JJs

are you saying that they want YOU to give the quilt or are they paying you to make the quilt?

pdolls

I just give a chuckle and say I'll add you to the list and leave it at that. Sometimes I think people are just saying that because they think you expect them too. Not for a real desire. If they repeate the request more than twice I rethink it. But I have found that I don't take requests I make what I want and they can have it or not. That way I get to make what I want. good luck

jackkip

I have recently been in the same boat. Having people requests quilts. And of course stupid me, I do it. After this last experience, I have decided to stop. I am miserable while making theses quilts. They are not what I want to be working on. I recently made a Baby quilt for a friends daughter. the daughter has yet to send a thank you or even a phone call. the friend did call and said "daughter just loved the quilt". (Just not enough to thank me for it).

Yes I am quite upset over it all. I put time and money into it. So I have made a decision to no longer cave into the pressure of making quilts because someone ask. I am only going to make one when I want to. This is not say I will never ever give one away. I know I will, but it will be on my terms and not someone else's. It is called boundaries and it is ok to have them. Good Luck :)

Aussie Quilter

My elderly aunt once told me, "You don't have to give a reason, all you have to say is 'it's not convenient', end of story". Amazing how well it works!

teacherbailey

Related question: If I made Baby #1 a quilt, do I need to make Baby #2 one as well? Mom is a good friend and coworker but refuses to find out the gender pre-birth and I hate working around that.....BUT---don't want #1 to have a quilt to use into at least the school years (It turned out about twin size or so) and #2 to feel left out. Due day is around New Year's Day so I have plenty of time as I make them really simple with great fabrics. What do you think?

smagruder

Simple, you can say, "I will be happy to put you on the list. Your number is 57, in order of requests." Or something like that. Do you charge? I had a friend who said she might have me make one for her grandson. I told her that I don't do the quilting and it is very expensive. I would have made it for her for nothing but just the idea of paying for the quilting part turned her off. I only have one person who quilts and she is expensive. Wish I could find someone here who was cheaper.

Rainy Day

I knit and sew kids clothes and had the same issue at my last job. It stopped when I did. I just said I didn't do that anymore. And how much do you want me to put in for a group gift? I made one thing at my current job, then I discovered the hospital volunteer shop - hand made, cute as a boot and it goes to a good cause.
I do still knit, but only for me now.

damaquilts

I made a quilt for a friend that was diagnosed with cancer. Well another lady that volunteered with me asked When do I get mine? Umm never. I simply ignored her. I had the same problem with people in FL when I lived there. They liked the way I decorated so were asking me to decorate their houses. It got nuts. Shopping sewing etc. I finally started telling them I was going to start charging for my time. It dried up with a quickness. Guess I was ok when I was free but not when they had to pay.

pollyjvan9

I let people know from the beginning that I would only make quilts "I" love. If they like one and say so I usually give it to them. But if they say I want a king size made in orange and bright green with curly Qs I say sorry, look at Walmart. Quilting is my hobby! not my job!

sunrise450

I have a flannel quilt top that my daughter requisted for my grandson. I wanted to finish it with a utility stitch. I said that I would make the quilt but she would have to help with the quilting. I had pictures in my head of my daughter and I quilting together. She always said "I just don't have the time"!
I am stubborn and didn't think that this was too much to ask. Really.
Now, when they request a quilt I tell them to get in line.