Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
  • I consider myself a quilter not a sewing fix-it-all! >
  • I consider myself a quilter not a sewing fix-it-all!

  • I consider myself a quilter not a sewing fix-it-all!

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 08-11-2011, 07:55 AM
      #21  
    Super Member
     
    MellieKQuilter's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Washington State
    Posts: 1,199
    Default

    When people hint about me fixing or hemming things... I say flat out I dont do THAT kind of sewing... only the FUN kind, like quilting. :):)
    MellieKQuilter is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 08:04 AM
      #22  
    Super Member
     
    thismomquilts's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2009
    Location: here! :)
    Posts: 1,485
    Default

    While selling my items at a market one day a girl I know asked me if I could make flags for to put out.. I said sure - she's given me the fabrics and all- in the meantime she asked me to repair one of her children's baby blankets - I did -but in the process I had to do tons of work on it not to mention use my own fabric to redo the entire back of it... not a dime was given... though she knows I do this for a living!:(... I've yet to make the flags because I'm sure I will get nothing for them either :(
    thismomquilts is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 08:04 AM
      #23  
    Senior Member
     
    Linnie's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Location: Orange County CA
    Posts: 706
    Default

    Giving her a sewing kit and instructions is a great compromise. It should free you up to work on your own projects
    Linnie is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 08:35 AM
      #24  
    Super Member
     
    leiladylei54's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
    Posts: 1,978
    Default

    I can understand and feel your frustration. A sewing kit with lessons to show how to make minor repairs is a good idea and maybe giving her a list of shops somewhere close that will do minor repairs or alterations. It would also be in your best interest to mention that you charge for the repairs as it takes away from your quilting time to do these repairs....make it a high price so that she realizes that you are NOT in the repair business.
    leiladylei54 is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 08:48 AM
      #25  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2007
    Location: NE Pa.
    Posts: 1,738
    Default

    Just say NO, I have had people ask me to repair things or put a zipper in a jacket etc. I said what others have said, I quilt, I do not sew. One lady said well the dry cleaner down the road wants $14.00 to replace this zipper and I think that is to much. I said "I would charge a lot more than that" she never came back.
    mic-pa is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 09:02 AM
      #26  
    Senior Member
     
    AnnieF's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Mar 2010
    Location: Rochester, NY
    Posts: 524
    Default

    I have a funny story. My son married lovely Julie who had never picked up an needle or thread in her life. When she and her sister and mother needed something sewn, they brought it to a seamstress. So I'm the quilter and 8 or 9 years ago bought myself a new Janome because the Singer I had, the tension wouldn't work for FMQ. Julie asked if she could have my old sewing machine because she had some pillows she wanted to make. I gave her the whole kit and kaboodle along with the sewing lessions she'd need to make the pillows. Well, right away, her mother and sister were coming over wanting her to fix their clothes. She kept saying to them....I'm the same person that sent my stuff to the seamstress.....I don't know how to sew your pants or your blouse. Now how funny is that! And she must have learned by osmosis because last year, the children in school were sewing patches together for a quilt.....and Julie was one of the "sewing moms".
    AnnieF is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 09:11 AM
      #27  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
    Posts: 8,562
    Default

    crafty_linda_b nailed it. It's likely not HER but your DH who's brought this problem on; I mean, how did she find out you know how to use a sewing machine anyway? :D

    So, encourage HIM to resolve it. Tell him what you've told us. Remind him that nobody asks Picasso to paint their garage door, or Georgia O'keefe to do a mural on little Jenny's bedroom wall.

    If DH is getting the "little projects" from this woman's husband at work, and not speaking to the woman at all, then that's an easy solution. Men rarely have the emotional hangups around "confrontations" that we women do, he can easily tell the other Dh that you no longer have time and it'll be no big deal, I'll betcha!

    Jan in VA
    Jan in VA is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 09:20 AM
      #28  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: May 2010
    Location: Okinawa, Japan/ southwest Missouri
    Posts: 112
    Default

    My DH isn't selling my services. Most of this went on while he was deployed. Her DH and my DH were deployed together. The latest project with the blanket is the only one that my DH was involved in. I am a bit fuzzy on why she was at their work WITH that blanket to give him since its a 45 minute drive from where she lives. She usually sends me a message on facebook when she wants me to fix something but she didn't concerning the blanket. I was just pretty ticked when he came home on Tuesday with the blanket and said I was supposed to fix it and give it to her when I see her on Thursday.

    I do have a hard time telling people no but I am going to have to with her. I don't think she will stop unless I talk with her. I just hate confrontations, even civil ones.
    tabsmonsters is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 09:30 AM
      #29  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2007
    Location: San Antonio, Texas
    Posts: 2,842
    Default

    give her a price for repair of item that is unreasonable and that will also probably keep her off your back

    $10 to sew a seam closed
    $5 for a button anc such

    just a thought
    bebe is offline  
    Old 08-11-2011, 10:33 AM
      #30  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2011
    Location: Iowa
    Posts: 1,798
    Default

    A family friend told me when I got a new sewing machine I could shorten his shirts he bought to long. And since I no longer have a job I should have time. I told him my new machine only sews new things no repairs.
    Bueniebabe is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    themadpatter
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    4
    05-05-2019 12:23 PM
    sewbizgirl
    Main
    122
    11-30-2015 04:38 AM
    Koriana
    Main
    46
    02-16-2015 10:22 AM
    quiltlady1941
    Main
    22
    05-23-2014 04:04 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter