Commissions FAQ
Thank you for your interest in my commissions! Find some answers to common questions here. If you’re ready to submit a commission request, head over to my Commissions page and fill out the form there to get started.
are your commissions open?
Yes! Fill out the form on my Commissions page now.
where will you ship commissions?
Due to how expensive international shipping is right now due to global shipping and logistics delays, I’m currently only shipping commissions within the United States and Canada. Thank you for your understanding!
what can i commission you to stitch?
I can stitch a pattern from my or create a pattern for you, either from scratch or based on artwork you have rights to. If you can’t find the shop listing for the pattern you want (i.e. a single Pokémon that isn’t listed individually), let me know when you fill out the commissions form.
I define artwork you have rights to as any art or photography you have created yourself or commissioned from another artist, such as a Twitch emote. Unfortunately, I cannot create a cross stitch for you using someone else’s pattern.
i want a pattern based on artwork i have rights to. do you have any limits on what you will and won’t stitch?
I will not design or stitch anything that is discriminatory, offensive, or overly explicit. Curse words are fine; slurs are not. Additionally, I have the right to decline a commission for any reason.
i saw a piece of art online that i want you to stitch for me. is that something you can do?
No, I will not create a pattern based on someone else’s artwork if you found it online. I cannot design or stitch anything for you without the explicit permission of the artist or owner of the art.
If you want to commission me to create a gift for the artist themselves, please contact me directly to see whether this is something I am able to accept.
how many commissions do you take at a time?
what’s your pricing structure?
$25 base fee; used for material costs and to cover the minimum amount of time spent stitching your piece
+ $0.04 per stitch; see individual listings for existing patterns’ stitch counts
+ $10 - $25+ for finishing method:
$10: mounted in embroidery hoop with felt backing; approx. 1 hour process
$25: felt backing and embroidered border as an iron-on patch or with bar pin; approx. 3 hour process
$15+: framed stitch; $15 dollar framing fee plus cost of frame
+ $20 design fee for new patterns; covers time spent turning images into cross-stitch pattern
+ Cost of shipping; worldwide shipping available
why are your prices so high?
Pricing transparency is important to me, so let’s break down my pricing structure! Cross stitch and other fiber arts can seem unassuming or simple if you’re not familiar with the craft, but a lot of time and resources go into every piece. I value my skill as an artist, and handmade goods are a luxury item. It’s important to price my work as such so artists aren’t undercutting each other to remain competitive, and I’d like to be paid well for my time.
The exact hourly rate each commission breaks down to can vary, but there are a few key components of my pricing structure that ensure that I’m making a livable wage. The key part of my pricing that pays me fairly is the cost per stitch. I average about 200 stitches per hour, and at $0.04 per stitch, that’s approximately $8/hour. That’s still not very much! This is why I include a base fee and also charge for the finishing method.
When the overall time and fees are taken into account, most commissions average out to about $10/hour. This is my side hustle, and I’m content with that compensation as hobby income. However, you’ll find that my work is priced at a mid-point between beginners (or those discounting their work heavily) and professional fiber artists. If my commissions are out of your price range, thank you for your consideration, and I hope you’ll return when you’re able to afford a custom piece!
For more information on how other fiber artists price their work and their own thought processes, check out these posts by Sirithre and Fibraquarelle.
why are your commission prices higher than the ready to ship items in your shop?
As discussed above, commissions are priced as they are because you’re paying for my time. With commissions, I prioritize your project over personal stitching projects and other hobbies that I could be doing in my free time. I love to create commissions and find it deeply rewarding, but because it takes away from the time I have for other things, I need to be paid a fair rate.
On the other hand, Ready to Ship items are usually projects I’ve created on my own time. I actually recently raised my prices for finished fiber art projects, just to value my personal time more highly. But the process is less involved than commissions, and I can create them at my own pace, which is why they cost less than commissions.
how do i send you payment for my commission?
Once we’ve confirmed the details of your request, I’ll send you a PayPal invoice for the price we agree on for the piece itself. Work will begin once your payment has processed.
I’ll send you a second invoice to cover shipping once the piece is finished. Once I’ve completed more commissions and have a sense of what a piece will cost to ship, this will be included in the first invoice. But for now, these will be billed separately.
how long will it take for you to finish my commission?
I only have 2-4 slots every time commissions open so I can complete your project in a reasonable time frame. Commissions can take anywhere between 1-3 weeks to complete once I start them depending on how many projects I'm working on, your place in the commission queue, and the stitch count and intricacy of the pattern I'm creating for you.
how will you ship my finished commission?
I’ll mail your piece through USPS Priority Mail and send you a tracking number once I’ve dropped your package off at the post office.
i need to cancel my commission. what’s your refund policy?
Send me an email as soon as possible at stitchbound@gmail.com if you need to cancel your commission. If I haven’t started work on your piece yet, you will receive a full refund. If I’ve completed some part of your commission, I will issue a partial refund determined by the amount of time spent on the project when I receive notice of your cancellation.
where can i contact you if i have questions about my commission?
Contact me directly through my contact page or send me an email at stitchbound@gmail.com.