ffq-lar 3,533 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 I've been burned recently concerning donation quilting. Here is my new policy sheet for donation quilting. "Donation of quilting services cannot be used by the quilter as a business tax deduction--per state and federal law. Since this offering is a true donation, my name as the quilter must be included on the label of the quilt. Any media/print/internet advertisement that mentions the maker(s) of the quilt by name must also include my name as the quilter. Any monies or objects of value collected for this quilt through raffle, auction, outright sale, or barter must go to a verifiable non-profit group. The possible tax deduction taken by the donor of the quilt must not include the value of the quilting. Please sign and date below." Big trouble in Linda-land---but it won't happen again!!:mad: 4 LindaSteller, LeannM, Quilt fabulous and 1 other reacted to this Linda Rech Finely Finished Quilts Millennium on Bliss rails--hand-guided http://www.topperquilttools.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoseCity Quilter 569 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Did someone take advantage of you? Shame on them..... Quilting from the Heart APQS Millenium, Circle Lord equipped, hand guided and lov'n it!!! http://rosecityquilter.wordpress.com/ http://qfth.ca Quilting From the Heart is on Facebook! RoseCity Quilter is also on Facebook!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
queenie123 18 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 You Go Girl !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aleksich 78 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Shame on them:mad: Ult.1 "Live every day, like you were dieing" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deb2bie 2 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 I like it!!! I too have been burned!!!! Debbie Cadwallender APQS Sales-Service-Education Central Michigan 517-304-6954 afinishedquilt@tds.net www.die-ingtoquilt.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffq-lar 3,533 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Originally posted by Ardelle Kerr Did someone take advantage of you? Shame on them..... I'll just share that I will be sending a registered letter tomorrow to a "friend" who did something creative with a quilt I had expected to be in a charity silent auction. The letter contains the words "misrepresentation", "misappropriation of funds", and "small claims court". If I see any cash, I'll donate to the charity it was originally meant to benefit. "Don't mess with me, I'm somebody's mother. I've taken on much tougher than you." Lyrics from one of my favorite songs! 7 GMALKB, quiltingjoyful51, whitepinesquilter and 4 others reacted to this Linda Rech Finely Finished Quilts Millennium on Bliss rails--hand-guided http://www.topperquilttools.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
queenie123 18 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 ....thats not a friend ...just an aquaitance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Linda S Report post Posted September 4, 2012 I don't blame you one bit, Linda. I stopped doing QOVs when I realized that some of them were never being sent -- especially when I saw one of them that I did in a show, without any credit to me as the quilter. I've since resumed doing some QOVs, but it's for a group that meets specifically to make quilts for the soldiers and I trust these women very much. Sorry to hear you also had a bad experience. Go get 'em. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Janette 146 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Some people just can't help themselves can they? I am glad that you are sending out a letter... You are generous to donate your quilting time, I have only ever discounted my time a little for charity quilts, although I did have a QOV quilt bought to me and they expected me to quilt it for free - it is not that common over here in the UK to have a QOV quilt but a UK branch does exist I believe. Anyway she would have had a 15% discount for her first quilt with me so I just gave a 20% discount, quilted a very quick panto over it, although I have to say there was never any "proof" it was a QOV quilt Lenni 2009 on IQ carriage with edgerider wheels and 2012 Lucey on bliss www.j-quilts.co.uk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quilting Heidi 1,395 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Go Linda go! That is a shame that somebody would take advantage of your generosity but it takes all kinds to make the world go around. Quilting 4 U http://community.webshots.com/user/merrih2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Primitive1 773 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Good for you Linda! I am so sorry that someone abused your generosity but I also think it is good to show them that you mean business and won't be taken advantage of again! Quilters are usually such kind people, it is a shame that someone did something so selfish to you! