going to make quilt for me? I just hate it when people ask me this. I mean if my kids ask it is one thing - but when their friends keep bugging me it drives me crazy and really, really irritates me. It is not that they are saying "make me one and I'll pay for the fabric etc" - they mean "when do I get one?" I don't think they really realize the amount of $ and time that goes into a quilt. I mean, after all, wouldn't it be like me asking someone that has a painting business to come over and paint my house/walls as a free favor?
A friend of my daughters has been bugging me forever to make him a quilt. He sent me a text to day and in it mentioned whether or not I have made him a quilt yet. I guess I wasn't in a very good mood, plus was in the middle of trying to FMQ so my text back to him was that I don't make quilts for people that ask. It is just sometimes that I don't feel that non-quilters/sewers really appreciate the amount of work that goes into projects, plus the $.

so do you think I am being selfish or whatever with this attitude? what do all of you guys say when someone asks you?

No, you aren't being selfish. They are being rude. I would never ever in a million years ask someone for something like that. How rude!

I have a friend that scrapbooks and I've asked her to make me two pages.. one for me and one for my mom.. I bought her 'supplies' knowing very well she wouldn't take money.. I cannot imagine asking and at least not 'doing' or giving her something for her time and supplies !?!?!? I dont understand people sometimes... Why on earth do they THINK they deserve something for free??

Maybe you could do a

"Do you have any idea of what you are asking of me? You are asking me to spend $ and hours make a quilt.

Are you willing to spend the $ for the fabric (up front) and even $5/hour for my time - which includes planning, shopping, etc etc etc.

Or would you like to pay for the supplies and trade labor - hour for hour?? (And collect on the labor as the quilt progresses - no labor - no progress)

Sometimes I do believe that people think that the fabric just magically appears on our shelves - and some people think we make quilts just for the sake of "doing something" and they think they are doing us a favor by asking us to make them something to "keep us busy."

And some people are just plain dumb foolish rude or stupid.

No, you are not being rude. I make quilts for people whom I love and care about, as well as me. My question would be, "when would you like to go pick out the fabric and pattern? It will cost you approximately $____, and then we can set up a time when you can come help me cut it out and design it. I'll be more than happy to help you with it."

You could tell him to take a number... lol

Truthfully I think its a compliment but,,,,,
I would say something like "I will make you a quilt but are you willing to buy the material and pay for the labor?" Then go on and explain the cost of everything.

You could say I only make quilts for relatives...

I never forgot a woman so aggravated with ppl asking how much would it cost, she did some figuring,copied it & gave to anyone who asked, including ppl she worked with.
It started out with 10 yds fabric,$9yd
batting
thread
backing
labor
& LA quilter.
She said the total even shocked herself....BTW,no takers :-)

I smile and say "will add you to my list" Works every time.

I would make them one...if they picked out the fabric and buy it//along with thread...I would do it for free....because I love to quilt...its a hobby for me. To me if they are asking for a quilt that means they are just interested in what I do....my husband volunteers me to do quilts....and I end up paying for materials...now that drives me nuts....

Make some quilts without anyone specifically in mind. Price them. When rude people ask you when you are going to make a quilt for them just say, "I have several that I've made that you're welcome to choose from. The price on them is only to cover the cost of the supplies---there's no way I'd charge such a good friend for my time and labor."
Of course the cost of supplies would, at least in part, include the cost of expertise. You have to add in some for the wear and tear to your machine and your body.

Oh how I feel your frustration. I am the oldest of six children, and I have made quilts for my two sisters and a niece. That was last year for Christmas.

There are some "issues" in my family where some of my sibs have not spoken to me for the several months. Yet, one of my sisters told me I should make a quilt for my brothers. What? I love all of my siblings dearly and I am sorry they do not want to speak to me, it is just not in my heart to make them a quilt.

I want to add that I have made several attempts to speak with them, they don't return my emails or phone calls. :(

:(
JulieM

Or ALL of the above!

