I never offer to make a quilt for anyone unless I want to give them a gift of a quilt I made. I make quilts for children's hospital and nursing homes. That's the extent of my making quilts for anyone. When someone asks me what I would charge to make a quilt I say Nothing, because I don't quilt for anyone but me.

my son asked me last week to make a full size and twin size bunkbed size quilts for his girlfriend's daughter...because, if she has to buy them from the store...it would cost her $150.
I'm not making her 2 quilts...you and I know how much it would cost me...and I wouldn't be paid for them.

If you adopt a wait & see attitude I fear that is what you'll be left doing"waiting & seeing nothing". Why are we all so afraid to give people a price for our hard work and artistic skills. I can hear a lot of you saying Oh! I don't have artistic skills, but you do. You are quilters - not everyone does it and a lot would say "can't be bothered". If someone asks you to make a quilt tell them up front. If they choose not to go ahead just go back to your own work. They will be the losers.
The stress of wondering what to say is not worth it.

When someone asks, I smile and say sure, lets' go pick out the fabric! It is always way more money than they expect! So I happily make most of my quilts for charity. I love to process and know they will be used and loved. I make cuddle under quilts, not always perfect but the very best I can do

I won't start on a quilt unless I have monies in hand.

Just remember you can say "no". Practice this :)

Seriously this comes up so often on this board. Its great that quilters are so generous but too often we end up in a bind like this.

My rule is I don't so for anyone unless I offer. Then they usually are expected to pay materials and I make sure to be specific about this before starting.

Waiting and seeing will end up with a lot of waiting and not much seeing.

Sorry this happened to you.

Bernie, that is a wonderful way to handle the situation. I will remember that. Since I decided this would be my year to make what I wanted, it is going to be easy for me to say "maybe next year dear."

I think that most people think they are going to get a bargain if they have someone make something rather than by ready-made at a store. And, I also think most people do not have a clue what fabric/notions cost!!! I imagine in this case you have a good reason for not pressing for pmt for you time but I sure would (in the future) explain that in addition to the cost of the materials that you will need to be paid X amt for your time.

My wonderful husband did this for me. I made a quilt for my MIL and gave the top to her for Christmas (I wanted her to choose the quilting pattern). She said thank you, but seemed underwhelmed. My husband (her son) stepped in and told her she needed to call her insurance company and have it insured for $7000. Her mouth dropped open and she asked why? He replied in great detail, telling her how much time I had spent making it, and he turned the top over and showed her each and every seam, and told her that I had put every single stitch in it. This quilt was a monster at 120" x 120", with over 9000 pieces. She finally understood and was so overwhelmed that she started crying.

Making my MIL cry - priceless! tee hee hee

Bad girl, bad girl! (tee hee hee)