My husband can see the “value” of some of our old family quilts. He realizes that the “value” lies in the memories an old lady has of her childhood, not a price tag. The quilts are priceless, but probably wouldn’t fetch a red cent at a yard sale. They are faded with the ages and tattered with love. Quilts stored in a closest will not fade or become tattered, filled with memories for the children who follow. Instead, they’ll dry rot and disintegrate, not knowing love, or having stories to tell.
It’s time to start making memories with those quilts. Move the furniture and have a romantic, indoor picnic on the quilt. Put the kids in it, hammock style, you each take an end, and swing them - the memories of their giggles will become part of the quilt. Have him build a tent, and crawl under it with the kids. As they shine their flashlights on the Treckies, have them tell stories. Have a family camp-out - indoors. Pad the floor with quilts, put a broom over a couple of chairs, and drape a quilt for the tent. Get the snacks and spend the night “Camping out”. When the weather gets nicer, do the same thing outside. Usually, all it takes is for a quilt to get “christened”, then the fear of ruining the quilt is past, and usefulness is realized. The play time will bond Father, children and quilts. Perhaps that will get the quilts into use.
One caution, everyone should still be aware that this is a handmade quilt to be enjoyed and respected. Letting the dog chew on it may not be indicated. Set your perameaters.