I just tell them when they come up with the money for the material!

My pet peeve in this area is when you are invited to all of the baby showers of everybody that you might have said, "hi" to and they think it would be, "just marvelous" if the baby had "one of your quilts"........

I guess I am not nice, but I do not RSVP and I don't go....

Happens to me all the time. And people will say,"how much is a quilt?" Thats like asking "how much is a car"...sheesh,do you want a Honda or a Cadillac? Sometimes people think all my table toppers should be the same price.Some are bigger,some are small,some take more work than others....and the one that gets me most is "oh, I can get a quilt on QVC for $40!!" Go for it! They are poorly made,slave labor ,and the hand quilting stitches are up to half an inch long!

I make quilts/craft projects for relatives and they know that I choose the project 90% of the time. I do this for gifting and the love of making it for that person. I think they know that something will come their way in time because they do not ask me to make anything. I will get their input as to theme/color and that is the extent of it. They get what they end up with and are happy. They know how much time is involved and they don't commission projects for their friends either. I would be happy to do projects for others outside the family if I were asked and if the price was right. It can be quite costly/time consuming. I think the pre-invoice hand out is a great idea. People need to know exactly what goes into quilting. They may appreciate the finished product more if they know! :)

I would tell them that I would gladly teach them how to make their own. Take them so that they can choose and buy their fabric, teach them about contrast and complement, show them how to cut it out and sew it together....maybe do a sampler. Take them all the way through. And, if you're feeling sorry enough for them at the end and there's no way they are going to be able to quilt it, you could do that step. I guarantee that most of them will back out of wanting a quilt, and you just might get a new quilting buddy out of one of the others. After all give a man a quilt and he stays warm, teach one to quilt and they are busy and happy and support their wife's hobbies forever. :)

That's perfect, Ann Clare! I think people just don't have any idea about what it takes to make a quilt (or knit a sweater, whatever). I choose to be vague and say something like "I certainly hope I can get to all the quilts/projects I'd like to make some day! I have quite a list!" Fortunately, my family and friends are not pushy.

I love the 'I will add you to my list' reply! I will have to remember that. I make quilts because I want to...and often I am the one that offers. The one time that i was really upset, was a lady I had offered a baby quilt to. She requested black and green (yes...for a baby quilt.) I made it for her...someone told me the wrong spelling for the baby's name. I told her that I would make a new label and would replace it while she waited, so she would not have to come back. she said 'ok'. I never heard thank you, my mom loves it, I use it all the time...NADA. Two yrs later, she informs me that she is pregnant again and am I going to make her another quilt. I'm not usually without words..but this time I was speechless. I told her I had a long waiting list and left it at that. All I really wanted to know was if she LIKED it..or USED it..or WHATEVER...I'm convinced she is clueless...

Just cheerfully tell them that you'll make the quilt as soon as they provide you with the fabric, batting, thread and don't forget to add what you would charge for your time and labor, (at least 2 to 3 times the amount it would cost for the supplies) up front of course. See how soon they ask again. :thumbup:

I agree here - it could be their way of saying they really like it and wouldn't mind having it in their home - it shows honest to goodness interest in what you've done. Have you ever heard anyone telling someone their handmade item was ugly? I haven't, usually they say Oh how pretty and you hear nothing else. I've always taken it as a compliment. How about answering with something like "Thank you! I would love to make one for you but unfortunately quilting is an EXPENSIVE hobby and I already have so many relatives I'm wanting to make quilts for". If they keep asking start talking money.
Rude people would be telling you what's wrong with your quilt (unless they're judging it for a show).

You are not being selfish. I agree that non-crafty people have no idea the expense or time involved in projecting. My friend made her mom a quilt and she turned around and used it for her dogs (don't get me wrong, I love my puppies and would do anything for them, but this was a really nice quilt). i've been asked to make quilts for people as well. I generally will say if they want to supply the materials I can work on one for them with time permitting due to my other activities. With that said, I have only made one quilt for any of my friends (other than giving them as gifts).

