About the lady who attempted to give you the guilt trip: that's called manipulative behavior and is not nice. You are doing her a favor by saying no: don't reinforce the weirdness.

You know I'm a piecer and quilter not a clothing repair person. I do make custom quilts for some people but I retain the right to accept or refuse to do them. I'm also very picky about quilt tops that people want me to quilt. I do charge for everything I do. And if I don't want to do it I have a very steep price, usually they find someone else. I also provide them with other quilters who will do anything for them. Personaly I prefer to do my own thing. If they don't want me to do that then I refuse the work. Besides I'm always about 20 tops ahead of anyone new. I never feel quilty because I paid for my machine so I don't feel the need to hire myself out.

Knowing how to sew is like being a stay at home mom. When children are little and you are a stay at home mom, the world thinks you would love to babysit their kids for them. When you know how to sew, the world thinks you are available to make a baby quilt with 2 days notice.

If quilting is your hobby, you should be able to make what you want when you want. Take orders makes it a job. Tell them all no.

You should never feel compleled to make something for someone just because they suggested it. My approach is I tell them" I would be happy to give them a lesson once they have purchased their fabric, thread , pattern etc". I add that "I will teach you so you can enjoy making gifts for others".
In my many years I have only had one person take me up on the offer and it was a pleasure to get them started on their quilting journey.

No. You are not a meanie. I always respond with "I'm a hobby quilter, not a professional." I work full-time so I have an out. I only make quilts as gifts for people I want to have them.

I politely say no, I do not have the time. The only exception is my grandson's best friend (they are 12yo), I always hem his pants for him when he gets new ones, but he and his parents do many things for DGS also.

since you paid thousands of dollars for your machine, you can charge a lot for any work for others. i would give quotes that help you pay off your machine. they will quiet down after you do that. I too hate "having" to make things. as it is, i just made two aprons for a lady. it's hard to say no loud enough without being rude.

That's called passive-agressive. All you have to do is quote her an hourly rate of $20/hr for piecing and quilting and $30/hr for the machine rental. After all, you have to recoup your 'thousands of dollars' on that machine. ;)

It was unreasonable of her to pressure you that way.

Thanks everyone, for making me feel better about this! The funny thing is, this lady bakes pies for people and charges $14 a pie. Maybe we could trade; I could get pies for quilts! LOL! I don't know how she knew how much my machine was; when she asked about what kind of machine, I just told her an embroidery/sewing machine. I love making quilts, but don't want pressure. I do make them for family members, free of charge, filled with love! And I have given quilts to be auctioned for a scholarship fund. So I don't think I'm "too" stingy!