TL;DR: Buy from somewhere else if you think I charge too much.

I got into a conversation with a potential customer on another platform about the pricing of handmade products and my products specifically.

She thought $45 was too much for one of the mushroom and velour zippered totes that I made. She said that she could find something similar online for $30 or less. I told her she should go for it.

Most of the fabric I use is thrifted, salvaged or donated fabric so I don’t factor that cost into the pieces because it’s pennies. I do, however, buy some new fabrics that cost anywhere from $5-$10 per yard and I don’t usually factor in that cost or if I do, I don’t charge a premium.

I buy all new zippers, zipper pulls, fleece, interfacing and sometimes other hardware as needed. I buy shears, chalk, fabric pens, pins & clips, quilting tape and lots of thread. These are consumables and need to be replaced as they get used up or break.

Depending on the fabric and item I’m making, I need to process the fabric before sewing with it. Some fabrics need to be washed and dried. Others, especially thrifted/salvaged fabrics, need to be steamed to eliminate any dust or bugs that might be present. This is a risk when you buy a roll of fabric that’s been sitting in a warehouse for 15 years.

99% of the fabrics I use need to be ironed and fused with fleece or an interfacing. This takes more time than you know. Processing, ironing, measuring, cutting, marking and pinning or clipping the pattern is 80% of sewing.

If I’m making a pattern I’ve made many times and have written down, it goes pretty fast. And by fast, I mean 45 minutes to 4-5 hours per piece depending on the size and complexity.

If it’s a custom request, I’m going to spend time working out the dimensions on paper and possibly making a test piece to ensure it’s what the customer wants and that my math is correct.

My two sewing machines and one serger need at least yearly maintenance and cleaning to run properly and not break down.

I’m telling everyone this because people who don’t craft handmade items don’t seem to understand the 100’s hours of practice and preparation that have gone into someone’s craft or art. I’ve been sewing for 33 years. I’m definitely not perfect, but I know what I’m doing. If I make a mistake, I’ll own up to it and make right either by refunding the money or making a new one at no charge. This happened last year and I made it right.

If $45 is too much for the above, you should download the Temu or SHEIN app. That’s more your speed.

I earn enough money to support my sewing addiction so that I’m not using household money for it and that’s good enough for me. I don’t make a huge profit or even any profit sometimes.

I don’t balk at the prices that other artists and crafters charge because they are trying to support their families and make ends meet doing something they love. I know that when I buy a piece from an artist in our sphere, I’m not just getting a beautiful and unique handmade item, I’m helping to support my tribe.

/END RANT

The next Artist Spotlight stream is one I am looking forward to tremendously! I will be joined by a wonderful heathen family who is creating beautiful and touching books for heathen children. Fully illustrated by their teenage daughter. We will also be joined by own teenage daughter, the mighty Bug, to discuss their wonderful work and celebrate the youth who are creating and making art. They already have one book available and one on the way! Can’t wait to chat and find out more. In the meantime, support their channel here: https://t.iss.one/LittleWolfandFriends

Enchantingly haunting. I think I'll be listening to this track on repeat for a bit💚🌿

A closer look at some of the details...