Sweat Shop Sewing Part 2
Today will be a continuation of yesterday. I worked on the quilt fairy projects after completing yesterday's BOD (which, by and by, took me over two hours to complete...77 pieces in a 6 1/2" block). Here's what the aftermath of yesterday's work looks like.
The bodies are constructed, as well as the strings for the openings. The linings will be inserted today, topstitching and channels will follow after that, and then Jim will insert the strings when he returns home later today or tomorrow. At least, that's the plan for the day.
Still no word on the long arm. Jason is not in the shop today so a call will be made tomorrow to see what's up with the machine.
Speaking of long arming, there was a post this morning regarding long arming charges. After reading through the various comments on said post, somebody commented as follows: "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
It seems most people ask me, "How much would you/do you charge to quilt a quilt?" Shouldn't they ask about my quality of quilting before asking about price?
It takes about six hours to quilt a small quilt. 8 for a medium, and over 10 for anything larger then a double size top. Folks don't realize we have to press the tops and backs (even if they are already pressed because after 10 minutes of folding, there are creases that need to come out). We have to load the quilt, square it, baste it, all before quilting can even commence.
Are we not even worth what works out to about $10/hour since I am actually skilled labor and this is unskilled labor prices?
Another person commented something about the cost of our machines (mine was around $20K) and how quilting a quilt for $60 doesn't justify the cost of the machine. I agree!
It all boils down to the adage of you get what you pay for. I feel like charity/QOV quilts are one thing, but a quilt being given as a gift, as an heirloom, a keepsake for yourself or another loved one, deserves to have the best quilting put into it.
I'm a professional quilter/quiltmaker, not a factory worker doing mind-numbing work requiring no skills or creativity. I feel like $10/hour is disgraceful and frankly, if you want to get it cheaper elsewhere, by all means, head right on over there because I've seen what the quality is of the person who quilts those quilts for a cheaper price and frankly, that's factory quality, not one of a person with passion and standards.
End rant.
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| Some of the bags |
Still no word on the long arm. Jason is not in the shop today so a call will be made tomorrow to see what's up with the machine.
Speaking of long arming, there was a post this morning regarding long arming charges. After reading through the various comments on said post, somebody commented as follows: "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
It seems most people ask me, "How much would you/do you charge to quilt a quilt?" Shouldn't they ask about my quality of quilting before asking about price?
It takes about six hours to quilt a small quilt. 8 for a medium, and over 10 for anything larger then a double size top. Folks don't realize we have to press the tops and backs (even if they are already pressed because after 10 minutes of folding, there are creases that need to come out). We have to load the quilt, square it, baste it, all before quilting can even commence.
Are we not even worth what works out to about $10/hour since I am actually skilled labor and this is unskilled labor prices?
Another person commented something about the cost of our machines (mine was around $20K) and how quilting a quilt for $60 doesn't justify the cost of the machine. I agree!
It all boils down to the adage of you get what you pay for. I feel like charity/QOV quilts are one thing, but a quilt being given as a gift, as an heirloom, a keepsake for yourself or another loved one, deserves to have the best quilting put into it.
I'm a professional quilter/quiltmaker, not a factory worker doing mind-numbing work requiring no skills or creativity. I feel like $10/hour is disgraceful and frankly, if you want to get it cheaper elsewhere, by all means, head right on over there because I've seen what the quality is of the person who quilts those quilts for a cheaper price and frankly, that's factory quality, not one of a person with passion and standards.
End rant.
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