Blocks, quilt techniques, pricing things….

I made this 12 inch block out of a vintage hanky and some vintage polka dot fabric.

I am getting more comfortable with doing quilting techniques to incorporate in bags. I added some machine quilting to this block. Quilters call it QAYG – Quilt as you go. It is a method of using a regular sewing machine, but getting quilting effects without having to put yards and yards of fabric under the machine at once. If you don’t hand quilt a large piece there are a few ways to do it – from on your own machine and wrestling with the fabric to having all the equipment – or taking it to a longarm quilter or quilt shop where they do it for you. It really is fascinating – and not inexpensive! Wow – really makes me appreciate even the beginner quilts.

Aside from trying to create a crumb quilt from all my scraps, I am not sure a true quilt will ever come from me. But I do like the techniques and processes. Quilted bags are stronger and have interest. The techniques also align well with using vintage fabrics. Finding vintage fabrics usually means things that have been used or have age – so they don’t play nice with using standard patterns or cutting. They also require looking at them in different ways and new ways. That is the “art” in this creating.

Vintage fabrics are why I started sewing. Making sure things don’t go into a landfill. Trying to find beauty in things that don’t seem so pretty anymore or sometimes never were. Making art out of found items.

PRICING

I am finding this the most difficult of tasks. I have researched and culled all the advice I can process on the subject.

What it comes down to is that my bags are one of a kind. They are functional art creations. They are not meant to be bargain items that someone buys in bulk, but a special item that speaks to them in some way and can also be used. Market bags for 98 cents can get the job done – but sometimes you want your everyday life to seem a little bit more special and rejoice in the fact that you can shop because you have to, but can also do it with some pizzazz and attitude. So one special bag with the a load of the others can do just that. Make your grocery day special.

Most of the formulas for pricing consider cost of materials, time, incidental overhead costs. The plight of being the individual maker vs. a factory or China is that my bulk buy is a bolt of interfacing and for the others it is a semi-truck full.

I coupon, sale shop, buy end of bolts and find all the savings I can to pass on for new items. I bargain and explore and search for the best vintage at the best price – sometimes that means finding beauty in things that others have discarded. But truth is – when you want to create something that has a little more quality, is more unique, and not generic – it costs more to make it.

Old school thinking is 1.5 times the cost of your materials. Small business formulas actually add more than this for today’s market.

I have based my pricing on cost of materials, a small labor cost for time spent – (think restaurant server hourly wage divided by 2 and no tips – $5 a bag and most take several hours or a couple of days) Then there is wholesale and retail calculations. I have basically thrown those out the window – I wouldn’t even buy my own bag at the prices that produces! I also want my bags to be used not just looked at – so they have to come within a reasonable price to not worry about using them.

So it becomes very complex.

Each of my bags is a unique creation – even the ones that may look like one that was made before – it is different and created uniquely and on its own. I am not an assembly line. I do not create things in mass. I do try to incorporate cost cutting techniques  but not by short cutting the creative process.

I create.

I make art in everyday items.

I put love and thought into each creation.

So – that is how things get priced. Things are priced at close to break even with a little extra to help keep the supply cabinet filled. To acknowledge value of being an artesian. Not to make a profit or a living.

You may think the prices are not quite right but if you see something you love – GREAT! – Make me an offer. Having the creations in the hands of someone who loves it and will use it is also a payment. I would be happy to bargain and come to a price that is fair if it means a creation gets into the hands of someone who will love it and use it.

Vintage buttons may come to this creation as detail.