Zoo

Wow, I thought it was just me?

About 9 or 10 years ago I made 2 quilt tops, one for my husband's parents and the other for his brother and his wife as Christmas presents.
These where the second and 3rd quilts tops I had ever made and not wanting to try and quilt them myself or knowing about LAQs I drove them 2 hours away to be hand quilted by a Mennonite women. I was very happy with how the tops turned out and ecstatic on how they looked all put together once I got them back.
When the family opened the gifts on Christmas the enthusiasm was under-whelming, I could have bought my brother/sister in law a new coffee makers and gotten the same reaction, 'tho my Mother in law was a bit more enthusiastic.
I was upset and a bit pissed and didn't make another quilt top for years.

Now I'm careful who I give hand-made projects to, I do have 2 quilts at a LAQ's being finished for me, they're going to my friend's 2 daughters, but I know both my friend and the girls will appreciate the quilts and take care of them.
I think it really depends person-to-person on whether someone will appreciate any hand made gift.
Zoo

Shadow Dancer

Each of my kids were given a quilt, when they moved out to their own place the quilts went with them. My kids all saw me sewing, they saw the time it took to put a top together, and the hours spent hand quilting, so they had some appreciation of the work that goes into a quilt.

One day I went to visit my oldest son and his wife, as I pulled into their driveway I saw his quilt laying on the ground. His wife had used it to put the baby on outside, instead of bringing it back in she left it there. It had been rained on repeatedly, and was covered in mud because their dog had dragged it across the yard and was using it to lay on when the dog was tied out.

When I found the words, I asked if that was my son's quilt, his wife casually stated, 'oh yes, it's old so I just let the dog have it." :shock:

Needless to say I won't be making another quilt to replace that one. I did make my oldest granddaughter a quilt and it was washed in hot water with bleach....

So no, non quilters have no clue how much time, money and love goes into a quilt.

Bill'sBonBon

I do get my thanks But nonquilters really do not realize what time and effort plus money that goes into a quilt small or large. Most in my experience think because you use a machine it doesn't take no time at all. They can't believe it takes sometimes months to finish one. Depending on the size and complexity and time involved. So I just tell them if you think it is so quick and easy I will be willing to instruct you on a small simple quilt. After i get through explaining most get the picture but some don't.
Bill'sBonBon

Missi

I echo a lot of the sentiments above. People just have no idea how much work and money goes into a quilt. Because of that I pic and choose who gets quilts for presents.

I made a quilt for my college roommate for her wedding (my avatar pic). I knew she would appreciate it and I got her involved. She picked out the pattern and the colors then I made her go on the Kansas City Metro Area quilt shop hop to find the fabric. She is arts and crafty so she didn't hate quilt shopping all day. She was flabbergasted at the prices!

My standard baby gift is a rag time flannel. They take a little less work and can be cheaper. Most of the time I get a huge response at the shower. How much use they get in the real world not sure.

Barbm

I made a simple split rail alternating with a wide panel to showcase some pretty fabric quilt for my newest great nephew (where is that kid- he was due the 6th!). My sister knew I made it and told her DIL. They refuse to use it, they bought hangers and put it on the wall. I told her it was made to be used, but she refuses to use it because it's so nice. I'm making another quilt- made to be used- out of scraps, backed with fleece so she won't think it needs to be saved. This is my sister, 15 mos. younger than me, who I am very close to.

Cathe

To be perfectly fair, NO! They don't realize it, because they can buy hand-quilted queen sized quilts at JCPenney for $29.99.

About 20 years ago, my MIL called me about 6 months after I had given her a bed quilt to tell me that she hadn't properly appreciated it. She had just come home from an Amish quilt sale and finally realized that there was a significant financial value to my gift. (she had already appreciated the kind gesture, but she hadn't understood that this was an "expensive" gift, if you know what I mean.)

Now, her house is draped in every quilt I have ever given her. She has tablerunners over the backs of chairs as well as on the tables, wall quilts, lap quilts...

But prior to that, she had only been able to compare them to what she saw in stores. And when you can buy entire bed-in-a-bag sets for under $40 at Walmart, how was she to know any different??

Cathe

Please note that I did not turn my response into a rant against the CPSIA and imported products. :lol: :lol: :lol:

justquiltin'

Obviously, the answer is no. BUT, in all fairness, I have no idea how much work goes into a hand made wooden table, and probably would not give it the proper amount of appreciation, either. Not because I don't appreciate the gift and giver, but because I just do not understand.
The trick here is to be selective as to receipient AND to educate those who will listen.
Like Cathe said, all it takes most times is to open someone's eyes. In our disposable/cheaply made culture, a homemade quilt is just not ABLE to be appreciated by someone who can go and buy one at Wally World for under $20.
It does hurt, though, when you pour your heart into something only to have it mistreated, almost like someone mistreating you.

mpeters1200

Loretta...

Love your new avatar!

nor'easter

I'm sorry that sometimes you don't get the demonstrated appreciation for your quilts. I can only imagine how that must feel. No one else in my family quilts, but they all know the love and pride that goes into hand crafting something for someone else for it is something that we all do, in one medium or another. I feel truly blessed when I receive handcrafted gifts and I know for sure that those I give gifts to do as well.

I received an email from my cousin this afternoon, late only because she went on a two week vacation the day after Christmas. In part she said "I LOVE LOVE LOVE my quilt! Thank you SO MUCH for such a beautiful gift! I napped with it on Christmas day and can't wait to watch a game or two under it now that I'm back at home. What a thoughtful and generous gift. It's one that will keep on giving in so many ways. I'm inspired!
(Real thank you to follow, but...)" Made me feel just great!

I'm sure many of the recipients of the quilts you make and give, feel the same way. They just don't know how to tell you. It is no reflection on either you or your workmanship.