Quilters?

[Neesy]

This is the king-size quilt I mentioned which I made for my house in AZ as it has more of a Southwest design. I didn't have quite enough of the backing fabric so used some of the leftover from the patches to add to it but didn't take a pic of the entire backing so this is the only pic I have that shows at least some of it. I included the last pic to show a close up of the quilting detail.

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Wow - it must have taken hours to do this. (Looks like a labour of love)

I recall when I went to Germany back in the 80s (and I hope I haven't already mentioned this), seeing a handmade quilt for sale at a bazaar. Should have bought it when I had the chance as the exchange rate was very good back then.

Guess I'll just stick with my crocheted granny squares

 

[Moderator]

Wow - it must have taken hours to do this. (Looks like a labour of love)

I recall when I went to Germany back in the 80s (and I hope I haven't already mentioned this), seeing a handmade quilt for sale at a bazaar. Should have bought it when I had the chance as the exchange rate was very good back then.

Guess I'll just stick with my crocheted granny squares

Yup, it took several weekends to get just the piecing finished and a few more for the quilting itself.

 

[Spideyman]

This is the king-size quilt I mentioned which I made for my house in AZ as it has more of a Southwest design. I didn't have quite enough of the backing fabric so used some of the leftover from the patches to add to it but didn't take a pic of the entire backing so this is the only pic I have that shows at least some of it. I included the last pic to show a close up of the quilting detail.

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You quilts and quilting projects are magnificent!

 

[Moderator]

You quilts and quilting projects are magnificent!

Thank you!

 

[Dana Jean]

Wow - it must have taken hours to do this. (Looks like a labour of love)

I recall when I went to Germany back in the 80s (and I hope I haven't already mentioned this), seeing a handmade quilt for sale at a bazaar. Should have bought it when I had the chance as the exchange rate was very good back then.

Guess I'll just stick with my crocheted granny squares

Don't get me started on selling quilts.

Every single quilt (bed size) I have personally made -- to make any small amount of profit -- I would have to sell upwards of 700 dollars and that's cheap.

Now, not all quilts are worth that of course. It comes down to the quality of materials involved, (nice cottons vs. cheap cottons, or other materials; the thread is huge. Cheap thread shows in a few years. batting is huge. You have to have quality batting. Backing materials, bindings.)

Plus, cost changes with the pattern of the quilt top itself -- how intricate and detailed is that pieced top? The design of the quilting afterwards and the amount of thread used there, and then figure in the quilter's time. If I was on the clock making minimum wage hourly, that is a chunk of money right there.

Is this hand pieced? machine pieced? hand quilted? machine quilted? King sized? twin?

All of these factors are involved in purchasing a quality quilt. Nothing drives me more insane than to be standing in front of a work of art and hear some broad say, "800 dollars!? I could do that!" Go for it babe.

Obviously, anyone selling quilts as a business is going to watch those costs so they can realistically recover their investment and make a profit. It's business. I get it and I don't blame them. Not judging here. I get it.

But my personal quilts are quality all the way.

 

[Dana Jean]

Yup, it took several weekends to get just the piecing finished and a few more for the quilting itself.

Which puts your quilts pushing that 6, 7, 8, 9 hundred range.

 

[Moderator]

Don't get me started on selling quilts.

Every single quilt (bed size) I have personally made -- to make any small amount of profit -- I would have to sell upwards of 700 dollars and that's cheap.

Now, not all quilts are worth that of course. It comes down to the quality of materials involved, (nice cottons vs. cheap cottons, or other materials; the thread is huge. Cheap thread shows in a few years. batting is huge. You have to have quality batting. Backing materials, bindings.)

Plus, cost changes with the pattern of the quilt top itself -- how intricate and detailed is that pieced top? The design of the quilting afterwards and the amount of thread used there, and then figure in the quilter's time. If I was on the clock making minimum wage hourly, that is a chunk of money right there.

Is this hand pieced? machine pieced? hand quilted? machine quilted?

All of these factors are involved in purchasing a quality quilt. Nothing drives me more insane than to be standing in front of a work of art and hear some broad say, "800 dollars!? I could do that!" Go for it babe.

Obviously, anyone selling quilts as a business are going to watch those costs so they can realistically recover their investment and make a profit. It's business. I get it and I don't blame them. Not judging here. I get it.

But my personal quilts are quality all the way.

And you do make great quilts!

 

[Spideyman]

Don't get me started on selling quilts.

Every single quilt (bed size) I have personally made -- to make any small amount of profit -- I would have to sell upwards of 700 dollars and that's cheap.

Now, not all quilts are worth that of course. It comes down to the quality of materials involved, (nice cottons vs. cheap cottons, or other materials; the thread is huge. Cheap thread shows in a few years. batting is huge. You have to have quality batting. Backing materials, bindings.)

Plus, cost changes with the pattern of the quilt top itself -- how intricate and detailed is that pieced top? The design of the quilting afterwards and the amount of thread used there, and then figure in the quilter's time. If I was on the clock making minimum wage hourly, that is a chunk of money right there.

Is this hand pieced? machine pieced? hand quilted? machine quilted?

All of these factors are involved in purchasing a quality quilt. Nothing drives me more insane than to be standing in front of a work of art and hear some broad say, "800 dollars!? I could do that!" Go for it babe.

Obviously, anyone selling quilts as a business are going to watch those costs so they can realistically recover their investment and make a profit. It's business. I get it and I don't blame them. Not judging here. I get it.

