You know how the other day I mentioned that I was working on a cross-stitch piece someone hired me to do? Well, that generated a fair number of questions I thought I’d answer in a post.
How did the person find me?
A long time ago, like around the time Eli was born, I was talking with the wonderful women at my local cross-stitch store and the topic came around to people looking for people to stitch for them. I mentioned that I’d be interested in that kind of work. I left my name and number and about a month ago I got my very first inquiry.
How did I decide what to charge?
Everybody told me to charge hourly. I thought about it quite a lot. Hourly is certainly the way to go in most endeavors like this. I looked at some of the work I’d done previously and did some calculations. I came to the conclusion that no one in their right mind would pay me an hourly rate to cross-stitch, there’s just too much time involved.
I decided to do a per job charge, depending on the complexity of the work and what materials were or were not provided. I love stitching and as long as the pattern is something that I would most likely do without getting paid, the money is just fodder for my ever increasing stash.
It just so happened that the dollar amount that I came up with in my head exactly matched the dollar amount that my client came up with as well. I considered that an excellent sign and took it as an indication that I should take the job.
Am I going to be able to get it done in time?
We set a date of the end of September. My client wants to give it as a gift so I am working very hard to make that September date. I’m actually doing better time-wise on this project than I do on my own stuff. I know I need to spend a certain number of hours per day working and I haven’t been skipping very often. There are five lighthouses and a compass rose in the pattern and I have one lighthouse done and have more than half of the compass done as well. If I work as I’ve been working the past few days, I’ll be able to finish the compass today.
Does having a set deadline take the joy out of the work?
I haven’t found that to be true yet. Ask me again at the end of August.
I think I’ve covered all the questions people have asked. If you have others, post them below and I’ll answer them.
OMG! Yours is a needlework AND quilting shop in one! I am soooo jealous! I agree, like minds were an excellent sign that you should give this a try… doing what you enjoy and subsidizing your addiction. 🙂 It’s lookin’ good, gal!
I didn’t realize there WAS a cross stitch store here! Spiffy! I will have to check it out, soon.
Renee: Let me know when you want to go and Ashley and I will take you. We can ditch the guys one Saturday!
Hey Misty, if you ever need any fabric for any projects you are doing, or want to try silks or anything like that, let me know. I have more fabric that I know what to do with. Also if you know anyone doing quilts who would like some interesting squares to work with, I have bags (literally) of squares which came from the showrooms I used to work with, when a fabric was discontinued they send those all back to us. So yeah, tons.
Oooh! Oooh! I’ll take quilting squares! I’m always looking for more quilting fabric and inspiration!
Kat, no problem. I’ve got a huge amount. One bag will take good care of you for a long while. How can we get them to you?