Suggestion need for a quilt
 

I made a co-worker a quilt for his soon to be daughter. It is 48 x 56. His wife washed, dried it and used it for about a month when he brought it back and said his wife wanted it bigger as in double the size so that her and the four kids can cuddle up in it. Should I take the time to make it bigger or not do anything with it. My feelings on it is that she didn't seem appreciative of it. I forgot to mention that she washed it in hot water and put it in the dryer on high heat and it shrunk about 3" all around. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest if she wants to go buy material (tell her how much to buy) for a large quilt if it’s to cover her and her kids, and you will make it, bet she doesn’t come back

I’m confused. Are they offering to pay you? Did they buy the first one from you or was it a gift?

i guess that is sort of a compliment. The firm, but polite, approach is required for this since you have to work with the husband. Tel him that you cannot alter the size of the quilt for the baby, but you could make another larger quilt for $$$ (insert amount) to cover costs of fabric, thread and batting.

I agree that this is nervy on the part of both husband and wife.

Wow, all I can say is the nerve if some people! It doesn’t matter if they paid you for the quilt or you did it out of the kindness of your heart I wouldn’t do that for them. If you are so inclined, I would offer to make them another quilt that they paid for, but would set boundaries and expectations in advance so that it doesn’t turn into a nightmare, but IMHO that would be asking for a headache.
If you did this gratis or even if they paid you, I would just say “ I’m sorry, I made this quilt for your little baby, I’m so glad you liked it, but unfortunately I’m not able to make it bigger for you” and leave it at that. Remember, we are adults and we don’t have to justify saying no.

I'd politely say, "Sorry, I have too many to complete right now, I'm glad you enjoyed the baby quilt." A firm reply is needed. After giving a baby quilt away, I had someone come back and ask for 3 quilts for their mother, grandmother and aunt. Uh, No.

I think it's nervy too. People nowadays. Since I'm such a pushover type person I'd probably make them a bigger quilt. I figure- hey at least they liked it. It would seem I can't say no, but I find it hard to turn down people who want a quilt. It might not get done soon though....

If they want something big to cuddle up in - five people? -

Suggest they buy some fleece at JoAnn's.

It frequently goes on sale and they can get it any size they want.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. It was a gift. I'm not going to try to resize the quilt. If they don't want it then I will find someone who will appreciate it.

How disrespectful. Washing it in hot water and drying on high heat is not necessary. Some people do not think of quilts as being material, like shirts and dresses. You would not treat those clothes like that why treat quilts like that.
I would not make a quilt for someone that did not treat a quilt better than that. Your body should be clean if you are going to cover with it to keep you warm.

Oh my gosh! That is so nervy!!!
Hard to believe how some people behave.
You made them a quilt and owe them absolutely nothing else!

How in the world would someone expect a quilter make a quilt bigger that has already been made? This whole deal has me shaking my head. You need to let them know that you do not quilt for hire and leave it at that. If you were to do them that "favor" their friends would come out of the woodwork and also want a quilt to cuddle in.

....and a hearty amen to what Susie said.

Did the co-worker pay for the original quilt or was it a gift? If he paid for it, then I would tell him it's his, if his wife wants a larger one, then give him a price for the larger, and may sure that you get at least 50% down. If it was a gift, I would let him know that you made it for his new daughter, NOT for everyone else to cuddle in.

start with telling him that Quilting is a Craft and an expensive one. It takes a lot of time too. then give him the costs associated with the size quilt he is talking about. tell him that is one reason you "gave" them the size quilt you did!

I am in the process of making my husband's quilt bigger. I had to rip off the binding on two sides, and then add the new blocks, batting and backing by Marti Michell's encased borders method. It's a big pain, esp. when the quilt is ending up so much bigger. Now I need to quilt it and re-bind it. It's a lot of trouble. Would have been easier just to make the top bigger before quilting and finishing the quilt.

I would just say no, you can't do it, and don't offer any further explanations. If you don't think it's too cheeky, you might tell your boss that you make quilts for sale... $XXX for the size she wants.

I'm with many who've already commented - this quilt is already 'finished' and the next will cost $XXX. I'd also make a suggestion on how to properly care for the one you've gifted them!

Some people just need to hear NO and that resets their expectations.

Just my .02

A simple no is all you need to say. No, I can't do that for you. Smile , walk away.

Remember, "no" is a complete sentence. In this case, I'd definitely use "No".

I couldn't have said it better.

Bearisgray - you made me truly LOL. Great answer! Some people don't deserve nice things.

Fleece is nice - I have an old chunk of it that we use a lot - in fact, it took me about five years to even up the piece so that it folded up better. Actually, it's kind of pilled now - but, so what?

No need to hem, fringe, or anything. They can just buy a big piece and use it!!!! It's softer and fuzzier than most quilts - I do recommend washing on warm, not not - and drying on gentle -

But really - five people cuddling under one quilt? Maybe buy some sweat pants and sweat shirts if the house is chilly.

I love to make quilts and send them off to friends and family as a surprise. I've also made them as gifts for hse warmings, new babies etc...You learn who appreciates and who doesn't. Those who don't understand the cost and work that goes into it, get crossed off my list for future surprises or gifts.
I see you said it was a gift...you now have learned the wife doesn't appreciate that it was a gift for a baby, not her and the other kids...also not caring to have the husb ask you abt washing instructions...So I agree...cross this couple off the list and just say...Sorry I have so many other commitments and leave it at that...I wouldn't offer to do anything even if they paid me...because somewhere along the makings they'd change their minds or want it done this way or that way...NO...one easy word...

I couldn't respond right away because I needed two hands to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Have people no manners?
I mean, sure it's a compliment that they like your quilt enough to want a huge one, but, if you had painted an 8x10 they liked, would they dare ask you to add more canvas and paint it bigger?

