I know that not all of my gifted quilts are used. I gave them to the person because I love them and I know they appreciate the blood, sweat & tears that goes into them. If they want to save them, it's their choice. I wouldn't want them coming into my house and re decorating it.
I made a quilt for my MIL when she moved out of her villa into an apartment 2 years ago. It was done in her colors (as she has VERY specific colors!). She has it draped across the back of her couch. She says she uses it when she has a headache and lays on her couch (which I doubt that she EVER lays on her couch). She's kind of a strange bird. It doesn't bother me because she has it displayed for all to see. I made her a stack and whack wall hanging and she promptly took it and had it put under glass and framed. She didn't want it to get dusty and ruined. She spent more on the professional framing than I did on the fabrics & time to make it! It hangs above her bed. I know that when she has company in, she brings out all of my handiwork and shows it off. It's her's to do with as she pleases. We had been to a craft show and she was oohing and ahing over the fleece vests with applique on them. I made her one for Christmas. This is no joke: She opened the gift, stated "This is beautiful, let me hang it up." and she got up off the floor in the middle of gift opening and hung it in her closet. I have seen her wear it once but who knows what she wears when I'm not around. I've learned to just take her in stride. I don't take it personally that she doesn't use my items. I know she is a little "different". This is the woman who after her 2nd husband died and she had sold his truck needed to take her van in for some work to be done. Now instead of paying the $25/year for rental car insurance, she went out and bought a brand new Jeep so she would never be without a car!