TanyaL

We so often ask if someone (a relative, a friend, a stranger) will like a ___________________ (fill in with whatever interests you - a bow tuck bag, a quilt, etc., this color, this pattern, etc.)
Then we answer "Oh, the person will LOVE that!" When none of us knows that person, knows what they like or what kind of person they are. How can we assume a person is going to like a pink and green and puce bag or a purple and brown quilt? OR that a new mother wants a pink quilt for a new baby girl, or doesn't want a blue quilt for new baby boy? Why do we assume that if a fellow quilter made it for someone, that someone will love it? I don't think life always supports that assumption.

Why do we have so little faith in ourselves that we ask strangers to make a judgment call on what others strangers (to them) are going to like? Why don't we just say "I've made this as a gift and I hope the person likes it. Do any of you like it? Will any of you admit you don't like it?" Maybe then our answers wouldn't sound like a mutual admiration society meeting of possible dim wits.

Grambi

It's all part of normal social interaction.

Jingle

This sounds like a joke, not a good one but, a joke.

TanyaL

Why would it sound like like a bad joke to question unbased comments?

MaryKatherine

I know whaty ou mean. I've been asked by a bride to be to make a quilt for them (my nephew). She sent me a picture from Pottery Barn. You'd thing that would be an easy one as it just large blocks. But there is no way I will be able to duplicate the fabric. They want no participation in that aspect, they wantthe surprise, so they will get what they get. It took me almost a month to decide what fabics. I went with Batik.
MaryKatherine

SuzanneG

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a little confused by the way you phrased your question in your post. But if I do read it right, you're questioning why we ask complete strangers if the person we're making a quilt for would like the fabrics we're picking out or the pattern we're considering. You're also saying how could one stranger (the one we're asking in the store) possibly know what another stranger to them (the person we're making the quilt for) would like or enjoy.

Assuming I've got the question right, I would say that often those who do this aren't looking for someone to make choices for them, they're looking for validation that they have already made good choices in the fabrics/pattern they have already chosen.

I've personally never done this, but I have had folks ask my opinion on fabrics, colors, patterns, etc. in Joann's from time to time. Mostly, they are brand new to quilting and just need some direction and a little confidence boost that they're on the right track.

When I'm making a quilt for someone, I put a lot of time and thought into their personalities, color schemes in their homes, what colors they often wear themselves, etc. I try to always make quilts in hues that they will like, even if it's not particularly my taste.

dd

I have looked at few things on the board and thought wow, everyone else seems to like this but I don't, guess it's just me. Guess it's just everyone being way to polite. If I put something on the board and ask for opinions, then I want the good with the bad. That's why everyone has their own opinion.

chaskaquilter

Well, when I posted my one picture of a quilt I made, I just glowed at the wonderful comments that were made about it. Now the picture wasn't very good and folks couldn't see that the machine quilting wasn't perfect. I suspose one could say "I sure wouldn' use those colors, they're ugly togther, if asked. Or, "you sure didn't get the points or seams very good on the quilt". And those might be the right comments. But would they make the person who worked hard on the quilt feel good? Or would you feel good making the comments? I guess once in a while you have to just be what we call Minnesota Nice. And I see nothing wrong with it. We are not quilt police, or judging quilt show entries. If that makes me a dim wit, I am happy being one. I enjoy looking at all the quilts and hope folks continue to show them.

TanyaL

What I meant to emphasize was-- when someone posts a picture and asks "Will my daughter, or my whoever like this?" How can we as strangers be expected to make an intelligent answer? We can only honestly say "I would like it" or "I wouldn't like it." We can say, "It looks well made." which is not the question that was asked. We can say "It is beautiful." Which is also not the question that was asked. But unless we actually know the person, we can't say if that person will like it. So why do we ask that question? If a mother, who knows her own daughter, doesn't have a clue if the item will be liked, then how can the mother expect us, as strangers, to know the answer to her question? And why do we try to answer it?

lorraine43

Maybe because we try to be nice !!!!!