I agree: say you don't do commission quilts. That settles it. That answer goes across the board so you don't have to worry if someone else will ask you to make one for them. (Unless, of course, you DO want to do a commission quilt?)

I've had people ask me to hem their kids' athletic shorts. I just say no, I don't do alterations for other people. (For me, I don't have the confidence--wouldn't want to screw up a pair and end up owing them a new one.) They say, "Oh, okay. I'll take it to a tailor." It wasn't hard once I started stating it as my policy.

Just when you think you’ve heard it all.......

think I'd laugh this off--say "thanks for liking the quilt, but it's darn near impossible to enlarge a quilt and wayyy beyond my 'pay grade'!" then add, something about not doing quilts on commission as the cost of making quilts is so high that adding in reasonable labor costs, that most people shy away from being willing to pay for them. that sets the stage that no large quilt is coming their way without a nice big check (make that two, an initial one to pay for materials, a 2nd one for completion). My guess if you make it obvious that it will take some $$ to get another quilt, they will back off.

I hear Arnold from Different Strokes saying, "How rude". This family needs some lessons on gratitude and thank-yous. If you gave them a gift for their daughter ..... others have said it already. First, the gift was for the daughter not the family. Second, this family appears to not understand quilts and quilting. They are unaware of the time it takes, the cost of materials and the joy and pleasure it takes to make a gift that is quilted. (Has your joy been tarnished with this request?) I would quickly decline this request. Or, as someone mentioned, you could offer to make them a larger quilt and give them a specific list of what materials you need to create their cuddling quilt. It will either send them away or show them part of the true cost of your creations. Another option for you is to graciously decline because you have other quilts gifts for other individuals in progress and want to finish them. Add an, "I am so glad you liked the quilt I made for your daughter." Then, let it go.

It’s possible that your co-worker feels comfortable enough to ask you for a larger quilt...and maybe it is a compliment but I agree with our fellow quilting members in that I would have to decline. People who do not quilt themselves have no idea of the time and expense that goes into a quilt...especially your time.

Well, let's give this guy the benefit of the doubt and consider that it was meant as a compliment that the entire family likes the quilt. Even at double the size, that many people aren't going to fit under it! Also, "common folks" do not understand the time, effort, and cost of a quilt. I think I'd just smile and nod with a reply that you are glad they like the quilt that is more the size for their littlest one and hope that child enjoys it.

Excuse me. You gave them a gift and they are abusing your generosity by requesting you make it bigger. Someone that rude does not deserve your gift. I would thank him for returning it and donate it elsewhere.

That is what I was going to say. No is a complete sentence.
Also, I just finished making a finished quilt larger. It is a pain and I would do everything you can to avoid doing that. I did it because my daddy asked. (He is my daddy, after all)

Ignorance is the cause of so many problems! Just say NO when you are asked. You don't even have to justify your answer!

I do include washing and care instructions when I give a quilt because some people are their own worst enemies.

If you don't want to be rude (even though you have every right to say whatever you are thinking!!!) just tell them you will make them a much larger quilt. Tell them you have put it on your list and will get to it eventually! That way you have been polite, but are blowing off those incredibly rude people.......But, for the future, a lot of folks have no idea how to care for a quilt and will need to frequently wash a baby quilt. It would be a good idea to attach a small note with laundering suggestions.

I need to remember this and not try to explain why.

It's quite liberating once you start doing it! I think women especially tend to feel the need to explain why because we feel guilty or something. We need to stop that.

The first time I did it was so much fun - years ago I was working in retail and found out that they were going to lay me off after Christmas, despite promising the opposite when I had applied for the job. Whatever, no biggie, I started looking for another job and found one that wanted to hire me immediately, so I gave a week's notice at my old job. Both managers squirmed visibly in their seats when I told them, then asked me to stay at least until after Christmas. I said "No." They waited expectantly, as if I was going to give them some sort of explanation or excuse. I just got up and walked out.

I agree. But what did you say when he handed you the quilt? I would have been shocked and speechless. No matter what you said at the time, I would never mention the subject again, and assume the mother did not like the gift. If/when he brings the subject up again, I would answer, "No thank you". It leaves him wondering, thank you for what? (for returning your gift? for the opportunity to give you an 2nd gift? for asking me to spend more money and time on something your wife might not like? for expecting me to smile while you are being rude to me? for making our working relationship awkward? etc). No matter what he says (like are you even going to give me the small quilt back?) I would never explain, just continue to smile and repeat, "No, thank you", until he stops asking questions.

Oh, my! I just reread your post and now see that he even returned the quilt with the request to make it bigger. Hmmm. I guess I'd keep it but I sure wouldn't make it bigger or make another for them. There are some people who don't "deserve" the efforts that go into making a quilt gift for them. Nowadays my quilts go to my family so then I'm not disappointed/offended how others respond. If I make a charity quilt, I won't know if it ends up in the dog's box. We have these expectations that a gifted quilt will be treasured and in reality they are simply another blanket to some people.

Since he returned the quilt with the request for it to be bigger--if he inquires later about the progress, you can respond with a comment similar to "after consideration, it's a big job that I don't think I can do". Might ask him if he'd like the quilt back as is if you don't want to keep it now. But No is a good word and you should have no qualms about saying it.

I usually enclose washing directions and care for any quilt I give away. Most people, I guess, are used to wearing and washing polyester fabric and have not a clue on care of cotton fabric. They need to be protected from themselves!

I agree! just say NO with no explanation! Imaging living with a woman who would have the nerve to tell you to ask! Remember- a gift is a gift and the giver has no say in how it is used.

That's a nervy request! Poor husband who had to deliver the quilt -- and request. Maybe I'd just never get around to it. Or maybe I'd actually make it bigger; it would probably depend on my mood and time.