I think it depends entirely on your relationship with your Mother inlaw. For mine I would not charge anything but expect her to buy the fabric and threads hooks etc. Same goes for close friends and sisters etc, however having been a curtain maker as part of my job I can vouch that there can be a lot of work involved in say, lined curtains with tiebacks and valances etc!
What kind of curtain are you making, long or short, is it a simple unlined rod pocket type or the more elaborate as I have already mentioned? I think you need to take those things into consideration perhaps.

Gal

I agree that it would depend on what exactly she was asking you to make. Simple rod pocket type or lined, pleated types.
Plus it would depend on the relationship. I would at least charge her for the fabric and go from there.

Does she babysit for free and help you out ??
How many meals have you eaten at her place where she buys the food??

I would never have charged my mil for anything.
If she can afford to buy the material, just get her to do that.
I guess it depends on the relationship you have with her, what would hubby like you to do for his Mother.

In this case I would just say the materials to make these cost me $so many dollars and if she is a generous person she will give you extra. Unless you want to make money doing it.

If it were my mother-in-law I would just make them out of the kindness of my heart. Sometimes one cannot afford to do that, so then I would charge for the materials and donate the labor.

Depending on your finances and hers....

I would either make them a gift or charge her for the materials. If you can afford to make them as a gift...I think it would be wonderful...IF NOT, I would let her pay for the materials.

Margie

I could never charge her for labor, I would just ask that she pay for the fabric.

I guess it would depend on whether this is your business or a favor. Also, does she have a lot of $$? and, whose idea was it? I would certainly have her buy the fabric and supplies. I would never charge my MIL unless I was doing it professionally and they were a real big deal, like drapes, in which case I would help her shop for them, rather than make them :) I would say, happy birthday or mother's day or something. Charging family is such a touchy thing, isn't it?

It's for my daughter's husbands mother. She has all kind of family gatherings of which we are never invited to. I sent her xmas cards, none from her. We aren't close at all and though I invite her over, she always has an excuse not to come over.

She bought the fabric. I told her it was free and she insisted on paying me $40.00 so I guess I got my answer.