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THEM:
Could you make me one of those?
How much would you charge to make me a (dress, top or pants)?
I need dress for a (graduation, wedding, or some other special occasion) I'm attending next week
How long would it take you to whip one up for me?
ME: Standing, mouth open, speechless!
Oh yeah and here's a new twist:
I can sew, but my machine is broken. Can't afford a new machine right now, thought maybe you'd make me a dress.
MY THOUGHTS: Hmmmm, maybe it would be cheaper for you to go ahead and buy a machine darling.
RECENT TEXT MESSAGE WITH ATTACHED PICTURE: Love this shirt! Can you make it happen for me?
ME: Oops, accidentally deleted that one.
Oh my goodness, I might sew for the public one day but between pulling 8.25 hours five days a week, and the little bit of sewing I manage to get done for myself, there;s just no time left. Not right now, maybe later.
What types of sewing requests do you get???
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Paying Homage to Black Pattern Designers...
...for years February has been set aside as a special time to learn about and recognize accomplishments of African Americans and other peopl...
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... Debbie Cook (stitchesandseams) posted a set questions on her blog today. I found them interesting, so of course I participated. Lynne...
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...for years February has been set aside as a special time to learn about and recognize accomplishments of African Americans and other peopl...
1. Did you make that one? When they are referring to an ill fitting piece of RTW I threw on.
ReplyDelete2. Do you sew for others? would love to someday but not at the last minute or for someone not willing to pay the true value of my time.
3. My oldest daughter loves to send me pictures of things she would like. I know tell her find the fabric.
4. Why don't you were your new... to work it looked great in your FB picture? Well it precious to me and I really don't want one of my students to think they can write on it, pull it or in anyway destroy it.
5. How hard is it to take out/make bigger this ....I bought? Um well standard RTW seem allowances are ½ inch so thats not an easy fix. Besides I really don't do alterations.
What about can you take this size 20 plus and taper it down to a 16 regular. Rather stick my finger down my throat.
DeleteI once got a request like that once. She was asking me to reduce a dress size 24 to 18. Hehehe my response was "I'm sorry I don't do alterations" Alterations takes twice the time of sewing afresh.
DeleteHow bout it? I Had someone tell me they have a brand new sewing machine in a box, and if only someone would help them set it up? Really......get the book out like I do or go on You Tube. I hate to admit it but actually get annoyed when people ask me. If they knew the amount of time spent to make something (and the research of learning a new technique)..........
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I left my coverstitch in the box for at least three months because I was scared of it. When I did get around to taking it out, the thing was already threaded and there was nothing left to do but place some fabric under the pressure foot and hit the foot control. But at least I didn't call for help.
DeleteI get annoyed to, Eileen, but at this point most acquaintances and friends no better than to ask. The answer is the same. NO.
ReplyDeleteI'm not strong with my NO's. I often say yes and them HATE myself afterwards.
DeleteMe too Faye.. SO hard to say no.
DeleteLike Bunny, people know me well enough not to even ask.
ReplyDeleteI sew for me. I am enjoying sewing for DD and hope to one day get her interested. I sew for my friend's toddler. The hubby just asked me to make him more pillowcases "even though you don't like sewing rectangles" and my son asked for pj pants.
I have no desire to sew for money. I know me and it would suck the joy right out of it. I'll keep amassing stash and having fun! ;)
I think sewing for money would wreck the joy too. But who knows??? I might have to do just that one day.
DeleteI've been known to tell people I'll show them how to do it themselves. And I've also told them that's the only way they can get something without paying for it.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, my standard answer is 'Alterations South. I'm told they do good work at a reasonable price.'
People who would never think about asking someone to come over and do their dishes or fold their laundry or mow their yard will think they're doing you a favor to offer you the opportunity to hem their pants. And get offended when you say no. Unbelievable.
I've used the "I'll be glad to teach you" quote too. It always receives silence. I also send quite a lot of business to our local "Irene's Custom Alteration Shop". Irene should be paying me a fee. hahaha
DeleteI don't know why this came to mind--the old proverb about teaching a man to fish. If you offer to teach them to sew ... (hold on now) would they disappear? "Oh..ain't nobody got time for that" most would probably say. Well what makes you think I do (have the time to whip up something for you)? I'm wondering how many could actually be encouraged to learn a new skill? I've encountered that from other sewists, so I decided to take lessons and teach myself. I'm not where I want to be, but I can make wearable clothing.Through formal lessons and lots of encouragement, I became the one who actually followed through.
ReplyDeleteYou are a rarity, most people act like they don't even want to learn. Yes, there is an awfully big learning curve when starting out, but oh so worth it after you do learn.
DeleteYeah....and I tell them the second Tuesday of next week is when I can make it. The look on their face is priceless. I do cave into my daughters though, but sometimes have to tell them no.
ReplyDeleteI've used the term "Neverary" before. They just laugh at me when I do.
DeleteI received basically every question posted here in my over 40 years of sewing and some! I've broken down in the past and sewn for others ( outside my family & friends). Now at this age, I don't want to devote that valuable time to someone else unless I am well compensated for it...at this point, the request is usually very quickly retracted! Great post Faye!
