Swamped

I haven't written for i while because I am swamped with daily life. I am leaving for a 7 week vacation in the US in less than 2 weeks. I had carefully planned all my activities and the childrens so I will have time to do everything in that time frame. Then a customer called that I had back in April. I was going to sew choir robes for 20 kids + 20 scarves in satin. She went off to but the fabric and I didn't hear from her again, Now she calls, a week ago to ask if I can have them done before christmas (which means before I leave!). I would have said no but I need the money (about 700 dollars) for my trip. So I sat at the overlock all day long and ran up all but 2. I figure I have 4-5 hours left finishing them on the machine. The scarves are just to fold in half the long way and sew, then turn and press. I would be sewing at night but we have tenants that live under the sewing machine so I will have to move my other activities to the night.

Happy sewing everyone!

Kirsten Sollie Heimdal, Norway

-- Kirsten H. Sollie Heimdal, Norway

Reply to
Kirsten H. Sollie
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MAN! That's some task at $35 a set! I hope you charged her for overtime!

Reply to
Poohma

Oh Kirsten! Isn't that just how people are? I know you will get them done. And I'm glad you will have a little more financial cushion for your trip. But I completely understand you feeling overwhelmed. I know I would be!! You'll get through just fine though. Remember to get the $$ when she picks them up! (I always worry that the unorganized ones will be slow to pay when they are really slow to get things to me!)

Where are you going on your trip? Gonna be in Indiana? :) I'm always happy to cook for others. So if you get this way, c'mon over. ;) Have a wonderful, wonderful time on your trip!!!

Sharon --

Reply to
mamahays

Kirsten H. Sollie's cat walked across a keyboard and came up with this:

Man, I would've charged her double for that time frame. What do they think we are, magicians or people with nothing else to do in our lives? I'm swamped in my own way, but I refuse get jerked around by poor lanners - not that's what happened here, we always have choices. Please excuse the ranting.

Time to remember this:

Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

You can interpret this any number of ways:

How much money do you have? or, Gee I'm really sorry that you blew out your pants ( or knew you needed this six months ago) but you go right in the queue with everyone else that has brought their stuff in... should be about two- three weeks. You did this damage last spring and you are leaving in three days? I'm sorry. I'll see what I can do. I do have 12 customers who brought their stuff in a timely fashion ahead of you. ( white board is visible to all who enter)

I have no sympathy for people like this, any problems they have due to procrastination are of their own making

Penny S

Reply to
Penny S

Clients, huh?

Sorry to hear you've been mucked about like this. Good luck with getting it all finished - and Sharon's right. Don't hand over the goods till you've got the money...

:) Trish

Reply to
Trishty

Thanks Penny, The woman thanked me profusely for saving her from her own mistake. She would have been fine if I had said no (she didn't realize I was leaving in 2 weeks) but like I said I can really use the money. However I did tell her I couldn't guaranty I will finish. Just do my best :)

Kirsten Sollie

Reply to
Kirsten H. Sollie

Hi Sharon, Thanks for the offer. I am going to Miami. It's where my folks live and where I went to high school.

Kirsten

Reply to
Kirsten H. Sollie

MAN! That's some task at $35 a set! I hope you charged her for overtime!

Hi Beth, I charge by the hour (30 dollars) and I made up a test set before giving her a price, then added a few minutes for unforseen problems. It is just 3 pieces, one back and 2 fronts, bias tape in the neck ending in tie ends. Mostly done on the overlock. Unfortunately, it is satin and slippery. I have now overlocked all of the gowns, just need to iron up all the hems and sew them on the Juki (its fast). ANd then start on the scarves.

Kirsten Sollie

Reply to
Kirsten H. Sollie

Charge her more. Present her with an invoice once you get about half the gowns completely done. Add some rush charges. When they're all done, invoice for the remainder, with rush charges. If restaurants can invoice for 20% or 25% gratuity (with non-exceptional service) you can be compensated for your extra time and trouble.

--Karen M. who got fleeced at a brunch last week: "$19, tax and tip extra" turned into $27 with one lousy cup of coffee (and this was not Starbucks)

Reply to
Karen M.

Oh wonderful! I hope you have the weather everyone wishes for when they go to Florida for the winter. :) Eat a really good orange for me while you are there.

Y'know Florida isn't as far from Indiana as Norway is.... If you get a wild hair and start thinking "Road Trip!!" (what's a two day long drive anyway??? lol) I know where there are 3 really nice fabric shops....all within 1/2 hours drive.... The quilt shop is only 10 minutes from here.... lol

You enjoy every minute of your vacation. I bet your parents are jumping up and down they're so excited.

Sharon

Reply to
mamahays

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