I have a customer who is a colleague of my husbands. I have never met her. I got towels via my husband to do for her sons for Christmas. The instructions were "whatever you think is best". So I have been stalking facebook to see if I can work out what her sons might like. I think this is the most stressful order I have ever had.

Thank you for all your suggestions. I did call her and she still said whatever you think. I did find out her younger sons favourite football team and the older son and his girlfriend live together. So the couple has their names and a floral pattern and the young son has his name and favourite football team. I was pretty happy until my husband said "I would not have used green for that". It was the best I could do with the supplied towels and The vague idea I had of what she wanted. He has taken them to work this morning and I will just have to wait and see.

1 comment

by greysewist 21 Dec 2011

Sounds like you've risen to that challenge really well, Alice. I'm sure they'll be thrilled. It's probably the first personalised item they'll have received, after all.

She probably thought she was making it easy for you to "Just pick something out". I think you should call her and find out at least the boys names and ages and maybe their favorite color, sport, pet,etc. You sure wouldn't want to put a youngsters design on a teenagers towel. Good luck.

I often get an order like this one. If she gave their names, I would put that on the towel with some fancy old car or a sporty design that might be a little comical. The young ones love something out of the ordinary. Don't be scared, just decide that is what is right for them. A boy will always be a boy. They love cars, motorbikes etc. Enjoy and good luck. ***

I agree with others, call the lady and ask for suggestions. Or find out their favorite sport team or mascot. If all else fails, just put their monogram on the towels. (BTW are they bath towels or dish towels? LOL...

You don't need any additional stresses at this time of the year.

I think I would call her to get a little more insight on what they might like. You certainly don't want to disappoint your husband's colleague. Large initials are always nice but what color? Xmas designs are only useful during the season but that may be what she wants. What age are they? If younger, do they have a theme you can use?

I think she would appreciate hearing from you. Then she will know you are serious about doing something appropriate.

Good luck to you!!!!

Marcelle

Alice,
I would choose something like a comical reindeer tangled in Christmas lights, either alone, or with
the words Merry Christmas! More info would have
helped you decide, but "sons", young or older, like
humor. But, then, too, a simple Christmas design of most any kind would be appropriate. Don't stress it! Whatever you choose will be liked!
Hugs,
Angel

Oh that is sad - did she give you their names - maybe their inital would be good enough.

If you are like me you like some guidelines when given towels to embroidery not just do what you think...sometime what you think is not how they imagine...dig deeper perhaps call her...not very helpful I know but better to be sure than sorry...Hugs Sally

The long and the short of that is, she has no idea what you are capable of doing and just about anything would be impressive. I have had several orders that way. I just do something that I like, and get rave reviews every time. I am relatively new to embroidery, but do custom sewing. Just finished one project where a gal gave me a bag of t-shirts and said that she would like something made out of them for her husband for a gift. She was ecstatic when I brought in a queen size quilt. Wing it, and you'll still be the champ!! :)

Guess I would phone her and find out more about their likes. Someone did do the Naughty and Nice towels in projects that are cute but maybe something that can be used year around like a simple monogram. Good luck on these towels.

Not Fair, like you have the time to figure that out! Its not like you know them! Were there any clues on facebook and how much time! You are a nicer woman than me to even attempt that!

What a challenge they provided for you, Alice. What do you know of the sons -ages? If they're footy supporters, wacky sense of humour etc? I guess she may only expect you to put their names on which may be fine. There are some good alphas around, even for men. I like the Family & Gentleman ones, but maybe the knightleader would suit too. Probably my favourite for a male gift would be the Scroll alpha though, with the letter being inside an old fashioned scroll. Best of luck. Looking forward to hearing what you do!

Dont' get stressed so much! I would embroider a simple, nice holly design because it's a Christmas present. If they don't like the design, they will let their mother know and next year you will have a better idea. Sometimes men like a nice embroidery but don't want to show that they do. Merry Christmas to you and a happy new Year without stress! Hugs, Lidia