What would you do?
Hi all,
Just thought I'd get some opinions on a problem that has come up. When people find out you make quilts they all want one. Problem is, I don't mind making relatives one for free, but my MIL has asked me to make her bosses one each (she has two bosses) for Christmas. She says she will pay me for it. If I charged by the time and effort I put into it, she couldn't pay me for it. I know she's thinking $20-50. Another thing that has irked me is that I made my MIL one in January and she informed me (the same day she asked me to make her bosses one and to make her a bedspread and matching shams for her bed) that she is going to put the one I made for her in January in a yard sale. I said, "Don't sell it in a yard sale, I'll buy it back." And she said, "Well, it's faded." !!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I get across to her that this stuff takes a lot of time??? She told me that making quilts for people at Christmas was a *cheap* way to give presents, too. I don't think she is trying to be mean, but she has no idea the time and effort that goes into this stuff. Hubby has somewhat of an idea of how much time and effort I put into it, but he is real protective of his mother, so I have to approach this delicately. LOL Thanks for any help and advice you can give me. Debbie |
What would you do?
I'd tell her what it would *really* cost to make a quilt
count: materials time x minimum wage electricity costs (for sewing machine/lights/iron) notions then ask if she is prepared to pay that for her bosses gifts. note: I usually say it's 800 euros for a king quilt and that's only for the materials - most people go silent and don't mention it again LOL -- Jessamy In The Netherlands Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply. www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jes...pson/my_photos ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi all, Just thought I'd get some opinions on a problem that has come up. When people find out you make quilts they all want one. Problem is, I don't mind making relatives one for free, but my MIL has asked me to make her bosses one each (she has two bosses) for Christmas. She says she will pay me for it. If I charged by the time and effort I put into it, she couldn't pay me for it. I know she's thinking $20-50. Another thing that has irked me is that I made my MIL one in January and she informed me (the same day she asked me to make her bosses one and to make her a bedspread and matching shams for her bed) that she is going to put the one I made for her in January in a yard sale. I said, "Don't sell it in a yard sale, I'll buy it back." And she said, "Well, it's faded." !!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I get across to her that this stuff takes a lot of time??? She told me that making quilts for people at Christmas was a *cheap* way to give presents, too. I don't think she is trying to be mean, but she has no idea the time and effort that goes into this stuff. Hubby has somewhat of an idea of how much time and effort I put into it, but he is real protective of his mother, so I have to approach this delicately. LOL Thanks for any help and advice you can give me. Debbie |
What would you do?
I would be upfront about the costs and include your time. I would also tell
her that you don't have time nor inclination to make a spread, shams, etc having so recently made her the quilt. -- Mary http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948 "Debbie" wrote in message news:SrJGg.27251$uV.15838@trnddc08... : Hi all, : : Just thought I'd get some opinions on a problem that has come up. : : When people find out you make quilts they all want one. Problem is, I don't : mind making relatives one for free, but my MIL has asked me to make her : bosses one each (she has two bosses) for Christmas. She says she will pay me : for it. If I charged by the time and effort I put into it, she couldn't pay : me for it. I know she's thinking $20-50. : : Another thing that has irked me is that I made my MIL one in January and she : informed me (the same day she asked me to make her bosses one and to make : her a bedspread and matching shams for her bed) that she is going to put the : one I made for her in January in a yard sale. I said, "Don't sell it in a : yard sale, I'll buy it back." And she said, "Well, it's faded." : !!!!!!!!!!!!! : : How do I get across to her that this stuff takes a lot of time??? She told : me that making quilts for people at Christmas was a *cheap* way to give : presents, too. I don't think she is trying to be mean, but she has no idea : the time and effort that goes into this stuff. Hubby has somewhat of an : idea of how much time and effort I put into it, but he is real protective of : his mother, so I have to approach this delicately. LOL : : Thanks for any help and advice you can give me. : : Debbie : : |
What would you do?
I agree with the other two. I tell people that my "hug" size quilts cost over $100 in materials alone. I don't quilt on commission at all. Requests need to go to someone who is willing to do that kind of work for money. |
What would you do?
maryd wrote: I would be upfront about the costs and include your time. I would also tell her that you don't have time nor inclination to make a spread, shams, etc having so recently made her the quilt. Yes, this sounds like a good idea. I would *definitely* steer clear of the whole situation. The MIL obviously doesn't understand the time/energy/skill that goes into making even a small quilt. She'll probably feel ripped-off if you charge her *anything* like a reasonable rate for your work. And your husband may well feel caught in the middle. Been There, Done That (can ya tell?!!!) Erin http://arkivarie.livejournal.com/ |
What would you do?
