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what should I charge for a slipcover?

sewman | Posted in General Discussion on

Hi all, I am a clothes tailor, but I have a client who wants me to make her a slipcover for a chair and ottoman. I am clueless about how much I should charge her for it. Can anyone clue me in as to what I should charge for labor for a custom slipcover. thanks 🙂

 

Replies

  1. damascusannie | | #1

    I'd charge your regular hourly rate. I always work by the hour on custom jobs and try to estimate the hours a bit high--better to surprise them with a lower than expected bill than a higher!

  2. Ceeayche | | #2

    I agree with Annie, with a request that you show us a before and after picture!  Good luck with your project!

  3. suesew | | #3

    I charged $14 to 20 per yard of fabric used. This was suggested to me by an upholsterer and I found it to be very accurate and accepted by the clients. The difference is whether or not you use cording or whether you have to make it, if you have a pattern or stripes to match or if the fabric is hard to handle. A ruffled skirt would be another increase factor. This worked very well for me and was handy to have ready when someone asked about charges.

    1. jjgg | | #4

      What an interesting way to guestimate a charge! I'm going to have to think about this some more, I wonder if it would translate into custom clothing, or is it just for home dec?

      1. suesew | | #5

        I was never able to make it work for custom clothing. I heard of someone once who charged per pattern piece but even that doesn't work very well. Think in terms of a blouse. It may not use a lot of fabric but it has all the details of collar, cuffs and closings. Usually dresses are simpler - just longer side seams. The per yard cost for slipcovers worked very well for me and I did get very good at figuring out just how much was needed so my customers didn't buy too much. (but they often added on an extra yard just to be sure and then I would give it back to them. Think pillows.)

        1. jjgg | | #6

          I have a program that does charge sort of by the pattern piece. You figure out how many small, med and large pieces you have, how many times you have to cut each piece (cut once but have two pieces cut) then how many times you sew each piece - how many seams , then you add in the details such as how many inches is the hem, the zipper, how many buttonholes/snaps are you doing it by hand or machine, you figure how many minutes it takes to sew an inch of zipper - this will be different for hand picked or machined. You add in your hourly wage and it spits out a price. I have found it to be pretty accurate in getting me to a good price and now I can easily estimate just from the pattern without using the program
          http://www.the-sos.com/

          1. Ocrafty1 | | #7

            Is the cost figuring program thru that website you put in your post?  I checked it out, and it just looked like it was only organizational.

          2. jjgg | | #8

            Yes, It's the "Income manager" (I probably would not have been able to figure that out on my own if I didn't already have the stuff)

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