BellaBoo

I don't obligate myself to sewing for others and if I plan a gift to sew I don't tell anyone. This way no one is asking me about it. And I don't ask for opinions about what I'm sewing. I have deadlines though. Guild show and tell, mystery quilt, project quilt, quilt show entry, these are enough to keep me jump started.

Daylesewblessed

When I started quilting, it was almost exclusively for Project Linus -- simple quilts that provided me with much practice. As my skills have increased, I enjoy taking on more challenging projects, and now most of the quilts that are time consuming go to a different annual charity quilt auction with a few going to family. I also like to make quilts for the fair before donating them, and I work hard on reaching high standards on those.

What I don't enjoy doing now is the "mending" and the "getting ready" projects for Linus and guild charity. I know that the time spent on this is well worth it, because it moves the process along. But now I want to work on my next challenging quilt and am planning the one after that. These other little things get in the way.

Dayle

Latrinka

That's exactly why I very seldom take orders or make promises!

Lori S

I do a few shows a year , and very quickly figured out that I do not like to take orders for anything. It becomes something I have to do rather than something I want to do.
My advise back down on the projects for others... do stuff you want to do... then after awhile if you feel like it do some but on a limited basis. My guess is you probably aren't making alot of $$$ and people are recognizing the bargain in your work. So just say you are booked up for awhile. Booked up can mean you are booked up with your own projects.

liese

Post a pic of them! We'd love to see what it is they you've created such a rage over!

Edie

I guess maybe I sound horrible - I do not do anything for anyone who wants me to make something "I'll pay you for it". This is MY hobby that I do on MY time, when I feel like it. I have been under some stress lately and to be able to do for ME has been a Godsend! I am not under any pressure and if I feel like scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees I'll do it and if I feel like sitting down at the machine and make a bunch of HST's, I'll do it. Scrubbing floors - I am on my hands and knees already - where better can a person pray? Making HST's - I can see four squares of fabric become a gorgeous block. Besides which, I'm almost 74 and I can do just so much in a day and I want to do it when I want to do it! Also, if someone sees something I have made and says "I'd love something like that", I quick write it down and nine times out of ten, they will get it for Christmas or their birthday or for no reason at all. That's how I like to do it! Edie

DawnA

Okay, so this is not at all uncommen to feel this way. thanks for all the feedback! Now that Im a sewer I feel for my MIL when people show up with a pile of pants to hem or a huge bag of tshirts for their son's quilt. She does not ask or even offer to do these things. It seems like its expected of her. Bless her heart, she never says no.

Here is the only pic I took of the first purse. This is the one I carry and I keep telling people it will always be mine. I dont know about it being "all the rage" but I really love it.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]352668[/ATTACH]

kathleenq

I am currently making a series of 3 twin size quilts for my neighbors children that graduated in June from High School.

When I am finished with these quilts, I am going to stop making for others and sew some quilts for my son who married over a year ago and my daughter who is getting married in August! kathleenq

sandybeach

Maybe this is why I am in such a funk right now. I finished a "graduation" quilt for a guy I work with (for his son). It was a queen size. And while it was off at the LAQ's I used the leftovers to make a lap quilt which I also gave him. Then my son wanted me to replace a broken zipper in a pair of shorts, then my DDIL wanted me to make two baby quilts for two of her friends. I am currently in the middle of quilting the first baby quilt,and my short arm quilt machine is not working properly so I have to drive 90 miles one way to drop it off and then a week later to pick it up. DDIL also asked me if I would make her a quilt for her Walk for the Cure team (which I did last year and never even found out who won it or how much they made from the raffle). So I said no to that quilt. I may, if I have time and really want to, make a tote out of fabric with ladies with scarves on their heads. Plus I (and my son) remodeled my kitchen these past few months (new counter, backsplash, painted all the cabinets (me alone) and painted the walls (also me alone). So I guess I am just burned out right now.

LynnVT

Just last week a friend stopped by and I was showing her some things I'm making for our church craft sale in September, including a small purse.I've been using a bunch of fabrics I got at a yard sale and stuff from my stash. Well, she immediately said she would love if I'd make a coin purse for her to used as a gift. I said I could do that and she could give a donation to the church for it. Then somehow she wanted FIVE of them. Bags smaller than the one I showed her, and maybe different fabrics and....on and on. I was so taken aback I just went along with it, but now I'm getting kind of annoyed about it. She also wants some quilt lessons, which she would pay for. I have been thinking of giving some lessons, but who knows what that will turn into. Yeah, I think a lot us are in the same boat!
Be strong. It's a lifelong journey for those of raised to "be a good little girl and do what you are told," to learn the words NO! and I WON'T.