Gosh, I feel better. I felt like a whiney butt for even grumbling about it,
but when she said she was going to put that one in the yard sale and it isn't even a year old yet, my blood pressure hit the roof!!! It was obvious she had no appreciation for my time and effort. So far I've been making wall hangings to use as throws, they are about 68x68. I don't have a clue what to charge. I would estimate about 30??? hours to put together and stitch in the ditch and stippling and all that good stuff. And maybe $30-50 for all materials. Sorry I can't convert euros. How much is 800 euros? I was hoping this was a common occurence, so I thank you all for answering and so quickly, too! As it is, I haven't even made my sister or other daughter or sister in laws one yet, and MIL wants one for complete strangers. I can't get all that done before Christmas and family comes first!!! I have no backbone is the problem. What wuld you all charge for a log cabin quilt that size -- roughly? I was thinking $200, but that sounds like a lot. ex. 30 hours x 5.00 an hour + $50 in materials. Debbie |
What would you do?
I'd tell her what it would *really* cost to make a quilt
count: materials time x minimum wage electricity costs (for sewing machine/lights/iron) notions then ask if she is prepared to pay that for her bosses gifts. note: I usually say it's 800 euros for a king quilt and that's only for the materials - most people go silent and don't mention it again LOL -- Jessamy In The Netherlands Take out: _I love the colour_ to reply. www.geocities.com/jessamy_thompson http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jes...pson/my_photos Yes, I need a comeback like this. I had a complete stranger in a chat room ask me if I would send her one. I didn't even know her. First time in the chat room under the name "Quilter". Needless to say I changed that name immediately!!! Debbie |
What would you do?
"maryd" mardor@*net wrote in message ... I would be upfront about the costs and include your time. I would also tell her that you don't have time nor inclination to make a spread, shams, etc having so recently made her the quilt. Ohhhh, Mary, if only I had the nerve. LOL Debbie |
What would you do?
Debbie wrote:
Hi all, Just thought I'd get some opinions on a problem that has come up. When people find out you make quilts they all want one. Problem is, I don't mind making relatives one for free, but my MIL has asked me to make her bosses one each (she has two bosses) for Christmas. She says she will pay me for it. If I charged by the time and effort I put into it, she couldn't pay me for it. I know she's thinking $20-50. Another thing that has irked me is that I made my MIL one in January and she informed me (the same day she asked me to make her bosses one and to make her a bedspread and matching shams for her bed) that she is going to put the one I made for her in January in a yard sale. I said, "Don't sell it in a yard sale, I'll buy it back." And she said, "Well, it's faded." !!!!!!!!!!!!! How do I get across to her that this stuff takes a lot of time??? She told me that making quilts for people at Christmas was a *cheap* way to give presents, too. I don't think she is trying to be mean, but she has no idea the time and effort that goes into this stuff. Hubby has somewhat of an idea of how much time and effort I put into it, but he is real protective of his mother, so I have to approach this delicately. LOL Thanks for any help and advice you can give me. Debbie I'd just tell her straight: You need to take more care of things that cost $X00 in materials and take 40-50 hours to make. Then just leave it. Once you give someone something, it's theirs to do with as they will. But you don't ever need to make her anything again. As for the boss quilts: sit down with her, pick out 3-4 patterns and cost them up in materials. Tell her: This will cost you $X00 in materials, and will take me 45 hours to make at $Z0 an hour, for a total cost of $Y000. Each! If she squawks about the costs, just agree and ask her just how much she loves those bosses! If she tells you you are being mercenary, just say: For *you*, as a present from me for you to keep, I make for love. For anyone else, and for you to give to others I don't know and love, I charge the going rate. And then let her think about it. -- Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons http://www.katedicey.co.uk Click on Kate's Pages and explore! |
What would you do?
Yes, this sounds like a good idea. I would *definitely* steer clear of
the whole situation. The MIL obviously doesn't understand the time/energy/skill that goes into making even a small quilt. She'll probably feel ripped-off if you charge her *anything* like a reasonable rate for your work. And your husband may well feel caught in the middle. Been There, Done That (can ya tell?!!!) Erin http://arkivarie.livejournal.com/ Well, Erin, did you make her one or steer clear? LOL. Debbie |
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