DH will ask me to mend something every now and then. I don't mind, he does support me. LOL. To othersI say no I don't want to. My kids won't ask because they know I'll say I'll show you how to do it yourself.

I will repair some of our horse blankets, but that's it!

It depends on who is asking. When a 4-year-old says, "Grammy, I have a hole in my dress", I'm not going to say no until we decide together if it really can be fixed or not.

I just asked the local cleaners, who do do alterations, for a small handful of thier business cards and offer them to anyone wanting repairs or alterations. The only exceptions are DD1, DD2, and DH.

I really should admit, that there have been a few requests, that can only be answered "Sure, just let me fetch my magic wand!". Lol!

Good for you. If your heart isn't in it, you shouldn't have to force yourself to do something that is suppose to be a hobby and enjoyment.

I usually laugh and tell them as soon as I finish the mending in my own basket which dates back to 1999, I will get right on theirs.

Iclang took my answer. The answer works too - I use it often. I have never been a clothes sewer.

I generally refuse to do any outside sewing - especially clothing. I just don't want to deal with clothing anymore. I have one friend at work that I did a couple of things for her as a favor which was way out of my norm. A new employee assumed that since I make quilts, I can (and will) do sewing for anyone. One day she came in and announced to me that her skirt had a hole in it and since it was her favorite, she would bring it in to me the next day so I could fix it for her. REALLY??? Luckily, I was able to get out of it quickly and gracefully by telling her she needed to go buy an iron on patch (denim skirt) and she could fix it herself. I don't quilt for others either - unless I make a quilt as a gift.

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.

I had to have my winter coat fixed twice this year. The twenty dollars total that I spent to have a seamstress do it was a small price to pay to not have to do it myself. So sometimes I even have to say no to myself!
Good advice to remember, bear....