I auditioned many possibilities, adding borders, cutting off edge of quilt and inserting extension, ruffles, but finally settled for dissecting a thrifted scalloped-edge quilt, adding pom-pom yarn fringe on lighter side, and serious, but soft, velvet ribbon to hide join seam.
Cheating? No, up-cycling! I can't take credit for the great quilting, just the mash up!
Money Weakness Problem: I hate/dis-like horribly/dread/ figuring out how much to charge a client. Always. When it is paint or fabric, it goes something like this:
New soft green full-size sheets @ Ollie's $19.99
Pom-pom yarn: $3.99
velvet ribbon 10 yds @ Ollie's $2.99
thrifted king size scallop quilt: $14.99
purple king-size suede-like bed ruffle as part of audition: $6.99
24 inches of bias tape
thread to match
$48.95= close to cost of original quilt in bag from Target investment. (It would have been CHEAPER TO JUST BUY A NEW, BIGGER SIZE QUILT instead of hiring me to sew...)
Not counting time/sewing labor. Three-ish hours. More like six hours. Not counting the time I was thinking about it.
Here is my dilemma: how do you charge fairly for sewing? We work for pennies an hour, when you take out materials. I learned years ago it was cheaper to thrift shop than sew clothing when you factor in pattern, fabric, additional specialty supplies.
If I deduct off for unused materials: I can use center of quilt (the borderless one, now) as an art quilt and possibly sell or do a commission piece. The purple suede bed ruffle is still awesome fabric for another project. So subtract half of big scallop quilt and bed ruffle only takes away $14.
$ 35.00 for materials
$15.00 labor at $2.50/hour (cough, less, cough)
Charge $50.00????
I know what John would say. This is why I never give a first impression paint quote. I force myself to tell them I will get back with them after I talk to my financial manager (John). Because I always low-ball it, out of some skewed pride. I want people to like me, be pleased. John reminds me how horrible they would feel if they found out I undercharged and cheated myself and family finances. He always tells me to at lease double it, whatever figure I come up with on my own.
$150.00 (And she will never ask me to sew for her again!
But $75.00, I could ask for that with a straight face, feel dignified, and worth it. This is a stinking cute quilt! Made by an artist. An original. So I should talk myself up to $90.00 which is close enough to $100.00
Maybe it is just a pride thing: I want clients to automatically value my work and out of their own heart tip me above what I charge....? And again, I can hear John rolling his eyes but diplomatically saying "They can't read your mind."
A couple of months ago a financial adviser's wife had a baby while I worked for him. I made them dinner one night and gave them a library film ("Saving Mr. Banks") to watch, mini-date at home. He neglected to turn in the DVD on time when he said he would (and I say they were sort of busy), and the overdue fine racked up to $12.00. Which John thinks the financial adviser should pay him. And I can see the reasoning, but I still feel bad asking for $. Again, John reminds me of how badly the guy would feel if he found out. John says it is a way to keep people honest.
Have I gone on long enough about this weakness of mine?
Take home message: tip generously. Pay your obligations. And don't work for free, like I tend to. Be rightfully proud of your good work, and honestly charge what it is worth.
2 comments:
This is a fascinating dilemma. I have no idea what I'd do. If you could figure out how much a project would cost and then warn them ahead of time it might be easiest. But I guess you don't always know until it's done. People like a good deal and sort of expect if from friends. And honesty is important. Maybe you could say, "This cost me ___, but since you're a great friend I've done it for you for ____," and let them decide what to do. ??? Hmm.
I looks so cool!
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