their work. Too many people under value their work and their time. Excellent video.

I enjoyed this. I shop at Fat Quarter shop, Missouri Quilt and Joanne Fabrics. I was so happy to hear that Joanne Fabric was out of bankruptcy because it is such a good store. It is hard to put a price on creativity. Great job pricing your quilts!

wow! I can not believe how much valuable information you have given for free. Thank you, I truly appreciate it.

Absolutely one of the best videos on this topic that I’ve seen! The next generation is refusing to be taken advantage of- knowledge is power and benefits us all. Someday I would like to sell my work and I do feel that this makes it seem feasible. 🥰

Great points. The same thing happens in the bag making area. The majority of my bags are made out of cork, which is pricey already, and still have people say “I can get it at Walmart.” Um, no, it’s one of a kind, hand crafted by me not in a Chinese sweatshop.

I am so so glad you addressed this situation. I have been basically quilting for the last two years for just the cost of the material, often not even charging for thread! I just finished a quilt for a friend of mine it was a queen size, and just the cost of the fabric was $360 (Canadian) they gave me nothing for my time. I do accept part of the blame simply because I wasn’t forth coming in asking for a fee for my time. I appreciate your candour and I will follow your advice in the future. It’s so disheartening.

Oh my goodness. You brought up so many good points. I recently made two t-shirts quilts for a lady. My first time. I sat down and figured out the cost and after I was done with both quilts I under estimated the cost. When I gave her the quilts she loved them and I think she realized I didn’t charge her enough and she gave me a”tip”. She said she loved the quilts. I really didn’t make a lot on these quilts. This video was very helpful. Thank you ❤

Thank you for sharing your expereinces with us. I agree with you that we need to charge a fair price for our time and services...People don't understand that it costs us our time and materials, and they don't understand the costs involved...because they don't see it as our source of income...that we make our living doing this service...

Amen sister you hit the nail on the head. I’ve been through that all. Last quilt I made and sent out that I had designed for a gal that I used her dad’s shirts. She was so happy with it and makes it all worth it. It’s a joy to make something that you know they are going to love and appreciate and enjoy. Thank you again for your input. We have to stick together.

Kona can be ordered by the bolt at Hobby Lobby on a sale day for less. I think they will order most anything for you by the bolt.

I so loved this video. Great information. As a quilter/sewist I have struggled with pricing for the reasons you've stated. I appreciate your frank discussion about pricing. I would welcome a future video spelling out the costs of making a quilt. I wish you continued success and thanks again for sharing such valuable information..

Thank you for sharing and teaching us. I know I will not be making for others. I haven't made for myself and I better get busy, I am 81 and not much time left in this world.

Thank you for the valuable information. It is past time that those in the quilting world share this type of knowledge. Enjoy your shows . I glue basted a throw this weekend and ready to put under the needle. So far so good.

Great video!! Thank you. I'm crocheting an afghan for my neices wedding and i just roughly calculated how much i would have to sell it for if i was giving myself $20. Over $1200!!! I hope she loves this gift.

Miriam you NAILED it! Such great knowledge you poured into this video 💯👏🏼💞 I have been quilting since 1984 & I have been hired to make quilts 4 others & starting out I 2 very much UNDERRATED myself, my talent & my ability😔so bottom line I was wayyyyyy underpaid! My fault. Yet as time went on I learned how to charge & everything you discussed is so very spot on! I can remember the time I made a king size denim quilt that I designed. The customer brought me her son’s old jeans and her only request was to use the pockets for secret enclosers on the quilt. She also provided the flannel backing. That quilt was not only massive but it was HEAVY! I quilted it ITD on my domestic machine & it left my shoulders sore for 2 weeks & I only charged $150! After that I hurried up and got things in order as how to charge 😂 For some reason a lot of customers look at purchasing a hand made quilt like buying it from Walmart or JCPenny 😣 First & foremost I let ppl know I am NOT a sweat shop when it comes to working or getting paid 😉So you cannot sell yourself cheap otherwise you may as well give the quilt as a 🎁. Quilting takes knowledge, patience, money, time, utensils, machinery, talent & effort & none of that comes cheap. I also would include gas money, experience & time into the price if I had to purchase fabric ect to make a quilt because a lot of my patrons told me they knew nothing about color and choosing fabrics so that meant I had to do it and taking the time & using my knowledge to do so meant it was an extra cost. Some think your pricing is way too much & my response to that is this … Then you take a class, learn about fabric & color choices. Learn how to read a pattern & what to do with it. Spend the time preparing, cutting, starching (if that’s what you do), piecing, ironing (not to mention using my electricity), bordering, sandwiching, basting & quilting. Then come back & tell me how much time it took you & what my price would be!?🤨 I never told them this but it was my thoughts you know? Nowadays classes aren’t cheap, machines aren’t cheap, thread & fabrics aren’t cheap, batting isn’t cheap & labor is outrageous! So in the event you DON’T wish to take up quilting then you gotta be ready to pay. And my down payment was always half the total cost only then could they pay the remaining balance on a payment plan that way I didn’t get stuck with any of the cost if they changed their mind or decided later they couldn’t afford it & I would give them payment plan options they could choose according to when they got paid. And like you once everything was paid in full I released the quilt. I never had any problems with that yet some would say my prices were too much & I totally understood but I cannot sell myself at an unreasonable rate just to please others when you are hiring me to do the job you don’t want to do or never would 🥰 This was a much needed video 💯👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💞

I love quilting as a hobby. I was just thinking making quilts that I love and maybe selling them, as I don’t have that much space to keep all the quilts. Thank you for sharing this.

Wow!!! Thank you for this video!!! I have never sold a quilt, just gave them to family as gifts, but I do alterations on costumes for a dance studio that my granddaughter goes to. Since the parents pay so much for these cheaply made costumes I feel bad charging them , so I charge minimal fees to shorten straps; take in waists; line an entire costume or just add lining to the crotch area; taken in the booty area that is sagging, etc. I go to the studio and measure the girls or pin a costume and when it’s finished I take it back …. I’ve done this for over six years now and I feel abused, unappreciated, taken for granted, and I know this is my fault and my own doing. I will stop doing this next year as I will be 80. What a surprise the studio is in for as I’m sure alterations will cost a whole lot more! While I’m sewing probably for $1.00 an hour the studio director charges $25 for half hour lessons. Duh!!! Ok done venting. Love your videos!!!🩷🩷🩷

Thanks for laying it all out there

Thank you so much for this info. I’m a newer quilter and have wondered exactly what someone might charge for the projects I’ve made for family as gifts. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Thanks again!

Everything you said made so much sense, thank you so much!

First, thank you for providing some realistic context for quilters. Second, for all of those who feel put upon by others: If you want to sell your time, then sell it for something that won't make you grouse about it. That means you have to have customers who see the value in what you are doing. If you quilt for the love of it and gift them, don't monetize your gift by putting an insurance value or take pictures of all the things that you did to let the recipient know how valuable the quilt is. You are giving a gift, not showcasing how much time/effort expense you undertook. Frankly, it is tacky. If you invite people to your home to fix them dinner, are you tucking a note in their napkin to let them know that it took you three days to figure out the menu, curate/procure and pay for the food, AND prepare the food? They should know that if they went to a restaurant, they would pay $100+ a head for appetizers, main course, dessert and wine that they are being served for free in your home. The gift of a quilt is *priceless*. I'm glad to have quilts in the wild that are loved, appreciated enjoyed. I gift all of my quilts: to friends, family, baby's that appear through friends and family (most of my quilts); and to those stricken with illness. Quilting is an avocation for me; my avocation earns my living. Quilting is my escape from that.

Thank you so much for this video! Great information!

This is very helpful. Thank you!😊

Thank you!! I needed to hear this!!!!! I will adjust my ways!

Super helpful video! Appreciate you sharing all your knowledge with us.

You did great! Thanks!

Great tips ❤ Thanks for sharing

This video was great!! So much information. Thank You so much😊

I really got great ideas. You have great questions and answers in this video thank you🎉❤

I am obsessed with your sweater that is always on the back of your sewing chair, lol

Great information! Thanks so much

A good review ty. Education is never a waste 👍💗.

