AITA for Charging More for Handmade Items Than Big-Box Stores?

Dear Crafty Readers,

“I sell handmade sewing items — mostly simple, practical things. Tote bags, pouches, table runners. Nothing fancy or complicated, but well made and thoughtfully finished.

Lately, I’ve started charging what I believe is a fair price. Enough to cover materials, my time, and a small profit so selling actually feels worth it.

And that’s when the comments started.

‘I could get this cheaper at Target.’
‘Kmart sells something similar for half the price.’
‘Why is handmade so expensive?’

A few people have even laughed — not cruelly, but in that uncomfortable way that makes you feel like you’ve misjudged everything.

I don’t think my prices are outrageous. But I do know they’re higher than mass-produced items.

So now I’m second-guessing myself.

Am I the asshole for charging more for handmade sewing items than big-box stores?

— Anonymous

If you’ve ever stood behind a market table, stared at your price tags, and suddenly felt like you needed to apologise for them — this one probably hit close to home.

This question comes up constantly in the sewing and handmade world, and opinions are strongly divided.

So let’s unpack what’s really going on here.

Why This Comparison Feels So Uncomfortable

Big-box stores have trained us all to expect incredibly low prices.

What those prices don’t reflect is:

• Ethical labour

• Fair wages

• Small-scale production

• Individual skill

• Time and care

When someone compares a handmade item to something mass-produced, they’re often comparing two completely different systems — even if the final product looks similar.

That comparison alone can make handmade sellers feel defensive, embarrassed, or unsure of themselves.

“But It’s Just a Simple Item…”

This is where many sewists get stuck.

Because an item looks simple, we’re told it should be cheap. Straight seams somehow become “easy,” and easy becomes “not worth much.”

But simplicity doesn’t mean:

• No planning

• No skill

• No experience

• No cost

In fact, making something simple well often takes more practice than making something flashy.

What Big-Box Prices Don’t Include

When someone says, “I could buy this cheaper elsewhere,” they’re not factoring in:

• Your fabric choices

• Your equipment

• Your workspace

• Your learning curve

• Your time

• Your creative decision-making

They’re comparing a human-made item to an industrial one.

And that’s not a fair comparison — even if it’s a common one.

The Emotional Toll of Defending Your Prices

One of the hardest parts of selling handmade isn’t the making — it’s the explaining.

Having to justify prices over and over can:

• Drain your confidence

• Make you resent selling

• Push you toward underpricing

• Make you question your worth

Many sewists don’t quit because sales are slow — they quit because they’re tired of defending themselves.

Are Handmade Sellers Expected to Compete With Factories?

This is the heart of the issue.

Should handmade sellers:

• Match mass-market prices?

• Absorb the cost themselves?

• Work for less than minimum wage?

Or should handmade items be priced according to what they actually cost to make?

Different people answer this very differently — and that’s where the debate really begins.

The Quiet Truth Many Sellers Learn the Hard Way

Here’s something experienced sellers will tell you privately:

The customers who complain about price are rarely the ones who buy — no matter how low you go.

Meanwhile, the customers who value handmade:

• Expect higher prices

• Understand the difference

• Appreciate quality and care

Trying to satisfy everyone often satisfies no one.

So… Are They the Asshole?

This is where opinions split.

Some readers will say:

• “No. Handmade isn’t supposed to be cheap.”

Others might say:

• “You have to meet the market where it is.”

And a few will admit:

• “I didn’t realise how much work went into handmade items.”

And that’s exactly why this question matters.

Over to You, Crafty Readers 

Now it’s your turn — and don’t hold back.

• Should handmade prices compete with big-box stores?

• Have you ever felt embarrassed by your pricing?

• Do you think “simple” handmade items deserve higher prices?

• Or do you think sellers need to adjust expectations?

 Scroll down and join the discussion.
There are no wrong answers here — but there are some very honest ones.

(If you have a sewing dilemma you’d like to submit anonymously, Sewing.CraftGossip would love to hear from you.)