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madamekelly 08-24-2010 11:17 AM

I once answered yes when asked to make a wedding dress for the little neighbor girl. She and I agreed that she would pay whatever she thought it was worth, (stupid, I know) She brought me white, heavy weight satin, and beautiful silver shot white lace. The pattern was a simple sheath dress, that she wanted lace puff sleeves, with satin cuffs. I am fast with a sewing machine, and had the dress done the next day. It was elegant! She took one look, and decided it was too plain. I told her to go get some trim she liked and I would add it. She came back hours later with the UGLIEST 1/2 inch round silver sequins, that she wanted sewn around the neck, hem and kick- pleat. (Oh, and could I get rid of the gray thread they were strung on?) I did it.....by hand, since my machine was made on this planet, and cannot sew over anything that huge. Her dress was NOT pretty any longer, but she was thrilled with it. She left the next day on her honeymoon. Can we say last minute anyone? When she came back a week later, she stopped by to pay me. Imagine my DELIGHT when she handed me $10! NO, I do not do command-sewing anymore!

wraez 08-24-2010 11:30 AM

Madame Kelly ... I hope you didn't give her a wedding gift, just a card saying that the gift was the dress and all the time you put into it.

$10 ... geesh, what the heck was she thinking?

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

polly13 08-24-2010 11:34 AM


Originally Posted by quiltilicious

Originally Posted by polly13
I make quilted wallets as special gifts. I have been requested more than once with the following line: "The quilted ones you buy aren't half as nice and they want $20. for them." They seem to think I will make one for free after receiving that compliment. Never seem to get around to it.

Well, they've set your price point: $40.00 :P :lol:

I LOVE YOUR COMEBACK. I'll try that one!

ritamaew 08-24-2010 12:26 PM

I like the answer that my sil used....

My machine doesn't know how to do that.

Rita

chamby 08-24-2010 04:08 PM

I have also made some purses. I have had people tell me " you could sell these and make money." I then tell them that I do this for fun. If I started making things to sell then it would become a job. I do not want to feel pressured to finish something in a certain amount of time. That takes all the enjoyment of it. I do not mind mending things for others from time to time if it is fixable. I do not do alterations at all.

Luv Quilts and Cats 08-24-2010 04:12 PM

I don't think anyone has asked me to do any sewing of any kind for them because I am so slow at it any way! LOL! Works for me!

chamby 08-24-2010 04:13 PM


Originally Posted by madamekelly
I once answered yes when asked to make a wedding dress for the little neighbor girl. She and I agreed that she would pay whatever she thought it was worth, (stupid, I know) She brought me white, heavy weight satin, and beautiful silver shot white lace. The pattern was a simple sheath dress, that she wanted lace puff sleeves, with satin cuffs. I am fast with a sewing machine, and had the dress done the next day. It was elegant! She took one look, and decided it was too plain. I told her to go get some trim she liked and I would add it. She came back hours later with the UGLIEST 1/2 inch round silver sequins, that she wanted sewn around the neck, hem and kick- pleat. (Oh, and could I get rid of the gray thread they were strung on?) I did it.....by hand, since my machine was made on this planet, and cannot sew over anything that huge. Her dress was NOT pretty any longer, but she was thrilled with it. She left the next day on her honeymoon. Can we say last minute anyone? When she came back a week later, she stopped by to pay me. Imagine my DELIGHT when she handed me $10! NO, I do not do command-sewing anymore!

Wow, what an insult. Never ever say whatever you think it is worth. Some people think that means free. That is why I stopped decorating cakes years ago. They would say but a cake mix only cost $1(that was then).

madamekelly 08-24-2010 05:38 PM


Originally Posted by chamby

Originally Posted by madamekelly
I once answered yes when asked to make a wedding dress for the little neighbor girl. She and I agreed that she would pay whatever she thought it was worth, (stupid, I know) She brought me white, heavy weight satin, and beautiful silver shot white lace. The pattern was a simple sheath dress, that she wanted lace puff sleeves, with satin cuffs. I am fast with a sewing machine, and had the dress done the next day. It was elegant! She took one look, and decided it was too plain. I told her to go get some trim she liked and I would add it. She came back hours later with the UGLIEST 1/2 inch round silver sequins, that she wanted sewn around the neck, hem and kick- pleat. (Oh, and could I get rid of the gray thread they were strung on?) I did it.....by hand, since my machine was made on this planet, and cannot sew over anything that huge. Her dress was NOT pretty any longer, but she was thrilled with it. She left the next day on her honeymoon. Can we say last minute anyone? When she came back a week later, she stopped by to pay me. Imagine my DELIGHT when she handed me $10! NO, I do not do command-sewing anymore!

