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what to charge for sewing
lvs2sew Intermediate IA USA Member since 4/25/09 Posts: 80	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/17/12 11:43 PM hello PR I wasn't sure where to post this topic so i did it here sorry if its the wrong spot. I been asked to sew for someone a costume but i don't know what to charge they are supplying the fabric and all notations that is needed for the costume what would be a good price to charge? ------ "My husband said if I buy any more (fabric) he would leave me - I'll miss him."
SandyinMO Advanced MO USA Member since 7/14/06 Posts: 61	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/18/12 8:46 AM This is a hard one. I usually try to get $15/hour for alterations, etc. But for sewing a garment I don't usually feel like I can ask that much, unless it's really simple. It also depends on how well I know the person. If they're a friend I feel better about not charging as much. I don't do anything for less than $50. Not much help, but come up with an amount and throw it out there and see the response. ------ SandyinMO
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6990	Login to reply to this post In reply to lvs2sew << Like this post Date: 11/18/12 9:43 AM I do garment sewing and I wouldn't take anything less than $50 for the finished product. If you know this person well, send the bill at the end. If you don't, request a small deposit to get started, with the rest at the end. This way, they know you're going to do this, and if problems come up, the amount can be adjusted. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4986	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/18/12 12:28 PM Consider the complexity of the pattern, adjustments and fitting(s). Give the price up front. The more you charge might encourage the customer to learn to sew.
ShantiSeamstressing Advanced Beginner Member since 6/11/10 Posts: 1204	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 11/18/12 7:15 PM Actually, when I think of it, labor is the key part of many jobs. When I pay my chimney sweep, my furnace guy who cleans the boiler once yearly, and others, I'm primarily paying for their time and labor. I think your labor is well worth it, even though the material and notions are supplied. By way of comparison, if your friend took the fabric + notions to a professional seamstress, what would be the cost per hour? I suppose that depends greatly upon region of the country, and rural vs metropolitan. But maybe those factors will give you a starting point to decide what to charge. If she's a super friend, and not the sort to take advantage, and this is like a one-time occurrence, then by all means, feel free to under-charge your time if you feel that way for a friend. But other than that, I'd be cautious and protective of your time. Otherwise it can become a bad habit. So you'll be 1) fitting and measuring your friend 2) preparing the pattern 3) preparing the fabric 4) sewing 5) another fitting 6) sewing 7) possibly (?) another fitting + sewing That's a lot of time and I'd say your time is well worth charging for.

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