1. can you mend this . . . .
2. can you make . . . . . . .
3. will you help me sew . . . . .

Or --- Oh you QUILT!
1. can you make me one
2. oh I have this fabric (?), do you want it

Do any of you face these statements?

Only from the 4 year old neighbor when she needs her favorite princess dress repaired !!

Yea, my daughter-in-law, when she or the girls need their pants patched or a zipper replaced. I just leave them lay on a pile til they forget about them. It is not worth my time , and they don't appreciate anything. I told them I would show them how to do it.

I tell everyone I don't sew :wink: There is a difference :thumbup:

Will I make... I will add you to the list but I am about 5 years out :shock: LOL

I have a neighbor that insists on buying things at garage sales that need mended and brings them to me to fix. I do the same thing as PurplePassion. It's hanging in a bag on the back of the door. Maybe someday but probably not. I don't do my own mending why would I do someone else's?

I would DEFINITELY mend a princess dress though. That's important!

Yes, son's girlfriend has a pair of pricey jeans with a broken zipper...I told her I won't even look at them until January...and if it is too much work I won't do them...

Me too
I just tell them I don't sew. And it's the truth.

I have had that problem a few times. I don't mend clothes except for my family and I only quilt when I want too. Some ppl don't like to hear that. I gave a friend a needle and thread once and she never asked again for help with sewing.

I don't (yet) own a sewing machine, but here are ways I'd answer those questions if I did:

-- Yes, I'd be glad to mend it if you'll watch my kids for the afternoon (or whatever favor you seek). Or just do the mending and then feel free to ask a favor down the line. I mean, maybe they already have something you'd like in return, like free legal advice or they make awesome cakes or grow tomatoes.

-- Yes, I can make things like that, but I don't do it as a profession.

-- What kind of help did you need? I'd be glad to try helping with a tough spot, but if you need guidance with the whole item, it would be better for you to sign up for a class somewhere.

-- Sorry, I only do this as a hobby. There's an alterations place on _____ Street. Or Mary down the street also sews, and she takes in sewing to earn extra money.

-- Sure, I can do that that for you. My fee is $_____. Or, I'll swap you for it.

-- I'd love to take a look at your fabric, sure! (And then if you can't use it or don't like it, refer them to eBay or the freecycle section of craigslist.com)

-- Yes, I quilt. Why not try making your own? Then refer them to a class or the local quilting guild. Or, if you're so inclined, start a quilting circle with the two of you and others you know.

-- Yes, I quilt, but it's not like stringing beads for a bracelet. Quilting takes a lot more time and money, so I don't make them as favors.

-- Sure, I'd be glad to do you this favor. But please understand that I don't do this regularly for people. If they ask why not, just say it's because you don't want to, or you'd put out a sign and charge for it.

Oh,my, yes! When I was doing a lot of clothing for myself, daughter, people would ask all the time for zippers, hemming, taking in a seam, I called a local dept.store, asked what their charge was and and then I did some. Mostly it was friends, but I charged anyway. When I was ready to stop that, I did. Only doing mending for my sons now , if they need it. But they all know how to sew on buttons!!

All of them.

All of the above, lol!

Yes, I can do all that but right now I have 5 quilts that I have to get done first so it will be after the first of the year......

I can but I'm awfully slow at mending it will take me at least a couple of months......

No, I'm sorry, I don't make bridesmaids dresses or wedding gowns......


Yes, I'd be happy to make you a quilt. It takes approximately 120 hours so how much are you willing to pay per hour???....... Oh, and the fabric averages $10 per yard, you will need at least 10 yards total for the front and back.......Batting will be about $30........ and then there's thread.........

Don't you sew? Yes but your machine quit on you? Well, boy have I got a deal for you. Let me look through my older portables at home and see what I can come up with for you.

When the term "mending" comes into play, I just laugh.

I figure that "No" or "No Thanks" are perfectly acceptable answers.

Those asking about having a quilt made, I tell them "get in line. My backlog is currently at 2 years."

I do some mending/sewing for my out-of-town grandson and his busy mom. It's a way to stay connected even though I don't see them very often.

I must be a strange quilter. I've always liked to mend because I find it satisfying to fix something that can be used instead of being thrown out because of a unstitched seam or a broken zipper. All my friends used to take their mending to their mother or grandmother but I did all my mom's mending from the time I was twelve. I hem pants, replace zippers and alter prom dresses for relatives and close neighbours. I guess I look at it as community service and family goodwill because it definately isn't about the $ that I make. One old neighbour (83) drops by every couple of weeks with another little job. I think he just likes the visit and the tea and muffins while he waits for his little stitching job to be finished. It would be hard to say no to Jack. If I just absolutely don't have the time, I just tell them that I have too many other things ahead and they'll have to try the lady at the dry cleaners. I also get calls about fabric because people know that I am in charge of Community Quilts for our guild and accept donations. Anything that I can't use gets sent to the Mennonite Relef Centre about an hours drive from here.

