|
One more note - make sure you set a limit on the Tshirts. My boss asked me to do one for her daughter, so I said "Sure". She gave me a garbage bag of shirts from her daughter's four years of high school activities, plus some general ones that she liked. As if that were not bad enough, she wanted me to use each one! She ended up with a double-sided king size quilt, and I ended up with a stress headache every day that I worked on it. The daughter absolutely loved it, though, lol
|
Pause, take a deep breath and say "Sorry but I do not have time to make a quilt for you at this time". Then refer her to "keepsake Quilting" who make t-shirt quilts. the cost is $300-600 depending on the size. I have seen quilts from there and they are nice. Better than mine? Maybe . I would not pay that much for one but my friend did and really liked them.
|
Yes please do as all have suggested let her know prior to making the quilt- I would even give her a day to make up her mind. Time is a precious commodity, and items are expensive when you are making for others, then for them NOT to like it-be sure she is involved all the way- maybe even have her cut some of it with you, so she is aware of what is involved.
|
Sharing a clever solution I saw at a Show & Tell: Same situation & little enthusiasm. She went to JC PENNY and bought a plain black quilted throw. She prepped the T shirts and framed them in different color sashing. She fused them then topstitched the sashings on the throw. WAH-LAH It was really bright and cute and less labor intensive....served the purpose. She later told us the recipient was THRILLED with it.
|
Since you are doing this for a friend I would follow the suggestions from the board. However, I want to stress the advice that was given about involving her at every stage, showing her what quilt ideas you are comfortable with, and have her pay for all expenses (nothing should come from you except your talent). Have fun!!
|
Originally Posted by Jan in FL
(Post 5830414)
One of my coworkers just asked me to make a T Shirt quilt for her daugther who gradutes from high school in June. I have not made a quilt for anyone but family until now. I made a T Shirt quilt for my own daughter and really didn't care for it but she loved it.
I initially declined when she asked me in August. I explained that I did not feel that I was experienced enough. She approached me today and asked again. She said she is not looking for perfection but rather a sentimental gift for her daughter. And, I have until June so there is no pressure there. I guess she caught me in a weak moment because I agreed. Now what? She said she would make it well worth my while - which isn't necessary. The well worth my while comes from the pleasure I get from making quilts. It is also awkward to have to figure out what to charge. Anyway, I told her that I would bring in a book of T Shirt quilt patterns on Monday so she could let me know what she is looking for and we would go from there. So, I guess I am making a quilt for a coworker......ugh. |
I wish I could sew for other people. I can't even make a quilt with someone in mind. After the quilt is all made, then I decide who I give it to. I get too nervous sewing if I'm already planning on who's getting my quilt. I have a pile of quilts all done with no one in mind. If a birthday pops up, I can go through them and find one I think they will like. That works so much better for me. My daughter's boss wants me to make him a T-shirt quilt and I told her 'no'. I don't even know him. I have too many UFOs and have never done a T-shirt quilt. If he painted, I wouldn't ask him to make me a painting. Would you? Then why do they think they can just ask us to make them a quilt? It's as close to the same thing except quilting costs more.
|
I really don't like it when people pressure you into making them a quilt, if you make an excuse the first time that should be enough. I make lots of quilts which I give away, I wouldn't dream of asking any monetary gain, I like to give them as a gift either for their Birthday or for a new grandchild or no reason at all just because they are nice people and are friends. I have a dear friend who is always offering my services to other people, this friend who I love dearly has no idea the hours and effort that goes into a quilt.
Jan try and enjoy making this T shirt quilt, don't let it cause you any stress, maybe your friend could learn to quilt herself, just explain to her in a nice way that you do not like to be pressured. I quilt because I want to not because I have too. |
I wish I could sew for other people. I can't even make a quilt with someone in mind. After the quilt is all made, then I decide who I give it to. I get too nervous sewing if I'm already planning on who's getting my quilt. I have a pile of quilts all done with no one in mind. If a birthday pops up, I can go through them and find one I think they will like. That works so much better for me. My daughter's boss wants me to make him a T-shirt quilt and I told her 'no'. I don't even know him. I have too many UFOs and have never done a T-shirt quilt. If he painted, I wouldn't ask him to make me a painting. Would you? Then why do they think they can just ask us to make them a quilt? It's as close to the same thing except quilting costs more.
|
I like to help people to, but I always get you bit in the but.
