Born2Sew

Fellow quilters I would love some advice from you folks.
About two months ago I happened to run across a local fellow quilter. She told me she needed some red plaid flannel to finish a quilt she was making for her son's upcoming wedding. Told her I thought I had some and when I got home I pulled out every piece of red plaid flannel that I had. I called her and she was only minutes away at that time and stopped by to see my flannel. She said she'd take it all, and when she got home she would measure it and call me and we could agree on a price.

First mistake on my part was calling her before I saw how much was there. Especially since this was not just one piece but several. I just didn't think about her stopping by so soon that day.

I haven't heard a word from her since she left that day.
Would you...let it go and forget it.
or call her and ask how the quilt turned out...
or ask if the fabric worked out okay for her...

Fact is, I can live with it if she can. I was simply trying to help out a fellow quilter and somewhat of a neighbor although she lives several miles from me. (in the back country)

It just bothers me when people don't follow through with what they say they'll do. It really isn't that much about the $$$, it's more about principle to me.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your opinions and thoughts.

Born2Sew

donnajean

I would call her & ask if she decided on which pieces she wanted. Unless you specifically said you were "giving" all to her, she should at least return what she did not use & offer to pay for something is used.

ckcowl

i guess 'lesson-learned'
if you wanted to 'sell' the fabric you should have already decided what you wanted for it before you ever offered it to her; offering it at this price...
since you let her just take it you may never hear from her again, but on the other hand she may surprise you and something may mysteriously show up. or she may months down the road need something else and contact you...at that point you could 'gently' remind her that you helped her once and she did not hold up her end so you either can not help her this time, or you can but have to be paid at the time of purchase.
you know,even if she had gone to a yard sale or thrift shop she would have been expected to pay before going out the door; letting her just have it seems like...you let her have it, without really expecting anything in return.

Nancy S.

My first thought was-maybe she lost your phone number. So yes, I would call her and ask her how much of it she used and tell her a price. I think I would meet her some place to get the money-maybe her place(just so you know). If you don't get anywhere then just give up as a lessoned learned. Good Luck

janRN

What a nice neighbor you are! I think I would just call her and in a friendly manner ask how's she doing with the quilt she was making; was she able to use any of the fabric that you gave her and if so how much of it. Then I'd ask (in a friendly manner) if she still had your address so she could send payment.
(I have to keep saying "in a friendly manner" because in reality, I'd be a little ticked off myself! I have to keep my evil twin Skippy from coming out LOL).
Maybe she was just busy with the wedding and the quilt and forgot. Or maybe she's a user. Either way, you are a great person. I've had that happen here on QB: someone asked for blocks or patches cause they needed help. I sent stuff and never heard from them again or saw a completed project. I almost stopped donating. Don't stop helping fellow quilters--even if only 1 out of 10 is truly in need it's worth it. And YOU can sleep at night.

loopywren

I would call her and ask her if the fabric was useful to her.Maybe it will trigger her consience,and this would give you an opening to give her a price if you wish to. I truly cannot believe some people, especially after you were so kind to her,though maybe there is a reason for her behaviour. At least if you call you may have peace of mind whatever the outcome.

SherryLea

Give her the benefit of the doubt and call her and ask her how her quilt is coming and you wondered if the material you gave her worked out. Don't mention money and see if she does if she doesn't let it go but don't be real friendly when you say good-bye and chalk it up to finding out about her before she became a friend and really used you.

GrammaNancy

This would be my thought too.

raptureready

I think I'd call her and very nicely ask if she's had time to look at it and decide which piece she wanted and set up a time to meet with her. With an upcoming wedding she's probably just forgotten.

If she then blows you off I'd say "Live and learn" cut your losses and stay away from her. I had to do that with a friend of mine and it's been funny how my rulers, rotary cutters, fabric and books have decided to stay home. With as much as I gave her you wouldn't have thought she'd steal on top of it. Oh well.

Annaquilts

I think it might not be on purpose. She probably just got busy and forgot. I would leave it if I was OK with loosing the fabric/ money but then I hate confronting. If not I would ask for the pieces back that she did not use and and also ask her to pay for what she did decide on to use. Just call her and kindly remind her.

I do agree that how it all went probably contributed to her taking it without paying for it. I tend to end up with situations because I am not clear or let people walk off with stuff.