Not so subtle hint - what would you do?
 

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.

If this is a good friend that you want to surprise, how about a little wall hanging, or table runner to start out. Maybe something for Halloween, if you have the time. Something little like that can be machine quilted.

I don't know about you but a king sized quilt as a gift is a very expensive gift in time, effort as well as money. On the other hand a quilted bag is a great gift and something I could handle, much less time, effort and money involved and you know it's something your friend said she love to have.

I also like hints about what kind of gifts family and friends like. Used to give family members a Wish List for Christmas, asked sizes, colors, likes for books, DVD's., special item they were wishing for, etc. as well as asking them what they were doing for others this year. I have 8 granddaughters and saved myself a lot of gift returnting or wasted gifts over the years.

If you two exchange Christmas presents I think a bag would be a nice present
If you don't, I'd make her a small wall hanging or table runner in colours you know she likes
I agree with May in Jersey - if your friend doesn't quilt, she may have no idea what it takes to assemble a king top, let alone quilt it, make a binding, bind it.....

A quilted bag should be simple enough. A tote bag is one of the easiest things, you can make. If she meant a purse, that would involve a bit more but would still be doable. Sounds like she would be thrilled, to receive a quilted bag!

She said she wanted a bag ... by all means make her a bag (providing you want to make her something at all and not just because she was dropping hints).

I agree, I like it when someone who is accustomed to getting a regular gift from me (birthday, Christmas) hints at what they want - makes it so much easier. I do not however pay any heed to folks that see one of my quilts and say "oh, I'd love one of those", or "can you make me one?". Umm ... no.

I agree with DogHouseMom.
If this is something you want to do/make/create, then by all means do it. A gift is just that, something that comes from the heart, not out of obligation.

**Most nonquilters don't have a clue has to the time, energy and $$$ it takes to create a quilt. Know why I know? Used to be one of them. :eek:

If she is so inclined --- offer to help her make the quilt. Gives you some friend time and teaches her what goes into making a quilt. Did this with a good friend and she is quite the quilter now.

I think she would love the bag as she told you how much she likes them. I am making some for Christmas gifts this year.

a bag or a bed runner should do. she's hinting a lot, but we don't always get what we want. don't fret. just do what you can.

Great answer! This could be the best gift you ever gave her.

Do what you want .. ignore the dropped "hints" if they are not what you want to do. I had some one leave me a basket full of partially finished quilt square .. and then said "maybe if you have time".... well I have never had the time.

If it is OK with your LQS, why not take her along to your quilting class. It might give her an idea of how long it would take to quilt it. If you belong to a guild, can you take her to a meeting?

The little quilting club that I belong to welcomes guests. They can ask questions, do a little quilting if they want, or just visit.

When my friend wanted a king size ...I did what QuiltnLady1 suggested and that was 5 months ago.......she still has yet to order the fabric. When they have to order the fabric and spend 150 for the fabric for the top it all of the sudden is a reality. The backing and batting hasn't even come into play. I'm going to teach her how but I refuse to do the shopping because she wont commit unless she's involved.
I have a friend who quilts and I have considered making her a quilt because no one has ever made her one and she makes quilts for everyone. First time I ever considered it but she truly has been a great friend!

How about a tote for Christmas. With a message.
Love you lots but we are both short of cash.
Begin by filling this bag with cotton material with memories from clothes in any wardrobe in your house.
When she has filled bag bring to you and show her how to cut into squares( you select the size for squares or triangles.
Big squares may be best. The join them in 4 sections which when put together make a king size quilt.
If you have time sew for her or show her how to herself machine or hand.
Batting and backing you decide between you. So far only really used time.
When 4 sections are sandwiched and quilted join together and bind. Should make a ver quick and memory quilt

I am sure your friend would love a quilted bag (made with love by a friend!) At some point, circumstances will change and maybe then she could afford a king size quilt.

Most people, even our best friends and family have NO IDEA what goes into making them a quilt or even a bag. In addition to the actual hours spent in the doing, I know I spend hours in my head planning and comparing, often cutting into my sleep: the more important the person in my life, the more I plan and fret. When I ask for a fair price based on the actual work, their eyes get big like saucers. They simply don't know.
MaryKatherine

I have some well meaning family members who keep trying to get me to make quilts and sell them for extra $$ for myself. I finally told them how much $$ I had in the king quilt I made for myself - over $300 counting the cost of sending it to a LAQ. That even includes getting most of the fabric on sale! Hmmm - they haven't mentioned me quilting for others since... :o

I do understand this - seems I don't have time to make a close friend a quilt, and I sure was pushing to get one for her before Christmas! With the hand sewing, it's almost impossible to make a nice quilt for everyone on my list - so I've opted on making her a wall quilt - and an afghan with colors I know she will love! I'm hoping to make her a quilt for next year - might even surprise her for her birthday in February!

