Will you make me a quilt?

[Ricky T.]

When asked if I can hand quilt someone else's work or if I will make them a quilt; I smile and say "No, but I will teach you how to do it." The one where she wanted me to hand quilt it--she had hand pieced it. I figured if she liked hand piecing she should like hand quilting. Oh, and they have never taken me up on it. ritzy

[Ricky T.]

I have found that if I start by noting that the fabric require for a twin sized quilt WITHOUT LABOR will run them between $150 and $200, I can quickly weed out the ones who thought I would supply them with a bargain. If they are still standing, looking me in the eye and saying okay, so how much would labor cost, then we can start talking about real numbers.

and sadly, I have learned to ask at least for the cost for fabric to be supplied up front. I'm amazed that people I know and see every day at work could take something that is completed and then be slow to pay. I figure if I at least cover the cost of fabric, then if they realize they can't pay, I'm not out the investment in the fabric as well.

[Ricky T.]

and if you haven't seen the first show yet (I'll not spoil it) you need to see the show and the song at the end.

I thought I was going to fall out of my chair with laughter at 'regular blue'.


:lol:

[Ricky T.]

When someone asks what I would charge to make them a quilt I say "You can't pay me enough to make you a quilt-I only do it for love." :wink:

[Ricky T.]

I don't really have that problem. Most people around here know how much work is involved in making a quilt.

I have problems getting people to accept quilts as gifts -- they think it's too much. They stutter and stammer for awhile and then usually get around to saying something like "I don't know what to say." I say, "the word is thank you." They say "thank you" I answer "you're welcome" and walk away leaving them standing there holding their quilt with a shocked look on their face.

[Ricky T.]

I hate it when someone asks for a quilt, Like MIL, then puts it in a linen closet and tells me she's saving it for "Good". I told her to tell "Good" to get his own quilt when he comes around. I made it to love and use, not to live in a closet. Nothing I say makes any difference. Guess I'll get it back in the same condition when it was given. Then I'll use it and have her rolling in her grave...hehehe

[Ricky T.]

I don't really have that problem. Most people around here know how much work is involved in making a quilt.

I have problems getting people to accept quilts as gifts -- they think it's too much. They stutter and stammer for awhile and then usually get around to saying something like "I don't know what to say." I say, "the word is thank you." They say "thank you" I answer "you're welcome" and walk away leaving them standing there holding their quilt with a shocked look on their face.

You know the most wonderful people!!

[Ricky T.]

You know the most wonderful people!!

I don't know. It bothers me when people refuse gifts. Refusing gifts seems selfish to me -- you are denying someone the joy of giving.

I'm a giver -- there are never any strings attached to my gifts and I don't expect the recipient to reciprocate. Where we live now people refuse gifts, invitations to dinner, extra produce from the garden, etc. It hurts my feelings and also makes life here very difficult for me. I love to entertain and I haven't had a dinner party since we've lived here -- can't get anyone to come. It's even hard to find charities to volunteer with -- they always seem to have enough volunteers. I used to work for non-profits and the idea that you ever have enough volunteers is foreign to me.

But I'm from a different state. It never ceases to amaze me how different people are in the various regions of the U.S.

The local Project Linus coordinator will accept my quilts and I give many through them. Our coordinator once showed me some of the letters she receives from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, even nurses. The letters are very gracious and even sweet. They are all overwhelmed that someone would give something that takes so much time to make to a total stranger.

It's just the way I was brought up -- you give, even if you don't have a lot yourself -- there is always someone who has less. You just give.

[Beth A.]

I, too, often get requests that I make the person a quilt, usually followed quickly by "I'll pay you!" My stock response is that I already have a job, thank you, and a very demanding one, at that. I don't need another one.

I work hard at my job. I have many chores within my home and family. But I quilt for enjoyment and for ME. I choose my quilt patterns and fabric for ME based on my whims of the moment and my own interests. I work on my own schedule and I decide whether I'll keep a quilt or give it away. Quilts take a long time to make. One quilt could consume all of my disposable leisure hours for several months. If I made quilts for all my friends and coworkers who asked, I would never have time to do what I wanted. In effect, I would have a second job -- and in the process, I would have spoiled for me the creative hobby I love so much.

So, NO! I don't take requests and I refuse to feel guilty about that!

BethMI

[Carla G.]

I have found that if I start by noting that the fabric require for a twin sized quilt WITHOUT LABOR will run them between $150 and $200, I can quickly weed out the ones who thought I would supply them with a bargain. If they are still standing, looking me in the eye and saying okay, so how much would labor cost, then we can start talking about real numbers.

and sadly, I have learned to ask at least for the cost for fabric to be supplied up front. I'm amazed that people I know and see every day at work could take something that is completed and then be slow to pay. I figure if I at least cover the cost of fabric, then if they realize they can't pay, I'm not out the investment in the fabric as well.

Amen! People are amazed at how much it costs to make a quality quilt.

[Annette R.]

my first quilt was a gift for a couple of friends who were getting married -- the quilt was appreciated I know because when they got divorced it was the only material possession they fought over. He won -pulling the I knew them longer-- I offered to remove the personalization embroidery to make it more generic -- he said no and married another woman with the same first name and now only the wedding date is wrong!!! how about that for irony!

then I started quilting in earnest and for the first two or three years each project I started and finished was for someone special in my life and for a special occasion for them.
Now I have made bed quilts for my daughter, a neice, a nephew, a grand nephew, two grand nieces and my brother. My brother got his last and his wife said oh my I didn't think we would ever get one. Well his was the first one I designed completely myself but I have never said that I just said I had to find the right fabric and design before I could make you one. (I painted twenty plus tractors that were in the fabric as red with fabric paints in John Deere yellow and green--- talk about dedication above and beyond) Now for what we call Keepsake Quilts I am down to the Grand daughter. In the meantime I have made jackets, wall hangings. table runners and hot pads for gifts for the family. This year I am working on fabric bowls and purses and bags.
I have also started making small wall hanging or table scape qults for friends that we visit each year as we travel in our motorhome.

I love to quilt and I love to design so each quilt I design for a friend or family member is a work of love and what is put into it is a lot of thought about what the person likes or what has been there history and try to incorporate that into the project. There have been times when I have realized that the recipient didn't have the same the same regard for made with love things that I have. At first my feelings were hurt and then I realized that I had given the item with love and I must accept that they are entitled to use it as they wish.

But having said all that I still quilt and will continue to do it because I must. and certain people will get my creations because I think they will love them like I do. so all in all I am selfish I do it for me but someday you might be the recipient you won't know when and may not know why just know I do it with love.

Ann the sometimes misunderstood quilter currently in Minnesota, Ann

[Annette R.]

There have been times when I have realized that the recipient didn't have the same regard for made with love things that I have. At first my feelings were hurt and then I realized that I had given the item with love and I must accept that they are entitled to use it as they wish.

But having said all that I still quilt and will continue to do it because I must. and certain people will get my creations because I think they will love them like I do. so all in all I am selfish I do it for me but someday you might be the recipient you won't know when and may not know why just know I do it with love.

Ann the sometimes misunderstood quilter currently in Minnesota, Ann

thank you ann, my sentiments exactly.

lori, in REALLY hot, dead, dry, starting to get depressing w. ky.

[Annette R.]

Hey Ann, I think a lot of quilters are misunderstood, as are most creative people!

Maybe we can start an MQA "Misunderstood Quilters Anonymous".

Hello, my name is Sharon, and I'm a misunderstood quilter. It all started before I was born. My mother was scared by a sewing machine........!

How's that for starters?!!!!

Ann, I'm not making fun of your message, really. I just thought of that as I read your post and usually what I think comes out my mouth, or in this case fingers!!!

Have a great day, stay cool. Sharon in NE TN where it's very hot and dry

[Annette R.]

quiltnlady you were not misunderstood in your last post I keep trying to think of what I would say if it truly were convergences anonymous maybe Hi, my name is Ann and one day I bought a book---------

Not quite as cute or creative as yours but oh well I deal with my own cards I guess or as my daughter often says when gdau does something like I do "well what can you expect, she swims in the wrong gene pool"

But you know what we may be addicted and anonymous and sometimes a little crazy but don't we have fun!!!!!!

Ann still in Minneapolis and needing to finish her fabric bowls by next week to save postage at Christmas

[Gloria H.]

I love making quilts to give away, but they are my quilts. I chose the fabric, decided what I wanted to do for each recipient. I'm afraid it would take away the joy if I was given fabric and a pattern and asked to make a quilt. I have sewn things for others. I did a wedding dress one time and almost had a nervous breakdown. I made Madrigal costumes for several years while my daughter was in choir in high school. I know I could never do that kind of sewing for any lenth of time. Sooooo don't ask me to make you a quilt :!: :!: