Vintage Doll Quilt Kits?
As I look forward to retiring from my school tech assistant job, I am thinking about different activities I might like to take on. One that I have been considering for some time is attempting to sell doll quilt kits with vintage fabric. Here are my thoughts so far…..
Although I have lots of ideas for doll quilts, maybe start with these patterns which I have already made — 4 are hand stitched and 2 are machine stitched.
Cut all the pieces for each block and place them in individual glassine envelopes (providing a couple of extra blocks or pieces in case of mistakes or a desire to swap out patterns).
Write up instructions for each top with templates and suggested quilting patterns.
Stitch one sample block for each kit.
I thought this would be a unique product that I’ve never seen for sale, but maybe there’s a reason for that. Maybe there is not that much interest in hand stitching or vintage fabric or doll quilts — what do you think? Also, I have no idea what to charge for such a thing — I was thinking of $30 for a simpler quilt and $40 for a quilt with lots of pieces (like the 488 piece little basket quilt). Should I include a backing, and if so, would it need to be vintage (which would increase my costs) or could it be a reproduction?
Anyway, it was just an idea.
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JULIE wrote,
I for one think this is a great idea! I would be very interested!
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Alice wrote,
Lovely idea – consider me a customer. Online kits seem to have optional backings. Someone like me who doesn’t have a local quilt shop might prefer the backing included. I wouldn’t mind mixing vintage and reproduction fabrics, I adore three out of those six quilts:)
Your prices sound very reasonable, considering that it is vintage fabric. Think carefully about how much time it would take you to prepare one kit and factor in your labour costs.
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Pam wrote,
I think it’s a wonderful idea, but I’m concerned that you are underpricing it. The vintage fabric definitely adds value to the product and the cutting adds a huge amount of value. Perhaps sell the kit with the fabric but without cutting for the prices you are considering. You can charge quite a bit more for kits where cutting has been completed.
Just my 2 cents!
Pam
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Barbara wrote,
As maybe the only non-quilter in the group, my opinion probably isn’t the best … it sounds like a great idea, but I too would worry that you would be spending so much time for too little return. On the other hand – if it’s something you love doing, why not?
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Jan wrote,
I think it is a great idea! I think plain muslin for backing could be a good option. It wouldn’t have to be vintage, or you could offer a vintage backing as an option. I definately think that the price should be higher. You might not sell as many, but the ones you did sell, would surely be appreciated. And I agree that you would be paid sweatshop wages at those rates. I would think maybe $65 or $75 might be closer to ‘market rates’. (put me down for the flowers!)
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Mindy/Minka wrote,
I don’t buy kits but lots of people do. I’m not sure what others charge for kits but this seems like a low price. Like most everyone else has said, you need a higher price to cover your labor….and what it would cost you to replace the vintage fabrics. I think making the backing optional is the best way to go. You could have 3 prices: no backing, contemporary or repro backing, vintage backing. You could try it…just make up a few and see how it goes. Start it as a limited offer.
I’m getting a vicarious thrill because I’m looking forward to the day I can retire and just focus on my quilts, painting, etc. I say, Go For It!
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Mindy/Minka wrote,
PS. The sample block may not be necessary and would increase your labor costs a lot.
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Allie wrote,
I think it’s a great idea, but like everyone else, I think your prices are way too low. Check out prices on quilt kits – even small ones – and add in the vintage fabric factor. I don’t buy kits [can't afford them] but I love the idea of them, and I know they’re popular!
Link | October 15th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Miri wrote,
This is a fantastic idea. I too think a muslin or bleached muslin back would be perfect. I also worry that you’re underestimating the amount of work for you…if you’re giving the templates then you don’t have to cut the fabric.
I know that vintage kits came with the fabric marked for cutting (applique kits) and pieced kits came with fabric cut but that was die cut…do you have one of those cutters?
These quilts are so lovely and such perfect little representatives of classic vintage quilts.
