Considering how rude it was of her to beg for a quilt, I don't think I could be very polite in telling her no, I don't have any laying around and I don't do freebies for someone who can make their own!

My response in that situation is always " I would be happy to teach you how." That usually ends the conversation.

My other stock answer is "I can't keep up with the baby quilts in my family so couldn't possibly commit to any other projects." then offer the first response again.

My nice way of saying no.

She is hinting and you can easily be deaf to hints.

If you like her you could decide to make her a quilt for the cabin. It sounds like she would appreciate it. Until then just use the "long list ahead of you" response to side-step the issue. If they don't ask directly then you don't have to answer directly.

I agree with the others that suggested you offer to "teach" her to make her own. If she has sewn garments its not to hard to figure out how to make a quilt. Offer a "jump start " session.

Where I run into a problem is that most of my quilts are for community projects. (Cancer Clinic / Foster Care ect...)
so when people find out that you are giving them away, they don't understand why you wouldn't give THEM one.
Thank goodness I have dozens of UFOs that I want to finish and can't possibly start anything new :o)

Hmmm. I would be flattered. It seems she recognizes the beauty and workmanship irn your quilts, enough to want one of her own. I didn't take it as being rude or pushy at all.

If you don't care to spend the time on her that,s ok. Say no I don't have any and move on.

Or make a lap quilt out of the goodness of your heart for her. And move on.

You control your own life.

She's family. Make the lady a quilt! Why wouldn't you? I'm flabbergasted that you would be offended that she would ask? I'd be honored.

The last hint I got I flat out told them the price of a baby quilt started at $300. End of conversation.

You know, I put myself in a similar position. I teach violin and for a graduation gift, I made a tee shirt quilt for a student.... not thinking to ask for money for the backing and batting.... Well, now this year her sister is graduating, and I have to make her a quilt, too. It wouldn't be right to NOT make her one. Their friend is also graduating and taking lessons from me, so she knows about the quilts. I can't NOT make her one, either. So, here I am, footing the bill for the backing, batting and thread... not forgetting the iron on interfacing. I know I won't do this again. I'll ask the student if they would like me to make a quilt for them, and if they do, I'll bring them along to buy the backing, and everything else. After all, I'm not charging for labor, it IS a gift. I suppose that's why I didn't ask for any money in the first place. I want it to be a gift, but it's a pretty expensive one.

About 10 yrs ago my best friend from decades ago came over to see my new home. I had a cross-stitch sampler hanging in my bedroom that probably took over a year for me to stitch and then the frame probably cost $150.00. She saw it and asked if she could have that picture when I die. Speechless!!! I didn't know what to say!!! I don't think she wanted it as a rememberance of me, I think she wanted it because it would have looked good in her home decor at the time. Her husband was walking behind her when she said it and he said....." OMG...you didn't just say that did you?" Well, she was the kind of friend who never called me, I always called her to see how she was and she was always in the throws of some kind of drama, or she was to busy to talk to me. Anyway, I felt like I was always the friend who was making the effort to be a friend and she was only responding. Needless to say, I stopped calling her to see if she would ever call me first. It's been 10 yrs and she still hasn't called me. I still feel sad about the lost friendship....but I don't loose sleep over it....and I still have my sampler pic too, which will be going to my children upon my death....many years from now I hope!!!!!!!!:rolleyes: