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:

I have had this happen to me before too, but not with the bowtucks. I just tell them Im not in the business to make things for free, if they want one for their friends, or whoever, well, then they have to pay, time and fabric do not grow on trees! If they are not willing to pay, then dont make it.

Just about everyone wants something for nothing these days, and then when you do the generous thing, they just want more for nothing. I only make and give things to the people I want to make them for, others want it, show me the money.

you ask them to buy everything including the thread up front, and then you can talk about labor. I would ask for a fee to be delivered with the materials. They have seen your work and know what to expect in craftsmanship. If they refuse the bag when it is done, give them back the fee money and place the bag for sale or give as a gift to someone else.

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.

So gald to hear that this happens to other people too. I just tell them that if I make one at someones request, that I charge $45. If they want the card board insert it's another $5. So far this is working and I have lots of orders for Christmas presents.

If I really don't want to make one, I just up the price so I know that they won't ask me to make them one.

I don't make mine to sell. I give them to the people I want to.

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I agree with this. And it just might shock the heck out of them if they had no intention of paying for it in the first place, because you GAVE one away so of course you would want to make them one and one for THEIR friends.

Yeah, right. Like one other clever lady just said, "show me the money"

Hugs, I had a few people at work like that........not with Bow Tucks, but another purse. I am just honest and say I cant afford to! You shouldnt have to spend lots of money for others to give as gifts, THEY should be paying YOU, plus for your time and hard work. But I know how it is talking to the wall, lol!

Just let them know that you don't have the time, materials or desire to make these for free when you can be making your own gifts. If they have any common sense they will understand and not put up a fuss.

You know these days people are not as considerate as in "older" days. Tell your friend you will make as many as she wants, AS SOON as you get her money in hand. Sometimes you have to stop letting people use you, because they will.

simply said, and well understood.

So sad, but this is all true. Been there, done that.

The times I hate are when they tell you what everyone else is giving like this should inspire you to do the same. Like.....Susie is making a batch of cupcakes for the party and you could make your Bow Tuck Bag for the birthday girl.

I use the barter system a lot where I live, with the hairdresser and friends. I made one for my hairdresser recently to give away and while I feel that I got a fair deal, I probably won't do a bow tucks again for her. It was ok to make, but I am the kind of person that really has to like what I am making, or I won't make another.
She and I went through this when I decided to make dresses. Three and I was done and there she was, waiting for more. No go.....
One of the other ladies in the same beauty shop had me make a custom diaper bag, different from my other ones. I charged the same price as my others, now she wants another, but even bigger! I told her money up front and charged her for the materials, and labor to be decided later.

I don't agree with this at all. I would just tell these freeloaders "No, I can't."
I think it's pretty offensive to have people think you have nothing to do but make things for other people. I wouldn't mind offending them back one bit!

I have made several bags of my own design which I have given to friends and family members for birthdays, etc. When others attending the parties have asked me to make bags for them either to give as gifts to others or to keep for themselves I just reply, "Oh, I'll be happy to do that. I charge $60 per bag for this particular style. What colors would you like and how many?" This sends the message loud and clear that I expect my work to be valued as a one-of-a-kind creation and that I expect to be compensated for it, just like any other artist or professional business person.

I made them for both my DILs. They love them and asked if I want to sell them because all the girls where they work want them. I told them that I made them for family and fun. If I make thing to sell it stops being fun for me.

Stand your ground and do only what you are comfortable with. It takes time and money to make those things, and whether you tell them you don't have the time, or that you charge X amount of dollars, they will respect you for being up front with them. There was a time when I had a hard time saying no when it came to someone wanting me to sew something for them, but not any more.

LOL Tell them $50 a purse... no matter who it is going to :wink: :D:D:D

Only if you want to.

I know I am not sewing savy but what is a Bow Tuck maker? Is it a kind of purse? Thanks

DITTO

Bow Tuck is the name of a very popular purse. The maker just refers to those of us who make them. The thread is about people who take advantage of the makers of the Bow Tuck Purse.

just another bag, more or less. I'm not sure why this one has taken off.

I guess I'm fortunate because the people who have asked me to make bags for them have offered to pay me and asked how much I would charge. I would never ask someone to make something like that without offering to pay for it. Some people have nerve I guess.

Please where do I go on line to buy a bow tuck pattern. I haven't been able to find one over here.

I have also made them and given them to people of my choice.I have never sold one.But,I wouldn't just make them for just anyone and keep on giving them away.My friends have offered to pay me,but they are my friends and I felt good doing that for them.

No one would walk into a boutique and expect to receive merchandise without paying.

I have also made them and given them to people of my choice.I have never sold one.But,I wouldn't just make them for just anyone and keep on giving them away.My friends have offered to pay me,but they are my friends and I felt good doing that for them.

well said

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.

Thisis a hard situation , but it took me a long time to learn the word , NO , I only sew for my pleasure , dont for someone else to give away .

I tell people if they want me to make them a bag, that if I start making them to SELL, that it is no longer a hobby , it is then a job. I retired so I didn't have to work. The sewing quilting etc is my hobby not my job!

I make different things as gifts for my family and grandchildren....birthdays, holidays, etc., just as you all do. These are the only "free" things I make.

I have told many friends and acquaintances that I cannot make free sewing things for people. I will help out with anything I can...bake sales, cook for shut-ins, church volunteering, auctions, lots of things. But, I have explicitly told anyone that says "Oh, make me one of those", that I give and do everything else for free...but will not do any sewing or quilting for free.

When you tell everyone the same thing, they understand and are not offended. I haven't lost a friend....yet.

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

Oh Dingle, your time and your skills are too valuable. Please don't let people take advantage of you. Set a reasonable price (not give away pricing) and your materials cost and tell people you no longer make bags for those you give bags to---for free. Tell them your charge and ask for it up front or at least for your materials cost up front. This way you still can make and 'give' bags to those you want to but it doesn't become an endless giving process for you.

When we had a workshop/2 car garage built we had to put a sizable 'nonrefundable' downpayment on it before they brought anyone out to start the work.

If you at least get your materials charge up front and they don't come through with the final payment 'before' you hand the bag over to them, you can at least turn around and sell it or give it to someone you want to 'give' it to.

I haven't read everyone else's replies but I am sure I am not the first to say your time and skills are too valuable to let others take advantage of you.

:-D :-D :-D

Making them for the joy of giving to others is fun to do, but when everyone else wants one made it turns into a chore and after devoting all your time and effort to making them it becomes as tedious as an assembly line. Just say "no", you have too many projects in the work making things for yourself.

I like your approach. It tells them in no uncertain terms that you don't work for free.

:thumbup:

Our time is valuable, our supplies are costly, either you give them as gifts or you sell them. I sell mine for 50$ and when I use my burberry fabric they go for 60$ each. Here the Pellon is expensive and not always easy to find as for the burberry fabric, I have to travel quite far to find it.
People just love this bag as it's so practical for different uses, I think that's why they like them so much. They sell really well, so why not keep sewing them.....

Just search for Bow Tuck Purse Pattern. They pop up on multiple websites. Sometimes they are available on eBay.

I had the same experience. I was doing private duty nursing and had been on the case years and frequently mad something for the mother. Then her sister wanted one and then their mother,etc. I would do freebies if it was just putting a name on a purse or stocking but let them know I charged for complicated stuff or making bags,etc. I was charging $25. and embroidered a design to match the purse. After I had done the 3 in the family then their friends started wanting one. I finally figured out I was making $2.50 hour so quit making them.