Wow, what an insult. Never ever say whatever you think it is worth. Some people think that means free. That is why I stopped decorating cakes years ago. They would say but a cake mix only cost $1(that was then).

EXACTLY!

Ps 150 08-24-2010 05:43 PM


Originally Posted by madamekelly
I once answered yes when asked to make a wedding dress for the little neighbor girl. She and I agreed that she would pay whatever she thought it was worth, (stupid, I know) She brought me white, heavy weight satin, and beautiful silver shot white lace. The pattern was a simple sheath dress, that she wanted lace puff sleeves, with satin cuffs. I am fast with a sewing machine, and had the dress done the next day. It was elegant! She took one look, and decided it was too plain. I told her to go get some trim she liked and I would add it. She came back hours later with the UGLIEST 1/2 inch round silver sequins, that she wanted sewn around the neck, hem and kick- pleat. (Oh, and could I get rid of the gray thread they were strung on?) I did it.....by hand, since my machine was made on this planet, and cannot sew over anything that huge. Her dress was NOT pretty any longer, but she was thrilled with it. She left the next day on her honeymoon. Can we say last minute anyone? When she came back a week later, she stopped by to pay me. Imagine my DELIGHT when she handed me $10! NO, I do not do command-sewing anymore!

I wish I had read this a few months ago! I was asked to make 3 of 5 flower girls dresses with gauntlets and multiple skirts. They said they'd pay for my time and efforts and since it was for a friend, I said they could pay what it was worth it to them. I handed the dresses over after one week, fully done and 4 months before the wedding. I didn't hear anything but I thought I would after the wedding. Then, a month before the wedding (which was 2 weeks ago) the bride emailed me and asked me to make 5 purses for the flower girls, without a pattern and going off of a photo in a magazine. After a day of figuring out how to make an ice cream cone shaped purse that was lined, I went to work and had them done in two days. It's been 2 weeks since the wedding and I haven't heard anything, except how lovely the dresses and purses were. Oh well, "que sera sera."

martapr 08-24-2010 07:21 PM


Originally Posted by lisahughes0204

Originally Posted by madamekelly
I once answered yes when asked to make a wedding dress for the little neighbor girl. She and I agreed that she would pay whatever she thought it was worth, (stupid, I know) She brought me white, heavy weight satin, and beautiful silver shot white lace. The pattern was a simple sheath dress, that she wanted lace puff sleeves, with satin cuffs. I am fast with a sewing machine, and had the dress done the next day. It was elegant! She took one look, and decided it was too plain. I told her to go get some trim she liked and I would add it. She came back hours later with the UGLIEST 1/2 inch round silver sequins, that she wanted sewn around the neck, hem and kick- pleat. (Oh, and could I get rid of the gray thread they were strung on?) I did it.....by hand, since my machine was made on this planet, and cannot sew over anything that huge. Her dress was NOT pretty any longer, but she was thrilled with it. She left the next day on her honeymoon. Can we say last minute anyone? When she came back a week later, she stopped by to pay me. Imagine my DELIGHT when she handed me $10! NO, I do not do command-sewing anymore!

I wish I had read this a few months ago! I was asked to make 3 of 5 flower girls dresses with gauntlets and multiple skirts. They said they'd pay for my time and efforts and since it was for a friend, I said they could pay what it was worth it to them. I handed the dresses over after one week, fully done and 4 months before the wedding. I didn't hear anything but I thought I would after the wedding. Then, a month before the wedding (which was 2 weeks ago) the bride emailed me and asked me to make 5 purses for the flower girls, without a pattern and going off of a photo in a magazine. After a day of figuring out how to make an ice cream cone shaped purse that was lined, I went to work and had them done in two days. It's been 2 weeks since the wedding and I haven't heard anything, except how lovely the dresses and purses were. Oh well, "que sera sera."

Wow... I really hope they do something really special for you. I would not be a happy camper!!!! :hunf:


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