Next time they ask when they get one, tell them they will get a quilt when they pay you for the materials and your time. :-D If they agree, then tell them how much money it will probably cost. That should stop them dead in their tracks!! :lol: If they still want a quilt and are willing to pay for it, do it if you have the time. After all you can always use the money to increase your stash!!! :thumbup:

I don't make quilts for anyone but people I love and WANT to make one for. Otherwise it's work to me. Absolutely no guilt.
No anger. No frustration.

I would write up a list of things used to make a quilt in..size.

Then an average price for each item..$9.00 to...fabric per yd
batting, thread, any other items

charges for each hour

put it someplace where you work, or send it in an email to this boy
I think it is nice that people compliment my quilts, but, to make them for free... no way

When someone asks, I just say, "I don't have time."

Take him shopping, let him pick out the fabrics & the pattern & then pay for it. Then keep track of your hours, & trade your hours quilting for an equal number of hours of work from him. You could give him an estimate of the number of hours to expect; that might change his mind. I would love to have a worker around here! It is a compliment though, if someone likes your work.

Where is it written that you're obligated to make a quilt for someone? Are they entitled to your time? Life is too short. When I'm asked, I say that I don't have time to make myself a quilt which, by the way, isn't far from the truth. No guilt here.

I had a workman at my houseo once and he asked "what would it take for you to make me something like that" to which I replied "you have to be a really close blood relative to get a quilt from me". He just laughed. That's just about how I feel though.

I"m making a lap quilt for my sister to donate to her lodge's charity auction. She's paid, over paid for the materials for it, but when she visited over TG she was horrified to see how much labor went into it when I spent an hour here and there sewing and cutting. She wanted to actually pay me more because of the labor! No other sister of mine or their kids would do that much..probably why they never will get one.

You could respond, "there are classes at the LQS and you could learn to make your own, and then you would have a personal treasure"

When I get the tired old question of when do I get a quilt, I get all excited and happy and say call me later and I'll give you the number of a friend who makes quilts for a living. She needs the business so I would rather her make it for you. It will help her out so much right now and this will be perfect, she gets some much needed money and you get a quilt. I'll tell her to be expecting you to call.
Not one person has asked for the number and hasn't asked me again about getting a quilt. If someone does ask I'll give them the name of a LA in the next town who has nice simple ready made utility quilts to sell.

My daughter,when she say's do me a favor look out.Make me this make me that,make,make,make.It's getting old.

I add "right now the backlog is at LEAST 2 years." Delivered with a smile!

No you are being honest!

My students ( and I'm sorry to say some of my colleaques) ask this when they see things I have made. My response is a simple -- no, I will not make you one but I will be happy to teach you how to make your own. Had a few , very few, take me up on that offer but mostly that puts an end to it.

an acquaintance ask me "when are you going to make me an obmre quilt" Well, I had no interest in makeing a quilt for the person but I had some ombre fabric and thought I might chop it up and ut it in a log cabine type quilt. The person then referred me to a web site of the type she wanted.
I looked and it was a Ricky Tims machine applique design.
I just keep saying, "I don't make that type of design". I put my ombre fabric back on the shelf.
The former First Lady told us to "just say no".

love that!

I often make purses as gifts for my family and close friends. People I barley know will see one them and all of a sudden want to be my best friend and ask if I will make one for them. My thought is that if they are bold enough to ask, it's OK to nicely say I will be glad to for ..... and quote a a price. This usually nicely ends the conversation, however, I have had some takers and the extra money has been nice.

You can calculate out a simple 6" squares quilt -- figure it for different sizes......have it ready. When they ask say " A queen size simple quilt would be $$$$? and give them the dollar amounts for all sizes (or the size they request). That'll usually stop the requests...LOL Oh -- and telling them you're going to be doing it for a business stops the requests, too.