I should refund each client $100 just for the expressions they make when they see their completed t-shirt quilt! Seriously - its extremely rewarding to turn someone's life into a beautiful handmade quilt. I've never had anyone complain and I get repeat business. But I also treat every quilt like its my own and is made of precious jewels.
My basic charge is $16/tshirt + $2/sq ft for edge-to-edge quilting (non computerized on a Lucy) Here's what they get:
I meet them at my local mom/pop quilt store (where I buy all my fabric).
They bring t-shirts and I bring 3 sample quilts that show the 3 board patterns I use
When it comes to fabric choices I do any of these:
I pick out the fabric based on their favorite colors
They pick out their fabric (mostly with my help but always 100% cotton)
They give me color options and later I put several groups of fabric together, txt pics, and wait for client to provide feedback.
The price includes interfacing, sashing, blocks, borders, batting, high quality 100% cotton muslin backing, Omni thread, needles, and supplies.
What adds to the basic pricing:
If the client wants a non-muslin backing I only charge the difference in price from what I paid for the muslin and what I pay for their backing fabric. In these cases I buy up to 1 yd more backing fabric than I think I need but don't charge them for this overage. If there is a repeating pattern on the backing fabric I like to match up where the seams are so this takes more fabric.
I also charge $15 in this case for sewing the backing together, ironing the seam etc.
Any t-shirt that takes extra work is an additional $5. For example - sports jerseys that are thick or button down shirts
Any photo that they want printed on fabric is an additional $10-$21. I scan the photos myself but use a professional printer.
If the client wants their fabric pre-washed I charge $35. In this case I hand wash it and hang dry. Takes longer but I like to do it this way.
If they want their quilt tomorrow its an additional $5,795.00 Nobody's taken me up on this yet! Whew.
charlie.cheek got a reaction from WandaGerdes in making Tshirt quilts for clients
