I'm in CA, too, But my group's budget usually ran approx. $2500 per show, so it was essentially gas money.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of H_Costume Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 11:24 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: Re: [h-cost] Charging for sewing I charge by the hour- $12.50 for straight sewing, $25 for hand work, and pattern drafting. Then I go through and make a pretty accurate estimate of hours and come up with "what it's worth". Usually I then negotiate a fee I'm willing to take for the straight stuff. I don't negotiate on hand work (beading, etc). If folks want that, then they have to pay for it. I too come from community & regional theater, where costumers are not paid nearly enough (stipends range from $1200-2000, but I'm in California). The problem as I see it is the genesis of the craft. The public still thinks of it as "womans' work." I constantly run into people who upon hearing that I sew, say something like "Oh, can you make me a dress?" rapidly followed up with how much cheaper it must be to get something made by "a friend." Anyone else notice how quickly acquantanceship turns to friendship when folks want a discount :) I quickly dissilusion them, letting them know hand made clothes are more akin to couture than discount ready to wear. It's a process, but I think politely pointing out the craftsmanship and the one-of-a-kind aspect quickly justifies the pricing in people's minds. Most decide they cant' afford it, but I'm cool with that too. angela +++++ Angela F. Lazear Cabbage Rose Costumes Theatrical Costume Design "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none: be able for thine enemy rather in power than use, and keep thy friend under thy own life's key: be checked for silence, but never taxed for speech..." All's Well That Ends Well 1.1.65-6, Countess to Bertram W. Shakespeare http://www.cabbagerosecostumes.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon at Collierfam.com" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:10 PM Subject: [h-cost] Charging for sewing > Dear Listees, > I have been asked by some folks to make some costumes for them. > Problem > is, > I've only worked in community theatre before and that doesn't pay anything > (about $300 per show). For those of you that do sewing as a business, how > much do you charge for sewing? Do you charge by the job or the hour? Any > help in this would be greatly appreciated. > Sharon C. > > > Young lovers seek perfection, > Old lovers learn the art of sewing shreds together > And of seeing beauty in a multiplicity of patches > > > > - "How To Make An American Quilt" > > > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
