I always ask for 1/2 the selling price up front to hold the quilt,and never do lay-a-ways.It sounds cold but you have to protect yourself. The 1/2 down payment will cover the cost of the materials it took you to make to make the quilt. I also put a time limit on how long I will hold the quilt. If you let 1 customer take advantage of you,then she will tell others how to do it.