Ok.. I made a purse for myself and took it to work. They went nuts over it. I work in a Very small dept. Only 6 people. One of the girls ask me to make her one. She has 2 kids with another on the way and her husband is having trouble finding another job after getting laid off. So I said. Yes I will make you one and you can just pay for the Pellon. I used scaps I probably would not have used in another project so when it was finished she loved it. I told her $10 dollars. Well did I get the money NO..
My Boss (who I absolutley LOVE) ask me to make her one. She said. I will pay you for your time. She then bought all the supplies (including thread) I made it. she carries it. has gotten compliments on it. But never paid me either..
So Lesson learned .. I will NOT be making anymore purses for people unless I get at least 1/2 the money up front.

So sorry - and how can they look at you everyday at work ?

That is the reason I always quote a BIG price so people won't ask me to sew for them. I have gotten where I don't have a problem saying no anymore though.

I know it's hard to ask for money, and in a perfect world, you shouldn't have to. But I learned from an old boss that's it's okay to ask. He would say something like, "The total you owe me for the purse is x. I know money is tight, but when do you think you can get it to me?" Get a specific date, and then on that date (if you aren't paid sooner), say, "You mentioned you'd have the money for the purse today, and I was wondering if you have it for me."

He used to say, "What did you ever buy that you didn't have to pay for?"

I don't mean to put the blame on you in any way, but letting people get away with this (and it's often unintentional forgetfulness) isn't fair to you because it makes you feel bitter and burned, and you sound like too generous a person to have to carry that burden.

Just my two cents!

Keep billing her.

I am sorry that happened to you. I too learned that all people I know are not "friends" some are just accquantences........and I say, I will show you how to make one.........they run..........calla

No pay, no product. I have sold one for a lady at work and didn't give it to her until she paid for it.

This is just one of the reasons that I will not take on "paying" stitching jobs for anyone. If I decide to replace your jacket zipper, hem your pants or stitch you a quilt, it is my gift and my choice. That way no one gets hurt and I'm not left feeling used and taken for granted.

Sorry to hear about that. One of my purses got some attention recently and one person said she would like for me to make her one and how$$$. I said $50 minimum made with same quality fabric-no changes and I would need 1/2 up front. She said , "Uhm, that's too expensive. So no thanks." Hubby said - "Good for you. You spend a lot of time searching for fabrics, putting them together, sewing and finishing your projects. Why would anybody think you would do it for less?"

I've learned along the way to never loan anything or make anything for anyone that you would not be willing to give them as a gift.

If they choose to pay, which may or may not happen, then you can be pleasantly surprised and thank them graciously, rather than be upset with them because they didn't pay.

Takes away alot of the stress on your part too!

It is so very difficult when people put us in this position. It will also corrode our relationship with them, even if it is just a work relationship. They feel guilty because they know they owe you and you are hurt because they are stealing from you. Both of those emotions turn to anger. Please do remind them that they owe you $XX for the purses. Play it like they just forgot and you know how hard it is for everyone these days.

It takes courage to ask people for the money they owe us...I don't know why since it didn't take any courage on their part to ask you to make them the purses!!! Be as bold as they were :thumbup: Of course, you could always say that if they can't afford to pay you for the purse, they could give the purse back to you...right now! :lol:

This is another lesson to all of us to not hand over anything until we have the $$$ in hand.

Me too. I once told someone ten thousand, because I really, really didn't want to do it! :shock:

Pat

Remind them of what they owe. A thank you card for using your services with a hand written dollar amount owed in it should be sufficient to get paid.

I either say, "yeah sure, call me" OR "I would never dream of taking a friends money for doing something I love, you just go buy the supplies and bring them to me, I can make you a list" and then I add, "Don't go to Joanne's or Michaels, go to a quilt store, I wouldn't dream of sewing something cheap for you!" To that they always ask how much fabric is and I tell them 10-13 a yard. Works every time!

Do you walk out of your LQS or grocery or?? with the goods and not having paid?
Same thing for when we do sewing for others ... another time, hold onto the merchandise UNTIL you have the full and final payment.

It's business ... and in the end they will respect you more, than your laying down and being a doormat for them and their desires!

I like to make purses and know that the Pellion is not cheap & never goes on sale....I consider myself lucky to find it a coupon to use for it. I've given some away as gifts and have sold a few. By the time I buy the materials (I don't even really count my time) I don't make a lot of money. I do have some that I will be trying to sell at a church festival in a few weeks along with some small quilts & quilted table/bed runners. I went to a large craft festival the other day & purses were everywhere for $12 to $20, but when I looked inside they were ALL made in China. I saw some really pretty quilts there, too. And guess what...made in China. My Mom told me that I'd probably never sell the purses that I've made, because people will think they're over priced. Makes me sick! It will be my first festival and at least at this festival they want homemade things and say that 95% of your things should be homemade. But, I'm worried that I've put in money & my time & I'll be a flop! As you say "lesson learned".

Shameful! Do ask for payment (again), then whatever they do is a display of their character. I'd be too ashamed to go to work every day if I'd done such a thing.