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 4:15 am
mickie wrote,
I agree with Miri and I agree with Allie, you shouldn’t have to cut all the pieces for the customer and your prices seem MUCH to low. I don’t know about the market these days but it sounds like you already have customers lined up judging from the comments!!! Maybe make kits as they are ordered? Would you be selling them on Etsy?
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 4:30 am
pratima wrote,
It is a great idea! The vintage fabric makes the kit so special.
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Cathi wrote,
I think it’s a fabulous idea!! A kit with the option to add the backing fabric might be a good way to go.
The price seems rather low though — there’s a lot of work put into cutting all those little pieces and packaging them up!
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 6:37 am
ingrid@morestylethancash wrote,
I am not trying to be a downer but I have been involved with a lot of business start ups so I want to ask you some questions from a different angle.
Why are you doing this? Are you trying to build a business or will it just be a hobby that might bring in some money.
How much time would you be willing to spend on this a week. If this fails how much money would you be out.
If this succeeds beyond your wildest dreams would you be willing to hire help.
Do you have the type of personality that can deal with un-realistic complaints.
Do you have a back up plan in case you have an injury and can not get your orders out.
Do you just want to keep this small and exclusive. (If you do then you can limit the run of each quilt pattern.)
I am not trying to be mean but I think in the long run you will be much happier if you answer these questions now. The worst thing to see is some one start up a business and then resent it.
All the best!
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Holly wrote,
I really like the idea! I think that $30-$40 seems fair for a doll quilt kit (especially if it is vintage fabric and has a pattern with instructions).
I’m not sure that I would spend some of the higher prices suggested (not that I don’t think that it is worth it – just that I suspect that many people wouldn’t have the funds to spend $50-$75 range for a doll-sized quilt).
If I may be so bold, I would suggest a few things to keep your labour down. I would just provide templates with the fabric pieces. This way your client can cut their own pieces (and save you a lot of time!).
I probably wouldn’t include a hand pieced square for a $30-$40 kit. I suspect that this step would be quite time intensive for you.
A vintage back would be a really nice addition, however, I suspect that you could get away with muslin (as another person mentioned).
I have ordered stitching kits from “Posie Gets Cozy”. She seems to have a clever model for her kits. She specifies a shipping date and then accepts pre-orders. She then accepts as many orders as she thinks that she can fill and cuts the ordering off once there are enough orders. She then assembles the kits to order (I like this idea because then she is not making kits that will not be sold – saves her time and materials). Alicia Paulson (Posie Gets Cozy) seems to have a fair bit of information on her site about starting a crafty business. Might be interesting for you!
I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I know that I would love to learn to hand quilt. Learning with vintage fabric would be a fantastic treat!
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Lynn wrote,
It is a great idea, go for it! That is how Judie Rothermel got started.
Check out her site. Not related in anyway just a long time fan of Judie’s. http://www.schoolhousequilts.com/kits.htm
Link | October 16th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
LoriD wrote,
What a fun idea! I have never bought a kit, but might be intrigued with this idea.
Link | October 17th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Brenda Weed wrote,
I am considering doing doll-sized quilts. I am just starting my business called the Farmer’s Dotter…www.farmersdotter.com. I have designed and made my 1st baby quilt pattern and vintage quilt. I have a picture of it on my blog. You can get to it thru my website if you’re interested. It was posted August 7th.
Link | October 18th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Sarah wrote,
Martha, I was just browsing Ebay and saw this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Antique-Doll-Quilt-Victorian-Era-Patchwork-RARE-/350404734113?pt=Quilts&hash=item5195bfeca1
Her dating made me snort!
Link | October 19th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Renee Wheeler wrote,
Great idea! I have been wanting to make doll quilts for some time now and would jump at the opportunity to buy one of your kits. By the way – I did purchase some fabric from jfroan after seeing yours. You are right – it was beautiful fabric, super quick delivery and nicely packaged. Thank you for letting us know about her.
Renee Wheeler
Austin, TX
Link | October 20th, 2010 at 2:12 pm