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From: seamstress16
Date: 05-01-2005, 11:28 AM (1 of 9)
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I made a top/skirt set for my grandmother. It was made of polyester silky so, the top and skirt had to be bias cut. Not to mention that fabric slipped and slid all over the place while cutting. The skirt tissue paper of the pattern extended past the selvage of the fabric so I had to slash and piece the pattern. And the top and skirt were both fully lined with extremely narrow hems. Also, the top has a total of about 8 darts with the lining included. I charge my grandmother $90 to begin with, but she complained so much that I took it down to $75. Did I charge too much? -Danielle |
User: seamstress16
Member since: 01-29-2005 Total posts: 88 |
From: Linda in Colorado
Date: 05-01-2005, 01:12 PM (2 of 9)
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My answer to your question is . . . maybe. If you had been sewing for someone outside your family, you probably didn't charge enough. But this IS your grandmother, so a deep discount for family members is a nice touch. Hard-to-handle fabric always adds an upcharge in my business. The extra time it took to slash and restitch the fabric to get a wide enough piece is an upcharge. In my business, I charge by the pattern piece ($10.00 per pattern piece for the fashion fabric and $5.00 per pattern piece for lining). That pricing could go up or down depending on where you are located. Incidentally, I don't charge anything for close family members -- my mother, my children, my grandchildren -- I don't have siblings. But that's my choice. Your choice may be different. So, whether or not you charged too much is really a subjective question. I will be anxious to hear what others have to say on this subject. |
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000 Total posts: 102 |
From: seamstress16
Date: 05-01-2005, 04:42 PM (3 of 9)
| Usually, when a family member asks for something, I do give DEEP discounts. Like, I did my aunt's bridemaids' dress for $30 each. And I gave her a 40% off coupon when she bought the fabric which saved her about $70 there. But, my grandmother insisted that she wanted to pay and wanted to pay what I would charge anyone else. So, that's why I gave her that price. |
User: seamstress16
Member since: 01-29-2005 Total posts: 88 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 05-01-2005, 08:14 PM (4 of 9)
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If she insists on forfeiting the family discount, well then.... It was probably just a surprise to her that it cost most than she anticipated. But then, it was a bit more labor than you had anticipated, too! It certainly sounds as though you worked hard enough to earn your fee. You might encourage Gram to bring you along next time to select a fabric that will be easier to work with so that she won't be surprised by the final cost.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-02-2005, 08:23 AM (5 of 9)
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Hubby and I have ran various business over the years. We both say there is no money in working for your family or neighbors. They expect DEEP discounts. Your grandmother isn't doing that, she's just shocked! I bet she didn't realize how much work was involved.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Linda in Colorado
Date: 05-02-2005, 12:34 PM (6 of 9)
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AHA! Now I understand! My apologies for my earlier confusion. Since Gramma insisted on paying what you would have charged others, then my opinion is you didn't charge her enough at $90! So the $75 was a DEEP discount! One thing I tell customers is that custom made is ALWAYS more expensive than ready to wear. Sometimes that helps -- sometimes it doesn't. (big sigh) |
User: Linda in Colorado
Member since: 03-27-2000 Total posts: 102 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-02-2005, 12:37 PM (7 of 9)
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I wouldn't feel bad about it. You know you did a LOT of work for $75.00
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: wild800
Date: 05-02-2005, 09:58 PM (8 of 9)
| I don't know the answer, but I was wondering how long it took you to complete the entire project including cutting out the pattern pieces? |
User: wild800
Member since: 10-27-2004 Total posts: 48 
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From: seamstress16
Date: 05-02-2005, 11:17 PM (9 of 9)
| Well, she wanted me to put a priority on it. So, I had it for about a week and a half total. But, I actually only worked on it (sewing, cutting, etc) for about three days. The other days I was too busy to work on it. |
User: seamstress16
Member since: 01-29-2005 Total posts: 88 |
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