In no particular order.

Go to store with customer to insure
the quality of fabric & thread customer buys. You do not want to work with
poor quality. Fabric is the cheapest part of the quilt. Your labor is the
expensive part.

Keep a strict record of every minute
you spend on the quilt. The total time will flabbergast your customer when you
show her.

We had 3-part receipts with customer’s signature/initials on each
page. The customer personally filled out his/her information. We would give
the customer one carbon copy, the 2nd copy stayed with the item and the
original went in the order book.

With everything written down, each
of you has a clear picture of what is expected. Record every interaction with
customer: date, time, brief synopsis of conversation.

I know it may be difficult for some
who are new in the business world, just remember… You are creating the quilt
because you know what you’re doing. You are the professional. Acting like a
polite professional give the customer confidence in you.

Whatever time you estimate it will
take you; add extra time to the
promise date you give the customer. You won’t feel pressured because something
comes up that caused a delay. (Sewing machine acts up, storm comes through and
causes a massive power outage, etc.).
Nobody complains on an early finish & delivery.

Here’s an example of when the carbon
copy worked for us. Customer wanted 24 hour turn around & paid extra, we
finished and called him. Only to learn the number was not in service. Customer
showed up 2 days later steaming & madder than a wet hen. After he quit
‘talking’, we showed him our copy. He had written the wrong phone number –
correct area code, exchange from old house & last 4 numbers from new house.
He apologized for his behavior.

Good advice Glass. I think I will invest in carbon copy forms. A friend of mine has a print shop, perhaps we can trade services. The closest fabric store to us is Hobby Lobby, 45 minutes away. The next closest is Joanns, almost 90 minutes away. I have a feeling I will be purchasing/ordering most of the fabrics used. So far most of my quilts for customers have been tee shirt, and I spy quilts, so I could use what I have on hand. I do have a sheet I use to log time spent working. I give them a total number of hours spent and so far everyone has been satisfied with the totals. There have been no complaints over the misc. charges, either.

Don't forget what size they prefer. If you don't want to make anything 'larger than' give them choices. I gave 2 choices....small at 30/36 X 40/45 and large at 45/50 x 55/60. I didn't want to make any bed size when I was working full time, too, and the girls in the office mostly were the ones buying. And, I wanted to give myself a little leeway and not be subjected to something definite. Not really professional, but I wanted to make it still be fun for me. Once you have your basic sizes and various traditional patterns figured out, you can figure out the charges for sundries per pattern/sizes as a basic starting point. At least, that's the way I did it. I even did the yardage per pattern and per size. I made up a spreadsheet that automatically added up yardage and charges per item so I didn't have to 'think' too hard. Of course, it's long gone now. lol Good luck and have fun!

Oh spreadsheet, good idea. It has also been suggested I include a disclaimer that this is a hand made item and may be subject to minor imperfections.

Just my opinions:

DO NOT let the customer purchase the fabric - you'll probably regret it.

I do not figure in thread costs, cutter blades, etc. as those are part of the price of the quilt. I also do not itemize the fabric or batting. Scrap quilts are priced less because they are made from scraps. Quilts that have some hand quilting, applique, or hand embroidery are priced higher than a simple pieced quilt.

I do not make large bed quilts because I would have to send them out to be quilted - that doesn't apply to you, of course. I make baby quilts, lap quilts and throws, and table runners. I also restored and made pillows for a customer from pieces she brought to me. I ask for 1/2 the price as a deposit with the balance due when I present the finished quilt to the customer.

I get the customer's input on size, colors, fabrics chosen, any embellishment, etc. I also show the customer samples and photos of my quilts to show the quality of work that I do.

Teresa

Thanks, Teresa. I wondered about charging for the scrap quilts, but I paid for that fabric, too, so decided I would charge, but not the full price of the fabric.