I sew mainly for my own enjoyment but I have been asked to make some bags and matching accessories (wallet, checkbook cover, glasses case) for some friends and I need some tips on how to price my work. Here are some pictures of sets that I have done for myself and for gifts and they want something similar. I know a lot of you cuties sew for others and I am hoping you will share some pricing tips with me.

oh my!! I just read all your comments. These are the exact reasons that I do not make bags unless they are for me or family for a gift. The general public will not pay enough for you to make a profit. I don't mean to be negative or poo-poo your idea. When I had my items in a little high end boutique . I sold my toilet paper covers( a roll of toilet paper with a embroidered felt cover slipped in a cellophane gas and tied with a ribbon ) for $10. embroidered finger tip towels for $10. Embroidered hand towels $17. each or 2pc set hand towels for $33. Kitchen or Tea towels with embroidery for $13. ea.,Towel toppers for $13...., embroidery initial fleece scarf with fringe for $12. Silk like or polyester eternity scarves for $13. I also did place mats ,napkins, table runners, aprons and baby bibs. I found my niche with the kitchen towels as people will pay $13. with no problem. I don't charge more for the higher stitch count , but do avoid them some. I hope this helps you. i prefer not to stitch on customers personal items, but I will occasionally. I refuse to do alterations as people want it done too cheaply. Good luck with your decisions. Kay

...the rule of thumb is this take the total cost of all your materials that you used to create the one thing & times it by 2.5 this will give you the original cost back & the rest will be hydro & your time. If you used that really expensive foam then calculate that into the price. I have had customers tell me they could do it for so much less & then I simply tell them well go buy the fabric of your choice & I will only charge you half. They soon see just how expensive it really is

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by pldc 11 Jun 2015

I also tell them the price up front & ask for 50% down payment so that are less likely to change their mind

Some good tips here & if you want to sew something again ask yourself this: did you enjoy the process & would you do it again...if it is challenging I charge more as it takes more time to make it. I sell a lot of diaper bags & I hate making them so I charge a bundle for them & people pay because it is all good quality fabric...well worth the price as it will last longer then the use of a diaper bag..I agree going high but you can always do a combo price buy more then one get a discount or buy two for X amount so they get a deal. Your things are quite lovely & well worth the extra cost!

Well, Teresa...I'm with all below who say don't short change your work and efforts...Your items are lovely and well constructed...I don't usually sell my work, but my motto is "Open High, you can always go Lower!"

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by queenofhearts 07 Jun 2015

Thank you. Good motto, once you quote a price it is pretty hard to go higher, unless the customer changes the order.

People, especially friends have absolutely no idea of the work involved. You have made some beautiful things and I just hope you are paid well for your work.

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by queenofhearts 07 Jun 2015

Thank you.

Now that you know the pricing that some cuties will charge, I would encourage you not to think about what others would sell something for, and since you sew mainly for yourself and friends to figure out what it would be worth, to YOU to make something .....factoring in everything, but even more importantly, also factor in that you really do not want this to become a "job". If you price yourself low, you may end up resenting the people who do not value the time, energy and love you are putting into each project you create. Be sure to think hard about whether you want to go down that road or not. If you decide that, yes you do want to do some sales, but not in order to make a living, then make sure you price things so that it is worth it to you. Obviously if you were having to make a living as a business, then you often will drop prices or take jobs you may not take otherwise. Hope that all works out well with no hard feelings between friends, Good Luck, Pam

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by queenofhearts 07 Jun 2015

Thank you Pam for your very wise comments, some good things to think about.

I have, unfortunately, discovered that sewing for "friends" is not always beneficial to the seamstress. Many do not realize the work involved, the material costs and the time spent. Ask them what they make per hour and see if they would be willing to pay you their hourly rate plus materials! Many will not. It is unfortunate that those that do not sew, or do any other hand crafts, do not realize the time and experience one puts into the project. I am sure that if you were to price the fabric, trimmings, thread, time and experience involved the price someone is willing to pay is ridiculously small. Your bags looks terrific and you deserve a great price. Do not undersell your work and especially do not undersell your time!