But my personal quilts are quality all the way.

I have seen handmade quality quilts go for close to $1,000 at craft fairs.

 

[Moderator]

Which puts your quilts pushing that 6, 7, 8, 9 hundred range.

Another reason why it makes it so hard for me to find a market to sell them. I'd definitely be losing money because I can't seem to justify charging the big bucks to make up for the time involved to make them.

 

[Dana Jean]

And you do make great quilts!

Thanks. Although I get mine professionally quilted, the fact you are doing that intricate, detailed work yourself puts your quilt value sky high. That is art!

 

[Neesy]

I have seen handmade quality quilts go for close to $1,000 at craft fairs.

Just think - your ancestors will be showcasing them on "Antiques Roadshow" - have you ever seen some of the early American quilts on there? (or maybe that was a needlework sampler) - either way, it becomes a family heirloom for the next generation

 

[Dana Jean]

I have seen handmade quality quilts go for close to $1,000 at craft fairs.

Absolutely. Some of these quilts are just amazing works of art. They are works of art.

And I would like to say to all quilters.

LABEL YOUR QUILTS.

YOU MUST!

These are historical pieces and we will not be around forever. These things get handed down. Label who pieced the top. Who quilted it. The date. Where was it made? Does the quilt have a name? i.e. Maltese Cross? Basket of Lillies? Robbing Peter to Pay Paul? (yes, these are all names of quilt patterns).

Or is it a free-style one-of-a-kind that you made up? Give it a name! Years after we are long gone, someone will look at your quilt and wonder what that pieced top is called so they can go find the pattern. They will wonder about you!

And a person is never truly gone when someone thinks about them.

 

[Dana Jean]

This link will take you to a quilter who is wonderful at breaking down intricate looking quilt squares into easy peasy and fun things in very simple to follow tutorials! She teaches you how to use your tools -- and my personal feelings about life in general, you are only as good as the tools you use.

Missouri Star Quilt Company

 

[Dana Jean]

Don't get me started on selling quilts.

Every single quilt (bed size) I have personally made -- to make any small amount of profit -- I would have to sell upwards of 700 dollars and that's cheap.

Now, not all quilts are worth that of course. It comes down to the quality of materials involved, (nice cottons vs. cheap cottons, or other materials; the thread is huge. Cheap thread shows in a few years. batting is huge. You have to have quality batting. Backing materials, bindings.)

Plus, cost changes with the pattern of the quilt top itself -- how intricate and detailed is that pieced top? The design of the quilting afterwards and the amount of thread used there, and then figure in the quilter's time. If I was on the clock making minimum wage hourly, that is a chunk of money right there.

Is this hand pieced? machine pieced? hand quilted? machine quilted? King sized? twin?

All of these factors are involved in purchasing a quality quilt. Nothing drives me more insane than to be standing in front of a work of art and hear some broad say, "800 dollars!? I could do that!" Go for it babe.

Obviously, anyone selling quilts as a business is going to watch those costs so they can realistically recover their investment and make a profit. It's business. I get it and I don't blame them. Not judging here. I get it.

But my personal quilts are quality all the way.

And I would like to add, buying/selling quilts also comes down to skill.

While my beginning quilts are nice, I was learning. My quilts today are just better because I have learned as I have continued to do it.

But, every quilt is going to have mistakes. It's just how it goes. It has always been said that the Amish purposely made mistakes in their quilts because only God was perfect. But read this little blurb about the "Purposeful Mistake."

Humility Block: Purposeful Mistake Myth - Quilt History Myths

 

[Dana Jean]

Oh, and throwing in -- if a quilt is appliquéd or has embroidery work -- cha ching! Add a couple Benjamins to the cost.

 

[Dana Jean]

This is not my quilt, but I am in the process of making a clamshell quilt. It is a paper pieced, hand worked project. And because it is so time consuming, I am doing a baby quilt.

I love baby quilts. Satisfies my squirrel mentality and I can learn new techniques and try new patterns quickly.

This is a clamshell quilt:

 

[Dana Jean]

Another ongoing project I have,( again, photo not mine,) is a hand-sewn, paper pieced Flower Garden quilt with hexagon flowers. I have so many of these. It's a great scrap user. And I pull it out every once in a while and make flowers while I watch TV. I just keep adding to the pile of flowers that will eventually be sewn together into a quilt.

 

[Dana Jean]

Absolutely. Some of these quilts are just amazing works of art. They are works of art.

And I would like to say to all quilters.

LABEL YOUR QUILTS.

YOU MUST!

These are historical pieces and we will not be around forever. These things get handed down. Label who pieced the top. Who quilted it. The date. Where was it made? Does the quilt have a name? i.e. Maltese Cross? Basket of Lillies? Robbing Peter to Pay Paul? (yes, these are all names of quilt patterns).

Or is it a free-style one-of-a-kind that you made up? Give it a name! Years after we are long gone, someone will look at your quilt and wonder what that pieced top is called so they can go find the pattern. They will wonder about you!

And a person is never truly gone when someone thinks about them.

Here is a simple label. Not me, photo randomly grabbed. But if you look on internet images, there are some very elaborate quilt labels. But they aren't necessary. Simple is great too!

 

[Dana Jean]

sorry. I'll give it a rest. I'm just a passionate champion of quilting.

 

[Spideyman]

Cathedral Window Quilt ( my mom used to make pillows using this design)