Only a few times. I tell them I am not a seamstress. I hate doing zippers and hemming. :roll:

1. can you mend this . . . . Yes and I'm happy to do it
2. can you make . . . . . . . Yes and I do it often
3. will you help me sew . . . . . Yes I teach regularly

Or --- Oh you QUILT!
1. can you make me one....nope haven't been asked that yet
2. oh I have this fabric (?), do you want it.... yes sometimes

I feel I'm blessed with a talent and I'm happy to share it. I always tell them I can't promise them when, but I am happy to do it, if it is something I know how to do.

I mend for myself, and make my grandson (some) clothes, thats the extent of my sewing. If I am sewing for someone else, it takes the pleasure away and becomes a chore. Quilting is much more fun and the only person I have to please is myself

I don't get that much - but I had a guy friend - not a good, good friend, just a friend, when he saw me knitting, ask me if I would knit him a sweater. I was like "You don't know what you're asking. I barely knit myself a sweater."

I do take a lot of fabric off of people's hands. And I do mend for my husband, and myself.

My younger son moved a couple of weeks ago and was unable to find his needle and thread to put a button back on a work shirt....so he drives over here to get a needle and a yard of thread. :shock: I handed him a quickly put together sewing kit in a zip baggie. He says he will return this when he finds his regular kit. (told him no)
BTW, I made a kit for him and his brother one Christmas in a plastic tub that we would use for leftovers. :shock: they actually liked it.

I have this fabric, do you want it?
Of course I say yes, never know when you will actually get something good. But, whatever it is, usually goes in the trash and never makes it into my sewing room. I have recieved: jean legs left after making cutoffs, old threadbare curtains, polyester double knit, chunks of upholstery fabric, the list goes on. But hey, I figure I am helping them clean out the clutter.

I've had all the same questions but I what really hit me was when someone asked me if I would make her a twin size quilt for $25. I laughed and told her she was missing a zero because $25 wouldn't cover the fabric for the top. She thought I was kidding. Needless to say she said she would be just as happy buying one on sale at the local dept store.
I tried to tell her that my $250 quilt would last a very long time where her dept store one might make it through a few seasons. Didn't matter to her at the time. Have never heard from her since.

Oh yeah! because you sew people think you're a seamstress...
I CAN sew clothes, something simple, for myself.. I always tell them they'd be better off going to a professional tailor, spend the 20 or 30 bucks if it's worth altering..

All of the time! Especially from the doting (dotty) mothers who are too cheap to get a professional dressmaker to make the tutu or costume for the concert.The best response is to say,"I'd be glad to do it - I usually charge $100, but as you're such a good friend, I will only charge you $50." That way, if they do 'con' you,you are getting a little reward for your effort.
The usual comment that I really dislike is,"You would only be doing it whilst you watch TV anyway".If we continue to accept the put - down we continue to undermine the status of quality work from quality artist sewers.

EXACTLY!

A "friend" asked me to make her an item but then thought it was like my hide to ask her to supply the thread as well (not to mention that there was no suggestion of payment in kind or replacement of needles etc.).Therefore it hung on my sewing room door for 13 years. Both she and her daughter were very hostile when I suggested that I would never have the time to start it,as I was handing it back...













'

I have heard most of these. I just tell them that I don't have enough time to sew for myself as much as I would like so I certainly don't have time to do it for any one else. That lets them know it's not personal but that I am not going to do it.

It helps that anyone who asks knows how crazy my job is, so they usually understand.

I help as many people as I can with what I can - I do not do zippers of any kind and will repair things if I can... who knows - maybe one day they'll have something I need and I'll feel free to ask them for their help. I am rarely asked to do any of them for free - I did make a doll recently for an ex-co-worker - I was happy to do it - I now have the pattern and can use it for myself - thats a fair trade - it took me maybe two hours to do it.

There have been very nice people who asked interestedly and politely if I make quilts to sell. I tell them No, I make what interests me at the time, and if I took orders it would be too much like piecework or production work, and I can't bring myself to do projects like that.

I used to sew for people, not a tailor really but I have made several wardrobes for people. Of course they paid me for the services. I enjoyed it most of the time. It was great to make something someone wanted. like a black velvet suit, or square dance dress, and see the joy on their faces when it was done. It paid for my sewing machine, and extra play money.

I did get taken advantage of by my inlaws though. I swear that every single time they visited I had to hem at least two pair of pants for my father in law. He appreciated it so it was not too bad. But My MIL used to ask me if I could "run this up" on my machine all the time. I always thought it was funny that she thought it was so easy.

