I do longarm quilting and occasionally make a quilt to order, I also keep some on hand that I have made if someone wants to buy something or to see samples of my quilting.

I very seldom sell quilts because most people won't pay the $300. and up that it costs to make a full size, or larger, quilt. I should also state that I only use quilt shop fabric, no JoAnn's or Walmart. So even though I do the quilting myself I still have a bundle in fabric without considering my labor.

I recently quilted a (queen size) top for a customer and she said she was asking $750.00 if anyone wanted to buy it. She said that she had that much money in the fabric, batting, backing and quilting plus a very little for her time. Again no JoAnn's or Walmart fabric.

Of course when people see ads selling quilts at $39.95 or slightly more they think they are being ripped off by those of us who use only quality fabrics and put a lot of time and effort into making a quality product that will last for generations and not fall apart the first time it is washed. They have't checked out the price of fabric which is $10.00 a yard, or more, and a small spool of good thread starts at about $3.00 and I don't know how anyone piece a quilt top with one spool of thread.

So tell this person "NO" unless she is willing to pay for all materials, the quilting and your time and I don't mean sweatshop wages of .50 cents an hour.

Good luck.

Longarm

If you want to "discourage" people from asking, just start adding up how much it will cost them to have you do this; not just the fabric, your time, your mileage to buy supplies that might be necessary, wear and tear on your equipment, etc., etc. Most people who want us to make them quilts for friends/relatives as gifts don't understand how much it will cost them in cold hard cash.

I tell them "No, I'm not a professional sewer. If I were, I'd have to charge you more money than you would be willing to pay."

I also use this one. " How big do you want this quilt? Oh, that will cost $$$$$." Only had one lady who said fine and I made the quilt. She was happy and so was I all the way to the bank.

some great answers everyone! This is so helpful! Thanks!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!

I always just tell people I am "over-committed." I suggest someone else who might make their quilt or, in the case of t-shirt quilts (which I hate hate hate to make), give them a place online where they can order one made. When they see the price, they will have a heart-attack, BTW!

I just tell everyone that I don't quilt for others. I have all I can do to get what I want to get done for myself.

I think the best focus to take in this case is to assume the person is planning to pay you for the service they are requesting, so the first part of the conversation should be an agreement on the charges. I usually start with telling them the ball-park figure is $400 and I have found that usually puts a stop to it. One young man wanted me to make him a quilt, and when I told him the cost, he started telling me about the jeans he had been saving and that I could use them for his quilt. I immediately explained to him the extra cost of cutting all those jeans into squares. He finally gave up.

[quote=lalaland]I don't get it either, when people find out I can sew they immediately think I can do their mending and alterations, which I hate to do. My favorite dry cleaners fixes my stuff for me.

When anyone asks me to do mending or alterations, I imediately tell them I don't do alterations but I give them the name of a friend who does. I also don't mend old quilts.

If I'm willing to make something on request - which is RARE - I tell the recipient they had better not tell ANYONE where they got it!

If you are clicking on the green words (New Topic) it shouldn't do anything - its just a comment to let you know the posting is a new one. You click on the blue words.

And I sympathize with your problem! *Hugs*

Friends of ours built anew house I made crochet them 2 afghans for their family room. Two months later they are telling us that the afghans were great for their camping trips. Then when I started quilting the husband thought it would be great if I would make them a quilt (king size). Oh, he would be willing to pay. When I presented him with what just the materials for the top would cost, he said he would have to let me know. They haven't asked again, and that's been yrs ago.

Forced??? Do they have a gun???

Even if somebody has the money and is actually willing to pay me what a quilt is worth I am still not "forced" to make it for them.

Just say no, no excuses, no hemhawing around, no explanations, just no.

Why is it that when people learn that you quilt, they immediately assume that you will be happy to make a quilt for them? And that you will also be happy to mend and/or alter for them? Once I tell them the price of fabric, notions, batting, etc. that usually ends the conversation! The funny thing is, I'm happy to make a quilt for someone once they understand all the work and expense that goes into it...but there are plenty of people who just don't get it!

Ditto, I feel the same way. This is the same thing that I tell people who say you should make these and sell them. Also, no one would be willing to pay what quilts and things are worth. However they do not have a problem paying outragious prices for things bought from a store or shop. Go figure???? :roll:

People at my work know I quilt, and have asked me if I'd do one for them. First question is if they plan on purchasing all the materials in advance. Then I add that if the material they are purchasing is annoying to work with I charge extra. I quote the prices of higher quality fabric. Then my time... I still don't have any takers ;)

I second that.

