The only quilts I have given away have been appreciated by my nieces, nephews and my daughters when they were expecting their babies and as thank yous for people who have done something special for me. I also made one for my son and his new wife and they both loved it. since they live out of state and we don't visit that often it would be awhile before I'd know if they really don't like it. But my understanding is that they're decorating one of the bedrooms in their new house around that quilt which was a beautiful carpenters wheel. I think it was the nicest quilt I've done so far.
I have also made a quilt for each of my 5 grandchildren for Christmas last year to keep and use at our new summer home in the mountains. The rest of the quilts that I make I keep and might some day give some away, but it would have to be to someone that is really special to me.
I swore up and down that I'd never make a quilt for my one daughters. My mother had quilts made for my girls when they were teenagers (for their hope chests) and my oldest daughter uses hers for the beach and the yard. When she asked me to make a rag quilt for her I thought hard about it before actually making it. She uses it all the time (in the house) and asked for another one for her birthday this year. I made another one for her and one for her husband (to use in their theatre room). She uses hers but he never said "thank you" so it's his last one.
If and when I would ever see it being used for working on the car and covered with oil I think I would just break down and cry.
I've joined a guild though and I think making quilts for the needy is just a great idea. We do that at the guild but they provide the fabric. I just might make some on my own from now on and donate them.
I'm always working on a quilt because I love to do it. Quilting has taken over my life. I don't work on any of my other hobbies anymore. I guess when it leaves our hands we shouldn't be concerned with what happens to it because it's no longer ours....but that's difficult!