Just when I think I have moved past the "newbie" stage and feeling somewhat confident and yet totally aware that my skills still need work, out of the blue this past week, 3 people have asked me to make them some things. One lady didn't ask, she just stated she has a quilt she wants me to make for her hubby. I replied " I have a quilt that I want to make for mine". She still thinks I am going to and I dont want to! Nor do I intend too, I am not that good and even so, I rarely have time to sew any myself!

Can someone tell me why, when I click on new topic, it never comes up new topic?

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

Blessings
Ruth

You can say NO or I just have a tendency to ignore them.

As Nancy Reagan used to tell us about drugs..."Just say NO!".

Some people can't help but try to take advantage of others. But we don't have to go along with them!

Sounds like some folks I know!

Just go on and tell them you will be glad to do their quilts WHEN you have the time. Also, tell them that THEY have to go with you to purchase the material, the thread, and that there is no way you could possibly do the quilting yourself. Find 3 quotes for long-armers. Go with the highest as she/he will be the best. Don't forget to add the $15 per hour of your time and that your machine will need to be serviced and cleaned before and after doing their quilt. By now you will be into the many hundreds of dollars. Chances are, you won't be forced to do the quilt! This has actually worked for me...I only do quilts I want to do, when I want to do them.

Just say no. Why can't your friend do her own quilt?

If you eventually want to work for others thats fine.
I don't.
My answer to requests is "Sorry. No. This is something I do for me. When I start doing this for others it becomes work and I no longer enjoy it"

I click on recent topics not new topic.

I am not sure what New Topic you are clicking on. I always use Unread topics.

I like this!

I just say no, I don't do that. Why? because I dont' want to but you are welcome to purchase any of the ones I have made. The prices always are too shocking to them hahahahahah...they have no idea of cost and labour etc.....

Your right, they have no idea of the money we have invested, in everything. She is a very good friend of mine and I love her dearly, so it is difficult! Anyone else I have no problem saying "no". Actually did on the others, I stated I only do this for my enjoyment and not income. I will just tell my friend, I have very little time to do my own, so I don't have time to do hers. She will understand I think, we both work fulltime. If I had a bit more uninterrupted time when quilting,I probably wouldn't feel hurried and good improve even more. Thanks everyone, I feel better about saying "No" even to my dear friend!

I always say, "I'd love to, my starting price is $450.00". That generally makes them change the conversation to something else. Works for me.

when you click on new topic that means that you want to start a new thread.

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 I started a sewing class at the school I work at, all of a sudden the staff is asking us to mend/serge/put on buttons, make them stuff, etc. Geez, the kids were just learning to sew themselves. So I drill all my kids on how to "just say no"!

or perhaps suggest she make it herself, and learn to sew. Then you could make things together.

Ditto

Well I can't say no to my mother who is in her mid 80's and can not sew with the machine she has as she is having trouble with it and it needs to be serviced. She has asked me to make her a chair cover for her folding chair that is in the sunroom in her house. I took the pattern over to her house along with one that I made about 8 years ago to try it on the chair. It fit and we just need to adjust the hem once I get her's made so I'll go with that pattern. She gave me the fabrics to make it with so when we get back from Seattle I will make it for her. She is going to have surgery on her back in Seattle and we leave tomorrow and stay in a motel and then we'll go get her checked into the hospital on Tuesday. Then I will go visit my firends that I used to work with and then we go back to check in on Mom and then we'll come home. In a few days, my sister and her husband will drive over to Seattle to bring her home. It all depens on how things work out and if the surgery will be a success or not. I also have to make her a table runner so she gave me the fabric for that also. I guess I'll get my over night bag packed and start the sewing on her table runner since she has the pieces cut out. Take care, Huggies, Fay

I still get asked to reupholster peoples furniture. And I have been retired from for 11 yrs now.

When I get asked to to some quilt related things or make some clothes for someone. I politely tell them, sewing is my hobby now, if I wanted to make it a job I would go back to work.

