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.
--
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Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
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