Quilt as Group Gift?
 

Every year a few of my friends and I travel down to another friend's house and have a great weekend of fun. (None of them are quilters.) Each year it becomes tougher and tougher to decide what to bring as a hostess gift. The hostess is beyond generous and we have little opportunity to return the favor. I have been thinking of making her a lap quilt with the colors of her favorite football team because she is an avid fan. What I am struggling with is whether this is a good idea since there are several of us. I could just give it to her myself, but I don't want the others to feel I left them out of the process and "trumped" them, if you know what I mean. But I'm not sure it is a good suggestion for a group gift? I could ask them to pitch in for the fabrics, but everyone will know I made it so I am afraid it seems like I am angling for the credit for the gift or overshadowing the other women. What do you think? How have others handled the quilt as group gift situation? Thanks!

Maybe you could meet with each one or two at a time and let them help do something on the quilt. That way you offered and it is up to them to make it a group project. The back could be blocks that will remind the hostess of each of you ladies and they could even write messages on a block, too. Hope my thoughts help trigger many more ideas. Teresa

Maybe do the back in signature blocks and let each person sign it. Just be sure to use a permanent pen!!! I saw a bow tie mack the other day and the center of each tie was made of muslin. They were signed by a class for their teacher.

Only you know your group, as to how they will accept this idea ... or not. With your hesitations already, I would wonder if you know what the outcome would be, before you suggest it to your friends?

ITA ... the signature quilt idea would be great. Or perhaps if each of your friends are sewers, they could each do a block, for a sampler quilt and then you could assemble it before the get together.

Someone a while back, did a quilt for their boss when he retired .... each staff member went and bought a FQ that had some meaning re the boss. Yes, the quilt was somewhat of a jumble ... but in reality it was an Adult I Spy ... and filled with endless memories and meanings for both those who gave it, and the chap who received it.

:thumbup: I LOVE the adult I Spy idea. I would treasure a quilt like that.

Since you thought of such a nice "thank you" -----send it to her from you after you have visited with a nice thank you note. Perhaps you can all agree on what you take as a hostess gift that isn't actually from just one of you.

Hmmm...good question!!! Personally, I would talk to the other ladies and see how they feel about it and see if any of them know how to sew and would want to make a block, or if they are close by, have them come by and pick a block to sign. :) If they are far away, I'd take e-mail them some suggestions for blocks, have them pick the one they would like to sign and write a message and then mail them the block and a pigma pen to sign in, just make sure they mail it back. :) If they don't like the idea, go ahead and make it and mail it to her the day you get home as a thank you. :) Good luck and keep us posted. If you make it, take pictures.

If it is a group gift, they may not like a quilt if they don't sew. Let someone else decide what to get, pay your part and send your lap quilt later as a personal gift. Nothing wrong with that.

You can each do a block(s) and make a sampler type quilt. Just pick colors she likes and go from there .

maybe each member can make a block and you could do like a sampler quilt