If/When someone asks "Can/Will you fix this ....."
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
And have you had anything repaired at a local tailor or dry cleaners lately? HOO-EE! The prices they charge are steep. If you wanted to get extra cash, I suppose it would be okay, but just to fix something for somebody...not me. Unless it's my son or hubby.
#32
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
I enjoy doing it. The rural pickers often came to get their work clothes repaired. I had a couple of rules: the item had to be clean and they had to put up with whatever material I used to repair the item. They usually quite liked the combinations I came up with when reparing a sleeve or collar etc. I usually got a bag of fruit as payment. These days I am mostly shortening neighbours' jeans. Some ladies give me donations that I repair or alter and take to the charity shop. Sewing is therapy for me and this way it keeps me happy with very little expense.
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 851
My friends know I don't like repairing or heming anything but once in a very great while in desperation a couple of coworker friends asked if they can pay me to hem or fix something minor emphasizing that they wanted to pay me. I did about half a dozen of these little jobs without charge. I told them each time that I did not want it to get out that I sewed for $$ and had people expecting me to take on their jobs. So to just pass it on. Both were coworkers and kept it on the QT. One was a notary and, Boy, did that little job pay for itself over and over when I needed something notarized!
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Slidell, Louisiana
Posts: 6,951
I too have learned the hard way to stop and think about whatever they're asking for, and more and more, I say no. If I feel the need for an excuse, I just say I already have bitten off more than I can chew. I only do what I want to, I'm not looking for something else to do!
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,434
This is exactly how I handle it....or I tell them I have a sewing machine that they can use, and will teach them how to do it. That stops it in their tracks. They don't want to know how, they just want me to DO and I don't! Unless, it's a grandbaby...then all bets are off.
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 279
I have helped a few people out hemming jeans and sheer curtains.They have all offered to pay me for my time. I also told them that I'm not interested in doing other projects, because then it becomes a job, no fun involved, and I'm retired, and don't want a job!
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NH
Posts: 645
I'm not crazy about hemming, but have to shorten all my husbands pants, which I do, mostly cheerfully, because he does so many nice things for me. I have shortened my son's shirt sleeves, but only after I had him price-out having someone else do it; I wanted him to see the value in what I can do!! I did shorten a formal gown for a friend of mine, but I made her promise not to tell others! I didn't want it get around that I would do it. lol! I have asked friends to do a few things for me, for which they would take no payment, but I have paid it forward to others for things that I wanted to do and was within my skill. All evens out in the end.
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