Make her a bag. I have given away so many quilts, some have several. I no longer take hints. I make whatever quilts I want and if someone comes along that I think needs a quilt. I go through and pick one out, my chioce.

sounds to me that she was just "chit-chatting" and really not hinting. Just to be nice make her something like the bag since she said she would like one and one can never have too bags! (also they are cheaper than a quilt)

Thank you so much for all your answers. It feels almost like we were all sitting in my living room sipping coffee and chatting. Who says you cannot have friends on line! I make and gift my quilts to family. I am a mom of two who is fairly new to the area and I do not have the benefit of friends and family living close by. They are all in Canada. Time is the most precious commodity and finances are as tight as everybody's in this economy. I will make my friend a nice purse, I have a few go to patterns. I will invite her to my sewing room to see the process and I will take her to my LQS as an observer. I offered to teach her quilting but she was not thrilled. It is just not her cup of tea. Once again, thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

If your skills are such that making a quilted bag looks as good - or better - than Vera Bradley, which is what I assume she was referring too, then by all means do it - IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO. But if she's wanting a Vera Bradley, and you don't produce that quality of work, I suspect she won't be happy. A handbag becomes part of your wardrobe. It's hard enough to pick a handbag for someone else. I want pockets here and not there; a zipper, not a flap- that kind of thing. And if you make it and she doesn't carry it, then you'll be hurt. But a small tablerunner is a good idea. Then you can get an idea of whether you really want to tackle a king sized quilt for her - which from experience, I KNOW cost you at least $500.

Ughh.. I really don't like when people give hints of what they want. I feel like the friend was telling you she wanted you to make her a quilt.. I think I would ignore it, and make the quilt when you are ready, and on your own time.

Rachel, you should be in the diplomatic corps. :thumbup:

It sounds like what she's telling you is that she would love to have a quilted bag made by you. It seems like she knows she can't afford to commission work from you, but if you are good friends, why not "gift" her a nice quilted bag. On the other hand, if your conversation with her made you feel like she was trying to take advantage of you, then you certainly shouldn't feel obligated to do work for her for free. Follow your heart and enjoy your craft!

Two cents, two cents, two cents. There are all levels of friendship. It would have to be a "from childhood, went thru life and death" type friend for a gift of a king size quilt. Not that I don't love my friends but it would have to be a very special friend. When requested, I might consider saying something along the lines of "I'd love to but LAQ are up to $$(pick a number)$$$ now and I just don't have that kind of money right now." And let it drop, think how surprised she will be if you do present her with a new bag!!

Do YOU want to make her a gift-? Just because, and not out of guilt or obligation? Then I'd suggest making her a bag, or perhaps a table runner.
Maybe offer to teach her how to sew, so that she can join you in your journey..............

the quilted bag would be just fine since she talked of it also. friends should not make you feel guilty on things like this.

She said she has always wanted a quilted bag, so I'm sure she would be thrilled with one!

I think some people think one can make things 'for lots less' than things would cost when purchased ready-made.

I tell my friends and family that if they want a specific quilt, they need to buy the fabric (and Pattern) and for a nominal fee I will make it as I have time. Most don't follow through once they see how much the fabric alone costs.

I would make her a beautiful bag in colors and style that she likes. I am making my 2 best friends a bag for Christmas in christmas fabrics that I will give them on Dec. 1st so they can use them the whole month. I just made a King size quilt for my daughter and I bought all the fabric, batting and backing on sale and it still cost me $200 with the Longarm fees. I doubt your friend knows how much it costs to make a king size quilt. Make her a purse now.

I don't like people saying something is too expensive for them to buy but think it's cheaper for me to make it? It usually is cheaper but that is the savings for me, for knowing how to make the item, not to save them money.

Why not invite her to take a beginners quilt class at the LQS? She will at least learn a little about the process even if she doesn't want to make her own quilts. And let her know that you could maybe do a bag much sooner than the quilt.

This is a friend??? I'd make her a pound cake and offer her some coffee. You'll never please her.

If it's to be a surprise, I'd go with something small like a table topper and make it a seasonal item. My thinking is that if the person wasn't in on the selection process (fabric and pattern) no matter how much the finished product may be beautiful, there is still a chance that it won't be in the recipient's taste. By being seasonal, she won't feel she HAS to have it out year round but you also get to see her reaction and pick up hints for possible future surprises!
Pat

I think a quilted bag or tote is perfect, and no way would I make a king size quilt for anyone with today's costs the fabric alone would be more than I could afford let alone the time and effort to create one.

I am always grateful for any hand made gift that I receive because I KNOW the hours that went into making it. However, those that don't sew or quilt have no clue as to time and expense.
Do what is in your heart and you will feel good about doing it...even if it is to buy her a gift.

Maybe tell her of your time constraints and offer to take her shopping for the supplies she will need to work on her quilt (which you generously offer to help her make--after the holidays). I'd be willing to bet that after she sees what it will cost to buy ALL of the supplies, she will change her mind and go buy one of the $100 ones at KMart!