Yesterday I was working on some ribbon flowers for handbag embellishing at DS#1's baseball practice. It's nice handwork that helps pass the time when practice gets a little dull at times. However, it was REALLY cold! I had on my old, junky coat that I save just for sitting on bleachers with my long, reversible Polarfleece cape over it for extra warmth. Everyone was freezing except for me. In fact, I didn't think it was too bad and I'm usually very cold all the time so my cape was doing the trick.
After practice, I'm walking to the car with my two boys and one of the moms gets back out of her car, walks over to me and asks, "Where did you buy that cape? I want one just like it!" I smiled at her and told her I didn't buy it anywhere, and that I made it--I sew a lot of my own clothes. Well she looked at me in amazement and she told me several times she wanted me to make one for her. It was a sweet moment I tell you :) .
I'll price it out for her. People are funny that way because they think something is cheap/inexpensive if it's handmade. They don't understand it doesn't work that way. I told her my cape is reversible, including the hood, (the pattern wasn't designed that way though) and it's made from name-brand Polarfleece, not the cheap stuff you buy at Walmart. Don't know if she understood that either. She *will* understand when I price everything out because Malden Mills fleece is not cheap and the cape is long--to my knees although it's kind of like a handerchief hem, not even all the way around. Double the price of the total fabric and notions and that's my fee charged. I'm sure she'll changer her mind :) .
Later on I'll try to post pics of my very luscious red alligator leather and my handwork items for handbag embellishing. *Try* is the operative word. Today is a VERY busy day for me.
Happy sewing!
7 comments:
I enjoyed your post. You received a nice complement about your cape. I also receive a lot of "can you make me one" or "can you make this for me". Since my time is limited and I prefer to sew my own clothes, my reply is often "I can show you how...I teach sewing". It will be interesting to see if you get a chance to sew another cape. :)
I would be sure to value your time in the price too! When I've told people just how much the materials cost, not even my time, for some of my knitting projects, they quickly backpedal from "ordering" one.
What a nice compliment, indeed. People who don't sew often have no idea how much time is involved and are shocked to get a realistic estimate that values your skill and time-investment. But you might be surprised. She might go for it! I once quoted a lady $300 for a King sized dust ruffle and she didn't even blink an eye. Wrote out the check and handed it to me like she was afraid I would change MY mind. :) :)
Kat,
I really enjoy reading your blog, so I nominated you for the Excellent Blog Award! Now you can spread the love to your favorites!
Jackie,
You made by day :)! I love reading your blog too. Now off to get my Excellent Awards list going while working on a new post.
Hi Kat, Congratulations on your nomination. What a great compliment. Sometimes they surprise you though.
Nice to get a compliment isn't it! Get going on the red leather purse - I am so sorry that I didn't get that red too! But I am happy with my bronze alligator.
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