You say" I'm sorry, it sounds like a fun project, but I'm just not going to be able to do that." Not, " I'm too busy right now" because it I plays that you MIGHT be someday. When pressed ( as lots of folks do!) you can say " No, really, I already have too much on my plate." Hopefully they'll get the message. If not, change the subject, they don't get any further explanation!

I find that putting someone off by saying that you are too busy at the moment, etc. will sometimes backfire. I've been told "I can wait." So now I just say that I would be glad to teach her how to make a quilt. Ha. And we all know that they don't want that. IOW, I mean, "I'm sorry, but it's NO.

Lori S You hit a bullseye with your answer. PERFECT solution. I couldn't have said it any better !!

I agree! "NO" is not a 4 letter word! But why do we always have to justify our not doing something?

I'm working on a t-shirt quilt for my youngest son right now, and have already had an aunt and a coworker tell me they have been saving up shirts from their children and would like to have quilts made. Having four sons and a job myself, I have no problem at all just saying no. Quilting for me should be enjoyable. Quilting for others would be stressful and not at all enjoyable. Plus I may finish my quilt this week, or it may drag on for months. (Though looking at my son's grin every time he checks out the shirts, backings, etc., it will probably be pretty soon.) I feel like I have done everything for everybody for decades with having four sons and numerous volunteer jobs in addition to paid employment over the years. Now it is my time to do with as I please. Not to mention I still have a pretty big hoard of shirts for my other three sons and husband.

when some one wants me to do something I don't want to do , I tell them I'm obligated already for several months out & if they are ok with that, I let them know I will not work with cheap material & invite them on a trip to the lqs wit calculator in hand - lol. That usually solves the problem.

Shelbie has a great idea. Most of us have friends that make quilts to sell. Tell her that you will give her number to a professional quilter.

Someone I know, not really well wanted a tshirt quilt. At first he wanted a king sized quilt. When I started quoting prices he decided a nice throw sized would be nice. I quoted approximate fabric prices and labor costs. I told him I didn't have time until after CHristmas. I never heard back from him. Good because I hate making tshirt quilts.

If you really do not want to just tell her sorry no, you are to busy and just can not.

I had my daughters' aunt-in-law ask how much I would charge to make a T-shirt quilt for her granddaughter for a HS graduation gift. I give her credit for asking about a price. I gave her a ridiculously high price and that ended it right there. Now I think my daughter is going to help her make it - and she'll probably do 99% of the project - borrowing one of my sewing machines and won't charge her anything except the cost of materials. Sigh. . . . .

Jane