Here is what I would do. Make the Ten Minute Table runner using cheap fabric. Deliver it to her and have another table runner beautifully pieced, or appliqued, with quality fabrics in the same bag. Pull out the nicer one and say I have this to deliver after yours and then pull out her $12 one. You don't have to say anything but she'll be hit over the head with you get what you pay for.
http://www.sweethomequiltco.com/user...e%20runner.pdf

There are a lot of pic of this runner on the board.

Ask her to buy the material. And that you would make it for $12.00.

I totally agree!!!!!

Sounds like she wants something for nothing to me. Quote her a price & stick to it. If that's too much for her, that's not your problem. She can go find a store bought one somewhere, & will always wish she had invested in one of yours, the one she really wanted.....

Definitely DO NOT GIVE IN.

You be straight up with her and tell her what the cost for materials, batting, thread and anything else would cost and how much you cost for labor and add the two and give her a total.

If she still tries to fume or make you feel bad just mentally say N-E-X-T while smiling at her and stating you cannot possibly do it for what she wants it and move on.

We discuss this issue here from time to time and concenus is you charge what you think you are worth per hour plus cost of materials, if you design it, delivering it, etc.

Go to the Jinny Beyer web site and show her the table runner kits (~$49 each) and then add 50% for your work etc. Tell her that will be the cost. Or she could just buy the kit from the web site and make it herself.

show her the instruction sheet calling out the yardage and colors needed, take her to the fabric shop, tell her "this is what I need: thread, new needle for the machine, and X amt of yards, and X amts of colors - you go pick out what you want, match the thread, pay for it, and I'll sew it up in a few weeks." ;-) sharet

I don't think she should have felt offended. Your the one who should be offended. Perhaps this lady does not know the cost of fabric. When she see's the cost of fabric she will most likely be embarrassed.
You could ask her if she would still want the quilt, but, she would need to supply fabrics, thread....
Just because she happens to be a ministers wife, does not make her special. Sorry to any ministers wives who post here

no do not give in. let her purchase the fabric and set a price for how long it takes, like at least $10.00 per hour and then she can decide if she wants it!

People who don't quilt don't really know how much it all costs. You were certainly right to tell her no. You can tell her what all your costs would be but if it is only worth $12 to her then she needs to do something else.

One option (if you itemize on your taxes) would be to make the table runner and "donate" it to her church. You can take the material costs, etc., as a donation.

People who don't quilt have no idea as to the cost of fabric and the amount of time involved in cutting and piecing even before you get to the quilting! Explain to her gently exactly what is involved - the cost of the fabric; the hours involved. I'm sure she will understand if you go into detail. I think it's just ignorance that produces this reaction. My sister is a craft person but doesn't do patchwork and quilting. She had no idea of the cost involved until i explained it all to her!

I think this is a great idea! :thumbup:

I just made a deal to have my entire yard landscaped for one double bed quilt. That said, maybe the two of you could go shopping together, so she will know why $12 is not enough. Maybe she has a talent that she could trade for a table runner? If not, explain that you can't afford to 'donate' it to her. In this economy, she is being unrealistic and insulting. IMHO

Fiddlesticks, no don't give in. I don't know about her husband's salary package, but I do know lots of other preachers and their salary packages, and many of them have more disposable income than any teacher I know. I am a retired pastor and I know about preachers' compensation packages. froggyintexas

when my BFF told me she would make me a quilt-I jumped on it. We went fabric shopping and I ended up with over $300 for material-got way too much. She said so at the time.

But they were all so pretty!!

She has since taken me to the dark side and I do my own quilt DH asks how many I need. I gave him "the eye" and said as many as I want.

Since I am still at the beginning stage, I am not fast but want to make small quilts for the local hospital and shelter.

She may not have known the cost but educate her

Take her to the quilt shop with you and let her know what she picks out she has to pay for, surprise ! do you still want a top?? people who don't quilt have no idea what it cost to make even the smallest thing.

I am so sorry you are in this bind. I have become very careful in responding to requests from others. Most non-quilters/sewers have no idea of the the cost in time or materials to make even a simple project.

I would not make her a table runner for $12. It just cannot be done...your time alone is worth more than that! If she insists on knowing how much it will cost, be sure to allow enough for the fabrics, and your time in selecting them and your time for making the runner. Chances are, the price you come up with will make her feel faint and end the matter.

AND REMEMBER, fabric is expensive and your time is worth something. Don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of by her or anyone. Be honest with her about the "real costs" and see where it goes. You do not owe her an apology if it is too costly for her.

