I
have had numerous questions regarding how to calculate
square footage (width’ x
height’ = total square feet). For example, if
you want a small quilt, roughly 5’ by 5’ then
5’ x
5’=
25 sqft and $750.00.
The following table should help you to determine how
large your quilt can be based on the number of ribbons
available and how much it may cost. This can only be
an estimate and cannot be used for the purpose of a direct
quote because the pattern selected can result in tightly
packed ribbons, or because this table is based on 2 x 8 ” ribbons,
yours may be longer, adding to the square footage of
the finished quilt. Star patterns typically
result in slightly greater square footage than
what is indicated in this table.
Quantity
of Ribbons |
Dimensions |
Square
Feet |
Approximate
Cost |
$30/sqft |
$35/sqft |
~50 |
2’ x 2’ |
~4 |
~$120 |
~$140 |
~125 |
3’ x 3’ |
~9 |
~$270 |
~$315 |
~150 |
4’ x 4’ |
~16 |
~$480 |
~$560 |
~200 |
5’ x 5’ |
~25 |
~$750 |
~$875 |
~300 |
6’ x 6’ |
~36 |
~$1,080 |
~$1,260 |
~500 |
7’ x 7’ |
~49 |
~$1,470 |
- |
>500 |
8’ x 8’ |
~64 |
~$1,920 |
- |
>500 |
9’ x 9’ |
~81 |
~$2,430 |
- |
>500 |
10’ x 10 ’ |
~100 |
~$3,000 |
- |
Step 3: Shipping
After you have selected a product and a pattern you will
send your ribbons to me using the address
provided on the order form. Tuck your order form and any
notes you have for me with the ribbons inside a bag
and then a sturdy box; don't be shy with the tape -
you don't want the box bursting open! Please,
no packing peanuts or bubble wrap - ribbons are precious
but they are not fragile! I will call to inform
you of their safe arrival.
Do not ship via
the USPS - they refuse to deliver to my house because
I have (harmless) dogs (sleeping on my porch); additionally,
they leave my packages at the street where they could
be stolen or rained on!
During their time with me,
your ribbons will be carefully handled in my smoke-free and pet-free
home so as not to get wrinkled or dirty until used.
In general, the best time to ship your Christmas order is in July and the best time for Graduation orders is January-February. In doing so, you avoid any rush and also get your order onto my table when I am spending the most time there due to extreme hot or cold weather outdoors.
Step 4: Waiting
Sadly there are many more gals earning ribbons than staying at home sewing
ribbon quilts! The wait from when I receive your ribbons to beginning your
quilt is currently 1 month.
If you require your quilt in four weeks or less, I require advance payment for the project plus a $100 rush fee to cover any additional size and the inconveniece and expense of rushing the order. "By Christmas Guaranteed" orders must be received by November 1.
Your
ribbons are counted to make a design plan and handled with
care throughout the entire process.
Step 5: Execution
If your order form is unclear I will call you a couple of days before I begin so that
you can review the website, make changes to your order,
and discuss my recommendations or concerns surrounding the project. The
ribbons are then carefully cut and sewn one-by-one to avoid cutting more than will be used in the
project. I am very careful to use your ribbons appropriately by their size and prestige. Unused ribbons will be returned along with
champion, reserve, and select 1st-3rd rosette tops (others can be returned at an additional shipping/labor charge as indicated on the order form).
Step 6: Deposit
After the top has been created you will be sent a photo by email. You
must pay half of the total cost and
may be asked to make some decisions about the finished
project. If your quilt is under $500.00
you will be asked to pay in one payment (these take
only one day for me to finish and prepare for shipping
if I haven't already) - if you don't pay in one payment
I may presume that you are under some financial strain
and will refrain from rebilling until my next billing "round-up" (about
once per month). If you need your project for Christmas, a birthday, or graduation you should pay in one payment.
Step 7: Completion & Final Payment
Once your deposit has cleared it may be 2 weeks
before a final bill and photo are sent depending on the
size of the quilt. Quilts and Wall-Hangings are top quilted with a thin cotton batting and beige paisley cotton backing and are finished
("bound") with blue or red folded ribbon which is custom printed (as pictured above) with my "signature". Lastly
the projects are returned home via UPS 7-10 days following final payment, and are insured for the cost of the project only. If other
arrangements need to be made please put this on the back of your order form.
Step 8: Care, Use, and Enjoyment
Ribbon quilts should never be washed, dry-cleaned, or ironed; they can be spot
cleaned gently with a soft, damp cloth. As with all handmade, heirloom quality quilts,
they should never be stored in plastic for the long-term because of the harmful
chemicals emitted by all plastic materials and because plastics do not allow
the fabric to breathe. To keep the colors from fading and the ribbons from deteriorating they should not be hung
or placed in direct sunlight. All handmade quilts are made to higher standards
than any commercial quilt on the market but, in order to last multiple lifetimes
(as a family heirloom) they should not be sat on (especially while in use on
a bed) because knees and elbows stretch and strain the threads, fibers in the
ribbons, etc. Finally, if you spot a loose thread, snip it carefully - don't
pull it.
If you want
to put your quilt or pillow to work at horse shows, on the
couch, or any other place where it will experience wear,
that is fine from a structural standpoint, but it cannot
be expected to retain the gold writing for more than a few
years and will begin to show structural wear from 5-10 years
depending upon how heavily it is used and the age and quality
of ribbons used to build it. I sew with extremely
tiny seam allowances in order to show off as much of the
writing as possible (1/8" vs.
the standard 1/4") and this may hinder the
quilt's ability to absorb the strain of knees and elbows.