How to Charge for Embroidery?

[PattyP2014]

Hello Cynthia,
I just returned from the Stitches and Stately Homes tour in England that surpassed all expectations. Part of the tour included a private showing at the Royal School of Needlework and 2 days of stitching with graduates from the RSN. The tutors, Jennie Adin-Christie (yes, she worked on “the dress”) and Clare Clensy have both started their own businesses. They shared some good information that may help you. At the school, they were taught to work one hand above and one hand below their work. All threads were cut the length of approximately elbow to fingers. This was meant for speed to avoid the extra motion of pulling thread. That seemed awfully short with extra effort needed to stop and start but clearly they had mastered it as their fingers flew. No wasted motion and flawless stitching.

Of course, we did not discuss money other than to be told the RSN charged £35.00 per hour for restoration when the women attended but the stitchers did not receive that kind of pay. The school, located at Hampton Court, originally paid no rent but now must and is feeling it. We did not learn this from the school directly as they were very tight-lipped about most things.

Both women were fun, professional and extremely encouraging. They offered a variety of their own kits and supplies for sale and our group (13) did our share of buying. It was significant. The kits were simple to very complex and you can see what I mean if you visit their respective web sites--
http://www.jennyadin-christieembroidery.co.uk/Home.html
http://www.vine-embroidery.co.uk/

On a personal note - I, like my tour mates, got caught up in the moment and spent more than I normally would have had been shopping in a store or online. I am not sorry.

I realize your question dealt with pricing and I shared more than that. I hope it helps. Good luck to you.

[KimikoS]

I don't know why, but this made me laugh out loud! Isn't it true?! I've had the same thing happen - I've actually had people come back and ask me to "fix" something that they had someone else do cheaper...

I am glad you got a chuckle from my comment. I had one friend do the same, fixing another friend's mistakes when the garment fell apart in short time. It gets frustrating, so I have to remember to laugh when I can.

There are two books out on this topic right now that have gotten pretty good reviews:

1. Craft, Inc.: Turn your Creative Hobby into a Business, by Meg Ilasco
2. The Handmade Marketplace, by Kari Chapin

Another book I've seen reviewed with 5 stars is "The Savvy Crafters Guide To Success: Turn Your Crafts Into A Career" by Sandy McCall. I plan on checking all three from our library. I do that before I buy, as often my idea of a good book end up different than other folks.

[cynthia_baxter]

Thank you for all the great replies and thoughts on this subject!

[SewnBySaliba]

Thanks for the suggestions about the books - I need to get my hot little hands on those I think!! I wonder if my library would order them if I asked?

[Walfrida]

Hello to all ....

Here in Brazil ...handmade products are charged something like that:
You calculate all material you need to buy or bought ... and multiply for 3 ... 1 part is your cost, 1 part is for your hours and the last part is your commission or profit ... of course you can be flexible ... not cheap and not expansive ... you can make your on balance ....
We have people who charged very small commissions ... too ...but I think is good start this math.
Hope this help...

[fau26]

Well for those who are more savvy with embroidering but are looking to outsource some pieces to others, it really depends on the complexity of the design. I am guessing that you could charge $4 per hour at most. Though if you have been known to work well with it, you can start raising your price, but be sure that you couple that with excellent output so you get continuous job offers.

[dia]

Not embroidery related, per say, but while I was studying Painting my instructor touched on the subject of pricing your art.

He suggested the cost of a finished piece should be start as the cost of supplies plus an hourly wage. After the piece is finished, look it over and add or subtract for quality. It's up to the artist what hourly wage they want to give themselves, but he suggested to start with minimum wage where you're located - after all, what you do just as demanding (if not more so) than most other minimum wage earners.

[pegnyberg12]

I have been selling handcrafted dolls and art quilts for almost 3 years now.... I figure my cost of supplies and the take that number time 10....

then if I feel like it is a creation that I am not willing to part with yet ~ then I double or triple the price.

sometimes I am surprised when the higher priced item are the things that sell the quickest....

hope my little bit helps ....