Moonpi

I think this boils down to obligation. A woman I used to work with makes a point of telling others that I am going to make a king sized quilt for her. I have NEVER offered to do this job - it is beyond my capabilities in the tiny spot I live in. I know she likes my work, but trying to commit my time and resources is not her responsibility. It has caused a rift in our friendship.

At one point, I probably would have made her a couch quilt as a present, but don't feel comfortable doing that, since she has already told all of our mutual friends a king-size fairy tale.

She's also a batik lover. Does the price of the fabric correlate to the amount of chutzpah involved?

Roben

I think I would have her look at a site where quilts can be purchased like http://www.quiltsforsale.ca/ (no affiliation, just one I ran across) or for even more sticker shock have her look at a site that sells Amish quilts that are all hand done ($600.00 and up) - you can always go down, but never up!

When I first gave Mom her embroidery machine, I prepared her for people coming out of the woodwork asking for stuff. I told her to have them go out and buy all the thread, stabilizer and the blanks. A few went shopping; Mom had no takers tho :lol: I joked with her that the over 70 crowd is a tough one! (She was 72 at the time.)

DonnaRae

It is a real shame people don't want to pay but it is largely due to ignorance. I have a close friend who asked me to make her 3 kids quilts. She kind of expected me to say okay and that would be it. But instead I told her to go to a quilt shop near her (she lives in FL I live in SC) and pick out some fabric, buy it and send it or tell me which fabric or theme and send me the money just for cost. Well I did not think she would but she went to a quilt shop and then called me. She was shocked about the cost of the fabric and even mentioned needle cost. She said she would send me a couple of hundred dollars to start and then let her know how much more to send. My point is (after being so long winded) send them to a quilt shop even if it means you find the shop for them (just do a phone book check on line), and tell them the same I told my friend. They learn the real cost of something of quality that is going to last more then their lifetime. If they mention Walmart send them there, but point out they get what they pay for (once n a while Walmart has nice fabric) when it comes to fabric and Walmart is limited in the choices of fabric. Then if that does not do the trick, disown them as a family member and go on your way. :lol: (just kidding, hmm kind of)

Minda

Nanabird,
I'm finishing up a quilt for a wedding gift and I know I'm going to have some requests for quilts. I plan to nicely say that I'm flattered they would pick me to make their quilts, but that I don't have time to make quilts to sell since I have so many UFOs of my own to finish. If they persist, I'll refer them to our local quilt shop owner who can put them in touch with someone who makes quilts to sell.

Please let us know how you decide to resolve this. I think we've all been in the same circumstance.

Up North

I made a quilt for a friend and told her she had to pay for the backing and the batting the rest was a thank you for things she had done for me. She loved the quilt and stated "I feel bad only giving you money for the backing and batting' but didn't offer me any more. ( this was fine with me for this one quilt.) so state your price UP FRONT. If you really enjoy making them at least get the money for the fabric and the batting, let her know it is a one time deal or you will be taken advantage of. And Taking her fabric shopping with you should help her realize they don't come cheap!

tlrnhi

I think taking the person to get the fabric or sending them to a fabric shop is a real eye opener for some. They just don't understand HOW MUCH fabric actually is.
One of our neighbors in Hawaii saw one of my quilt tops. He was trying to figure out how I got this one pretty square in the middle of the quilt. I had to laugh and then gave him a quick rundown on how it was made. Then he says oh....you just get little pieces of fabric and sew it all together. That can't cost THAT much.
Oh my! You should have seen hubbys eyes get big. He "schooled" the man on fabric and the prices. The next thing out of the guys mouth was....I guess I won't be asking you to make one for me!
I think he's guessing right!
I don't mind making for friends and family. I actually enjoy seeing their faces when they get them. But, for someone to THINK I will just hop over to my machine, cut MY fabric and "whip" one together for them just because they want one? Nope! Show me the money, honey!!

mary705

I made a baby quilt for a friend of mine to give as a gift. The fabric was already pre quilted. She paid for the fabric (including the backing and binding), and the thread. I had her buy a little extra of the prequilted and a full yard of the binding fabric. We went shopping together. I told her that I wanted to make a gift for Grandpa too, from me (his first grandchild). I printed the baby's 1st picture on a fabric sheet and made a pillow for Grandpa, they both turned out great. I didn't charge her a whole lot cause I really didn't have to do much, but she also slipped in an extra $20.

Now the other daughter is pregnant and expects a quilt. Said I would make it also, but the same conditions will apply.

reva

Mary,

Do you want to make the second quilt? If you don't mind, tell her the same conditions apply. I love being able to make quilts for others, but would not do it for free - AT LEAST the material needs to be covered. I quilt because I love to - I look for excuses to do it, BUT I won't be taken advantage of - for family, at their request, I would make one if they pay for the material. For others, I will make one if they pay for the material and my time. Granted I may not be making alot for my time, but it is MY time. I would make the second quilt myself if the material were paid for.

mary705

I don't mind doing it. Her and I will go shopping again for the fabric, and she already knows that if we can't find the pre quilted in what she is looking for, it will cost more. She feels obligated to have one made for this daughter, because the first one was for his DIL, but first grandbaby. Hers is also going to be a boy, and heard she used somewhat the same colors, just a different pattern. The fabric we found for the first one was the same color/motif that was used in the nursery.

reva

Cute material... Mary, I'm sure it will look really nice. I understand about obligations of one as the other... I have several neices but only have quilted since one great neice/nephew was born - made one for her but not the others - I DID hear about it!! :)