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I can relate to people wanting free stuff. I have made stuff for sale at craft shows and what-not, and all I get are compliments. Don't give me a compliment, give me your cash! I don't make quilts for sale, but I do take orders and make them that way. But I won't make inventory anymore, and right now I'm working on Christmas gifts for my family, so I'm not doing anything for anyone. That little n-o word is one I've learned how to use.
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I do quilted jackets. When someone asks me for a jacket or wants one for a friend, I simply tell them that I sell them for $100. However, if it is a close friend and my friend asks me for one for herself, I sell them for $60. I give people a jacket as a gift for free when inspired to do so.
I no longer do special orders. Too much hassle I discovered. Further, when at a show, I will only hold a jacket for one hour. I'm at a point in my life where I don't need to count every penny, but at the same time I don't want to be taken advantage of. So I can be generous with my gifts. |
If you're going to give your handmades away, why not do it for Breast Cancer?
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I would tell them "I would be happy to make one/them for you, fabric and other supplies will cost $xx and labour will be $yy for a total of $zz. What kind of colours/theme do you have in mind?" If they really want it, they'll pay. And if they don't, no skin off your back.
That is assuming that you *would* be happy to make them for sale...if not, I'd just tell them - like my father in law does about his BEAUTIFUL wood working - "This is my *hobby*. I make things for my family and friends because I like and want to. I cannot afford to do it for free for every 'friend of a friend'. I do not want to be paid for it or for this to become a job, I have one already." |
check out the prices on the web for production made quilted bags they are not cheap.
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Sounds like a $$$ maker to me. Charge them for supplies and something for labor. A lot of people pay a lot of $$ in the store for bags...Why not you getting something for them?
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Sounds like a $$$ maker to me. Charge them for supplies and something for labor. A lot of people pay a lot of $$ in the store for bags...Why not you getting something for them?
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Originally Posted by Roxanne
I'm not sure from reading your post whether or not the person asking was asking you to make them for free. If you don't mind making them (for a charge)
I'd just tell them to give you $_____.00 and you'd be happy to. I did some extensive genealogy research a couple of years ago and my sister in law told one of her friends about it. The friend asked if I would do one line of her family for her. I told her yes, I'd be happy to if she would send me a check for $100.00 to get started. I never got the check----I never did the work! Easy peasy. Roxanne |
Everyone wants a bag of some kind. I only make them for the people that I want to give something special to. The running joke at school is, "How good of a friend do you have to be to get a Debbie bag?" I just smile and walk away. Right now I'm making an Ohio State book bag for one of my fellow teachers that has done so much for me and my children. It makes the sewing fun, not a chore.
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I have no clue what this is about. what is a bow tucks???? Jan
never mind, I just looked back (Duh)and saw that they are purses! |
Originally Posted by Dingle
For the people who have made these and "given them away". Are the people who received them asking you to make them another one so they can give them to someone else as a gift. I made a couple for 2 people I work with because we help each other out alot. One lady takes hers home and her daughter decides she wants 2. A large and small and the Mother wants another one for herself and one more for a friend. I made one for my Mother and she carries it everywhere. People who see it throw hints to her that they would like one also. No one offers to pay for it. I do tell them how much they cost to make, but it's like talking to the wall. The lady with the daughter has the fabric she wants them made out of but no pellon. I can't get the pellon where I live. Nearest Joanns is 65 miles away or I have to buy on-line. I don't mind making them and giving them away to who I want but thats my choice. I think I'm just going to have to tell people I no longer make them. Seems everyone wants something for nothing.
Rant done :lol: Good luck and whatever you do, have fun. Don't the bullys get to you. |
Ooooh! Dingle! Sounds (as usual) like this person wants the "glory" for giving a SUPER, wonderful gift at your expense, and how rude are you to refuse or want $$! Just because we truly love what we do, does not mean we have to give our work away (unless WE choose to do so). When the word gets around, you will do fine-people who appreciate good work (hand made) will pay for it!
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So far I have used the pellon. But maybe you could make it
out of batting. Although I don't know how well it will hold up. Maybe someone else has used it in theirs. |
Originally Posted by Moon Holiday
I make all kinds of bags/totes and have given them to friends. However, if one of their friends/relatives wants me to make one I will charge between $45– $100 depending on the size/style/specialty fabric they want me to use. (I do not charge extra for magnetic snaps, bottom inserts or feet I use on bottom of bag.) I generally provide the fabric, however, I do ask if they have a color choice and preference for print (floral, geometric, novelty, etc.). Beyond that, if they start making specific requests, I let them know I charge extra for specialty fabric (such as Japanese handwoven/hand-dyed fabric that runs $20/yard), embellishments, leather handles, and designer glass buttons.
Remember, if you don't value your product/work, no one else will. Recently I was asked by one of my my health professionals to shorten a dress her daughter was wearing in a wedding. It was a rush order, because the dress hadn't arrived as of a week before the wedding. Satin outer layer, crinoline and silky lining. I debated about how much to charge. Then I realized when I go to the office for health services, I am not offered a discount price! The dad paid me, and commented "well that's reasonable." Guess I should have asked more!!! Oh, and I delivered it (my choice). |
At my age, I tell them I'm sorry but I'm retired and only sew for myself and my family now.
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A friend of mine I sold one to her for $40.00. But I told her that if someone she knew wanted one, they would have to
buy the fabric and still pay $40.00. I probably didn't charge enough. |
You can get the pattern at fconecting threads for 1 place.
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I have made several very personal pattern purses, and only give them to "special" gals. when asked if I'd make one for someone else I reply, you would not believe how much I charge for a purse like that!!! If they are clod enough to ask, I set the price high,and that discourages most of the free loaders. I do love sewing purses, and make many many for gifts, but seems to be a "chore" when I have to make them for a cheap skate.........LOL so I just say NO...
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Never give a separate price for materials and labor! It invites people to say they will buy their own materials/supplies and go get the cheapest they can find that you then have to work with. Only once did I agree to make some bridesmaids dresses for a "friend" at cost + labor. I was very specific the kinds of fabrics I worked on and said I would go help pick out the fabric. The next day I was brought the cheapest, worst polyester satin you have ever seen. Never, ever again - it was miserable to sew on.
I only sew for pleasure now, but my advice is give one price for the purse, quilt, or whatever. No store I know of tells you what they had to pay and then separately tells you the cost of their labor/profit. Why would you quote 2 prices unless it was some unique circumstance? |
Originally Posted by Craftygirl
Please where do I go on line to buy a bow tuck pattern. I haven't been able to find one over here.
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does anyone have an address for the bowtuck bag?
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there is a tutorial here; www.favecrafts.com/sewnbags/bow-bag-sewing-tutorial
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Originally Posted by lindyline
If you really don't want to make it, or risk offending, tell them it's under copyright, which the pattern is, and you are unable to make them to sell.
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Good for you. If you don't treat your abilities as a legitimate business they certainly won't. You have just the right outlook for the type person that love to take advantage of others. Your very professional, know your craft well, know what it's worth and aren't afraid to say so.
Congratulations and Happy Quilting. Andie |
Originally Posted by cr12cats
there is a tutorial here; www.favecrafts.com/sewnbags/bow-bag-sewing-tutorial
I go to a craft show each Nov.Will not be able to make this year though. :thumbdown: :( |
If you do want to make them for money, then make up an order form with pricing on it and when asked about making one, just hand them a form for their order, and please ask for more than $45. You are making a one of a kind, custom made, purse.
Diane |
I was told once that if I offer to make something for someone I do it as a favor, if they ask me to make it tell them what you charge but if I don't want to do it or have been offended I should charge a LOT! That seems to work.
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I am new , how can I get the pattern for the bow tuck purse
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Originally Posted by Dingle
For the people who have made these and "given them away". Are the people who received them asking you to make them another one so they can give them to someone else as a gift. I made a couple for 2 people I work with because we help each other out alot. One lady takes hers home and her daughter decides she wants 2. A large and small and the Mother wants another one for herself and one more for a friend. I made one for my Mother and she carries it everywhere. People who see it throw hints to her that they would like one also. No one offers to pay for it. I do tell them how much they cost to make, but it's like talking to the wall. The lady with the daughter has the fabric she wants them made out of but no pellon. I can't get the pellon where I live. Nearest Joanns is 65 miles away or I have to buy on-line. I don't mind making them and giving them away to who I want but thats my choice. I think I'm just going to have to tell people I no longer make them. Seems everyone wants something for nothing.
Rant done :lol: BTW, I LOVE your puppy in the avatar! |
How about this: "I'd love to make one for you, but I have to clean my house/car/wash the dogs/plow the east 40, etc. If you come over and do that for me, then I'll have time to do a bag for you"
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My niece was always asking her mother to make the burp diapers for her many friends and then just stopped by to pick them up. Finally my sister said she would make them but her daughter had to be there and visit while she made them. The orders sharply reduced ! I do that sometime if I feel like the person isn't a close friend of my daughter. It serves 2 purposes,a visit and they see how much trouble it is to do. Most of these people have no idea of the work involved in one of those bags.
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Quilters, don't discount your efforts and talent. Value yourself....I happened on a Suze Orman presentation during fundraising week on PBS and that was the point she was making....Don't discount yourself...if you don't value your time etc. no one else will. I will give a piece away to a friend before I sell it for less than I think it is worth.
One old guy at work once said to me "I think I will let you crochet a lace table cover for me." He meant that I should be honored to do it for free! I couldn't believe the gall of it. Just politely said that I don't do it for others. |
For those of you still wondering exactly what the Bow Tucks bag looks like, go to the top of the page, click on Search, type in Bow Tucks, and have fun looking at the different ones made by our friends on board here.
You can do a Google search for the pattern. There is a larger bag and a smaller bag. Be very careful ordering the pattern off of e-bay. There are a few people making copies and selling them for about the same price. Theses folks are illegally selling them. You are not allowed by copyright laws to copy and sell the pattern. Bet you can't make just one :) |
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When she asked me to make another one so she could give it to a friend, I told her how much they cost to make. She just looked at me and said "Well I would really like to give my friend one." Not one word about paying. I think after reading these posts if anyone asks for one I'll tell them it will be between $50.00-$60.00 depending on the fabric and quilting. I can just see the orders rolling in :roll: Not![/quote] You might be surprised. You might get more orders than you can reasonably handle. :) |
Good for you tweetee, that's a great way to tell people and it is the truth money doesnt grow on tree's.
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Most of us are too busy to quilt for oters unless we do it for a business or for the extra spending money. Don't be afraid to say, you are toobusy.
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I remember a story about a young female lawyer who graduated in the early 60's. One of the senior lawyers who interviewed her for a position asked her if she could type (back then a lot of women lawyers were used as legal secretaries and treated accordingly). She reportedly replied "Yes, I type, and I also sleep with men -- I do neither for money."
We should tell everyone we quilt gifts for friends that we plan to give gifts, if anyone else wants a gift they need to pay for the item exactly as if they were obtaining the gift from a store. If they can't be bothered to spend money on a gift then they shouldn't be giving a gift. |
what is a Bow Tuck purse and where does one get the pattern. Looks very interesting. Sylvia
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I totally agree with this. If they want it bad enough, they will pay otherwise, tell them sorry, but you cannot afford to do it for free.
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Hi Dingle, I've seen so much discussion on these bags "Bow Tucks" how are they made, where can I get instructions? they must be beautiful since there is so much interest. Thanks for any info. peterparley
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