Need to LISTEN!

**mamagrande** · 05-03-2015, 05:11 PM

So, I was giving a quilting class and someone mentioned that I had a longarm. One lady asked me how much would I make a twin size quilt for her..since have not made many for others I said $150. She said ok, I want bright colors.
So I made it this weekend, I actually finish binding it on the way to church this morning.(my husband was to be preaching there this morning). She loved it! so what is the problem???

She wanted two (2) the same, natually.. She said make another just like this..well I had used my stash to make that one and I have about 1/4 yard of each fabric. I had used Moda Marbles, RJR, Free Spriit and other quality fabrics that I had purchased about 7 -10 years ago when they were $7-9 but now I have to try to find quality fabrics at prices I can afford to make two the same...

So now I have ONE twin that I will have to try and sell or maybe just donate..

I should have listened and taken a written, signed order.

**Pegasus** · 05-03-2015, 05:26 PM

So she rejected the first quilt and now wants two new ones? I would give her a new quote (and require a deposit before work begins) that considers the price of the fabric + your labor. Quilting cotton now is more expensive than it was 7-10 years ago. The figure may cause her to pause and reconsider, or you may get fair compensation for your work after all. Though it's terrible you're having to eat the cost for the time you spent on the quilt you already made. With that in mind, I'd be very, very wary of starting these new quilts for her because she might reject these because she decides she wants something else.

**Retiree** · 05-04-2015, 03:29 AM

I recently read the best comment about this last one that I've ever heard...."Prices define the quilting clients I get. If I set my prices too low, I will have to work with some low quality clients.”

Jan in VA

Great comment, Jan!

**Sandygirl** · 05-04-2015, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by Retiree

I recently read the best comment about this last one that I've ever heard...."Prices define the quilting clients I get. If I set my prices too low, I will have to work with some low quality clients.”

Jan in VA

Great comment, Jan!

exactly!

My mantra.....why do we want to attract customers with no money to purchase?

Some of us bring this on ourselves and then we are dissappointed and feel taken advantage of. One big reason that I don't sew or quilt for others, they can't afford me! Besides, it would suck the life out of me.

sandy

**ladydukes** · 05-05-2015, 06:07 AM

I post pics of the quilts I make on my FB page. I'm always getting comments from people 'thinking' they want to buy them. One of my cousin's wife posted one time regarding a KS quilt I made, "I bet you could get $600 for the quilt." I had $750 in fabrics, thread, batting and quilting in it!

**Onebyone** · 05-04-2015, 05:08 AM

I recently read the best comment about this last one that I've ever heard...."Prices define the quilting clients I get. If I set my prices too low, I will have to work with some low quality clients.”

Jan in VA

This is true for every people dealing in life, not just clients. Never lower your quality to accommodate others, it will be a mess you don't want.

**Carol Wilson** · 05-05-2015, 12:24 PM

I made a fairy quilt by Michael Miller as a gift for a friend's new granddaughter, the next time we met she said its not fair that only one grandchild has a quilt and that she had 5 other grandchildren so could I make quilts for them too, she said quote "I will give you their ages so the quilts will be appropriate", I politely declined, she was not happy.

I never charge people for the many quilts I make for people as I like to give them as gifts.

Some people have no idea the amount of time put in to make a quilt, I thought she was so ungratefull for my gift too, I will be keeping my distance from her in future as she looks at me like I am the bad person for not making 5 more quilts for her grandchildren.

**Peckish** · 05-05-2015, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Carol Wilson

I thought she was so ungratefull for my gift too, I will be keeping my distance from her in future as she looks at me like I am the bad person for not making 5 more quilts for her grandchildren.

With "friends" like that, who needs enemies? Good for you for standing your ground and backing away.

**labtechkty** · 05-05-2015, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Retiree

I recently read the best comment about this last one that I've ever heard...."Prices define the quilting clients I get. If I set my prices too low, I will have to work with some low quality clients.”

Jan in VA

Great comment, Jan!

Wow, I think that I take offense to that comment because I know a lot of "high quality" people who cannot afford a hand made quilt, but would dearly love and appreciate one.. just saying..

**Jan in VA** · 05-03-2015, 05:50 PM

Hindsight is definitely 20/20, isn't it. I'm sorry for your predicament!

There have been so many conversations here on the Board about this subject that I admit to being surprised when someone else has been burned. Most of us advise at least THREE 'absolute' rules:
ALWAYS get a written contract.
Always get a deposit for the fabric/supplies.
Always charge appropriately for YOURSELF - even if you lose the job.
I recently read the best comment about this last one that I've ever heard...."Prices define the quilting clients I get. If I set my prices too low, I will have to work with some low quality clients.”

Jan in VA

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