If I owed somebody money, I would NOT forget especially if you carry the purse everyday. Some people just think they are entitled. Sorry that happened. :hunf:

I've been doing craft shows/fairs since 2001 and I will tell you that you will probably find a lot of vendors that are resellers. I have done shows where they tell you that everything must be handcrafted. Well...you get there and see Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Avon plus people selling so much junk made in China...have even been to some shows where vendor's tables look like flea market stuff. If you question the promoter they say...well we didn't have enough crafters so in order to fill the spots we had to accept these people.

I remember back in the 80s and 90s going to really nice craft shows where everything was handmade. And I would buy a lot of unique things. Anymore I only do 1 show in the fall and then hold a 2 day Christmas Open House where I invite the guests and they know when they come WHAT they are going to find...all handpoured candles poured by me plus I also make some bath and body products and soaps.

Good luck with your festival and I hope you sell lots.

SVS you have been shafted by your co-worker and boss for sewing the purses for them without compensation that was agreed upon. {{HUGS}}

I would not give the item until I received the payment. And, I try to have materials purchased by the buyer before I start the project.

I like this one...you are being kind but still let them know they owe you money......Give them the card when they get paid! Then people wonder why we don't want to make anything on credit????????? Our hearts are too big and we are proud of our work and feel flattered they like it.

People at work buy stuff from me all the time but I do not do "orders". I make a few of something, show it off, if they want to buy it they can, what you see is what I have, period. That way I always get my money.

I do get requests to make things, I rarely say yes but if I do, we always settle on a price up front. And it has to be something really simple, inexpensive, not particularly time consuming, and uses very little fabric (I just recently completed 2 neck warmers for a gal using fleece scraps).

I've never not been paid but I've had "slow" payers so I've learned not to be shy with reminders.

......... and we are eager to please!
Then get burned!! :)

Once bitten, twice shy!

I know how you feel.

My own sister did this to me, do people just forget they asked for one, that you didn't offer or give it as a gift.

There's a responsibility on the one who does the work to ASK for the $$ when they finish the work ... no $, no purse (or whatever it is)

As above, do you walk out of Joanne's with whatever you want and pay whenever you think of it in a 100 years?

At least the boss paid for all the supplies so you are just out your time. With that one, I would put on my happy face and get on with life. A job these days is more important than getting paid for my time. The co-worker, I would say lesson learned too and not make anything again without money up front.

I now tell people no..sewing is my hobby, taking money for it makes it job, and I already have a job. Or that it takes five hours sewing time, you come and clean my house for five hours and I will sew you a bag...

So sorry this has happened to you! It most certainly makes for an uncomfortable situation, doesn't it? I had a co-worker admire my Bow-tuck bag and ask if I'd make her one. When I told her I'd be happy to...for $40...she gulped and said no thanks. But, she does not seem to get concerned over spending more than that on a Vera Bradley bag. LOL

As far as festivals/craft shows go (mentioned by a later poster)...I have noticed at the ones I have been to lately that there really is not much there of worth. I see lots of 'resale' type things but not much that I would want to spend my money on.

Don't worry about what you don't sell. They will make Great gifts for Christmas, birthdays and such.
I carry a china sweat shop quilt that has been washed 3 times, mind you I got it at a yard sale not at wal-mart, because I don't support sweat shop work. This I use as a demonstration of what made in china sweat shops get you.
Our homemade products last and last.

I'm in the 1/2 down group and payment on pick up.
I have a quilt a man gave me to redo for him, he said his
g-ma made it for him. She had painted the blocks, all indian pics, he loved it to death. The sashings and backing and batting in bad shape, but her painted blocks in good shape. Got my 1/2 down and showed him the quilt when he came out to get it, but he only 1/2 the last payment and I still have the quilt. Its been 7 years and he has yet to come and pay the rest. His loss. I have 3/4s the money and the quilt.

Say no next time.

Your boss: Ask her if you can take a few hours off in lieu of the money she owes you for the bag, or will she rather pay you in cash?

Your co-worker: Ask her the bag back because you need to get the money back for the materials that you put into it and eBay is givig away free listings right now.

don't you just love people? hopefully someone else will ask for one and you can say " can't do it, two people haven't paid me yet as it is!!!"
good luck.
and next time you make something and take it to work, say a friend sent it to you as a gift!

Remind them that christmas is coming and your making your list of what you have to buy, and ask them if they know when they will pay you for the purses - so you can figure that into the budget or not. (may need to point out that the money is going to a certain person's gift)

I think I would get one of these receipt books and write her out a bill and hand it to her and say, "I forgot to give you your bill before, if you could pay me now it sure would help". Or something of that sort

I agree with this and then if nothing comes your way, mark in RED pen in BIG letters on your calendar their name along with amount owing...
I do hope you get your money,not nice being out of pocket for these people.

I'm so sorry that happened to you. It doesn't sound like you'll ever be paid unless you come out and ask them. I bet you'll think twice before ever sewing for someone else again.

I would rather pay for and have the ones you make than to buy one made in China.