You could do a good deed and tell her to purchase her fabric and thread and you will make it for her...no charge. She will soon realize the high cost of materials.

Twelve dollars for fabric, time and labor is ridiculas. It is amazing that people always underestimate the cost of hand - made items. Give her an estimate in writing such as the cost of fabric and labor. Because she is a minister's wife doesn't mean she has special privelages. Your hourly rate should be at least minimun wage. In WA I believe it is 8:00 an hour.

I totally agree with accompanying her to the store and let her pay for the supplies.

If she wants to pay $12 for a table runner, I'd tell her to try the Dollar Store! What nerve!!

Glad you told her you couldn't do it for that price. If you made it at that price everyone else would want the same deal. I just tell people that I just make quilts and things for my kids and grands.

Oh, my . . . . people who do not quilt don't have a clue.
The $12.00 is just the beginning and doesn't even include
your labor. If she bought the table runner at a craft show she most likely would pay $35.00 for it.
I hand quilted a couple quilts and kept track of my time.
I doubled my time to equal $2.00 per hour for quilting.
The lady I quilted for had no problem with the final price.

When it comes to manual labour (like quilting) people immediately turn things upside down:
Do you go to a store and tell the manager: "I am willing to pay you $ 2.00 for this piece of meat?"

The pastor's wife obviously is an adult and should know how the world works. She probably would not tell her tax accountant how much she is willing to pay him!

BTW, here is the answer to "Let's go to the store and get the materials":
"Oh, I thought you could just use some of your odds and ends!"

Ever seen a minister in a cheap suit?

I had an aunt who thought nothing of asking for you to make things for her for free. I used to make Swedish Tea Rings, which are delicious, and not cheap, and they do take time and effort. Not only did she enjoy them when she would visit, but she wanted me to make them and SEND them to her across country. Uh, no. Lol. But then, she ALWAYS thought she was a privileged character.

If someone asks you to make something for them, and then offers you a totally ridiculous price, just nicely tell them you are sorry, but the price with materials and labor will be $$$$, and if they are still interested, make arrangements to take them to the store for THEM to purchase the fabrics. Get half down on the labor. Then no one needs to be offended.

Sometimes it's hard to turn someone down. I had a lady that wanted a table runner made from Feed Sacks. She wanted a price right now and I told her the price would start at $50. I know she is on a fixed income, so am I. I felt bad bc I could not help her, but again so am I on a fixed income.
We as sewers do tend to sell services short. Hope you don't.

Take her shoping and let her buy the materials, thread, and batting. When she sees the prices she will change her mind or offer more.

If she's a pastor's wife and reads her Bible, then she should know the verse about a man is worthy of his hire. Don't give in.

I can so relate. People ask me all the time for quilts or sewing favors. Would her husband be offended if someone ask him to something like a wedding or funeral for free. The Bible says a workman is worthy of his hire.

I think you were right in what you said to her. It is important to be honest with people and let them know how much these quilted items cost. My good friend told me she wanted me to make her a beautiful queen size quilt and asked if it would cost more than $25 ? You can imagine how she felt when I told her to start at $100 and go from there. Stick to your guns !

I agree 100%.

Show her what is costs for you to make it in material etc.
It is not your fault she is offended so I wouldn't worry about it.
That is the trouble with quilting no one realizes how expensive it is.

Don't fall for the emotional blackmail trick - no matter where it comes from.After pointing out the cost of materials, any decent person would offer you a fair price for the article and your time.

Preachers' wives are just ordinary women. I feel that I can say that since I've been a preacher's wife since 1990. If this woman got out of sorts with you, it was her problem. Tell her to check around and she will find out what things like that cost. That's why I just don't sell what I make. Not many want to pay what it's worth.

Absolutely do not give in. She obviously does not have a clue a to what costs go into making any quilted item, especially in today's market with fabric costs skyrocketing. Stand firm, she either doesn't have a clue or expects preferential treatment as a preacher's wife. You would not even recover the cost of your materials for $12.00, so let her go somewhere else.

Ditto for this suggestion. She would have a better understanding of the value of quilting. Perhaps she might like to learn how to quilt and be able to make her own. Happy quilting.

I would itemized the cost of fabric etc and the hours it would take I can she be offended after that?

This is a good thought. $12 might buy the thread. If she truly does not know the value and time, then this would be an education. However, if she gets in a huff, then you will have caught her in the act of trying to take advantage, and that's just not cool.