I just did a quilt for a friend, 63 by 63 baseball themed ( a pattern from Etsy) with t shirts from a Cancer fundraiser for her brother that passed away. My MISTAKE was not asking her budget beforehand,. I knew she had gone to a shop that makes t shirt quilts and was surprised at their price of $200. For that I think she would've got her t shirts stitched together with some sashing in-between them. I made a beautiful quilt with baseballs and bats and the t shirts were the bases. I used good quality fabric from a local quilt shop. My cost alone was around $175. So, I doubled that cost for my fee even though I spent more than 20 hours making it. When I told her $350, she gasped and I immediately said I would do it for $300. I devalue my work because I do not long arm or free motion. I use a walking foot and where I can I use decorative stitches that are on my Janome. In the end she did pay me $350 and I have decided that anyone who asks me to make a quilt my base price will be $350. I'm not in it to make a lot of money but some is good!

Very helpful information. My first 6 or 7 quilts were made for friends and family, and I don't think I made 50 cents an hour. I knew this at the time, but couldn't bring myself to charge more because I knew their financial situation. It's definitely been a learning experience. Thank you ❤

Great content thank you

THANK YOU for sharing this information, Miriam. I sew items and sell at local boutiques and so often have to explain why I've priced items the way I have.

Great video Miriam! 🎉 I have many quilts I have made but I cannot bring myself to sell them because of the amount of material, work and time that go into making a nice quilt. I appreciate all this information and look forward to selling a quilt one of these days. ❤❤❤

Thank you, thank you for this valuable information. I am considering starting to sell my crafts and I am super scared of all the unknown, the dos and the don't 's, the watch out for this and that...and the dread of figuring out pricing. You blew a lot of my fears out of the water with this video. Thank you so much!!! I love doing my crafts, but hate the thought of the business end of it. So much to know and learn. You've given me a great jumping off point. God bless you as you continue in your business endeavors ❤

Thanks. Very helpful. You are right on 2 accounts, many people have no idea how much it cost to quilt & many of us are crafters / artist not business oriented. This info is seldom covered. Thanks for sharing. Love MSQC

Great information! Will not be selling but i found the info interesting 😊

I’m thinking about starting to ask friends if they would like a quilt and offer for them to pay the cost of materials and I get the joy of making them something without the big price tag. I’m glad you mention this because it’s been a big mental hurdle for me because it feels more like a transaction than a surprise gift, which is what I’ve always done. But it’s spendy and there is a limit to who I would spend hundreds of dollars on. lol Great video!

Molly (Mollie?) Sparkles has a cost sheet. I like to fill that out for people, when they offer me to make their quilt for $50-100. 😂

Where have I been all this time?! I’m so obsessed with watching your videos as I am trying to get my “side hustle” started. Thanks for sharing!

I know what you mean people always ask for me to make them a blanket. I try to explain it’s not a blanket and they want to pay 60$ . When I tell them I can’t do it for that they say I can buy one from the store for that.

You didn’t say to grab a notebook and pen to take notes! 😂 I have so many people that ask me to purchase quilts and I have only done it a few times and for just the cost of materials because I figured I would be quilting anyway. Now I have some knowledge! I am going to rethink how I allow people to approach me in the future. Time to rewatch so I can takes notes.

If you are no longer making quilts for others what are you doing to make $ now? Great video! Thanks for your honesty and willingness to share. See you Tuesday

I purposely educate everyone about the quilt I'm "currently" making, through the whole process, includung photos, so that they or their children know the cost and time invested, from beginning to end. No one has asked me to make one but my recipients are very appreciative. Even tho it is a very expensive hobby in Australia, thats my joy.

There is good info here. But I have not been able to find ant good fabric at joannes. When I hold it up to the light and I see threw it. I just can't spend my time in the quilt. Knowing it was not going to last. Your kona cotton at joanes is seconds runs. But confetti cotton at msqc is so much more worth. And thanks to you, i have enjoyed

Loved your info, I’m currently working on a quilt for a friend per her request, never discussed fees because I didn’t even know what at to say, very helpful info…BTW, is that a bat behind your left shoulder? I’m obsessed with bats and xfiles!!!

You need to make it another LONG live because I have to work that day until 7P and then have a 50 minute drive home. 😁

Thanks for the info you shared. Thanks for the pattern, will be looking for the live. Question, if per say , instead of using 3 fabric, I was to use many different but of same value and 3 different colors per exemple, would you think it could work out? Thanks

You did great! Thank you for all the info. Boy do I have the questions for you, wish we could actually talk on the phone. Do you still have your Etsy shop? I had 1 for my embroidery items. Had to close down due to moving &down-sizing? I’ve been debating about re-opening but am hearing a lot of negative things. Keep up the Great work.

I love your videos! Do you have a sample or charging for guilts?

This is wonderful, thank you 😊 Can I ask what you think about starting an Etsy shop now days?

And remember the deposit for fabric purchased in non refundable. If they change their mind they cannot have back any money you have already spent on fabric.

I don't sell my quilts...I have made good quality fabric throw sized quilts for family and friends... my Charity quilts are a mix of thrifted, gifted, or super old fabrics, but still lovely! I had a convo once in the supermarket with a gal in line, we got on the topic of quilt making, she asked me what I would charge for a Throw sized /machine quilted quilt... I said they would start minimum at: $2000 for one.

And if you are shipping pay for registered shipping. Here in Canada you can pay extra to have a tracking number and for signature required. If no one is home the item goes back to the post office and has to be picked up and signed for. This stops the fear of porch pirates

People have no idea how much time it takes us to make a quality product. We need to be charging much more than $10 per hour. That’s basically minimum wage which is for unskilled labor, and our work is definitely skilled labor. I just designed a foundation paper piecing pattern for a curling stone. Took me about two hours to design it on graph paper and each block is taking me about two hours, but it looks like a curling 🥌 stone with fairly rounded edges! That a lot of small pieces in each block.

Hi Miriam 🤚🏻 Great video! I have given quilts to family and friends but have been asked how much I would charge if I decided to sell them. Your video was super informative if the day comes that I would charge someone. I know everyone works at a different pace and details of quilting differ but could you share what a reasonable time would be (again, give or take) on different quilt sizes?

JoAnn’s has some fabric that is nicer than some other, I purchased some grunge there and it was great, some of the prints sometimes not so great. I got fabric from online shop (Marshall’s) and was delighted but it’s not like something you can touch….however the fabric was really nice, only one piece was not so much. I bought just a yard of different fabrics and 80$ worth for free shipping.

My former life was as an accountant. Costs that are often forgotten are servicing your sewing machine. If you don't keep it in working order, you can't sew. Also, the profit you make above the materials cost, you may have to pay for health insurance. 😊

I altered 2 expensive dresses for a neighbour. They gave me a small bag of sweets.

Artists also need to consider the federal and state income taxes they will have to pay for earnings.

I feel like I under value myself a lot. I love quilting, I love seeing my quilts used, I am an artist with my craft! I was shocked when I started actually keeping up with my time when working on a quilt. Do you have a specific way you keep up with your time, like a chart or something?

When I was quoting for my grandchildren, I had designed a special "Private quilt" I was showing it to a friend and someone I did not know came up to me and said, what a beautiful quilt. Will you make one for me, I will pay you $50.00. I just replied, I bet you would.

Msqc has bella solids on A super sale today with your discount it's under 6.00 a yard.

I don’t know how to send a link to another video. But a utuber made one video on cost. Her site is Kayla Quilts. It’s very informative too

Hi, I’ve made two queen size quilts and am interested in selling them but have no idea what to price them at

Great video. Thank you. I wanted to support you and pressed your link to MS and shopped and submitted order but it did not give me 20% So I was wondering what I did wrong? Or if there was something else I need do.

Recently didn't check a budget for a bunting project. Now I'm stuck with the finished product. I asked $300AUD for 6 metres and 40 flags. I based it on time only and not the cost of materials. Some was donated fabrics but also all new fabric interfacing as well. I also researched other similar products online before asking for my end price! Never again 😒. That was on a $25/hr rate. Minimum wages are around $20 in Australia. Now I will rent it out or attempt to sell elsewhere.

How do you estimate time? I've been keeping a log and that helps but I find this part very difficult.

This may seem a ridiculous question but if someone advertises a quilt that is "handmade but finished by machine" does this mean the person actually hand-stitched the blocks one by one and then machine-'quilted the finished quilt? The charge for the quilt was $1000.

When someone asks you how much for a quilt, just tell them that'll be a thousand 😅

I had someone want me to make a T-shirt quilt. Queen size for 80$ I don’t have a long arm so I take it to the shop I work at and pay the shop .02 a square inch.

When I was doing commissions for watercolor paintings, I learned that commissions are not for me. As a result, I have never taken a quilt commission. If I want to sell a quilt, I make what I want and let people know it's for sale for whatever the price is. I never explain my prices to anyone. The price is the price. The people who will appreciate and value your work will pay what you ask and you will naturally weed out the people who will give you problems. One of the big reasons I don't do commissions is life is too short to work with colors and designs I don't like. Seems like everyone who asks for a quilt wants PURPLE or GREEN. Nothing wrong with those colors. Just not ones I prefer to work with.

When people find out you sew it’s like a light goes off in their heads. I just say , no, sorry I don’t sew clothes. I don’t do alterations. I enjoy making the quilts but hate doing clothes.

I like this video. But I find that many women.get off track into personal stories. No need! Thanks for the info.

I have to disagree about the quality of fabric from Joann’s isn’t great for most quilt fabrics. I have been making custom quilts and teaching quilting for more than 20 years. Perfect example… Just yesterday, a student had Joann’s fabric for the back of her quilt. She pre washed and dried it… it had fade streaks from where it crinkled in the wash. I knew immediately it was from Joanns. I went to meet with a designer from Marcus Brothers in NYC years ago. She admitted that the fabric they sold to Joanns does not start with the same quality griege materials as their ‘quilt shop’ quality fabric. The finishes they use are less as well. The rumor is not untrue… the quality is less than quilt shop quality fabric. Joann’s is a big box store… they make deals with fabric companies for quantity sales. They squeeze the manufacturers to get the cheapest price and those manufacturers need to cut corners to make it work their while to make the fabric. I agree with you about charging what you’re worth. For a brief time, I under sold myself. I met a woman who was supposed to be a partner in my quilt making business and she set my price list. She was a former corporate president, who did not allow me to charge less than a living salary. I do not supply materials, but meet with my client and design on the fly and help them to purchase materials. I recruited some friends to help to do the parts that they like to do in quilting, and paid them decent wages as well. Over the 20 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve made more than 300 quilts for others. I am up front with pricing, I may have had 3 people total that didn’t follow through. I share my prices openly, and have encouraged those around me who are making custom quilts to use my price lists as their starting points- especially when they are selling similar products… everyone benefits that way. They aren’t feeling bad that they’re not charging enough, and I don’t feel undercut.

I actually lost a friendship due to the fact that I told her it was going to be $100 more than what she was willing to pay even though she was extremely thrilled with the king size quilt and she wanted shams made for that hundred dollars if she was going to pay me for it

Even if we did get our materials from Wal-Mart it is still expensive.

When I hire a guy with a tractor or other expensive machines…I know I’m paying for the privilege of having access to something I could never afford. A day of digging will cost $$$thousands and it takes at least as long to make a quilt and I’ve spent in excess of $100,000 for all my machines.

Your comment on using cheaper fabrics, I refuse to work with the cheaper fabrics. It can be impossible to make cheap fabric look good which unfortunately can be thought of as a lack of skill on the part of the person making the item.

Do you still make and sell quilts and why are you not making custom quilts? Missouri is an excellent company. No you did fine.

I was at a craft show years ago and had a few of my rag quilts for sale. I had a fella come and ask me how much a queen size was… I had the fabric math ready…he walked away at the cost of the materials before I got to my modest labour flat fee. I’ve had many times been told my purses are too $; they wanted to talk me down to a lower $. No thanks. I’ve had ppl from church ask me to do hemming/alterations for them, I said “sure, I charge $30/hour.” They were like, ‘but we go to church together’, I replied “Yes, shall I find you where it says in the bible where a fair wage is agreed upon before any labour is worked.”

Please keep your hands down. They are to close to the camera. Also very distracting to the video.