Why do people expect you to make them things?

[bookstorebabe]

That's terrible! The nerve-you spending your own money on supplies and working like a dog, and SHE was doing YOU a favor!! I'm glad she did finally pony up with a check, but still. And I hope your Etsy is a rousing success!

[ivoryh1632]

Thanks, I guess some people are just so self centered that they think everything they do is a gift to the world.

[BelovedGoddess]

Have been dropped in it again. 

My Niece in law from my husband's side asked my mother if she could sew her daughter an apron for an up coming school thing.  Mum said she couldn't but to ask me.  Mum mentioned it to me last week, I asked when they needed it was told not for a couple of weeks.  I said I could do it, thinking that she would talk to me about it, we are neigbours so it's not like she would be going out of her way to do so.

This morning (Saturday) there's a knock at the door, Niece is there, picture in hand of what she wanted made.  Pioneer style apron, nothing major I ask when it's needed get told Monday.  Now I know it's not going to take long but what about any plans I may have had for the weekend?  She is buying the fabric today, was told that she had so much to do that I needed to wait til she got back.  I say it's ok, then as she turned to leave she said "and I want the same for my other daughter". 

Now I don't mind doing these things but leaving it til practically the last minute before even talking to me about it is a tad annoying. 

[ivoryh1632]

Oh don't you know you're not supposed to ever have plans of your own? Gleesh, that's rediculous especially if she lives right by you.

[BelovedGoddess]

Oh don't you know you're not supposed to ever have plans of your own? Gleesh, that's rediculous especially if she lives right by you.

She didn't originally ask me because she had been told that I wouldn't make things for others, the one and only time I had refused a request was for my niece (her SIL), who wanted me to sew bridesmaid dresses.  I explained that I find sewing for weddings extremely stressful, that I would end up in hysterical tears.  Was even told by my husband to stop saying yes.  I don't mind doing little fun projects, just with more notice. 


I actually dropped myself into it even further - when she brought the fabric over I asked what the apron was supposed to be going over so I could get an idea of the length needed.  The reply was her school uniform because they didn't have anything that looked old fashioned.  Felt bad for my Great Niece seeing as she would be the only one in school uniform, actually know the feeling because I had memoried of it happening to me and how left out I felt.  Sooo after searching my pattern and fabric stash, I made a dress as well. 

After finishing the outfit, had just started working on the second apron, when they came over.  She looked adorable in the outfit and was so happy with it.  I told the 4 year old that she would get her apron today, she looked around and asked "where's my dress with flowers?".  Just how do you tell a 4 year old that she wasn't getting one?  The only problem being I didn't have any more suitable fabric.  Will look for more today.

Have to say I did enjoy the making of. 

[ivoryh1632]

That's always so hard when it for a kid but their parents are being jerks about it. At least you had fun making it.

[Poison_Of_Gull]

Wow, this is a super long thread and I love it. I know no one has posted in a while, but here goes.

People use to ask me to make them stuff all the time, but then I moved far away and all my new friends are crafty. We trade, or we don't ask at all. At least I know things I made for them would be loved and well cared for.

A bigger problem I have is the fact that I am a Nanny. Because I do child care, friends and relatives will expect me to take care of their children for free. Once in a while is fine. I enjoy brig around children. They are cute and silly and make me smile. But all the time? No way. I do this as a living, and I don't want to spend my off ours doing it for nothing. I have taken to saying "sure, that will be 13 dollars an hour, plus 2 dollars per additional child per hour. Plus 50 cents per mile I drive to get to your house." Usually they stop asking lol

For me my worst problem is people telling their children that I will make things for them. Not only do I feel awful when I have to say no, but the kid gets hurt feelings. A stuffed plushie takes days sometimes weeks to make, and with all the hand stitching I do, i cant promise it will last more than 30 minutes with an overly rough 6 year old.
 

[Momof2!]

This may not belong in this thread, but I just wanted to complain. It's really aggrevating when someone doesn't appreciate at all that you put thought and work into a gift instead of just buying something. I think that is why I like craft swaps so much. People understand how much time goes into every little thing. The lastest but NOT the only was the other day when I took my Mom a few bars of my cold process green tea and lemongrass soap. All I get was "That's a lot of trouble. I could go to Walmart and buy a whole pack for a couple bucks". Wow, thanks Mom 

[MareMare]

Some people totally don't understand cp soap! And most of them are in my family too lol! Oh well, the ones that love it, really love it, right!?

[Poison_Of_Gull]

That is so silly! Yes crafting takes time and effort way beyond the point of just buying something. But it is fun, and almost always of better quality. Also isn't it nice to know what is actually in your soap? Lol