Please don't TELL me to sell my quilts!

[a1angiem]

A snappy answer? Close to what Jean told you.

I would tell your MIL "I know! You have told me that several times, so I am hoping you like this one well enough to purchase it. I'm asking $750 and will take cash or a personal check."

That's good Sandy!

[sewgray]

Quit showing her your quilts and avoid the subject when she is there. I wouldn't sell my either, but I love giving them away.

[cyndiofthevortex]

I know exactly what you mean. I also get a lot of "who is that for" from friends but not from family. My family knows that I make quilts because I am a quilter and that's what quilters do! We love it! It is our therapy, our passion, our art.

I have sold a few quilts and quilt tops and you know what I call them? "Regret Quilts." I almost always regret what I sell. I do love to give them away, though. I am also NOT going to agree ever again to making someone a quilt. I might do it anyway, but if I don't get to it right away I call it a "Guilt Quilt."

One idea I use is to say, "I won't be around forever and maybe a future grandchild or great-grandchild will love to have a quilt from me." This is really true. Wouldn't you love a quilt made by a great-grandmother or great-aunt? I envy those who have inherited quilts and I hope to leave enough quilts that that can be true of my family as well.

[kelliedi]

I got this from my MIL last night. What is it with the MIL's? I was told not to let my "hobby" take over my life and that maybe i should be doing something else with my time and I shouldn't put pressure on myself to make a quilt, blah, blah, blah, whatever.

Sometimes , ok alot, quilting is my escape. Sometimes my life just plain sucks, quilting helps me work through some things so that I'm not so emotional about something and see solutions in a logical way.... and then sometimes I just like a piece of pretty fabric, something pretty that I can touch and feel.

ok stepping off the soapbox... after all, I'm preaching to the choir. Going to work on a quilt that I have SOLD that has become a PIA....

kellie

[RiverMomm]

In her own way, she is giving you the ultimate compliment. She is not devaluing your time or talent but rather she thinks your quilts are so good that people would buy them. Not a hobby quilt (like mine-full of mistakes, bad choices and a big learning curve), but a quilt that is beautiful, well made and worth buying. She is telling you that you do good! Smile!

[Granny Judy]

We all get those types of comments after showing off our creations.. And our members here have given you some great advise and "come-backs", so I won't try to match anything they have advised.. Just know that we love your work and as a hobby it is fantastic way to "relax and let off steam"......

I once told an ex mother in law... well I could try to collect empty wine bottles, but I'd have to drink what was in them... (psst-she was very religious and didn't let liquor in her house)

[GrammaBabs]

Right on Sandy... mine would probably be a lot more crude... (well, not really,,, she is the MIL,, and i had the best, so family is family)... Angie is a sweet lady,,, i can tell from her baking video, and just being here..check her out on YouTube!!

That being siad... i've been there and done that so many time... and HAVE sold thngs... to people at rediculously low prices... because i KNOW they haven't a clue about it all... and wanted them to have it... I've even made thngs for people and they asked if they said..."can i tell them i made it"???? I say "sure"... whatever,,, you learn so much about people when they view and comment on your work.... really!!!
So here's my standard now....#WHEN THE PRESSURES ON, THE FUN IS GONE!!!
I live in a retirement comm... about 900 homes.. we are a great group... have 2 craft fairs per year.. i make things all year... (anything i feel like, just to try, or just to use up stuff).... then i have a table.. and put silly low prices on stuff... i sell most of it... and people love to shop... it's grab what you like... NO,,, i don't take orders... NO, you will not see another one... all is ONE of a kind... just whatever tickles my fancy...
And Angie... I would rather eat Cheerios and Noodles (note the carb coma food)... than get "paid what it's worth", or try to deal with a customer....
OH,, and ps.. when my kids were little and i stayed home with them,,, i made clothes for people,,, blocked and finished sweaters... hemmed pants... all of it.. and had comments like... ""oooo,,, could it be just a little longer,,, or could you press that again,,, or how about 3 of these in Pink!!!!.... All that ended up raking in about 25cents an hr.... in real time... but i was home with my kids and bought my DH his first Christmas Present (5bucks)... cause' i had to pay for it myself...
Sorry to babbel.. but i totally get where your coming from... Don't let her comment get to you SHE really doesn't know what she's saying!!!!

[K. McEuen]

I've had people ask me why I don't sell them. I simply tell them that no one would want to pay the cost.Then I list fabric, batting, thread and approximate labor cost and ask if they want to buy a quilt for $400 or more. They don't normally ask again.

My brother in law always said about most all my craft stuff "You should sell this. Go into business." It wasn't him being pushy, it was him being excited about what I did. He even offered to set me up in business at one point. But when something becomes a "job" to me, it loses a lot of it's appeal.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Makes me think twice about wanting to start my own business. Maybe I'll just do it all for fun and have a pile of quilts in the corner.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

A snappy answer? Close to what Jean told you.

I would tell your MIL "I know! You have told me that several times, so I am hoping you like this one well enough to purchase it. I'm asking $750 and will take cash or a personal check."

Birds of a feather snap back together.