I am having a wee bit of a problem..I have some neighbors that we are close too..One of them had a major by pass heart procedure..The other is her daughter..Well, they want me to make them a quilt, which I do not mind doing but the problem is they want to pay me for it..Which I do not want..If they do not pay, they do not want me to do it..I am a beginner quilter ( only made 2 quilts so far..am working on 2 more) and I know that my sewing capabilities are not that good..I make mistakes and lots of them..I told them that if they bought the material that would take care of any payments but no..They do not want to do that..They want to pay me ( probably a couple of hundred dollars)..What I am thinking is that I will make them a lap top quilt and just give it to them as a gift) but knowing them they are still going to try and pay me..How do I give them quilts without them trying to give me money?

I am not sure why you won't accept payment, but that is none of my business. I suggest you accept the payment and use it towards fabric for another charity quilt. Otherwise, maybe ask them to get you a gift card to your LQS? Maybe ask them to barter... perhaps they could make you dinner for however many nights it takes you to construct the quilt? Good luck ~ Pat

i had this problem with a close friend and regardless of what i said or wanted she insisted on paying me.

i finally got around it in a very sneaky way and she still jokes with me about it to this day (its been 5 years).

i told her to pay me with a check and i just never deposited it and therefore never really got paid for making the quilt.

i do agree with her that it was sneaky but in the end we both got what we wanted and were happy with the way the problem was solved.

Perhaps ask them to donate any monies they wish to pay you to the local shelters or food banks? They value your time and know what it takes to make a quilt. You are a very kind and generous person to make them quilts and not want anything in return. Sure sounds like your two families are close and have a great relationship!

I am sure they want to be fair and considerate of your time, regardless of your skill level. It still takes time, money to buy the tools and etc. They are trying to not to take advantage of you. Perhaps you could only take part of it when they offer. I am sure you could use the money to buy more quilting items. Another suggestion is take the money and let them know you will make charity quilts or put it toward a raffle quilt. You know pay it forward! That way everyone wins.

I look forward to others' answers. If it was me, I would make something I liked that I know they would like (just in case, they have a change of heart) and then get started. That's how many professionals start- they need customers and clients- you never know if you are customer #5 or #500 unless they tell you. Apparently your neighbors like what they have seen so far and understand what goes into a quilt. I would also charge 3 times the cost of materials at a minimum. After it is done, you will not have been overpaid. And you can use that money to further your quilting journey wherever it takes you.

I am with you on this one. I also am a beginner with my long-arm (have done about five so far). I am volunteering, to enable me to get the experience, without the demands and expectations of a paying customer. When I have more experience, then maybe will charge. Good luck on this one

using the excess, over the costs, for charity quilting seems like the best solution.

Or, to their favorite charity or one doing research into their kind of illness? Or, you do it when they pay you. Or just accept it, some people feel that if they have asked me to do something then it is their responsibility to pay.

I would either accept the payment and then make a donation to the American Heart Association or ask them to make a donation in your name. If not the AHA, another charity that is important to you or to them.

I can understand them not wanting to feel like they are taking advantage of you by paying you. Please try to appreciate it. How many times are there complaints on this board about people who want us to make quilts for them for free? Way too often, so this is a nice problem to have. :thumbup: