Presidents Message June 2016

This month after what will surely be an interesting presentation by Candy Glendenning, she will teach her ‘quilt as you go’ technique.  An appealing idea to me.  I’m thinking maybe I would actually be able to quilt as I make my quilt tops instead of waiting until I have the money to quilt by checkbook.  THAT would be quilting as you go to me! 

That thought made me consider my quilting process and how much it really costs to make a quilt (if you are confused by my thought processes, feel lucky; I have to live with them).  My typical quilt is either a large lap size or a queen size.  Let’s go with an average of 80” x 100”.  It probably takes an average of 8 or 9 yards of fabric for the top of the quilt.  We’ll call it 10 yards, just because I want to.  The back will need about 6 yards.  That’s 16 yards at about $12/yard or $194 dollars.  I have to add about 10% for the unplanned extra stuff I find to buy when I go to a quilt shop, so we’ll round it up to $250.  Then there is $6 for thread, $5 for the extra electricity for the air conditioning (hot flashes caused by quilting), and an average of $25 for machine maintenance, oil, drinks, house cleaning and other activities that aren’t done because I’m busy sewing.  Once the top is done, there is quilting to consider.  Do I go with an inexpensive overall pattern or a cool custom job.  The prices can range between $150 and $400 (and probably more).   I’ll say $250 for now.  My average quilt cost is now $536.  Oh boy, I need to ask for a raise in my allowance!

Ok, the plus side.  I have a quilt.  I made it, my family will love it (or, at least, say they do), and I have a bunch of scraps left over.  After 4 or 5 quilts, I have enough scraps to make another quilt. Yes!  That’s a free quilt!  I should have to pay for the hours of enjoyment I get from the process.  Each quilt is worth a Disneyland ticket, at least.  Please don’t tell anyone about that part.  I can’t afford to pay, I spent all my money quilting.

See you at the meeting.

Terry Simon,

President