Thread: Giving them away?

I agree with klue...When I am making a quilt to give someone, I don't have a problem giving it anyway. I hope that they appreciate the work involved in making it especially for them..but I want them to love it and use it, and if it gets ripped from use...well I can fix it.

Now if I am making one because I love the fabric or the pattern, I can't even think about giving it away. It's mine!!!!

I used to feel that way. Now I just give them with the message to use them, enjoy them, and if you wear them out I'll make you another. I just made two for my DD to give to her fiancees mom and dad (divorced so there are two families) One said "thanks, we'll be using this" and the other did a dance and called me to thank me for the quilt and tell me how much they loved it. Both made me happy in different ways.

I only put a lot of effort in baby quilts that I know will be appreciated and used but not abused. I keep a stack of baby quilts I've made from printed panels for baby showers. The best time to give a child a quilt is in the toddler stage. They love it.

I once meade a quilt for a single man. He had put time and work into a grouup we belonged to. I wanted to do someting special for him. Lots of thought and work went into the quilt. Then, I wondered what he might do with it. The final thought was that the worst he would do is give it to his dog. His dog was much loved and cared for. So, even that wouldn't be too bad. He did love it and put it on his wall.

You never know how people will react, so take a chance.

Originally Posted by bsquilter

His dog was much loved and cared for.

You can generally judge how well someone will care for any type of gift by looking at how well they care for the things they already have.

If you give a gift with conditions and expectations attached, then it really isn't a gift at all. It's a sale. And if the recipient does not pay you what it is that you expect, you are guaranteed to be disappointed and resentful.

when I make a quilt for someone else, it is fabrics that they like. Whether they have me pick it out and do the shopping or they do it themselves, it is still their taste not mine. I will, however, buy my own fabric that may be the same in case i like what they like. I could never make a quilt and give it a new home out of my favorite fabric unless I have enough fabric available for myself. Selfish, maybe. But it helps with the loss of a quilt. I am only human. :)

I was thinking about making one for a new neighbor who does not have much. My sister said that I cannot say anything if the kids take it outside and sit on it in the dirt. Now I am not so sure I want to do it.

If it is going to bother you, keep this quilt and make a quick quilt, with little time or effort into it and give them that one :D:D:D
I make utility type quilts to be used and used and used...if it gets worn out, I will replace them :D:D:D No worries...no disappointments :D:D:D

I just use less expensive fabrics to make them , when I am not sure how they will be used. Do we really know how the quilts we make for charities are used? We don't see where they go and how they are treated. So I don't let it bother me so much.

while I really do aspire to be able to give away a quilt that has taken many hours to complete, I'm not 100% there yet. So here's what I do in the meantime - For baby quilts I make them really simple, durable yet adorable using 5 or 6 inch squares of pastel chenille with coordinating baby flannel squares. The layout varies depending on what fabrics I'm using, my mood, etc. I do simple machine quilting - sometimes just in the ditch and tie a little bow on the chenille squares. I've loved every one I've made and have zero problem giving them away. I tell the recipient that the quilt was made to be used and can be washed like old jeans. It feels great to make and give away these little covers of love. In time I hope I'll be able to let go more easily of the quilts I treasure.