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by queenofhearts 06 Jun 2015

"Friends" often expect you to do it for less too as if your time is not worth as much because you are friends. Thank you for your kind remarks.

I sold my bag done with in-R-form for $15 . I thought that was reasonable.maybe it was too cheap

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by queenofhearts 06 Jun 2015

You must have had that much in materials. Even if you use scraps from your stash you still paid for them at some point. You should have gotten much more.

by pldc 11 Jun 2015

it was too cheap!

I have no comment on price,however these look great!

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Thank you.

Well I got 5 fat quarters for $10.00 (on special at Spotlight) for the bags I made for my ladies luncheon, then I used the BOSAL IN-R FORM at $11.00 for a piece 9 inches by nearly 60 inches for the padding (so I had to buy a bigger lot due to the width - I needed 15 inches wide) and then of course the lining - a piece about 15 inches by 30 inches. If you can get the little fat quarters when on special that's always a good way of buying many different fabrics. Then as the others have said is the time you spend on cutting it out, putting it together, the wear and tear on your machine etc. You also need to think of using your electricity, threads, needles etc. I would be happy to pay $50.00 for your bag and at least $10.00 for the purses. As others have said don't undercharge or sell yourself short. Things hand made are made with love and care and time! Love Chris

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

It costs me about $20 for a fat quarter bundle for the outside of the bag, fabric for lining, and the r-foam. Then there are a couple more fat quarters, zippers and snaps to complete the smaller items so that probably brings the total to $30/$35. If I were to double that we are looking at $60 to $70, which is pretty much in line with what you are saying. Thank you so much for giving me the confidence to charge what it is worth and not under estimate my time and talent..

by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Chris, I looked at the bags you made for your ladies and my black/white bag is very similar to yours except all of my bags have an embroidered design on them as well. So you know very well how much work is required to do a bag like this. Thanks again, Teresa

I am not good at pricing or guessing people's ages LOL... but, your sets are simply beautiful and worth a lot!!! Hugs, Laura*

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

I appreciate your comments. I know that you have made the checkbook cover. Do you have any idea what that is worth?

Love them

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Thanks

Can't help with prices I am afraid. But looking at your bags I can see a lot of time and effort has gone into them. Just the patchwork alone takes time. I am thinking at least nothing less than $50 for the set and that still feels cheap to me.

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Thank you for your input. I will consider your comments when I decide what to charge.

I see you have gotten good advice. I think your bags and accessories are first rate and you deserve to be paid a fair price. i know you have put in a lot of time and effort plus the materials.

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Thank you. Cheap foreign goods have flooded the market and make people think everything should be cheap.

Lovely work.

Cost of thread, fabric, pattern should be doubled. Consider then the value of your time. I have some friends who pay fair price and others who want a great bargain where it practically becomes a gift. Your friends will show it to others and then they will want it at that price. Ask yourself this, don't you deserve to be treated fairly? You could also offer to teach the person how to do the bags with them supplying everything. I make them realize the time it will take and they must fit their schedule to mine. Before long they realize it is a bargain to purchase it at a fair price.

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

I love your idea to teach them to do it their self. If they could do it they would, otherwise they should be willing to pay a fair price to someone who can. Thank you.

While I cannot tell you exactly how much to charge -- remember you are NOT competing with WalMart.
You need to charge for the fabric/supplies, your time, and your expertise. That means if (on a good day) the bag takes an hour to make -- then charge what you believe you should make in an hour. Remember that you are putting more wear on your machines which will need service...don't do it cheap or you will be asked to do it for the same price for all their friends and families too.

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

One of the reasons that I don't sew for others is because then it becomes a job and it isn't as much fun anymore. I sewed professionally for years but I was never involved in the pricing part of the job. I got paid by the hour no matter how long it took to complete the job, and I never cut corners to get something done in a hurry. Thank you for your input.

Wish I could help you, but I don't make/sell bags. These are beautiful, don't sell your self short!

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Thank you.

Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing and inspiring us - Maria

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by queenofhearts 05 Jun 2015

Thank you.