My DH wanted a bunch of curtains made this weekend but I was busy, so he decided to do it himself rather than wait. (Just putting hems on 4 sides of fabric we'd already cut down, so pretty easy, but he'd never sewn before in his life.) I helped get him and the machine all set up, offered some tips and pointers, walked him through a test run on a scrap (pinning, pressing, sewing), and then turned him loose and mostly just left him to do his thing! I only had to offer a little help here and there; he did 99% of the work. He only had to rip out one seam, and only about 5-6 inches of it! Success! I can guarantee you those curtains have better seams than the first curtains I ever made!

It made me think of this thread though...now I can tell people I don't even do household type sewing for my own spouse, I'm definitely not doing it for them! LOL

He did a great job, too. Too bad he didn't enjoy it, I am positive he'd make a great quilter! Very careful and detail-oriented. He's very proud of his new curtains, and I'm very proud of him. :)

I know what you mean when people say "oh, you could really sell those!" I used to try to explain why I don't, but I finally realized it's more of a "how are you?" kind of comment - one they really don't care about. So now I just say "Yes, I suppose I could" and leave it at that!

Say a price they will say no!

Here is my story: I quilt as a hobby. My son's friend wanted me to his a California king size quilt for him. He picked the pattern and he "OKed" the fabric. Of course, I bought quilting store fabric because he was paying me to make this quilt. I make sure I did a good job and had it quilted. Never got a dime and not even a "thank you" card or phone call. NEVER again will I make a quilt for pay.

I run into this all the time. People who do not quilt, have no idea of the amount of time and labor goes into making a quilt, it's not just the cost of the fabric. I have made quilts for family and special friends, but if others ask, I give them a realistic figure of what a quilt would cost and they usually change their mind.

I kinda like mending things. I only do it for family because of the price. I charge hugs and kisses. :)

I can relate to all the comments about making quilts for others. When I retired almost 4 years ago, it only took 3 days and I started getting calls that went like this - "now that you are retired and have nothing to do, would you like to volunteer to do this, this and that". I said I needed to catch my breath first and then I would decide what I want to do and when. After working with the public for 30+ years, I did not want to get right back out there. I lived by a strict schedule of work hours and did not want to be doing for others all the time. Mind you - I volunteered plenty when I was working full time so now I think it is "my time". I know that sounds selfish but I want to be available for watching Grandkids in a pinch when something comes up. I do that just enough to enjoy it - my kids know I did not retire to take up mothering their children. Enough said - quilting is my hobby - I do it for family and "special" friends and totally love it. Don't be afraid to say no - retirement is first of all "your time".

That's stinkin' ****awesome*** . LOL!

Those of us who are retired worked hard for "your time." I enjoy my non-commitment time and have no trouble saying no to all kinds of requests for my time. I'll donate anything but time. Ha, Ha. It takes time to make a quilt, toy, pot holders, whatever, for raffles, bazars and such. It's just that I get to choose how to donate and commit to a project. Now I "hobby" commit, and even then choose judiciously. Heck, I don't even repair or alter my own clothes, I send them to a friend who has a business doing that kind of thing. Forget home decor--boring. Made curtains once years ago and that was the end of that little exercise. DH just got a long arm and already has requests for quilting, he doesn't even know all the ins and outs of using it yet. We say no to all "please make me a---" The expense excuse usually works, and if it doesn't : "its just a hobby, not a business, we're retired for Pete's sake, and too busy to take on extra projects" also works in saying NO.

I quilt because I enjoy it,try to sell a few,but only give to family.My daughter had a friend call her up and asked for a quilt for free for a camping cabin so she would not have to taker her good blanket there-I was so insulted for my daughter-she said no.I think a home made quilt is way better than any store bought blanket anyway.

I have made a couple of rag quilts for my son's GF's Mom for her soon to be here grandson, but it was with the understanding that I am a beginner so they wont be perfect, she was fine with that and it made me some money for my "sewing machine savings", the Mom is expecting another grandbaby soon so I'm hoping to make a couple more for the savings account. But other than that "nope I'm just learning".

