Too often we're taught to feel guilty for saying "no". Why is that? Parents often inadvertently teach their kids this. It's a very empowering word.

The trick is, just say "no"...don't justify (i.e. no, because.....) People will try to guilt you into doing it, as you've given them an "in" by offering a reason you're saying no. Just a plain NO ("I don't want to" is a nice addition!) you're not giving them something to work with. This applies to anything you're saying NO to.

Remember, asking a seamstress to mend is like asking Picasso to paint your garage. I think I read that here somewhere and love it. I"m thinking of making a sign for my sewing room with that on it :D

My friend had a neighbor ask her to sew together blocks she had embroidered, then hand quilt and finish the quilt. Her neighbor is a retired hair dresser, so they struck a deal--a finished quilt for doing her hair for the rest of her life. They are both near eighty and very happy with the deal.

No magic wand story request but I've just finished the top for a little I Spy quilt which I made to give to a lifelong friend's granddaughter, for her new baby. As I was planning the borders I suddenly came to and realized that while the grandmother -- my friend -- would appreciate it, the granddaughter, a very modern young woman, is probably not even a "quilt" person and I can well imagine her tossing it. I would probably never know -- my friend would certainly never tell me -- but I'm now so convinced that I've decided not to give it. I'm a little sad because I had planned to surprise my friend with it, but while I know we can't control what people do with our gifts, I've decided to give it elsewhere, to someone I know will like it.

No blame to the granddaughter; people are free to like what they like. But I forget sometimes, in my creative eagerness, that not everyone likes or values homemade gifts, including quilts.

I gave a relative a wedding quilt. Its a queen size basket quilt, the backing is Mardi Gras fabric. Nobody ever sees the front of the quilt. :(
Sharon in Texas

I definitely need to practice this simple phrase. I can say no, but I usually make up some excuse like, I have too many other projects. Which does leave the door open for a later date. Your way ends it. Good job.

mme3924, how about gifting it directly to your friend to use at her home when the baby visits??

My dear friend said she really wanted me to make her a queen size quilt. Before I could say no, she went on to tell me she would pick out the pattern and colors soon. She then added that she'd pay me $25 for the quilt. I had just made my first quilt which came about because I had taken a 6 week quilting class. And I had to buy my fabric at the store, the cost was over $200. I was able to interrupt my friend to tell her that I was way too new at this quilting to ever make her a quilt, the answer was a gentle, but firm no.

Just a thought but you could still gift the quilt to your friend for her to keep at her house for when the new baby comes to visit.

Here is my story. After living in a motor home with my 93 year old mother for 7 1/2 weeks following a flood in 2011, a man who was working in my basement at $40.00 an hour asked me to make his wife a quilt. I knew her as a friend and a fellow teacher. I told him I would if he paid for the supplies and paid me for my time. He agreed. I gave him in itemized estimate just like he had given me. I figured it would take about 12 yards of fabric at $12.00 a yard. I work at a local quilt shop and knew that was the going price. I added in the price for batting, thread and other supplies. I am a long arm quilter and have my own machine so I added the cost for quilting. I also added $40.00 per hour for my time. I figured if his time was worth $40.00 an hour, so was mine. When he was here for the end of the project, and presented me with the final bill, I gave him my estimate. It came to $1350.00. Needless to say, I haven't heard from him to make his wife a quilt.