My standard answer when asked to alter things is Sorry my machine doesn't do that kind of sewing , it is a quilting machine , just does quilting .

Just for your information, my friend in Auburn alters formal dresses all spring long and charges a minimum of $20 for adjusting the hem. Maybe that would be worth the effort, though not for me.

I even hate to do my own.

I never do any alterations as I learned from the past that no one is ever pleased with what you do. I just say that I do not do alterations. Yes , I do do my granddaughters and that is free.

Have been known to do alterations for my teenage grandchildren [who appreciate it] but get a bit nervous with anybody else, so usually make excuses. Love the post below about the quilting machine which only quilts [well I do know that these are in use, but suspect that this is an excuse too]

He he he! Love this post!! Love Chris

I think however much you show people what you do you will still get asked to hem pants and mend holes.

$5 !#!! The dress shops where these dresses are purchased want a minimum of $75. I just hemmed 2 prom dresses and they were needed in less than a week and as I was pinning the one young lady asked if I could add a slit. I told here I didn't know how to do that! I traded my services for cat/house sitting while we are on vaca for 2 weeks. Hugs. Nan W

That's like asking Picasso to paint your barn. LOL

Love it! I altered a wedding dress and only charged her $50 dollars because she was a friend of my daughter and her budget was tight.. Will never do that again! The hours I spent! I did tell her though that the alterations I made would have cost well over $200.00 in a shop. Now I have gotten myself into making new seat covers for my nephews popup trailer! Guess I'm going to have to learn the word no! he he he

It can be a slippery slope sometimes when you are working with other peoples clothing or other items...I hesitate sometimes to alter or embroider on anyone's items in the event that there is a "mistake" and it could ruin the item...then you are in a real pickle!

It's a hard place to be isn't it? I know I would like to help my friends out but don't want to take the chance of ruining something. I have finally figured out that if I tell them I know how to make almost anything but don't know how to "fix" things they are ok with that. I do love to make little-or sometimes big-gifts as a surprise and generally they are received with much happiness and thanks.

I'm with you........I will not do alterations or repairs unless I can slap a design over it.......

If you only charge 5 dollars, no wonder they want you to do it.

Do what you love or for who you love to do things for, and steer clear of the rest! Life is too short. Glad you passed! These types of people can spend so much money on these items and so easily seem to put items into others hands without understanding the risk they could be taking. Wise is the person to not let those tasks fall into their own hands when they have not the skill to be doing those things as a business, embroidery you are gifted, alterations may be quite another...having not seen your work ;) . Family can be an exception if desperate...but the phrase CAN BE , can also open a huge can of worms that can be very unpleasant! Glad you made this escape! Smile and enjoy your embroidery machine! Pam

I hate it even more when people add 'you are so crafty' in a voice that makes it sound both like a character fault of mine and an excuse for getting it free.
and I still fall for it now and again...

What annoys me is people who buy things that don't fit in the first place and think you can make it a perfect fit. These are people who don't sew and stand there and tell you it is just a matter of running it up there and shortening it here.
I once had a Woman from work get me to replace the zip in her skirt 3 times as they kept breaking even a Jeans zip went. She would not have it that the skirt was just too tight and that she had put on weight. Kept blaming bad zips.
Yet on the other hand I have a Lady who gets cross when I say how much and insists on paying at least half again of what I asked. It is just finding the good customers who appreciate your work.

You know what I don't like so much, is went you show someone a dress, or shirt that you have created, and ok I'm still a beginner so,everything isn't perfect yet.
But then you have people who really are looking for the faults to point then out to you.
Then I feel like asking if they also do this when they buy there own clothes in a store, because to be honest, when you look at clothes in a shop I do see sometimes lots of errors or things which are not sewed properly.