Let them pay you and then you can donate it to some needy charity.

Well, if you presented the quilt as a birthday or Christmas gift, would they still insist on paying?

Offer maybe to let them pay for the fabric you buy - you could give them the receipt - for the fabric, batting and back. Your assembly and quilting could be your act of love.

Donate any money that is gifted to you for the quilt to your Church, or charity of your choice. this way you are help more then just your friends.

Could you ask them to "pay it forward"?

Lots of good ideas here. A gift certificate from your local pizza shop or restaurant - or some place you like to go would be nice. Definitely accept the offer to pay you in some way.

This is always a personal quandry. When I made my very first quilt I asked a lady in my quilting class if she would quilt it for me. She did and when I asked how much I owed her, she said "Nothing" and, much to my dismay, ran out my front door. For weeks I asked her at each class to let me pay her or at least treat her to lunch. She always said she was too busy or was going to be out of town. After 5 months I finally told her that apparently she didn't want to be in my presence so I wasn't going to ask again. I guess some people just don't know how to gracefully accept a "thank you."

I would take any money & donate it to the heart association.

Just put a price tag on it for the cost of fabric & maybe an extra $10.00 bucks. Just let them know that is your price for that type of quilt. If they insist on paying more then except it gracefully & invite them out to lunch a few weeks later at your expense.

Sometimes it is Receiving that we Give. By accepting payment you may be giving them more pleasure than you know. If it bothers you to have the money make a quilt to donate there are many great causes or start one of your own. I have a friend that donates a quilt to a school here grandchildren used to go to. The school if very appreciative and it gives my friend great pleasure and the money from the raffle helps the school. There are always the Linus project, soldiers etc that gratfully accept quilts.
Good luck in finding a solution that is good for everyone.

I have done this! :-)

Ask them to pay for the fabric and batting and allow you to use their quilts as a time to develop and polish skills. No payment required.

Aha! So there is a way to turn quilts into food! I thought so!! That's what I would do...there is such a great need in our country now that doing something like this would be a major contribution!

Since one of them had kind of a heart surgery, accept the money and write a donation to the Heart Foundation or to the Hospital where this person was treated in their name.

I agree with this idea -- one of the hardest think for many of us is to accept a gift or help in a graceful manner. They probably would feel hurt if you refused their offer. Giving to a charity will help and please everyone

Just my opinion -- Mim

[quote=mim]I agree with this idea -- one of the hardest think for many of us is to accept a gift or help in a graceful manner. They probably would feel hurt if you refused their offer. Giving to a charity will help and please everyone

Just my opinion -- Mim [quote=mim]

I was just lectured sternly about this the other day....I have been very independent all my life, I don't accept the fact that my body is turning on me for that independence easily. I've got a tendency to try not burden anyone else. I try really hard to do everything for myself, even when I shouldn't.

You don't want to get one of those lectures. They hurt. Let them do what they can and accept with grace. Maybe if you really explain that you are still in the learning stages and that you would love them to have the quilt and let them buy whatever fabric they like, the batting, and you know we're all here to help with any planning you have to do, etc.

Hugs,
Sharon

i like this idea!

I like your way of thinking :thumbup:

Ask them to makw a donation to their favorite charity in your name.

Sometimes people feel like you're giving them a handout, and that's why they want to pay. Or they don't want to be taking advantage of you (I understand you're okay with making a quilt for free, but in their opinion, it could feel like taking advantage). I like the suggestions to take the money and use it for charity quilts or just donate it, or to ask them to donate the money.

I make quilts for many people for free...If asked I would say well once I am done if you would like you can get me a gift cert at my favorite LQS,,.

I have had this happen to me before, but not with quilts. The best way I believe to stop it is to tell them that by paying you then they deny you the joy of giving. Which is really what it's about. I told my neighbor this and she understood. I asked her if it made her feel good to give or do something for someone else "just because", and she said yes..and I said "if you insist on paying me then you take MY joy away. I really appreciate the offer but a simple thank you and a hug is more than enough".

I don't like the donate instead thing because then you still don't get the joy of just doing something for them for no reason.

if you accept the money and use it to make charity quilts and donate them, then you have done 2 good deeds!! Then you can do something for them another time on your own.

Tell them you would rather have them make a donatation to a local chartity in your name

Could you suggest that they donate the money that they insist on paying, to the American Heart Association or some charity? I mention the AHA because of the heart bypass you mention...just an idea.

Hi quilting is not all about money. They sound like they care about your efforts and friendship to pay you for the service let them bless you as it may be their way of giving. Then do the utmost best to make the most awesome quilt. Maria

If they insist, take the $ and donate it to a charity.

I agree. By accepting the money your neighbor gets a blessing but robbs you of yours. I've had to explain that to some of my friends more than once. I know it's hard to be on the receiving end but we must, must learn to receive blessings graciously. Ask them how they would feel if no one would allow them to do something for free.

what a brilliant idea.

Don't offend them by not charging them. I know this sounds strange, but it makes some people uncomfortable. Charge the amount you are out in supplies and not for the labor. :)

If you wanted to tell them to buy the fabric and batting and you can make it for them that way. You could go shopping with them to pick out the fabric which may be fun.

To me, this sound like a very good advice!