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sewmanyquiltssewlittletime/ Proud Millie Owner! Sew Many Quilts - Sew Little Time Custom Long Arm Quilting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ToManyQuilts 3 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 I would also add that the request donation is in writing with the IRS determination letter, in x amount of time before the quilting is needed and you limit your donations to x many a year. or Donation requests need to be in by x date and quilted during x time --what ever slow time you have. although you can deduct your time you can deduct thread and any other costs like the cost of the machine during that time. talk to your accountant about that. I would get an receipt for your donation as well, with the value of the quilting on it. Susan Ultimate II RI http://community.webshots.com/user/NanaBlueQuilts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrandmaLKB 222 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Isn't it sad that even in trying to do good and donate, we get ripped off ???? APQS Millenium and Quiltazoid Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustSewSimple 596 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 A few years back I had a lady call in a "panic" who needed a charity quilt done ASAP! We talked and I found out the "Charity" was her daughter's ritzy private school!!! What?? You stick to your guns, Missy, and let us know how this turns out! This is a lesson for all of us!!!!:mad: Just Sew Simple Sylvia Blissett APQS Freedom '09 "Stitch" Circle Lord 2010 “"Until one has loved an animal, Part of their soul remains unawakened.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
delld 2,029 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 As I told my children and tell my grandchildren, " You can only control yourself and not others! Take pride in what and how you do anything!" It is sad that many don't ! And thank God that so many more try!!!!! Dell 2016 Millie Frannie Ann Jr. with Bliss & she is Quiltaziod and Circle Lord Equipped with lots of Quilting Toys and now has Quilt Path! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandra Darlington 116 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 That's really an outrage! I like and admire how you are taking control of the matter in such a professional way. I was almost "suckered" by a Guild member when I first started my business. 1) She wanted to help me out. 2) She said she had a few "donation" quilts that she would let me practice on. 3) She had one with her, hoping to give it to me at the meeting. I told her I appreciated the opportunity, but I had a pile of my own quilts that I would be practicing on, plus I had my LA for 2 years prior to starting the business. Then I found out that her "donation" quilts were made from fabric that people "donated" to her, then the quilting would be "donated" to her, and then she would "donate" the quilt(s) to her friends/family wrapped in birthday paper. What a wonderful gift! I was appalled by her blatant deception. I overheard her thanking a newer LA quilter in our guild for the quilting she did on her donation quilts. I really wanted to say something, but I bit my tongue and stayed out of it. Sandra Darlington Darlington Quilts 2005 APQS Liberty, Circle Lord Enhanced sandradarlington@aol.com or DarlingtonQuilts@Gmail.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shar Schmutz 64 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 I tried to do the right thing and quilt charity quilts for the Community Service branch of the local guild. Then I got members asking me to donate quilting and batting for this or that charity. I did them, some were raffle quilts others were to be used by patients at the local hospice facility. To my knowledge they were all used as charity quilts in one way or another. Then the other shoe fell... I was asked to do QOV's, and other types of cancer fund raising quilts. I did them, in fact posted a couple here on the forum. When these ladies came to drop off or pick up they yammered on and on about a quilt they were making for a friend or grandaughter etc. I thougt well that's great they will be bringing me regular quilting to do for them, but noooo they had the brass to stand in my studio and tell me who they were taking those quilts to to be quilted! I just could not believe it so I asked why they didnt' take their charity work to their regular quilter and the response was they are too busy to do free quilting!! Ok my dander was up so I politely let them know I was done with charity quilting if it does not bring me business in the future. I then contacted the chairwoman for the Community Service branch of the guild and let her know I would quilt two a month for Hospice only and I would only accept them from her. Since then I have only recieved one from that group, I know Hospice in my area will only accept machine quilted quilts for use in their facilities because they are laundered so often. I am happy to be on my own as far as charity quilts go, it brought me nothing but heartburn for trying to do a good deed. We need to be vigilant about this touchy issue. I was working like crazy to fit those charity quilts into my schedule, and to be taken advantage of in that manner was like being mugged. 