What did I just do?
 

One of my coworkers just asked me to make a T Shirt quilt for her daugther who gradutes from high school in June. I have not made a quilt for anyone but family until now. I made a T Shirt quilt for my own daughter and really didn't care for it but she loved it.

I initially declined when she asked me in August. I explained that I did not feel that I was experienced enough. She approached me today and asked again. She said she is not looking for perfection but rather a sentimental gift for her daughter. And, I have until June so there is no pressure there.

I guess she caught me in a weak moment because I agreed. Now what? She said she would make it well worth my while - which isn't necessary. The well worth my while comes from the pleasure I get from making quilts. It is also awkward to have to figure out what to charge.

Anyway, I told her that I would bring in a book of T Shirt quilt patterns on Monday so she could let me know what she is looking for and we would go from there. So, I guess I am making a quilt for a coworker......ugh.

I hope it ends up being an enjoyable experience. At least you know what is entailed with the T-Shirt quilt.

But since you enjoy quilting try to focus on that. Tell her not to let anyone else you work with know that you are doing it.......or else you know what will happen.

Very good advice that I had not yet thought of. Thank you so much! I will do exactly that.

If you are uncomfortable taking money, why not ask her to make a donation to a charity that you care deeply about? Have her overbuy the fabric so you don't run short. Also have her pay for the thread, batting, backing and fusible. I would work on it only on Mondays. Mondays tend to be yucky days anyway....

make sure you have no expense and even "free" make sure you have all understandings up front. Free work can come back and bite you in the back side........even with friends.

I would be sure to involve her every step of the way so that she likes the end product. Let her select the fabric, etc. That has worked well for me when I quilted for friends. We went shopping, bought the fabric and batting, etc. I even took pictures and sent them, so that there would be no surprises. Just made me feel more secure. I hated the thought of making something that might not be liked when it was all done.

Dina

I made 3 T-Shirts for a friend and charge him $310.00 per quilt. That was several years ago, so I know material prices, batting, threads and incidentals have gone up. You need to involve her with all the cost, take her shopping with you. Make sure she understands the way material is priced. I even charge per hour on the construction and kept a log of my hours.

I would accept whatever she may give you. Before you give here the book, I would mark those you feel comfortable doing. This way you can set some parameters.

wow, so many great thoughts given here. i wish i'd been a member here back when my coworkers asked me to quilt for them :)

I feel for you! I have found myself in a moment of generosity offering to make an almost-stranger a baby quilt and then later figuratively slapping myself on the head thinking "why on earth did I do that"?

Quilters are the nicest people. We need to learn to think of ourselves and the value of our time a little more.