Question about commisions

[Hoowil]

I hope this doesn't bother/offend anyone, but I really didn't know where else to ask about this. I've been offered a commission to make a pair of capes & matching hats for a set of toddler twins. I've made the items before, as a present and for my own daughter, so I have the patterns already made. For those of you who make garb for others, what kind of compensation do you ask for? I'm thinking for two pairs it should take me about six hours of concentrated effort (which we all know really means about three days). Should I have the customer supply fabric and notions? If not, do I mark up the materials costs? As its something I can use for my own kids, do I really worry about a deposit, or just count the material as a deposit if she supplies her own? Anyway, its not a supper pressing issue, as she would want them by early fall, but I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[Kate XXXXXX]

If I source fabric, I make sure that the time spent doing so is paid for, though not at full 'sewing on beads by hand' £25 an hour!     I pass on the exact cost plus postage to the customer...  In fact, I find it, get swatches, and price it, and only order it when their cheque clears, or the cash hits my account.  But I don't put a mark-up on fabrics and trims.

If two simple cloaks were going to take me six hours to sew, I'd be charging about £60 to put them together.

[LadyShadow]

I have only done a few commission peices, but I usually had the customer provide the fabric and notions needed, and charge them a set price for me to create it.  In other cases, I gave an estimate of what it would cost for supplies and work and once I received all the money, checks clearing/cash, I would buy the supplies and make it.  I never charged more for fabric if possible. *Sometimes I miss calculate by a dollar or two*