I tell any one that requests that I make their quilt for them....I have several ahead of you, you just have to get in line. Of course that line never does end.
Of course this doesn't include family. I love to make quilts, table runners and other quilty things for them. I s "quilty" a word?

" I am sorry but I don't quilt or sew for others because I am too busy making my own quilts and gifts.". Enough said!!!

Give them a price that includes fabric, and time, most people do not want to pay for the work involved in doing a quilt. I was on a web site looking for a pattern that I saw at a National Quilt show, and the designer/quilter had a price on the quilt I loved, $65,000, my husband says I can't buy it!!LOL

I think I would have to tell her, "I was at the LQS and guess what??? They are having quilting classes there. Maybe you should sign up for some, I am sure you would enjoy them and your husband would surely like this quilt better if you had made it all by yourself!!!

I have a friend who would really like me to make her a quilt. But I told her that the cost of the material, and if she paid me by the hour, it would just cost her too much. She also lives in Canada, and I live in New Mexico, so that's a bunch just to mail. I just tell people, if I start doing it for money, then it isn't a hobby and I'll hate it. And since quilting is what I mainly do, I surely don't want to hate it.

Yea, I have a boss who actually thinks that because I quilt I am also a clothing designer and is always asking me to fix their stuff or hem their pants. I am barely functional when it comes to clothing. Very stressful.

And even if they do agree to pay you for the material and time, they might not come through!

The first quilt I ever bought had been commisioned from my neighbor by a "friend" of hers. She showed it to me completed (baby quilt) and I was in awe. Weeks later, she still hadn't been paid. I bought it from her and considered myself to have been the lucky one!

I HAVE LEARNED TO SAY NO I AM SORRY , BUT I CAN NOT. I DO NOT SEW FOR OTHER PEOPLE. BE NICE BUT FIRM.

There is a one syllable word that I find works just fine NO. If she is truely your friend, suggest that she learn to quilt for herself. I quilt for fun!!!!!

I don't want to be paid to make a quilt, what if I ruin it?? Don't want that kind of pressure and then I'd loose a friend in the deal. A friends mother asked me to quilt up all these blocks she made, and I said no I don't quilt for others, she was miffed and my DH was annoyed that I said no. I said to hubby what if she didn't like the result then what? I'd have lost a friend and this way she may be miffed for a wile but then she'll get over it. If she really wanted it quilted she'd get it done by someone who advertises their services. She just wanted me to do it for free. I want my hobby to stay a hobby.

A dear friend wants me to make a t-shirt quilt from her old t-shirts and sweatshirts... :o( Yikes! and Ugh!

That probably means using fusible backing??

whine...snivvle...pout..."I don't wanna!"

It's OK to say NO!!!

[quote=mrspete]My dear friend, just remember the first word out parents teach us.......... NO ! lol it works everytime.

The first word our parents teach us? Hmmm... or the first word our children teach US??? <G>

Love your comment, Bakermom, so I'll remember it for future use.

I would remind them that you are still a newbie and that you barely have time to make ones for yourself and your family.

You can always invite her to quilt with you and she can make her own darn husband a quilt. I get so many people that just assume I want to do things for them..truth is I hardly have time to get my own done and if I ever did get free time I have 30,000 quilts in mind that I would love to do for myself!!!!

This dear friend was so supportive when my father passed away, in the wee hours of the nite too! I will be honest though with her! Perhaps down the road, way down the road but for now "No thank you" is my answer when I see her!

how about you do a reverse on her pick up everything she would need to make your husband a quilt hand her thread and a needle and tell her have at it your husband would be so surprised when she is done making it for you bet that changes her mind

I'm with you Toni Marie, but I say $600. Works everytime!

Diane

that is a good comment i will have to member that next time i finish a quilt and someone says oh can i have that one i dont have a quilt yet dont these people understand how much money and time and thought goes into a quilt

This happens to me also.When ever I show things that I've
made they always what me to make something for them.I simply answer 2 ways 1) I already have a job or if that doesn't work 2)"no,is a complete sentance"

I tell them that the quilt shop has classes - and they would appreciate a quilt ever so much more if they make it themselves!

If they don't back off then, I have a very good - and long- monolog about what is involved in making a quilt - and why it would cost "a bit more" than the ones advertised in the chain store ads.