1 quiltingjoyful51 reacted to this Shar Schmutz www.CottonCandyQuilting.com Blissed Millennium Owner Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BagLadyQuilting 0 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Now that hurts, but you handled the situation well . . . Marilynn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Linda G. Craig 36 Report post Posted September 4, 2012 Amazing how people will take advantage of others. I can't help wondering why. Do others not take quilters seriously? Do they not think of LAing as a viable business, where time is money? Do they think a business run out of our home is not a "real" business, that we don't have a "real" job? Good for you for taking the bull by the horns and sticking to your guns! Love to hear what the outcome is. Proud Owner of 2009 Millie Bliss & Quiltazoid Friendly We cannot change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAQuilts 8 Report post Posted September 14, 2012 I do my share of charity quilting and this was suggested to me by another longarmer when I started my business many years ago. Depending on the size of the quilt I offer to provide free or 1/2 price on batting for all charitable quilting I do. I require my customer to provide me upon pick-up of the quilt a Bus. card, reciept, letterhead, statement or advertisement of the event on this it must state or the customer needs to write the name of the chairperson and phone #, plus the date of event. I also make the customer who picked up the quilt to write their name, address and phone # on the paper. By doing this I can take a legal Tax deduction for the batting without any worry. Plus it sure weeds out those that are dishonest; I've heard some excuses, but they never ask again. I do buy batting wholesale so it costs me very little as I use up my pieces whenever I can, I never feel bad cuz I'm getting my full quilting & thread charge, I never worry or stress weather it's legitiment or that maybe I'm being taken advantage of, that would become my customers IRS problem if it's not because I do take the tax deduction and they know it. I never discuss with the customer that some people cheat I simply state this is what my CPA requires and I would love to do the quilt for them if they provide me with the details that my CPA requires. Terry 1 JeannieB reacted to this Happy Quilting Terry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mestuart 7 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 I'm sorry this kind of thing has to happen, I've done a few charity quilts, but not many. You have given us good food for thought. I'm proud of the way you' ve stood up to "being used" this way. Happy Stitching in the future. M Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mamu 144 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 It is important that we protect ourselves from those that would use our talents to further their own agenda's. I have to say that I do quilt QOV quilts. I will only do these when they come directly from the organization. I also will only quilt red/white/blue patriotic themed quilts from them. There are many, many quilters that say the quilts are QOV that are NOT associated with this organization. It saddens me to hear of quilters that have tried to quilt QOV to find out that they were not awarded to our soldiers, and then be soured by the experience enough to not want to continue to quilt QOV. My only suggestion on this is to report this activity to the organization/district heads as they certainly would want to know and probably would do what ever they could to stop this activity. I have also quilted for local charities for friends that I am well associated with and know what the charity is for. I have had no problems, so far. I do NOT quilt for the local guild and their charities. I have found out that they are not that particular as to where the quilts go and as some that have commented here, the quilts ended up with friends/family members. 1 LeannM reacted to this Laura my.doterra.com/naturespoweroils Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ffq-lar 3,533 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 This is an old post unearthed by a spam posting. To update, the woman referred to in my original post was surprised and stunned when I mailed her my new policy sheet about donation quilting. When we next spoke she was very defensive and acted like she didn't know why I had sent her the info. I don't want to go into detail but she had managed to trade the quilt supposedly meant for charity for something else of value, which she kept for herself. I let her know I expected to be paid for the job I did and planned to donated the fee to the original charity. She said she would do that herself, but I don't believe her. So not only did she lose me as a quilter but she knows that I know--and wonders if I'll be sharing this story at guild or with my quilty buddies. I still do charity quilting--mostly for my guild. But never again for a single customer unless they can prove to me the quilt is actually for charity. (I have a QOV coming in January.) Linda Rech Finely Finished Quilts Millennium on Bliss rails--hand-guided http://www.topperquilttools.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zora 317 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 Ah yes, the charity quilt fiasco. I've been burned a little on the edges too. It amazes me how ethically challenged some people are. Yeah, I don't believe she donated to the charity either. I will do charity quilts at reduced rates for regular customers only. Too bad we can't trust everyone. Sad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeidiP 267 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 Linda, I appreciate that you share your beautiful quilting and also your quilting challenges. You're a great teacher! 2 JeannieB and Sharonarooni reacted to this Heidi Patterson APQS Blissed Millennium with Quilt Path APQS Sales Rep - Educator - Authorized Service Rep Boise, Idaho 208-861-5018 (cell) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites