maecece

What is the name of the quilt ArtsyOne on your avitar?

snipforfun

I have tons of finished quilts Im distributing to deserving family and friends. I was recently diagnosed with incurable cancer and want to make sure quilts dont end up at Good Will and be sold for a few $$$

fred liniger

Many lap quilts are donated to D.A.V. and veteran home's and VA hosp that are going to a very good cause and most have a tax deductable. Keep track. It's not so much really the money. It just says thanks for what they gave and let them know we care. I know i've been there. I worked the job (Army) I paid the price. ( Agent Orange) the rest of my life. ( Laryngectomee) throat cancer. still paying that bill. Worth every penny. I'd do it again in a min.

Ladibug

Luana, what you and Dayle and so many others have said touches my heart. All my family are gone except for a few cousins. I have a few friends and even fewer close friends. I think after all is said and done if I can make someone's life brighter with a gift of a quilt IMHO then one of my purposes on earth is done. I do hope to sell some to make ends meet but if I can't do that then I just hope I can touch someone's life. We never know what it could mean to someone else. To me quilts mean so many things such as comfort and knowing someone cares.

Ladibug

Minmom3

I've given away every one I've finished. Mostly, so far, that's baby quilts, or children's quilts. I've done only one adult quilt and I gave that to my mother. Mother has taken terrible care of it, and I've had to grit my teeth and remind myself that it isn't mine anymore. The odd thing is Mother used to make fine garments, from drafting the pattern through to finished item. She sort of KNOWS how hard it is to do, she thinks quilts are much easier than garments (no fitting!), but she knows I buy nice fabric, and choose the blocks with care, and hand quilt them, so I'm not quite sure why she's so cavalier with the finished product. She does tell people, however, that I made the ratting looking thing!

When I make full sized quilts for my daughters (they've only had childhood quilts to date) I'm going to have to do the same thing - "it's not mine anymore" and make sure they hide it if it gets trashed... I think I can live with ignorance a whole lot easier than I can live with visual proof that they didn't care enough to take care of it. One daughter has told me that her boyfriend actually likes her quilt so much he now wants another quilt for them both, and he's afraid he'll overuse and ruin the childhood quilt. So, they will get one at some point, and it will be used and loved. And I will be happy that it is, just hide the damage from me!

Ladibug

[QUOTE=Minmom3;5755912]I've given away every one I've finished.

Minmom, Please remember that when you gifted these that YOUR heart was in the right place. You can't control what someone else chooses to do with what you have given them. You are a dear person and God will reward you for the good things you have done. May God Bless you and hopefully give your family insight and care and compassion.

Ladibug

joym

I like this idea and think I will follow through....

joym

I often feel the same....I am making them just because.......

charity-crafter

Mine go to Quilts for Kids and Quilts of Valor. If you save your receipts, donate to an official 501c charity and itemize your taxes you can deduct the actual costs of fabrics and supplies for the items donated.

If you try selling, you may have problems getting a decent price for your items. Non-quilters just don't understand how expensive fabric and supplies are and how much time is involved.

Good luck

cathyvv

Here's a couple of ways to think about whether to use those beloved quilts or not:

1) So what if they get soiled? Taking the opportunity to wrap yourself in your Mawmaw's love every day is more than worth a bit of dirt. I expect the quilts I make to be loved to tatters! Start slow - Take each of them out once a week, different days, and enjoy them. Put them on the back of a chair where the pets can't lay on them, and use them when sewing or watching TV. Then put them back in the closet.

2) The only way you're "enjoying" them now is by knowing they're there. Not satisfying to me, but maybe enough for you.

3) You can't take them to heaven with you!

4) Once you're gone to your reward, someone else MIGHT enjoy them to tatters, OR, worst of all, someone may just toss them in the trash.

5) make a copy of the 'just for me' quilt to use, and keep the first one you made in the closet.