It always seems to cost me money some how Good Luck . I am sure you will do great. |
I agree j crow I have been asked too, I won't do it either.
people ask for baby quilts like they are so nothing. I have done those but they don't appreciate them. They put them on the floor like a rug. I always cherished what I was given. sorry to vent .. |
I hope this turns out to be a good experience for you - I have not been so fortunate. I made a costume for a long-time friend and up front, told her what I expect in renumeration. This was an extremely detailed Disney character costume. I used good fabric and spent countless hours. Plus it was a size 26 dress!! There were several fittings. For my troubles, she wrote me a check for $35, one tenth of my original quote.....I was furious! Then her check bounced!! She wouldn't answer my calls; it's been a long time. Sad thing is, we were once good friends. I NEVER again put myself in that situation. It's too distressing.
|
I also am staring a t-shirt quilt, for my DGD who is graduating in May from High School, hers will be done with all the sport t-shirts that she has worn, while playing softball and basketball. I have never made one so here goes.............
|
You have a good heart. An idea here: let her buy the batting, backing and whatever else has to be bought: including all the thread. That way, she will know upfront what goes into this quilt. I had a friend ask me to bake and decorate her daughter's wedding cake and when I let her know what was expected in terms of buying the ingredients, she decided to buy a sheet cake from Sam's !! The day after I said I would bake the cake, her MIL asked me to bake her DGD's wedding cake too. I thought about all this and cancelled both of them.
|
Can you involve her in making it? Cut out tshirts, ironing on stabilizer! Pinning? Might get her interested in quilting and with help make it more enjoyable!!
|
Im making one for DD so ill be learning too jonniek!!
|
Just make sure she keeps her mouth shut or you will be inundated with requests.
|
This one guy asked me how much a quilt cost to make and I told him. You could see the shock on his face. It seems non quilters have no idea of the cost. So yes, keep her in the loop and go with her to help buy or you may wind up with the cheapest junk and will make putting the quilt together even worse ordeal for you.
|
I am often asked to make things for people and I always decline, because I don't feel that my skill level is up to par. Non-quilters look at me like I am crazy when I tell them that, but I know where the mistakes are. I'm currently working on a quilt made out of Ohio Stars, and many of the points on the stars are cut off. I don't know why, because I thought my measuring and 1/4 stitching were fine. I was thinking about donating this quilt as an auction item in this fall's United Way appeal, but I don't know now, seeing the points cut off. I may be embarrassed to put this out there.
|
Don't let the pressure of making a quilt for someone else get to you. Enjoy the quilt and you will have a lot of fun with it.
|
My niece and her mother are wanting me to make one of all her cheer tshirts, and do one of her 2 year old son's baby shirts. I told them that a friend of my mom's charged a woman $300 to do one. We'll see if that puts them off the idea. I've never made one, and have been advised not too. I love them, but my time is worth something and I won't do it for free if they insist they want one.
|
Originally Posted by Canada Kate
(Post 5837217)
I'm currently working on a quilt made out of Ohio Stars, and many of the points on the stars are cut off. I don't know why, because I thought my measuring and 1/4 stitching were fine. I was thinking about donating this quilt as an auction item in this fall's United Way appeal, but I don't know now, seeing the points cut off. I may be embarrassed to put this out there.
Finish it, put it away for awhile. When the deadline comes for submitting it for the auction pull it back out and show it to some other quilters and non-quilters. It may not be as noticeable as you think. Or you say that you meant to do it that way, it's a design element. Most people don't care if all the points are correct. Are the colors nice? Do they go with my couch? Will grandma like it for a birthday present? stuff like that. If it's well constructed, won't fall apart after a couple of washings, I'd say go ahead and donate it. |
I made one for my granddaughter for one of her many wedding showers. She had brought me a sack of shirts months before sooooo I finally did it. I didn't have any fusible interfacing so I cut large squares of freezer paper and ironed it on the inside of the shirt before I cut out my block. Then I kept the paper on until I sewed borders all around, then I just appliqued them on to a solid piece of muslin and free motion quilted between the blocks & in the borders. Used strips of fabric in orange & black (school colors) and it turned out ok. I will never do another one except for my other granddaughter (maybe) and I'll probably be too old by the time my grandsons are old enough to want a quilt.
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:07 PM. |