The cost of a quilt.......

I have had people ask me about my prices in regards to quilts. I had to be honest and tell them that these are the one thing that I do not sell. I learned a long time ago that a lot of people out there simply do not understand why a quilter asks so much for these little gems. After all, inexpensive quilts are available to everyone who wants one, for $99 or less, any size, at your local department or discount store. In all honesty, I can't even compete with those prices. Let me just list my costs for you and then maybe you will understand why quilts are the one thing that do not go out my door marked as sold. To begin with, I will only purchase my fabric from quilt shops..... not at Jo Ann's, not at Walmart, not at any other discount chain store out there. There is a definite difference in the quality and feel of the fabric that is purchased at these quilt shops and we quilters pay dearly for that quality. The price of fabric these days, at those shops, start around $9.00 a yard and up. The back of a queen size quilt, let's say, (if fabric measures 44/45 in width) will cost you about $60+. Just for the back. The batting runs around $20. The top of the quilt is a whole different ball game. A lot depends on the design and if there is any hand work such as applique and/or embellishments,etc. involved. Then you have the borders and finally the binding, which is sewn on by hand all the way around the quilt once it has been quilted. I always embroider a label to be placed on the back of the quilt, which adds even more to the cost. Once the top and the backing are done I hand the quilt over to a long arm quilter to be quilted. Her price also varies. Do I want it quilted from edge to edge (a single design quilted back and forth, edge to edge, down the length of the quilt.) or custom quilted, which is a lot more. Most of my quilts are done edge to edge to save money. The price often includes the batting but not always. The last queen size quilt that I had quilted was $200. This did NOT include the batting. So far, I haven't even mentioned MY time. Quilt making takes a lot of time, especially if it involves any handwork. Now you see why I don't sell my quilts, I could never get what it truly costs. I have found that people really do want American made products..... but they only want to pay China made prices. My husband has been to China as a buyer and has seen the horrendous conditions that these people are placed in to make these kind of products for Americans to buy. It's rather sad that each of us tend to forget that portion of our good deal, me included. Thanks for listening. Still sewing for Millie.

This is one of my sample baby quilts that I have taught classes on. The price for just the quilting? $64.65



The label that I placed on the back.