meg_marsh Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 I agree with the advise of those above. It is unfortunate that your friend took such liberties with your time and skills. To me, that is the most difficult part of this situation. You will have to talk to her & make sure she understands that this is no favor to you!!! As to the quilt - I would give it back unless the customer comes to you personally and you are able to agree (in writing) to terms you are comfortable with including price, batting, thread, design, time frame of work, etc. Even though you are not in business, you will have to treat this job as a business venture & then keep track of all your expenses and time involved. I am not in business and don't plan to be, but occasionally, someone will ask me to do a quilt. Fine. I keep track of everything and give them a copy so they can be sure that all is fair and properly priced. They are very appreciative. No contracts are involved, but I am very careful. If I ever do go into business, I want everything on the up and up and make sure that all involved - past and present - are happy. Don't get yourself in a bad situation. If you do go into business, bad situations now (no matter how innocent) can come back to bite you............. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 16, 2009 Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Sandra--put the top in it's bag and put it in a closet. Do not stress over it for one more second. Write down the date of your emails to both your friend and the phantom customer. Put it with the top. When someone replies (obviously at their leisure) you can drag it out and then go from there, with proof that you did try to contact them. (I love the sampler you posted on a separate thread! Do some more stuff for you and forget about the added anxiety of this un-asked for and perhaps un-quiltable top.) Just another of my many two-cents worth. Fageddaboutit! Not your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks for the input, Meg and Linda. Linda, I took your advise about doing more stuff for me, so I picked a giant zuchini from my husband's garden and made two loaves of zuchini nut bread! It is cooling now. Yum! Now, I guess I better get started making dinner. The sooner we eat dinner, the sooner I can have my dessert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 $40.00 you have to be kidding!!! My minimum charge is $50.00 (even for friends). Baltiks aren't the easiest fabrics to quilt and if she hasn't washed the fabrics, well you know where I'm going with this. Ditto on all the other advice given here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted August 17, 2009 Report Share Posted August 17, 2009 Hi Sandy, I hope that the zucchini bread was yummy, we've had so much rain up here that my veg garden is almost non-existent this year! I agree with all of the great advice that you've gotten so far, keep a log of the phone messages and e-mails and go do your own quilts! Be happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Kim... The zuchini bread was/is delicious. Our veg garden is almost gone, too. way too much rain this summer. (: Well, I did get a return e-mail from this lady today. She just wants it finished for a baby shower. I decided to tackle this and so far, so good. I sewed a 6 inch strip of muslin to the narrow sides so I could clamp to it. The fabrics were not washed. This was a kit from Keepsake Quilting - Salt Water Taffy. It's very pretty...but yes, batiks! I am using Sew Fine pink # 418 on the back and Rainbows # 807 - Seashell on the top. She insisted on a variegated thread and my Liberty likes Rainbows much better than Tut. She also wanted a very thin batting..my choice. I picked up QD Green in the crib size which was perfect. I had to frog about 6 inches on my first pass, but after that I am good....so far. I sent her an e-mail tonight to say I would have it finished for Wednesday evening, and there was an additional $5.00 charge for the muslin and my time to attach it (took about 15 minutes). The batting is exactly what I paid, including tax. I also had a "chat" with Liz..my friend, and let her know that I know she was trying to help, but it is much better if I talk directly to people and make my own decision. I explained the position she put me in, and that I seriously considered not quilting this and just returning the bag as is. This is MY hobby. In the future, that is exactly what I will do, I explained. She understood that I was upset about the situation and she said she will not get involved again. One can only hope! I'll post pictures later in the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBQLTN2 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Sandra So glad that she called and you were able to get it worked out and glad you set your friend straight on who makes your quilting decisions as well. Sounds like you handled it very well for everyone involved. Congrats!!:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Sandra, Looks like all is working out - am very glad for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Sandra, I'm soooo glad this worked out for you.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Thanks ladies. I appreciate your support. The quilting is finished now and looks great. The tension behaved...whew!!! I was concerned about getting it perfect with the unwashed batiks and the thin batting, but it looks good. The Sew Fine and Rainbows are a terrific combination on my Liberty and I was able to use colors that melted together - no huge contrasts to see pokies. The Dream Green batting was very nice to work with. This was the first time I tried it and I like it. For this quilt I would have prefered a natural fiber, but she wanted very thin batting and didn't care if it was poly or natural, and this was what I had available that was thin. I have a guild meeting tonight, so I told her Wednesday it would be available. I'll let you know what she says when I give it to her. I'll try to remember to take pictures, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Yay for you Sandy! My Millie has always liked Rainbows or Highlights with So Fine in the bobbin but since it's tune up and repair out at the factory it likes Bottom Line and King Tut more now too! I'm looking forward to see this quilt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boni Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 It sounds like this one turned out good. So nice to hear of successes. I'll be waiting to hear what she says, and see the pictures. Good Job Sandra! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 I'm so glad this situation worked out for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 I too am happy all went well....and as you said let's hope it doesn't happen again.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I met my mystery lady last night when I dropped off the quilt at her house (not my meddling friend's house). She said she loved it and was so excited to get it back this quickly. I took some pictures of the quilt before I delivered it. There they are: This picture shows an overview of the quilt. Notice the 5" muslin strips sewn to the two sides. The backing was only 2 inches wider than the top. That made it impossible to clamp th the backing. The muslin made it all possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 A close up: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Another close up: This one shows the top on the right, so what you see is about 1 inch of the backing (pink) and a little batting (QD Dream Green) and the muslin on the left side. There wasn't very much wiggle room. but it did work out. Whewww! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Great quilting and great outcome for a sticky situation! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 The last picture is the quilt trimmed 1" from the edge of the top...at her request. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Thanks, Linda. I'm really glad it is finished and delivered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBQLTN2 Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 So glad that it all worked out in the end and you did a great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Well, to me, that texture just made that quilt. I love brights but your quilting just made it come alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted August 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Thanks, Jeanne & Sylvia. I'm so glad she liked it. I was a wreck worrying about this quilt, but it was a good experience for me that turned out in a very positive way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 It turned out great....and yes, I too am glad there wasn't a bigger train wreck than you had figured on..... glad this is over for you, and now I know what I will quilt on mine IF I ever get to it...its still in dimes and pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Sandra it came out great and I'm glad the gal was happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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