I read the post (and its linked article) about pricing of quilts and feel like I'm missing something.
The article's author notes she estimates slightly more than $100 in supplies for an average quilt (including rotary blades, needles, etc.) I just spent $200 on soft goods alone for an 80" X 80" gift quilt . (Batting, thread, 5 yards of Moda fabric for the backing, 8 Moda charm packs for the front, 1/2 yard Moda fabric for the binding).
I realize pre-cuts are more expensive than yardage and I'm paying full retail -- and in many instances, shipping for online purchases. But how in the world do you make a quilt cost effectively without using all scraps or all clearance fabric (which never seems to be the patterns/colors I'm looking for)?
Honestly, I can't imagine selling a quilt. There are so many sunk costs and so many hours. If I charged $600-$800 it wouldn't feel "worth it" to me, and yet I see quilts all over Etsy for around $300. (I see why it drives the author crazy!) And I don't think I'm terribly slow . . . the quilt I just referenced took me about 30-32 hours. At $10 an hour plus supplies that adds up to more than $500 with no overhead.
What am I missing?
(PS: What I'm NOT missing is the priceless opportunity to thrill friends and family with gift quilts. I'm a newbie, but I've already given away six quilts and the reaction of the recipient is truly invaluable to me.)



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