The worst favor I ever had to do was when my inlaws came to visit and they both had red jackets that they had started putting campground patches on. MIL had started hand sewing on some and they looked awful. I told her sure, it didn't look like to many, no prob. Well, then she came in with a huge zip lock bag full of more patches, two of each. S I spent two or three days working on getting those patches on. I am a bit of a perfectionist so it took a long time. Plus there was enough to go down each front and down the arms. We saved the back for more patches. The actual sewing part was not fun, but they were both so grateful and loved my work so it was worth it.

It sure is nice that I'm not alone in these request.

What started me thinking on this - I have a friend of about 20 years. She asked if I could make some valances for her bay window. I think valances, no problem. Well she shows up with upholstery fabric, 2 colors and limited amount (plus a rubber-y-ish back). She asked if I could make them striped. After doing all the math work, there is JUST enough fabric... meaning NO mistakes. I make them, she loves them, looks wonderful... kiss, kiss, thanks... bye. Okay she did take me to lunch for my troubles.

THEN (same friend) sees that I do hand embroidery. She says... oh I haven't done that in years. Can you give me a refresher course. OKAY (she is a friend) I say. She shows up with her iron on pattern OMG IMHO it is too intricate, but its her choice. I make her some oversize blocks of the Kona cotton I recommended she get. She does her thing, and the turned out fairly descend. BUT she starts asking about turning it into a quilt.... by me. So I get the thousand questions. She: How much fabric? Me: What size do you want? She: Large sofa throw? Me: How many color do you want? She: I don't know, what do you think? Me: IMHO hand embroidery is better off as a wall hanging! She: I really want it as a sofa throw! So how much fabric do I need? I then figure out that I am getting not making head way. THAT IS WHEN I suggested that she take a 101 quilting class.... guess what she did it. But I am still holding her hand.

She is finding out that you don't take a yard of fabric and turn it into a 'king size quilt' :roll: or that it only takes a day or two of your time ;-) Slowly she is getting it. :thumbup:

I guess I'm strange too. Actually, I sort of like the mending jobs. I call it easy work and easy money too. Sort of helps out in buying more quilting supplies.

Carol,

Sometimes my sons ask me to do things that I am not capable of doing. So, I take them to the tailors and pay the professional. This is between you and me ONLY. I never tell them.

Quilter68 (who is now 69)
Can't believe that I forgot this one: A 'friend' asked me to sew some pretty embroidery patches on a chambray shirt. I was home from work mending from an operation and it was fun. Long story short - I did 26 jackets for her - no problem...she is my friend...I used 15 spools of Coats and Clark's thread (@3,25 per ). I kept asking her for thread and she finally brought one spool of 3 for a dollar thread from Walmart and it was rayon...which doesn't work on cotton and denim. It won't hold.

Longer story shorter... she went to work and showed them off and said SHE did them!!! The nerve!!! But I was proud of my work and had taken photos of all that I did.
After 30 years...end of friendship and she has people asking me why I don't contact her. I was taken advantage of and will not let that happen again!

I suggest that they take it to the local dry cleaners to get the broken zippers or mending done. After all, creative people hate this kind of work. Well... I do my own and hubby's and that's it!

Yes to all because Mom/Grannie can do anything. But my neighbor feeds me in exchange for favors, my DIL takes me to New York to the garment district and my daughter is very generous at Christmas & other important days.

While I was working on my shoebox block, my husband brought me 2 pairs of shorts that our neighbor couldn't repair. She's a wonderful neighbor but doesn't have a sewing machine or needle in the house. And she has stage 4 lung cancer so she's not up to doing the job. The shorts were for her grandson. The grandson is a great kid but overweight and had really done a job on the shorts. It took me a couple of hours to repair them but I'm glad I did. I'm not a seamstress but did the best I could. I know money is tight and thought he would need them ASAP. I'm glad I helped in a small way. Lynn

I had a friend call me from the dressing room asking if I could shorten the straps on a bathing suit for her daugter. It fit everywhere but the straps were a bit long.

For certain people I will do something! I mend and alter for my immediate family! What I dislike is when someone, not even family, thinks they will just come over and use your machine!!!!!!!!! CRinge!I don't let people who aren't people who quilt or sew use my machines!!! So I end up doing the project myself! Lately, I just tell everyone I don't have the time to do it, I have very little time to do what I want to! As for the fabric, yea I will usually take it, still building stash. I go through and what I don't want I take to goodwill.

Just this month, my dil wants me to teach her to sew, she lives 3 hours away! My son's girlfriend, wants me to show her how to quilt, but never shows up and last week my dear friend wants a table runner made for her! My niece wants to come over and sew things, I said " I didn't know you like to sew". She said " I don't know how, but I love your sewing room and want too"! She just had a baby girl, enough said