All of my quilts have been made for a specific person, with the exception of the give-aways during blanket drives and for raffles to help grandchildren go on special adventures. The same couple, extended family, won in two of these two different times! They said that if they won the second year they wanted to have it ignored, and it was. Then the news came that they saw something in that first quilt which upset them (and after studying a picture of it I was able to see it also). I asked for it back so I could take care of the probem, even told them I'd be over on a certain day to get it. They couldn't find it! I called up the hubby at work and talked to him and he admitted they weren't comfortable with it, because of the "picture" and that it just was too busy. I told him to return it and I would make him something "calmer" and asked about his wife's favorite colors. After a lot of thought I decided to make a French braid in the colors she likes (he likes anything she likes), soft and subdued. I even bought one of those roll things to be sure the colors went togeher.
I'm going crazy making this quilt now!!! I love them, but I hate blocks and repeditive patterns! Give me free form quilts any day. My method is to work on the braid every time I begin to work on quilting at least for half an hour. These are special people and they deserve something they might really enjoy. This new one is also a lap robe, or across the foot of the bed (whatzicalled?) quilt. Maybe it will make it into their guest room, maybe not. Maybe when the loved mother comes she will like it and take it home. Great! At least that would mean it not hidden in some deep hole. Anyway, they will know I tried to make them a quilt they will like.
I'd be bummed big time if a quilt I gave was used for a dog's bed. We just got a new puppy and he is going to get a dog bed and blanket, but it isn't going to be pieced! Out of about 100 quilts I've been pretty lucky. They are far from "perfect" but they all have a lot of love stitched into them, even the give-aways.