Comments on: So Worth It

By: Mary Richardson

Mary Richardson — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 14:03:36 +0000

I saw you today (in Nova Scotia) on Sewing With Nancy.
This was wonderful and I forwarded to my guilds. I am going to start using your printout. I know it will be really helpful. I guess better late than never, right?

By: Diane C

Diane C — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 22:01:44 +0000

I understand what you are doing and wish you success. I was one of the first longarmer in my area and when new longarmers come to me for advise for their business the first thing I say is to not under price their work. We work long hours with both muscle and brain. We need to be appreciated. Your words will be remembered longer then the hairdo, so just go for it.

By: Molli Sparkles

Molli Sparkles — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 23:36:15 +0000

I hear ya loud and clear! I am trying to do exactly the same thing. I’ve only been quilting a little over a year (but an artist of other media before this) and have quickly seen how much time, effort and materials goes into each quilt while so little is expected (by us and others) for their compensation. I’m making a quilt right now with a working title of “No Value Does Not Equal Free”. It’s a complete white on white scrappy Trip Around the World quilt. I’m keeping track of the cost of all materials, the time spent on it (including design, travel, ironing!) and services like long arm quilting. I have 36 blocks made ready to go together, and the subtotal is already at $1000. I can see that inflating still quite a bit more. I’m going to do a full cost analysis and break down once it is finished to expose the true cost of a quilt like this so everyone (quilters included) can see what they could actually be charging. The labour rates quilters impose on themselves are ridiculously low, to say the very least! Anyway, love what you’re doing here and I’ll standby for further commentary. I hope the lecture went well!

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 20:43:30 +0000

Thank you and good luck to you for bringing the value of what we do to notice. My friend and I have taken your formula to heart. We are pricing our quilts accordingly. It is nice to actually have a formula people can understand. Our selling season is just getting started, so we’ll see how it goes. Thank you again and keep up the good work.

By: Marti Reed

Marti Reed — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 17:35:18 +0000

I’m with you all the way. “Handmade” encompasses the value of many salaries. The designers, the purchasing department, the laundress, the cutter, the one who pieces, the seamstress, the quilter, and the binder, each earning more or less than the other, but each should be earning fair wages. Finally, there is the cost of materials, and let’s not forget the wear and tear on equipment used. Machines have to be maintained and repaired from time to time. All of these factor into the price of that quilt, or handbag that the customer just tossed aside as “too expensive”. Ant to add insult, she said, ” I could make that!”

By: Debra

Debra — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 12:17:18 +0000

May the God of great hair bless you. I love this idea. I create hand embroidered pieces and once donated items to a store to be sold at full retail for breast cancer research because I am a survivor. (Mind you this was in a boutique and fine jewelry store) The prices they placed on the items were appalling. The beads and threads alone warranted more than the $35.00 price tag. They said they have too much competition from overseas. I was stunned when you consider the 500% markup on the jewelry. I know they did not mean to offend me, it was a lack of understanding. Thank goodness you plan to educate the world!

By: crozzly1

crozzly1 — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 05:40:32 +0000

I’m in Sam! The very comments made by all the others is exactly what has kept me in my sewing room, just making for “giving”. I think you will make an awesome spokes-woman for this!!!

By: Joyce

Joyce — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 05:33:03 +0000

I love Gail Shears comment. This would be a great idea for a display at our guild’s show. I find that I usually give my quilts to friends and family….I do not want to set a price and have them think I’m pricing them unfairly. We as artists and quilt makers need to rethink our attitudes.

By: Paula F

Paula F — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 05:16:31 +0000

you are SEW right on.. and speak for many of us. THANK YOU!

By: Gail Shearer

Gail Shearer — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 03:45:46 +0000

About 17 years ago I went to a quilt show in Annandale , VA and the quilt guild had a $29.99 quilt from Wal-mart hanging up next to one they had made of similar pattern and colors. They had a terrific display with a list and arrows pointing on the quilt enumerating what made the two items so different from each other. At first glance, casual observers might not notice, but after 5 minutes with that display they had received a valuable education.

I wish you happy hair and receptive listeners. You speak for the artists!