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Do you usually exchange gifts or give a gift to this person?
Do you WANT to give her anything? Would you usually give her an item with the 'retail value' of what she is asking? |
Oh no, I must be too direct. A casual acquaintance asked me to make her "grannies" scraps into a quilt and she would give me the scraps that are left as payment. I assumed she meant me buy the binding, backing, thread and batting. I quicky told her the cost in time, labor and material and she hasn't asked again. I don't think people realize the time and money that goes into making quilts.
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I have had these "requests" happen to me all my life--people simply do not realize what goes into the process of making something "home made"--and most of the time do not appreciate the effort made when you do make or do something that was "hinted" or "suggested"--can you tell that I am in a "down mood" this am???? But how do you correct that thought process? They can't help it. And the next thing you know, another friend has dropped off your list of BFFs.
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Originally Posted by jodyma
(Post 5558838)
Oh no, I must be too direct. A casual acquaintance asked me to make her "grannies" scraps into a quilt and she would give me the scraps that are left as payment. I assumed she meant me buy the binding, backing, thread and batting. I quicky told her the cost in time, labor and material and she hasn't asked again. I don't think people realize the time and money that goes into making quilts.
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I would make her a bag, since that is something she would like to have and you probably have time to make one for her. Take care.
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Originally Posted by Tashana
(Post 5553907)
A friend dropped by yesterday and while we were talking she asked me how much would it cost to buy a king size quilt. I gave her a range of prices to my best knowledge. She asked if smaller quilts would be cheaper and decided that going to Target would be the closest to what she could afford. A few minutes later she tells me that she always wanted a quilted bag but they were too expensive and then she starts rattling off brand names and prices. I would love to make her a bag, but I know I cannot do a quilt right now because the timing cannot be more wrong, and besides I cannot quilt a king on my DSM. I know it is stupid to even ask, but if it were you would you be happy if I made you a nice bag instead of a quilt? Sometimes down the road I will make the quilt for her for sure because I will be taking LA classes at my LQS in order to use their machine. Thank you for your opinion. By the way I love hints because they save me the agony of figuring out birthday and holiday gifts.
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I'm going to be a meanie here, and I rarely am... I would do nothing. When someone tries to use a sideways complement to get me to do something like this...I ignore them completely...they get nothing.
Not because I don't want to, but because it becomes expected...next thing you know...everyone expects the same from me. I can't afford that. At present, I just spent 80.00 on fabric...I don't need fabric, I have 2 rooms of fabrics...but we have a great grandson due in February (none of what I bought is for his quilt, had that already)...we have a great nephew, two great nieces with babies due by March 2013...I want to make a quilt for all of them. So I asked two of them...for themes (my mistake). One wants pink & brown monkeys (I only needed to add one fabric), the other wants hot pink and black with zebra prints. That (other than black) I didn't have. So I ordered 45.00 worth of fabric online...won't mention who I got it from...quality is not good at all. several faded after washing, and are more decorater wieght, not quilt weight...but were listed as quilt fabrics. one has a black ink streak every 18 inches...so to use it, I'll have to be fussy cutting my pieces. Today, hubby agreed...that I needed good fabrics...so off to Walmart...our Lubbock, TX (4th and Franklin) has a great new fabric department. I paid 4.98 a yard for five fabrics. From the other company...what has the same prints as Walmarts...5.96-8.98 per yard...did get free shipping. Customer service was excellent...so much so, when she offered to send a postage label for return, I refused. Customer service is that important to me. I'll use these others in purses or pillows...or something. Tomorrow...I go to a different town to check that Walmart's fabrics...I know they had a lot coming in...maybe I'll find some goodies there. I have a grand niece I made a quilt for two years ago...and since she was in Japan, I also included one for her 8 year old son...just a sample I made up, more lap size than anything else. This grand niece's mom in law insisted I make a quilt for her grandson (the stepson of my grand niece)...this young man didn't know me, never was around me, and was not in Japan. So I told the lady that a quilt would be made if she provided the materials...never heard from her again. We see each other (small town), and it's not mentioned. Maybe one day this young man will get a quilt, but not any time soon. Had he been in Japan, or had I known him personally...he would have had a quilt. I don't like pushy people...dealt with them for over 30 years...don't have to anymore.
Originally Posted by Tashana
(Post 5553907)
A friend dropped by yesterday and while we were talking she asked me how much would it cost to buy a king size quilt. I gave her a range of prices to my best knowledge. She asked if smaller quilts would be cheaper and decided that going to Target would be the closest to what she could afford. A few minutes later she tells me that she always wanted a quilted bag but they were too expensive and then she starts rattling off brand names and prices. I would love to make her a bag, but I know I cannot do a quilt right now because the timing cannot be more wrong, and besides I cannot quilt a king on my DSM. I know it is stupid to even ask, but if it were you would you be happy if I made you a nice bag instead of a quilt? Sometimes down the road I will make the quilt for her for sure because I will be taking LA classes at my LQS in order to use their machine. Thank you for your opinion. By the way I love hints because they save me the agony of figuring out birthday and holiday gifts.
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I agree that a bag would be a wonderful quilt. This last Christmas I sent place mats that I made, and I had dyed the fabric, and gel printed fabric, and embellished it. I was astonished at the overwhelming approval! Make something YOU like, and I will bet she will like it too. The only thing I will suggest is that if she is someone who always wears purple--or something like that, I'd make it in the color she always wears. I can't think of a nicer gift.
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Someone gave me a box of quilt squares to "sell" for her. It was complete with the fabric to finish the quilt top. Interestingly.....months later i did sell those blocks for her...and i had the buyer make the check out to the local animal shelter.
Sandy |
Lets face it, most people have a hobby or pastime that is expensive. I cant paint a picture but i would not hint for one as a gift. Oil paint is expensive as is canvas, frames, etc.
i think we can all use this line when asked to make a quilt or whatever for someone..... " my prices start at ...". A friend tells people that her prices start at $75.00 when someone requests a purse. Hey, "scraps" cost $12 yard too! Sandy |
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