to Quilter on the Eastern Edge: That's a great idea about saying "here is the name of my longarmer" because then you won't get stuck doing a free quilting job. It will save you lots of time (and money) it THEY have to give the top and the batting and backing to the longarmer. Good thinking!

A few years ago I was offered a half finished hexagon quilt along with the bits to finish it. The woman said she didn't want it as she had got bored with it. As I had had other half finished quilts offered to me in the past, ( and it wasn't particularly good looking) I decided I didn't want it either and sent it to a charity shop. A couple of years later the woman got in touch again and asked if the quilt had been finished. When I asked why she said she would like it back if it was so that she could give it to her daughter! I had a certain satisfaction in telling her where it had gone.

She what??? LMHO. Too funny.

My grandaughter asked me to make a quilt for her friend. She is going to be the maid of honor in her up-comeing wedding. She is going with me to pick out and buy the fabric. It is a memory quilt so I told her that she would have to buy the printible fabric and give me something towards the ink. I won't charge her for my time but I do expect her to pay for the supplys.

I just tell them to buy the fabric, and the pattern, then I will make the quilt for them. So far I have not had to make one for them yet.

Amazing! I think I've learned a lesson from reading this thread! Send 'em shopping...those that don't drop over from sticker shock must really want a quilt! (so far I've only made quilts out of love...and I expect I'll keep it that way!) Thanks for lending me your experiences. :)

I think at some point we ALL learn this lesson...but only ONCE....if you go it twice...you deserve what you get...My last "gift" quilt cost me a new sofa! I will NOT let that happen again...I now use the " I can't afford to make a gift of a quilt" attitude! It works!

That takes quite some nerve, to ask for something given to be returned!

AMEN to that

Some people have no clue!!!!
 

No one wants to pay for your work, some people have no clue how much time goes into a quilt. I am a perfectionist and people comment on how beautiful my work is. A partner in my firm where I work has told me I could make a lot of money selling my things I make. She told me she loves my work but has never ordered anything. Not like she can't afford it. I get tired of people telling me they love my things but don't want to pay the price. All you quilters know the time involved. I work full time in a large law firm then I come home and sew most of my evenings and weekends. I love to sew it relaxes me. Happy quilting.

thank you 2chuckie2 for giving me a good smile (and maybe even a laugh!) this morning.

Yes I have been there and done that and never again unless they sign a contract. It takes as much time to do a quilt with their fabric as it does yours. If someone tell me they can buy four quilts somewhere for that much money, point them in the direction of the nearest store and tell them to buy them for you and you will pay them. Funny how they never get around to that.

Clever girl! Or are you/we dating ourselves?

My dear friends, I have been unable to sit down at the computer for awhile (because I'm finishing these quilts in question)and to my surprise, I get to read 14 pages of insightful, kind responses and stories.
As I suspected, I'll chalk this up to experience and cut my losses. Not the materials however, the young mom did say she would pay for that but as for time/effort/skill, well...I don't expect to be getting more than a thank you.
But a huge thank you to all of you for your kindness and for your responses.

Your already into this one.(2 quilts) All you
can do is (for your own peace of mind) place it in your mind as donation quilts.
And be more prepared for bext time. Making
sure that every thinh is covered in price. Keep track of current prices. As I noticed
batting has gone up. As has fabric

To this one, all I can say is, "WOW"!!!!

For this very reason, I have developed a very nice "receiving blanket" to give as gifts. As the materials (two pieces of flannel) cost around $10 and it takes me 1 to 2 hours to make , I give them as gifts to friends grandkids and of course, my own. I put the name on in several places with the simple alphabet on my Bernina. It works well as a shower gift and I have even made large ones in more grown up colors for a couple of friends undergoing chemo treatments.
People who do not quilt are just as impressed with the name on the blanket as we would be with a hand made quilt. I can almost make them spur of the moment. I try to keep pink, blue and unisex colors on hand and pick up flannel with a coupon at Joanne's everytime there is a sale.
At my friend's daughter's baby shower, the Mom-to-be was told by her SIL's that she was now part of 'the tradition'.
I take the blanket home and return with the name ASAP after the birth.

MarySews, that is a WONDERFUL idea!!

Just last week, a friend and I was working on a quilt for someone we know for their birthday. Then it happened. I was volunteered that WE need to make a quilt for a friend' s daughter of whom we never met. I said "NO"! I am not.I know how "we" goes. I simply told her, that most if not all the quilting falls on me and the expense! (which why that is I don't know) That I am not interested! I then told her how much I have already spent on the quilt we are workin on so far and I have yet to buy the backin. How much time it takes to quilt it after it gets pieced and sandwiched. That was the last of that conversation.

Morale of the story, it is easy to get taken in quickly!

I also can get kinda cranky, if I have to asked for them to pay their share!

I like to make purses and totes. A friend admired my latest creation and asked me if I sold my purses. I smiled and mentioned that I had 8 Hours invested in the purse on my shoulder. She smiled and said.....never mind! We both laughed at that. So be it!
Sandy