I am with Scissor Queen - no just because I don't want to thats why :)

My Mom always says, "Sure I'll make you a quilt. There is currently a 3 year waiting list. Call me in 3 years and I will give you a price quote and let you know how many more years it will take to get the quilt."

No one calls her. I love my Mom!

Ha! That's brilliant! People just don't know what's involved.

My suggestion is to have a nice long bucket list and show it to the one asking. Tell them you could add them to the bottom of the list but it would take at least a couple years before you see the halfway point on your current bucket list.

Also since you are retired remind them that you are retired full time and not taking on extra work.

Keep on saying No, No, and No. It does get easier. Enjoy your hobby.

I always say I am soo busy with UFO's but I have a card of a friend that quilts as a business.... That takes care of that. I do long arm quilt for a few friend with a disclaimer that I am still just practicing, haha.

I found that when I retired there were lots of demands on my time--everyone thought that I had nothing to do! I am in the quilting business now and charge enough that I'm keeping busy enough but still have time for my stuff. I've got fabric and working on Christmas tree skirts--was planning on trying to sell to local tree farm, but not unless I get paid for materials, PLUS time! Otherwise the extended family will all be getting tree skirts!

I was talking to my sister a week ago. Her son asked if I would make him a Ca. King quilt. They had a quote from another lady and they thought it sounded rIdiculous. I explained what they could figure the cost of fabric for both the top and bottom, batting, and the long armer to quilt. Then I said that doesn't cost anything I might want to charge. I don't think I will hear back from them. Then I asked what they had in mind for colors. Their colors will be red and pink with pigs. I really hope I don't hear back from them. It even surprises me the cost of materials when I start adding it up. Try telling them the cost of it and see if they still really want to go ahead with it. Also, don't be afraid to say no.

When you are tempted, think of the alternative - if you accept a consignment, it's not a hobby anymore - it's a job, and pretty much takes the fun out of your "hobby".

That overrides the guilt feeling, doesn't it?

Start caring about yourself and say no!

You're heading for this thread is all you need to say to those wanting you to make them something!

This is just a hobby!

But...if they persist toss out $2,000 estimate with a 18 month production time! :)

Nan - Indiana

I tell them no becaues I worked for over 50 yrs, now it is time for me to play. LOL

I couldn't agree more. Because you want to.

I do not feel guilty at all about saying NO ! When I was learning to quilt and had just made my first quilt at the local quilt store, a dear friend asked me to make her one too for $25.00 ! After that, I had no trouble saying no.

Yes to say no is not bad. People who sew don"t realize what goes into any type of sewing. My husband used to tell people that I would do things for them, until I put my foot down. I agree that doing it for family and those you love is great. You should make the choice.

A friend found out that I own a serger and she wanted me to do a rolled edge hem on 100 table cloths in a week for our church hall. I said sorry I can't do it in that time frame.
Sharon

I have several high end machines, including a 10 needle embroidery machine. I purchased it because I wanted it, not to go into business. As soon as people (family mostly)found out I had it they started asking about embroidered jackets and hats and such with names and designs that show off THEIR hobby. I tell them I am not in business, nor do I want to be. They ask why I got it? Reason? Because I WANTED ONE. I always get the "but the extra money will help pay off your machine". Sorry sweetie, they all were paid for when they left the store. "Well, we ARE family, so you are still going to do them, right?" Uh, no.
When I was designing and making wedding gowns, I was expected to make prom dresses, do alterations on dresses they bought for weddings, even got volunteered to do a wedding for "a poor distraught bride who is going through a rough time" for little or no compensation!
My machine, my time, my decision...period.

A girl after my own heart. :thumbup:

I have made quilts for friends and family. My daughter is standing up in a wedding and asked me in March if I could make a quilt for the bride and groom, as she is friends with both. I asked when the wedding was, as I did not want to be on a short deadline. Since it was not until November, I said yes, and the top is almost done. Otherwise, no one has asked me to make a quilt and I would probably respond to any request similarly as others have done.

Easiest way to say no, I charge $100.00 a Square foot, what size did you have in mind?

I very rarely post on (or read) Facebook, but last year I won a 4th place ribbon at the county fair for one of my quilts and I was really proud of it, so I went ahead & posted about it.

I got a FLOOD of requests & demands, mostly from people who never bothered to talk to me otherwise - some were at least considerate enough to offer to pay me (although all but one of them asked what the family/friend discount was) and some had what I considered to be outrageous requests - some people seemed to think they were doing me a favor by asking for a quilt. "Oh cool! I was going to buy the girls new bed quilts, but now you can make them!", or "Hey, I need 2 baby quilts for 2 different baby showers, how fast can you make them? {followed by a list of specifications as far as colors, type of pattern, etc. and a 2 week deadline, and a comment that they hoped that shipping wouldn't be 'too expensive'}" Uh...wow. Yeah, none of that is going to happen.

I didn't respond to any of the "gimmie" messages at all. Rudeness begets rudeness. Folks offering to pay or politely inquiring if I made quilts to sell were rebuffed as kindly as possible.

Make you a quilt? Okay, we will shop for what we need together so you can pay for the goods-up front. Then I will work on your quilt every Friday and you can come over and clean my house while I sew.
When you are done cleaning then I am done sewing for the day. See you next Friday!





My addy is wrong - I will be 73 in four weeks.

That is so true!

Most people who do not sew themselves do not realize how much work is involved. I had a friend who wanted me to move the cuffs up two inches on all his dress shirts, REALLY!! That is a lot of work. I told him that I didn't think they would look as good as I messed with them.

I enjoyed this conversation a lot! One thing I am willing to do is quilt small baby quilts for Project Linus that fellow guild members make. It gives me a chance to try different techniques and no gets upset if it's not perfect. That kind of job is a hassle for people with a longarm, but easy on my sitdown Sweet Sixteen. But I would say that another way to say no is to say, "I'm sorry." Then add whatever reason you prefer - you are too busy or it's too expensive, or may no reason at all. I truly am sorry not to be able to jump into everyone's project ideas, but the answer is still no. Now I need to get back to the quilting I'm doing for a fellow quilt member so I can start the one my sister asked me to quilt for her. I'm looking forward to doing it, though I just discovered that one side of her quilt is two 3" blocks shorter than the other. Hmm. I do enjoy a challenge!

When people tell me boy, you could sell that my reply is: If I started selling pot every addict would go into rehab & give it up. I do not feel guilty saying "no".

I've had to say no many times and it does get easier. I don't even hem my husbands pants he has to take them to a tailor.

Pat in MN

My daughter just asked me to fix a strap on her fabric purse. I thought 'ughhhh' but looked at it anyway. I couldn't figure how to do it. I know how to put the strap into the body, but I had to pleat the body and then take a long 1/2" strip and go around the strap about 5" from the base without the ends showing. I couldn't figure how to do it. I told her to go to an 'alterations' gal and ask her if I could do it and if she could explain to my daughter how I was to do it. My daughter hasn't said a word about it since.

I had a hair dresser say she would love to have a quilt. It was the first time I went to her. My mouth dropped open and nothing came out. I was shocked that this person would ask me for one. I changed hair dressers after that. I made a quilt for my mail carrier for Christmas. I put it in a box and put it in my mailbox. She gave me a Christmas card the next day with a big ole' thank you. She brings me many packages to my door every week, so I felt she deserved it. Besides her, I only quilt for family. I've had people say in passing that they would like a quilt, but I don't respond at all. That usually gives them their answer. If I HAD to make a quilt for someone, it would never get made. I have a hard enough time of finishing my quilts anyway.