I think you right to ask for a deposit. I use to sew for people & quit, too much of a pain, & along this same line. If that lady ordered that quilt & wanted to make payments, she could have been putting aside a little each payday, towards paying for the quilt. Like making payments to herself. I have done that in our checking account, just subtract off the money each time & forget about. Then, when you go to pay for it, it's already there. I think it's sad, the ones who operate this way, they want a service, then, when it's done, ho hum around about paying for it. Get your big deposit upfront, & at least you will have that...