How much?

[MaryN]

I have been asked by a work colleague to do a baby sampler. She is insisting on paying for my services, and therein lies my problem
How much do you charge? Is there a pricing criteria? Advice would be much appreciated.

[mags]

No idea really on this subject. I think it would be very difficult to quantify in terms of hours or number of stitches.

However, there is a site in the US who do this and their charges are listed on this page: http://ghoststitchers.com/Stitching%20Service%202.htm" target="_blank

[Busy_B]

This probably doesn't help, but I am being paid $200 (US) for a model stitch that I'm doing. I think its 169 stitches by 22 if I remember correctly. It comes out to less than a penny a cross stitch, but this is the first time this designer has used a model stitcher. I'm sure if she likes the work that we can work on the price for the next one. Of course, I don't have to do the backstitch since she wants to do it herself and she mailed everything to me.

[Red]

Is it from a kit or a chart? I wouldn't know what to charge either but I would start at cost of the materials (if she doesn't provide them) and then pick an average amount for the time it took in discussion with the person I was doing it for!

Good luck!

[MaryN]

Thanks to all who replied. It was really helpful getting other stitchers' views on this.
It's a kit which she supplied herself, although I helped in the choosing
Went onto 'ghoststitching' to price, and it works out at £45 (0.0150p per stitch!), plus you should add a nominal fee. I think this is a bit steep tbh, but it gives me a starting grid

[Serinde]

Never underestimate your own skills. £45 sounds more than reasonable to me for a hand-made article like a baby sampler.

[freelady]

I know that sounds a lot and I find it hard to charge, but think about how much anything hand made costs in the shops or even at fairs. And it will take more hours than you imagine, I'm sure.

There is the argument that you are getting the pleasure of stitching so shouldn't consider the time spent....but to me that's bunkum. Everyone deserves to be paid something for their time. Not to mention skill and effort.

But my advice is to get a clear pricing strategy sorted with her before you even start so you aren't left with nothing at the end.

[~threadbear~]

Also if you agree the cost at the outset it saves anyone feeling uncomfy about costs etc later. I'm the sort of person, that once it was done, would more likely end up giving it to them because I'd feel embarrassed over the money, so if that's sorted between you straight away, then you both know exactly what's what and won't end up in that position.
It's so hard though isn't it , but if I were you I'd involve her in the costing. Maybe if you show her the system used by those other stitchers and then go by her reaction to that and of course how you feel yourself, to come to a price you can both agree with.

[Rose]

Very good advice TB it is important for a non-stitcher to be involved in the pricing so that they have a clear understanding about the price compared to the work. Think of a person who paints your picture as compared to some one who takes your picture with a camera the time involved needs to be taken into consideration.

Another thing that needs to be discussed and the person that is on the recieving end needs to understand and that is the amount of time it will take to complete the project. You are not a machine and stitching takes time to complete.

[maggs]

I did a "Home Sweet Home" sampler, in which I supplied the material and the threads and the pattern. The sampler only had those words on them and he paid me £55 pounds for it.

Don't know if that helps.

Edit: That sounds a bit simple but it was done as a arc and each letter changed colour from light to dark.

[frankattleborough]

I have only ever been asked once to do a cross stitch for someone else and that was from a photograph.

The subject of what to charge was very difficult as he was a friend, in the end I just said to him 'give me what you think'. I trusted him to be fair and he gave me £30.

I agree with others that you should discuss it with them first and agree on a price so that you both know where you stand and it will save any problems. You must make them realise just how much work, skill and time it will involve.

[MaryN]

Thanks everyone. Glad I asked the question - your comments have been of great use. Rose, I didn't think of it like that before - commissioning an artist is much more expensive and personal than getting a photo taken.
Thanks, stitchers xx

[ohstitcher]

I was once asked by someone I didn't even know to do a wedding sampler for her, she saw a piece of work of mine at a local stitching show. I really didn't know what to charge, I had her buy all the materials and I set out working on it. I started by keeping track of the hours and charged her set amout of money on the time spent on it. It worked out to be $7.00 US per hour. She wasn't really happy with the $150.00 price tag at the end but she did pay. Thinking back on that experience taught me something I will never stitch something for someone else. I am more than happy to stitch for people I know as gifts from me, but to ask me to do something for you not gonna happen. I went onto the ghoststitchers site and I have a ? is each stitch considered half of cross? For instance they said it's not stitch count it's per stitch so if they charge .01 per sitch one full cross is .02? and what about back stitching? Does each stitch count on that as well? Just some things to mull over in my little brain.