Love, love your answer. That is how I feel. If I want to make something for a gift, fine, but I do not want any "commissions"

Why Do people think because We quilt that we can do it for then too. I figure when I do it for other ( exceptions to all rules), it is a job . I don't work any more , especially for people I don't really know

I say sort of the same thing. I tell them I can't be put on a deadline so quilt may take me 3 to 4 years to get it done.

I am glad that you were able to say no to her. I tell my family and friends "no" too. If we don't? we could have years worth of quilts lined up, and no time for the ones we really want to do LOL :D:D:D

that is just what I did told my niece that she could get some fabric she likes and the cotton batting and material bor the backing. I would charge her 40.00 for making it. She went to see the price of the supplies and she has not even said another word about it. I told her that was cheap. lol

Tell her "Oh I don't make quilts for other people, BUT I'll be happy to teach you how to make your own." This usually shuts them up.

JUST SAY NO!

tell them this is a hobby for yourself to make things for yourself!
and if you would make a quilt for someone it would be expensive with cost of fabric, thread, wear and tear on your sewing machine, and labor charge is very expensive

I have startd saying 'No' also, people take advantage of you if you don't. I don't tell anyone to learn to quilt for themselves, they might ask me to teach them and if I don't have time to quilt for them, I sure don't have time to teach them either. This might sound mean or selfish but I worked for 33 years in a car plant and now I just want to do what I want to do.

I usually say something like "I'll let you know when I have time to do it, I'm pretty booked right now".

I'm retired too and yes some quilts do take a looonnnggg time to make and to quilt for all that matters. I don't mind making a quilt to give as a gift, but I will not make quilts for every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there. Huggies, Fay

I fully understand your last statement. It is exactly how I feel now that I'm retired. The problem is that I could easily become a hermit. I hate making commitments, even for lunch or dinner. After 2 years of retirement, I still feel that way, so am going to force myself back into the world...someday!

Don't forget --starting price before the fabrics and threads and batting, etc. ROFL Also, Cash in advance. Amazing how it just disappears as a topic of conversation.

I can see that you have done this before...
;)

Thats great. Chances are when they see just the cost of the material they don't want it done that bad. I've started doing that too. Either "no" or we'll go shopping and you can buy all the stuff. You get out of alot of extra work that way. :thumbup:

I would just say no myself , as I like doing them as my Hobby
and I hate the ideal of being pressured to make Quilts, so I
only make them and give them as gifts when I want to, not because someone else wants me to. :D

Tell them NO! Or quite a price they would be out of their ever loving mind to pay. :D To me, & I do take on a few commissioned quilts per year, but it takes the fun out of it & it then becomes work. :D If I wanted to work I would find a job & get a regualr paycheck every month. But I am spoiled & want to have fun. :D

The comments of friends may just be meant as compliments to you; a way of saying, "Your work is so beautiful that I would love to have something exactly like that." Accept the comments as compliments, unless someone does keep reminding you that you're expected to do free work for them.

Watson's mom and cathyvv: I know EXACTLY what both of you mean about having worked for so many years and now being retired and happy. I retired a few years ago and still feel like my batteries have run down, and I don't want them changed. I'm content any day that I have no plans or commitments and can just sit on the couch, watch tv, read, sew, quilt, watch the birds feeding or bathing outside my sunroom windows, or fall asleep--anything--none of it required or scheduled. Some days I'm reluctant even to answer the phone because that often means I'll be listening to other people's problems. No, I'm not depressed, sick, or lazy; I'm just content and happy--at last.

tell them your about 18 months to 2 years behind. My mother thinks my stuff is so pretty, that i should sell some things, to make money. she just doesn't understand, that this is for MY enjoyment..if i was paid to make one, i would be so stressed that it be perfect..i just could not do it.
i have made quilts to be raffled off for charities,given as gifts..this is what i get enjoyment out of.
one social friend asked me to help her make a baby quilt,for her new grandchild,..and i did, i did the cutting, and she sewed it..we both enjoyed it, so much fun,teaching someone to piece ...

Yes, happens to me frequently. I say, "sure, after the projects I have in line, could take a while" and no one has asked what their status is. I think they know it is a "no", and I would not hesitate to say "No" if they asked again. I am very good at taking care of myself that way.