Yeah! Without hesitation. A person I work with came up to me at lunch and said, "I have a favor to ask, I bought some ....from ..... and they are too long..."

And before she said anything more I said right up front, "I don't do tailoring or mending. That requires special skills that I don't have."

"Well, you have a sewing machine, it's just cut it off and hem it."

"I don't do that. I'm sure you can find someone at the dry cleaner who can fix things like that."

The end.

Yeah it feels so relieving to not make excuses or actually trying to do it when I know I don't want to and really don't know how to do it so it looks good.

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Why do people think that you can do alterations just because you have a sewing machine?????

I hate alterations. Quit doing that years ago, and glad I did.

WTG.......dry cleaners do a great job at it, lol.

Good for you! I have the same problem, every one wants something mended. I've gotten to the the point where I do the same, or tell them needle and thread is under $5 and they could do it themselves and save the cash. I hate to mend, even my own cloths.

I'm with you guys! I hate alterations! I don't do alterations--not even for myself! I've even stopped making clothes since I got into quilting!

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Three cheers for you!!!

It's a big thing to say "I don't have those skills" because it puts the ego aside, even though you're really saying "Heck no, that is SOOOOOO not my thing! I CREATE ART! NOT MEND!"

:D :D :D

Very proud of you. The gal that asked you to alter her stuff is qould probably thing a quilt you made wasn't a big deal. After all you just sewed some stuff together, ha, just shows how much she knows.

Great line to get out of doing it! I will use it myself! I don't get enought time to work on my quilts, which is what I really want to do (maybe this Board is the major reason!!LOL), I certainly don't want to waste my time (they usually don't even offer to pay you!) doing what I don't like to do for someone else! Good for you!!

My standard answer is "would you ask Picasso to paint your house"? LOL

I hear ya! It seems I get suckered in every time!
Will you make curtains, will you hem my pants, will you mend this hole, will you alter my bridemaid's dress, my prom dress....
I just had a guy ask me if I could alter his suit jackets because he had lost a lot of weight! Yikes! That one had to go to the tailors!! People think we can do it all!! :)

OOO- Thems biting words! LOL

whoops, wrong board

"No" is such an empowering and simple word. I just hadn't been able to say it without feeling guilty or annoyed with either myself or the person asking.

This time it was just a simple "no, I can't because I don't really know how."

good for you!!!!! :thumbup:

DITTO!!!

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"When I get my own mending and alterations done, I'll call you" Which means never!

You are my HERO!!!!!

Oh I think I would...and I'd tell him he could paint it anyway he wanted!!!LOL It would be worth a fortune!!!

:) :thumbup:

And why do people think you want to drive to town and purchase supplies for these jobs at your own expense? And then you receive a casual "thanks" w no offer to pay for even supplies.

I despise altering pants....it is just never as easy as you think before you start! I have a pair sitting in the sewing room now waiting on me. DH has very short legs so I end up hemming all of his pants. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

even if we could do it all--and we probably could---why would we want to? just cause you can do it does not mean you should!

I use to hem for a very good friend and fix the grand kids clothes The last time any one asked was to sew buttons on a shirt I did the one button and freycheck the rest gave the shirt back with the thread and a needle

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Actually mending and alterations are - in my opinion - art forms - to do them well.

I just tell them I am a quilter not a seemstress

good for you, I don't blame you at all

Been there. The only one I will do that for (that would ask) is my future DIL. Other than her...no way.

I SO agree with everyone!! Alterations/mending take up my time, usually require some changes to my machine setup, and I hate doing it. Enough said. Go to a tailor!!!

I took up the skirts of some business suits for a woman in my office once. i bet she wouldn't ask me again!

I agree, Good for you!

Anytime someone would ask me this I tell them about Stitch Withcery, all they need is an iron. I go on and on about how much I hate hemming and then offer to do it for some ridiculously expensive amount. If they complain, I say, Yeah, because I hate doing it.

I don't even do my own alterations! Good for you for saying no!!!

Saying 'Noooo, while squinting as in thought and then saying I don't want to' has become my super duper most favorite thing to say. It works!

I must have graduated to be a real quilter because I have had two people I hardly see ask me if I would like to make a quilt...one out of their wedding dress and one for the first baby. To the wedding quilt I said I am no professional and you might want one for that. The other I said, I will be happy to show you how.
I just think I must have achieved a step up the ladder to be asked but think it is funny as they have NO idea what it requires.
But i was a little flattered.

My next door neighbor can't get her sewing machine to work. Can I dig out my other machine? Or can I take in some pants for her friend! I know you all believe this crazy question. I have met her friend but I don't know her. I did let that friend dig some perennials from my garden and they are growing well.
The last time I lent my neighbor thread she filled two bobbins from the spool. It was almost empty when returned.
I love the 'Picasso" comment but I am just going to say 'NO', nicely and calmly. If that is not accepted I will remind her of the dry cleaner shop near us.

Good job!! When people talk about mending or fixing, I say, oh.. I only quilt or sew for fun. :)

Good for you. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: