I guess I DO NOT GET people.

I definetly know what you mean...my friend does it to me all of the time....she has a quilting business so her customers have her make quilt tops for them...she has the nerve to volunteer me to embroidery labels out ...she gets paid but I never seem to get a penny for my work...I finally told her ahead of time how ujch time my dh's construction business is taking my time up...hopefully that will suffice for quite a while...,I have even had her ask me to watch the kids she takes care of while she goes places..and no I don't seem to get to money there...so every time she comes over and I think she is going to
ask me to do something for her..i rant of all the things I have to do in a deadline...so far its working....

Love all these posts! Here's my contribution. I was asked by a family member to put a design on 2 shirts. I went through my files and found a design. It was not right, had to be exactly like the one she wanted, so she finally sent a picture. Simple enough design and I have software, but I'm not a digitizer, but I worked on it and got a pretty good design. Sent a test stitch out to her, but she had found a place that would do the design, but not the names on the shirts for less than she could find the shirts, would I do just the names? I hate doing small lettering on knits, but foolishly agreed. She sent me 10 shirts, 4 for her and hubby and 6 for her friends. I bought a new hoop (2"x2") to make it easier. Did the first 2 and sent them and she approved, Had a problem with the sizes of the shirts not matching with the sizes assigned to each name. Finally got that straightened out and finished the shirts and sent them out. I had to check to see if they arrived as she didn't notify me. Then hubby asked what they owed me. As if it wouldn't have caused a family mess if I had charged them for all the time I put in (searching, digitizing, hooping, stabilizer, test samples, etc.) I told him I hadn't charged for anything yet and I wasn't about to start with my family. I wasn't about to charge them less than it was worth and let them think I was compensated and therefore let them think it was OK to ask again. Next time I hope I'll just say NO! Thanks for ranting and allowing me to rant along with you. They just have no clue.

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by airyfairy 02 Jul 2013

As I said in my post - people have absolutely no idea what is involved with machine embroidery. Glad you could rant to fellow Cuties!!!

I have found that people who do not sew/ embroider have no idea of how long it takes. No idea about the right stablizer etc. I have to add that I have never had any problems when I say 'no'. I m often asked to embroider a small towel or similar for presents. When I do this I do charge. My friends are more than happy to pay. I also embroider for the local retirement center when they have their fairs - obviously at no charge. Sarah.

I was asked to do a t shirt quilt, with many t shirts. When I said no as I didn't have time and the prep work took so much time, the lady got very upset that I wouldn't do it. She couldn't understand why I didn't want to do her quilt, so I gave her a quote of $750.00 Aus to just make the quilt top thought she may baulk at that but low and behold she thought that was ok!.in the end I had to but very firm, that no I did not want to make the quilt top. Still not one happy lady, imagine if she didn't like what I did! No money is worth a difficult person. I only like to sew for family and good friends.

I experienced the same problem a while back, one time with a co-worker in the school system and once with a lady at church. I charged each, a little cheaper than the going rate here.They were not happy because they expected it to be free. They liked the emb not the cost.First, I like you did not WANT to do it because I knew they wanted it free to them, second I did not want to do it FREE (DO they realize how many workers are at school? how many church members ? If I did one free, ALL would expect free, and that would get mighty costly... TO ME. I make all Avery's bibs so I guess she thought I would make hers too.I do VOLUNTEER church quilt embroidery, so I guess she thought I would voluntary emb for her. Neither has asked me since, and I haven't lost a bit of sleep, since I think I was fair, to them and myself.-Toogie

Good on you, three cheers

good for you. people and friends expected me to do free stuff all the time. it was a hobby for me and not a free business. i learned to just so it was for my pleasure only. don't like to be pressured into anything. enjoy your retirement and enjoy it as you want to. enjoy your machines.

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by bevintex 30 Jun 2013

I also have a problem with people who think it should be free,Now i tell them they need to go down to the fabric store and purchase the supplies,deliver them to me and we'll get started. It's funny how many never come back or they decide they don't need it after all. Why should it cost me my materials ,my time . When it turns into a job it's no longer fun.I embroider because I want to not because I have too.

I understand. I plan on retiring next summer. I was told this, sometime ago. Just say " My time, my machine, my choice'. Okay it works most of the time. Have fun, doing what you want to do. Grannieannie

Good for you ! "NO" is a very good word to use in a lot of situations !!!!!

I am with you When there is a dead line or a promise of something it takes the enjoyment away. So I sew because I like to and keeps my mind active and then I give it away at my leasure. It was hard learning to say No

It is interesting reading all the comments below and everyone supports you in saying no. Keep on saying no long loud and clear

Conveniently have the names of local embroiderers available. Kindly let these rude people know who would be more than happy to have their business. Say something as such, "I know a great place! XYZ Embroidery House would LOVE to do that for you."

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by yvonnevanwerkhoven 30 Jun 2013

GOOD ADVISE!!!!!

Wow that brings back memories. When I used to mostly knit, people would ask me if they would buy the yarn would I be willing to knit the sweater. It was like saying " let's keep her hands busy". Later when I had my own yarn shop I wasn't afraid to charge but was always ready to catch the customer in case they fainted at the price. Most people have no clue how much time and money goes into handcrafted items.
I love sewing and embroidering for my friends and my church and I have learned to say "NO". My usual excuse is that I have too many projects already on my plate and can not take on any additional.
Hurray for you for using "NO". At our retirement we should be able to do what we want to do. Rant any time.

I hear you loud and clear. My friend had the nerve to bring some towels to me and say " I need you to put initials on these". That was 5 days before Christmas, had a new machine AND I do not make things for people that tell me I need to. Just told her I was to busy with dh and my Mom and she hasn't asked me again. But, get this, she still has those towels and I am not going to do them! Rant all you need to and be happy with yourself when you say "No". Hugs..Carol

What part of NO don't they understand... Good on you. "))

Thank you for ranting. I empathize completely. My friend who wouldn't even look at my pieces really wanted one of the tea light flowers, I told her to make it herself. She was surprised when I said that, and I hope she thinks about how I felt when she dissed my work.

Jun 29, 2013 - You rant all you want - we have all been in this position. I hate to say no, but I have so many projects of my own I want to do and "retirement" takes so much time! Most understand that I don't want the responsibility of "spoiling" an item they really love - and I am an amature after all. Unfortunately, others will behave badly. I really loved haleymax's idea to "be like a duck and let it slide off your back like rain". Please know that you can voice your thoughts with the Cuties and we will understand.

Another aspect to this is some others think that because we are retired, we have nothing else to do. We DO have a life! Hugs. Nan

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by yvonnevanwerkhoven 30 Jun 2013

AMEN

I'm with you all he way. I have learned to say NO. Saves so much mental stress when you do something you don't want to do. Can't wait for retirement. The thought of doing what I really want is wonderful. Forget those people who get ugly. Tell then that they can always do the embroidery the old fashion way - by hand.

It is your right to say NO. I have a small business and need the money so I make most of the time custom-made things. It's not really creative if you doing the tenth pink lamp with the same motif but this brings in the money. So I wish you so much fun with being creative and let all your love flow in your crafty stuff :o)
Greetings, Bettina

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Congratulations on having learnt to say no as many have not. You have every right to feel as you do and I think many others will relate to what you have said. You could always suggest that they buy their own machines. Keep having fun and enjoying yourself

Rant as much as you like. Congratulations on being able to say "no"!

You go girl, I am right there with you. Retirement is our time to share as we choose. Enjoy

I agree....want to do what I want when I want..

I know what you mean. I find myself shopping in bookstores, fabric stores, office supplies, etc., and somehow people find me and ask if I would do something for them. I don't know them; I find it hard to explain that it costs my time, supplies, and can be expensive and no matter what they would be willing to pay, wouldn't cover the costs. I made christening gowns for loved ones' babies and they told me I could start a business. The gowns I make take hours and hours to make and noone would pay for what it takes for me to make them. I would have to charge something like $450 for each one. Do you think anyone would pay that?! So, hang in there! Handmade shows love and shouldn't be slave labor. LOL

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by kanny 29 Jun 2013

Totally understand your rant! what I do is my hobby I live and breath to sew, mostly create. My biggest hate is people asking to mend or alter their stuff hate doing my own so why would I want to do others. They assume I love doing this stuff NOT I love to create not mend.

by sbott54 29 Jun 2013

I always laugh and say something like, "You're asking, 'Would you ask Michaelangelo to paint your garage?'" and that gets them to the hmmm stage. Then I laugh and say what you just said; I don't hem or mend my own, why would I do yours?!

Sorry that someone has rained on your embroidery parade, but know that no matter what we do when we do it well others want us to do it for them for little pay. Be a duck and let it run off your back as if it was rain. I hope that tomorrow is a better day for you.

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by graceandham 29 Jun 2013

Quack, quack. Be a duck - I love that!

Good on you for finding NO.
I am a mom with 3 small children, 2 of whom are disabled and daily I am asked 'can you just...' being young and having a mortgage and only husbands income, it's so hard to turn away paying work but its exhausting being up nightly until the early hours sewing and digitizing after the kids go to bed, then starting my day at 6 when my oldest wakes...I hear you, rant away x

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by ansalu 29 Jun 2013

Oh yes I know this :o)
Have to cut curtains for a friend and it is much harder to do than even I thought cause the fabric is heavy and slippery. Happy when I have done this job. I have a small business and I will do this for money but I cannot charge her all the time I really need for this. That's the advantage of selling on a plattform with foreign people: You can say your the "real price" and they could take it or leave it ;-)

AND I LOVE ALL THE CUTIES sites and designs and postings and have found SEWWWWWWWWWW much help and ideas here):):)