If you are not selling your quilts, what do you do with all your quilts that you hav?
 

I am a fabric horder. I love fabric. And I love, love, love to make quilts. I am from a very small family and they all have quilts. I have donated many, many ,many quilts and knitted/crochet blankets. I have a small house and hard to find a place to display so many. I would really like to sell them as I could use the money....but not tech savvy. I could even barter. Anyone in the same predicament as me? Any suggestions or comments will be welcomed.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

I do all sorts of sewing---------and most of it goes to someone else. Got a long list of stuff to do even now

I make baby quilts for friends babies, grandbabies. I have 11 grandkids, and they have baby quilts, kids quilts, and I have started on college quilts. 3 in college, 1 graduating in May, so there is a quilt that I put together for her to begin in January. I make quilts for new houses, new marriages, - I never can make enough quilts, as it takes me a long time. As I have grown in experience, my blocks have become more involved. So many quilt ideas, so little time.

My understanding (although I haven't tried it myself) is that Etsy listings are free.

I have given away so many quilts to family, friends and people I don't know, some have more than a few. Now I just keep making them, my Daughter and Granddaughter will have to get rid of them when I'm gone. I am trying to use up some of my huge stash. By end of this year I will have made 17 this year alone. I have some left from previous years. I store them where ever I can find room for them.

I am also finding now that I have made so many quilts...to try harder ones. I also love making the small quilts for babies for their car seats....so easy and small. smaller than baby quilts.

Advertise on Craigslist or you local paper that you will make custom quilts and mention that you can make baby quilts for baby showers and quilts for kids to take to day care. People hear quilt and they automatically think bed size instead of crib size.

I am basically in the same boat, but my problem is that I can't seem to part with the quilts that I make. Have some family that I could givn some too but when it gets time to part with them, I can't do it. So much of myself go into these quilts that it is like giving a part of myself away. I am the same way with my woodworking and wood crafts. I guess I am just selfish, going to have to try to work on that in 2013! You could try selling one or two on ebay at a price that you feel would be fair, see how it works out and then go from there. Good luck!

If you can bear to not get what your time is really worth, then selling is an option, either thru Etsy or Craig's list. Or you could try craft fairs. There is a store in our town that takes crafts on consignment - I've considered taking some there. But the bottom line is that nobody will pay what a quilt is really worth. If you figure 8 yards in a queen top, the same in the backing plus batting plus thread........well, you get the picture.

Etsy isn't free, but it's close! 20cents to list, 20cents when your item sells. MUCH cheaper than Ebay!! It's pretty user friendly, too. And there are tons of teams to walk you through getting started.

No..not so...Etsy charges. They are reasonable...I sell there and it ends up being about 20% of my sales for the fees...listing fee, selling %, & credit card fees. That isn't bad though. You could try Ebay too. It is a lot of work to take pictures, describe the details of the item, flaws..sizes, colors...etc. But also fun! You won't make a ton of money though!

I don`t have much confidence in my ability, so really don`t care to sell the them and then hear some one found a mistake....And I am now in a part of my life, that I can give them away if I want to. When I found out how little the Red Cross can only give to some one whose house burns down, I donate them to the family. or shelter houses. I mostly like to embroider baby blankets, and give them to families that need them. Some times you just hear about a needy person and most of it is with out knowing where it comes from.

I just put mine in a pile in the closet. Sad, but true.

I understand. I made a quilt "just for me" to keep and it's in the floor of the closet because I don't want it to get dirty. I don't want to get rid of it, tho. I want to use it... The quilt my mammaw made me is in the closet too, because I am afraid to get it out (She's rolling in her grave because she made it for me to use!!). Maybe some day, when we don't have pets....

Thanks for your responses.......some food for thought.:thumbup:

I guess I will nver know the problem of too many quilts..I have 9 children, and the 14th grand is due in a few months. I have 5 grands to get done, and only 4 of my kids have one yet...I give so much away, and only kept one for myself because I was unhappy with it.

If I had this issue, I would look for a shelter for abused women (can be difficult to connect with one as these places tend to be kept as secret as possible). Many arrive with children and next-to-nothing in hand, so a quilt for each one would be a fabulous gift. With turnover, you would also always have some newcomers in need.

I give quilts to Hospice and Quilts for Kids and the church. I donate to charities and I have made quilts for friends and family. I find joy in the process of making a quilt and even more joy in sharing. This is a good question. I don't think I care as much about where the quilt is going as the fact that I get to make it.

I give to new babies in our family, but beyond that, I give to charity. The quick and simple ones go to Project Linus or to our guild's "Kid's Quilts" project. As I strive to improve my skills, I have been making a few quilts each year for the fair. Then those quilts are given to the annual Bible Camp quilt auction fundraiser held in the community where I grew up. At that venue there is an audience of bidders and non-bidders who enjoy and appreciate the quilt display. Many of them recognize the quilter's time and effort. The atmosphere is upbeat, the company is enjoyable, and all of the quilters are held in high regard. The event has been held for 25 years, is well organized, and features over 125 quilts, as well as a silent auction of other handiwork. It is great fun, and it motivates me to do the best work that I can.

Dayle

Project Linus is always needing donations. Also, police departments often keep some in the trunks of their cruisers for emergencies involving children. Dialysis centers can use them to keep clients warm during treatments, and hospital nurseries can use them for newborns in need. If you have single blocks they can be used for premmie quilts or to make pouches for stillborns to be photographed and buried in. Not a pleasant thought, but needed and welcomed.

I too wondered what to do with quilts I make. I do give away, but also hate to part with some of them. I heard a lady once say that she had one hundred quilts that she kept. I have a LONG way to go to get to that amount. Plus, it is like a savings plan for my kids and grandkids to sell when I'm gone. ;)

If you have family members you would like to have some of your quilts, at least pin there names on the ones you think they would like. When you are gone to your reward, they will know that you thought of them and made them a quilt.

I wish I could make a quilt for every member of my family. I can't don't have the money to buy the fabric nor the time to do it. Eventually I hope when I retire I will have the time. The money I'll see.
I agree with somebody's comment. If you are ok selling for the price of the fabric and some more you can go that route but don't forget that not everybody understands the difference between a handmade quilt an a blanket named "quilt" made in Indonesia and sold at USD 29 at some stores.
Either way, good luck and continue enjoying your craft and love for quilting.

Seth selling prices are low but the problem is there are thousands of quilts on the web site.

I have been quilting since 1975, I have no idea how many quilts I have made. I have 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 1 Great granddaughter. I give all my quilts and quilty items to them. I did sell 1 quilt about 4 years ago, and Im still not over it, will never do that again. I can't explain it.

craigs list is free try that. I have used it from time to time to sell things like yarn, sewing table and a few other things can't remember right off hand. It is free so it won't hurt to try it.

Just start small and see how you go. Here we can put sale notices on a board at shopping centres, supermarkets and our library. Maybe just print out a couple of ads for one quilt and see if you are successful/comfortable with marketing them. If not as others have suggested there are many charities/worthy causes that could use them.

I donate to the neonatal unit at the hospital . They love quilts either under or over the incubators to brighten a very sterile world . In some cases the quilts go home some are washed my local hospital likes them closely quilted so they will wash and not puff up. I also knit for them. In some areas hospital worlds for children will take quilts. I enjoy giving here as they brighten up the children's area,. Ditto to all the above. I also enjoy finding new techniques and notions to have a go at.

perhaps you could place your quilts on consignment. your lqs or someone might have an idea of where.

Do you have a gift shop in your area that might take your quilts on consignment? That way word will get out about your talents, you might sell your quilts, make a few dollars AND make room for more quilts in your home. I have a cousin who owns a gift shop and she's always looking for new items to sell. There is also a small gift shop a half mile from me...I stopped in to chat with the owner. She asked if I would do up some lap quilts and consign with her. I think this is a win/win situation! Good luck!

I make quilts for family and myself mostly. It is so hard to sell quilts and get the proper amount of money for all the time and effort. I have really never tried to sell anything.

I make quilts ranging from table runners/small wall hangings all the way to queen size coverlet/large wall hangings for my family. My two children, their spouses and grandson all appreciate what I make for them. Every other year I ask what they would like me to make for them for next Christmas and I get started in January. During the alternate years, I make whatever I want for them. I am blessed my family loves and appreciates what I make for them. I also participate in my guild's charity projects, and I make Quilts of Valor whenever I can. At one time I thought it would be hard to give away quilts I've made, but it is not difficult at all! Then I make quilts and wall hangings for our home...so many ideas. Guess the secret is to make a quilt for a specific purpose, smile.

I think that quilting can become an addiction. I certainly have more fabric than I will probably ever make into something. I make about 20 Linus quilts a month which gives me a good excuse to keep buying childish prints etc. Then I need flannel for the backs and of course batting by the roll. I have at least a dozen finished bed size quilts tucked away or on my bed. The room where I store most of my stash also contains our oil tank. Must husband told me not to purchase any more fabric for a while so that if the tank should spring a leak and have to be replaced it would be possible to do so. I guess I had better get busy making some more Linus quilts and stay away from the fabric store for a while. Those Joann coupons in my wallet will just have to go to waste.

I believe you pay a percentage fee when you sell an item.

With most of my quilts, they were made because "they called to me." All of my friends and family have quilts. So, I donate liberally. There is an adage--one who sleeps under a quilt is comforted by love." I figure that I am contributing to the world in my own, small way. I was raised to give back in order to show appreciation for what I have. And, the truth is, I'd rather give away my work to someone who needs the love than be reimbursed for the fabric and not get the full values. That's just me, of course--

I have several quilts that have ended up being just for me, because I liked them so much, I couldn't get rid of them. So I have them on the "Princes and the Pea" bed in the spare room. Periodically I rotate them so there is a different one on top. I love to just go in and look at them. But nearly all of my quilts are made with charity in mind. I try to keep a stash of quilts handy for emergencies. Nothing makes me feel better than knowing that I am comforting someone in need.

With roughloyt 60 members in our extended family there is no problem. By the time you get around once it's time for another round.

If you are becoming a quilt hoarder and each quilt you make just gets added to your hoard, try making them slower by making each one from a more complicated pattern. Not only will you grow in your ability as a quilter, your quilts should become more beautiful and intricate. Perhaps with time you will be willing to part with the older, simplier quilts and keep the more complicated patterns. At any rate, you won't be making them as fast and your hoard won't grow as rapidly. Or make a rule that you'll only make one quilt per pattern. One DP9, one Yellow Brick Road, etc. Make it your goal to grow as a quilter while you are enjoying a new aspect of quilting.

I donate my quilts to the Salt River Indian Reservation.

I quilt harder patterns and samplers so I don't have a big build up of quilts. I have only made 14 in my three and a half years of retirement. These have all been used in my home and as gifts. I also make bed size quilts (unless for a baby) so I don't have a lot of build up. I guess it may come to that at some point, but I can't see it happening in the near future! Guess I'm lucky in that regard :)