We've talked about this for quite a while. IMO, our motivation for giving a gift has to be for the joy we receive from the creation of that gift. We should be able to give our quilts, or anything else for that matter, without attachment. If we build our hopes on the expectation that someone else is going to make us feel good, give us love, appreciation and admiration, we are setting ourselves up for a letdown. The fact that they do appreciate our gifts, talent and labor is a bonus, just as love itself is.
I have to ask, how would l like to be saddled with the responsibility of taking care of a gift that really did not fit my taste, nor decor. (Like a kitten) Knowing that I had to care for it for the rest of my life and then be sure that my children did also, could become a task. It would be easy to pack it carefully and put it on a shelf to protect it and leave it for future generations to care for. I would be concerned that if I displayed it and used it, that it could become worn and damaged and could thus offend the giver.
On the other hand, not using it could also offend. As givers, we have expressed dismay with both of these outcomes. It seems to me that what we should take away from this very enlightening thread is that when we give something that is so much of ourselves, that we are very clear with our recipient and ourselves just what we expect from this exchange. Otherwise, a gift that was given in the best of intentions can result in hard feelings for many years to come. Our art is our joy and it would be a shame to let a misunderstanding spoil that. :)