Giving Quilts - No Reaction from Recipients
 

For Christmas I was planning to have a king size quilt completed for my in-laws. This year was crazy (which they would understand why I was so busy) and I was unable to have the quilt completed. So I wrapped up the quilt top and stated I would take it back and get it quilted and returned in January. The only response the quilt top go was "It's nice". This makes is very hard for me to want to finish the quilt for them as I spent so much time and effort to make them this gift. Has this happened to others? How do you get over the lack of reaction to gifts that you spend so much time on?

If they don't quilt maybe it is hard for them to imagine the finished product. I do think this happens to all of us sooner or later. If you don't get a better reaction when you take it back to them then I wouldn't make them anything else.

That can be very disappointing ... from anybody, but your in-laws? Have you seen this attitude in them before this incident?

I made my mother-in-law a lap quilt and she loved it. The lap quilt is on a quilt rack in their living room. She has even bought me kits to make up for her. I was totally caught off guard by this because I've always been very careful to make quilts for people who understand what all goes into them.

Welcome to the Board-I wouldn't rush to give it to them if you're not sure of their reaction.

i do think it may be a reaction like sewgray suggested...lots of people simply cannot 'see' what you see when you are looking at a half done project... just complete the project, give them another chance and then if they don't seem to appreciate it, buy those 'sausage and cheese packages' next year.

Ditto on deemail and sewgray. You can post a pic for us to see, Please

You imply there are circumstances which led to you not being able to finish it, are you expecting a huge reaction from them when in fact they are not able to meet your needs right now? Just a thought?

Maybe you can apologize for your lateness, give them something 'bought' and tell them you're working on their quilt. You'll probably never hear about it again as they wanted something you had to buy anyway, by then maybe the quilt will have [choose an ending your conscience will let you live with].

Personally, I would finish it, give it, and keep my head held high.

Some people just want things which had to be bought, the dollars giving the value. Maybe the next time you visit, leave a little scrap printed from Etsy with some quilt ads with prices.

Good luck with it and welcome!

Over the years I have had "hand-made" Christmases, and have gotten a very mixed reaction. Especially to lap quilts, which are the most useful things ever! But some times I will see the wall hanging, or lap quilt, or necklace or earrings some years later, and they are liking them at least enough to display when I am at their house. I don't know why people are indifferent to quilts, but maybe it's something in their past, nothing to do with the item. Even if I dislike the colors in a quilt, it still stands for comfort to me.