ReplyDeleteSewing is such a labor of love. I know because I've actually SUFFERED through many a project to completion. I do love people, but my time is so very limited.
DeleteMy sister-in law (whom you may know, so please keep this between us) flatters me effusively when she tries to convince me to sew something for her. "You're so good! You can make this in no time" "Don't sell yourself short! You can make anything!" Blah blah blah. My response is: "Sewing is a hobby for me. You'd be happier with a professional."
ReplyDeleteI don't think I know your sisterinlaw, but she's so blessed to have married your "FINE" brother (just between me and you - lol). Lady, I'm not selling myself short; I'm saving myself a lot of heartache.
DeleteI always tell people they can't afford me. If they push, I give them a price that is so high that if they take me up on it, I would happily do it. Who wouldn't make a set of pillowcases in cotton fabric for $150? Sewing is my hobby, not something I do to make money.
ReplyDeleteI'd have a straight production line going if I could make $150 for a set of cotton pillowcases. Would never go to be on Friday or Saturday night. I'd keep my job however because I do love it so much!
DeleteI just joke about it, usually. Sure. I'll make you a blouse if you'll scrub down my kitchen and make me dinner tomorrow. How's that sound? Then, you'd just owe me the balance, which would be about $xxx. How does that sound? Then, we both laugh.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI actually use to have a friend who cooked my dinner, cleaned the kitchen afterwards and even baby sat in exchange for my sewing for her. Our bartering had to end though when this guy asked me for a date and she horned in "sorry she can't because she has to sew for me tonight". Brought a screeching halt to the sewing friendship!
DeleteWow Linda! What a great topic and love all the comments your post generated. They're all good answers and some I've used myself. I used to do alterations for 7 or so years and I HATED IT! My enjoyment of sewing for self really suffered. I am with all of you, this is my personal hobby and only for my personal enjoyment! All people who want us to sew something for them should seriously learn to sew and see for themselves all that is involved. Love it or Leave it alone!
ReplyDeleteCecil
I actually wouldn't mind doing it, but where am I supposed to find the time????
ReplyDeleteLol Faye, I do not sew for people takes the fun right out of sewing. I have very limited sewing time even though i've been told I'm selfish I only sew for myself and those I love dearly.
ReplyDeleteI have REALLY missed seeing your posts Tanya, but I know you are busy with your grand babies. Thanks for looking in.
DeleteI saw this on Facebook, which Kadiddlehopper (Katie) posted. Asking a seamstress to hem pants is like asking Michelangelo to paint the garage. I thought that was perfect!
ReplyDeleteI know right! I really want people to learn to hem their own pants.
DeleteI'll reluctantly sew for my daughters, but I usually require them to join in, or at least keep me company. My new daughter in law wanted to learn to sew last year, so I bought her a sewing machine for Christmas, and spent 3 days with her, teaching her to use it and playing with it. Now she has hew own little Etsy shop selling decorator items! I am so proud! As for anyone else, I would never sew for anyone, just like everyone else who has answered you.
ReplyDeleteDaughters quite often do not get bitten by their Mother's sewing bug. My daughter (claims) that she can't even sew on a button. I think it's lovely that your daughter in law has taken off with sewing and is capitalizing on it as well.
DeleteI love this post! I must say I am a greedy sewer. I love sewing for myself because I can sew at my own pace. Alteration are very tedious, time consuming and boring! I've found that doing alterations for most people go unappreciated. So I'll just sew for myself!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteperson who knows I sew: can you make *insert garment here* for me?
ReplyDeleteme: You can't afford me.
This usually shuts the conversation down!
I must admit, I cringe when someone ask if I made the garment I am wearing. Because I know what the next question will be. My usual response is its cheaper to buy it from the store.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I get pretty much the same comments from people I know (co-workers mostly) :)
ReplyDeleteI always tell them the same: "you wouldn't pay the price I'd be asking for"
I actually rarely sew or knit for anyone outside of my family because most don't appreciate or understand how much work/time goes into each garment. People are so use to buying cheap RTW junk that they think for an extra $10 they will get a custom-made-one-of-a-kind-perfect-fitting-outfit from me ... have I got news for them! NO WAY!!! My other pet annoyance is when my non-sewing friends make it clear they are not interested in my blog, or sewing chitchat ... until they want something mended or changed ... now who's not interested?!? ... J
ReplyDeleteGreat, great post. I enjoyed reading all the comments, too.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great blog post..
ReplyDeleteI do sew for other people, other than my family [occasionally]..I really get conned into doing it.. My hubby tells me all the time, "If you would put a real high price on the job, They would never worry you with sewing for them again." ha
And I hate when someone comes up to me, and ask me to mend their clothes? Please.....I hate to mend my own clothes.. That is why I have a basketful of mending that needs to be done.ha.
I hate when friends ask you to sew.. so hard to say no.. and they make comments like," You are so fast, it won't take you no time" yes...it does, and my time is precious too.. Please don't try to make my hobby, a non-fun hobby... eeeh. I have even had them say,,"since you love sewing so much.. I am going to bring you this,this,this item to sew for me.. and show up with a bag of sewing. I am so dumb, I don't know how to say no.. ha