Howdy!
First: Very Big Grin !!!!

This happens far too often in my quilting life, someone wants to
place an order. Do I look like a drive-thru' quilting (burger) shop?
Do you see a button to push to speak into this clown's mouth?
No--I do not offer to Biggie Size it, either! ;-D

2 days ago, the lady across the street came over (only when she
wants something) to see if I would be around to watch out for her
84-yr.old mother "in case she gets scared now she's living w/ me and
doesn't know the neighborhood"--and I politely and quickly (I'm not
as dumm as I look/act) said, "I'm not home a lot of the time, but if I
am, I'll talk to her." Hmmm...not home? ME!??! The very idea!--
dear woman was not happy to hear that. (I am not offering to babysit
her mother; my choice.) So she looks around my front room and spies
the quilts and says, "OH! Are you still making quilts? My daughter is
pregnant: how much would you charge me to make a baby quilt?"
And I quickly responded (I've been here before), "I'd start at $100
and go from there." "THAT'S TOO MUCH MONEY!" she exclaimed.
"Not for me; I'm a professional; I get paid for my work," I said w/ a
warm smile. And I do. ;-D

Here's the deal, Pat: you can explain about the Real Quilt you could make
for a decent price, and you can explain about the quilts (w/ a smaller "q"
than
that) which can be purchased at the discount store, and hope your relative
understands the significance. Or just say "no." You can set a fair/decent
price IF you REALLY WANT to make a quilt for said relative.
There is nothing wrong with putting a value on your work.
If you don't show proper respect and value for your work, who will?
If that relative doesn't "get it", no loss on your part.
Some people do appreciate fine Quilts; that's what I get paid for. G

I have suggested that people check w/ local quilt shops and/or wait for
the next local quilt show and check out the vendors.
There are several regular vendors who sell some wonderful quilts
at our local shows.
The next Big Quilt Show is in Dallas next month;
I've already recommended my favorite vendors to
a friend who "needs" a quilt by April 1.
And she'll like the show, too. ;-)

Good luck. Let us know how this little saga plays out.

Ragmop/Sandy
"Pat in Virginia" wrote in message
...
Sooner or later I think every quilter gets a request from
family/friends for a commissioned quilt. Now I am faced with one
of those requests. The person wants a queen size quilt in certain
colors in a 'Country' Pattern. "Do you have an extra quilt I
could buy? Or maybe you could make me a quilt?" The email went
on to say ... "If not can you recommend a shop that sells quilts?
Or do you think I'd do better at a Department Store, or perhaps
Walmart, or Target?" (PUHLEEZE!)

I want to say: "I do not have 'extra' quilts." Okay, that is
easy. I then would like to state that while I do not have the
time to do this, I can detail the costs to make one. Then I'd
list the costs of fabric, batting, and a professional long arm
quilter. If anyone has suggestions on those topics, I'm eager to
know. Also, what can I say about WHERE to buy a quilt?

This subject has been discussed here before, but it was quite a
while ago. I do know that some of the remarks were excellent. I'd
like to hear your thoughts again.

Thanks, PAT in VA/USA