If/When someone asks "Can/Will you fix this ....."
 

I have learned to say " I need to see it before I can say yes or no."

I have learned that there are some things I just won' t deal with.

I have also learned to refer people to others that might be able to do the job.

Sometimes just saying no feels really good!

Bravo for you! Too often, we say "Sure" when we don't know what we're getting into!

Smart lady. So many people think because you have a sewing machine you are a seamstress. I have a favorite seamstress so I usually just laugh and go, all my clothes go to ....

people like to say, since you like to sew, you won't mind doing.....
YES, I do mind, I hate that when people say that. Then they act all offended when you say no.

I tell people that I only sew new stuff that I make. Ten years ago when I got a new machine this guy that if short asked me to shorten shirts he bought that were to short. He told me I had time because I run around our little town all the time. I just laughed. His sister wouldn't do it either for him. Now I just bought a Pfaff Creative 4.5 and people are asking to make quilts for them. Tell them there are so many things I want to make I just don't have time.

Bearisgray....you are so right! I have learned to say the same thing! I can do most "fixes" I just might not like to! I've been asked to replace favorite jacket zippers, which I don't mind doing...but someone wanted me to replace his jacket zipper but jacket was so dirty, and he was a smoker...so I said he would have to wash/clean it first...He said..."can't you do that?" NO....I did not!!

If it is clothing, I automatically say "Sorry, I don't make or repair clothing anymore. I only quilt." Because, frankly, I don't want to deal with clothing anymore!

I do small repairs ,hemming but I charge.When I ask for them to drop off work at my house they never do. They expect pick-up and delivery too...Made a duvet cover for a co-worker,got a yrs worth of fresh farm eggs......

If its family I will repair -remake or create for them. Any body else I just say no. I have taught a few people how to sew so they can do their own repairs. I have a laundry basket of my own mending I don't make time to do.OK the truth is I have the time just not the inclination.

Asking a quilter to repair clothing is like asking Picasso to paint your garage! The answer should (usually) be NO!

I agree. I say I will look at it before I say I will do it. I sew but I do NOT preform miracles!

I hate to patch blue jeans!!-- not good for the machine and not good for my temper!! --

I love fixing up stuff to use again. I fix anything the grand-kids (or my kids) give me. My daughter bought 5 snowsuits at a rummage sale that needed fixing. I cut up one black one, and used the fabric from it to fix the other four. What fun. Then she donated them back to a place that gives clothing to those who need it.
When I'm finished with some of my patching, I tell them it looks like Picasso did it. LOL

Ever hear the word JUST? You just have to sew long pieces together for me for my curtains, it's so easy for you. It's just a small zipper that needs to be put in. I HATE THE WORD JUST. When I hear it I know now to say No.

I try to avoid fixing other people's stuff. I have done so in the past for a fee, for free and for family. Got burned a few times. Now I refer them to someone who does it for a living. I just don't have time for other people's stuff. I do fix stuff for my kids and my SIL - which I hate doing. Can't seem to get away from that.

I was at the post office, mailing a top to my longarmer when the postal clerk asked me to repair some quilts she got from her grandmother ! Needless to say, I directed her to a local vendor.

If someone asks me to make them a quilt, I just say, you can't afford me!! Or sometimes I say, it takes me 2-3 years to make a quilt sometimes, can you wait that long! They don't ask again.

Perfect retort!

This is exactly what I say! When I over heard a nurse tell some one not to pay to have her name put on her jacket that I would do it for free, it taught me a big lesson! They make a LOT more money than I do, and that's how they keep. By taking advantage of others.

:D :D Love this!! Not that I'm the quilting version of Picasso but still love it.

I had a neighbor start off with "Since you make quilts and all I thought you might be able to fix this three-corner tear in my expensive trousers." I told him I had a wonderful seamstress where I send all my own clothes for mending, altering, etc. (and I do!!) and gave him the directions. Haven't heard a word since. lol

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....

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.

Good for you! ! ! I really get a good feeling doing this type of thing for someone else. It's like a puzzle. Figure out the best way to repair it and then do the best job you know how. I don't need to be paid, but fruit sure is nice. I love making old things usable. And that's why I love the vintage sewing machine threads on this board.

I have on occasion repaired something, but told them not to expect it to look like new as that rarely happens. They either bring it over or not, don't get asked as much now, yea.

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!

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!

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.

I have learned that the asker sometimes does not have ANY idea of what may actually be involved.

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!

Someone asked if I could do clothing alterations. I said, sorry I only make quilts. I hate doing alterations.:mad:

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.