Have been in same situation and still haven't learned to just say No....
Several quilts for family never garnered a "thank you", one needed to be
reminded to pay up the agreed upon amount, and another gave them
away as "their gift" to others. I agree with other comments: make a
stand now, no regret later.

I would call her up and be like "okay, I priced the fabric and other materials and have an estimate of $50 to make each of the quilts. I wanted to make sure that was reasonable before I buy the fabric" like you're assuming she knows she needs to pay. Then she can say "yes, definitely" or "oh, that's more than I expected, no thanks" and it's all good

Have an open honest talk and make a sheet with the cost break down. she is clueless and thinks you are bored and make these for fun to give away. Have them pay the agreed upon amount up front. You need to buy fabric right? I do consignment quilts and people have to pay 100% up front. I have never had a problem.

I give a lot of quilts away. I am working on one right now for my bil and his new wife. I just made one for a friends grandbaby, and am making another one for her newest grandbaby. She paid me for most of the fabric, but I have done things like this for her before, and she and her children absolutely love them. They know the kind of work I put into my quilts, and even though they don't sew and quilt, they know it is a work of love. She always does things for my family throughout the year, so I am willing to do special things for her.

For my friends I may decide to do a quilt, or I may do a receiving blanket and crochet around the edge. I had one friend from work that I did a receiving blanket for, and she told me her grandmother thought it was absolutely gorgeous and also how much she (my friend) loved it. I did a quilt for a friend in my neighborhood and she loves it as well. I enjoy quilting and I don't charge extra for my time. If they are a gift from me, of course they don't pay anything, but if they ask me to make one, or offer to help with the fabric, then that helps a lot. I guess I just look at the situation and see what I can do.

you may have to flat out tell her that for you to make a quilt is a minimum of $125 (baby quilt size).... give her the cost with labor included... don't feel bad...

i would tell her how many yards each quilt would take and tell her she needs to supply the fabric. i have the same problem i give alot of quilts away and it gets expensive by time i pay longarmer i have $200-$250 in a quilt

I'd ask her if she had any pattern(s) in mind, then come up with one, give her yardages needed, and offer to go with her for fabric selections. If by then she is still interested, she should give you $$ for your time and expertise.
I have a friend of my daughter who is wanting me to make 2 quilts for her before Christmas. And she wants "big lap" size or bigger on both, and 2" finished triangles. Ha! I think she thinks I have nothing better to do! I still have projects of my own I am trying to finish before Christmas.
I did offer to help teach her how to sew, but it seems she is not interested. Live and learn! :)

I am with the others about just telling her the truth. Check this idea out~you say to her how much it will costs and she say oh yes no problem, thank you for doing this your quilts are so beautiful and I just don't have your talent!
Now wouldn't that be a nice surprise.

Only thing I can think of is asking her how much SHE WANTS TO SPEND on the fabric. You can add that there are so many variables in purchasing fabric adn price is one of those variables.

Good advice. If this gal gets two more quilts she'll be looking for five next time. And there will be no end.. IGNORE MY PREVIOUS SUGGESTION.

Stand in front of a mirror and repeat "No" over and over. You wont regret doing it. If you feel obligated call her and tell her the cost involved and as soon as she pays you, you can shop for the fabric and get started. Be firm!

Love It! I need to practice that one.

Personally I would tell her that I only make quilts for people I care about and that it's a labor of love.

But if you don't mind making the quilts, then I would tell her you don't make quilts for free for anyone except those you care about. It's your personal policy.

Good luck.

I made my hairdresser a quilt for her wedding (still have to bind the dumb thing) and she just moved into a new house...so she asked me if I could make 2 reversible twin-sized quilt for her daughters. She didn't want any piecing, just two different colors on the quilts. I told her it would be much cheaper for her to buy quilts at Walmart! I quoted her $300.00 each quilt...the quilting alone would either be whole-cloth type or BORING large crosshatching. She decided Walmart would be fine.

When I do commissioned quilts, I have found the fair price to me is at least 4 times the cost of all the materials, including batting. So quote your cousin a high price for making the quilts - if she has the nerve to ask you to make them (probably expecting it to be free to her), then you have to have the nerve to place a high price on your creative talents and time!!!

I would call and ask her how much is she budgeting for the fabric and batting for the quilts in case you have to find a sale to fit her budget before buying it. If she gives you a ridiculous figure laugh and tell her that's the funniest thing you've heard in long time and you wish you could buy fabric for that price! Then tell her you pay at least $9 a yard for good cotton fabric plus $25 for baby safe batting plus about $5 or more for a spool of thread to match not counting the ____ hours it takes to cut and sew the quilt. Then say I have to go but give me a call later to let me know what you decide and when you can send the fabric money. She probably won't call back.

I would think that if you are not going to enjoy making the quilts for your cousin that no amount of money will be enough. I have, in the past, taken on jobs making things for people that I really didn't want to make and it becomes such a chore. Just not worth it!!

Perfectly said except I would of added "when I pick you up you can buy the fabric, batting and notions I need and Ill be able to get going on it.. "