One time I told my daughter I wanted to make her young son a quilt and foolishly took her with me to pick out the fabric. She picked one out and my creativity promptly went out the window. That was the hardest quilt ever because I had trouble figuring out what on earth to do with the fabric she picked out. Never again. Now when I make a quilt for one of her children, I make it and surprise them and it's worked out well but they are young children.
I would suggest you find a few patterns you'd be comfortable working with and show them to her. Tell her you'd love to make a quilt for them and felt you could make one of the selected patterns and see if she likes any of them. Then go shopping for fabric. That way she'd be involved and get excited about the quilt. Sounds like she would be easy to work with.
Recently I decided I want to make a quilted sweatshirt for a good friend and would love to suprise her with one but knew I needed to know her size and had to give her a color choice. She has seen a photo of the pattern I plan to use (10 + years internet friend and yes, we've met) and loves it and is excited about. We discussed colors and I told her what I saw when my chapter made them and the stunning results. Her coloring is dramatically different from mine so I knew my color choices wouldn't be good on her however my instincts were right on target. I suspected she'd opt for black and white and she did and I told her that my instincts said black and white. Since she's in IN and I'm in FL, I selected the fabric but she's easy to please. I did tell her though that if she isn't happy with it in anyway, she can use it to do her yard work in. LOL. My goal is to make it beautiful enough that she'll be proud to wear to work and evenings out. Fitting is another issue that I know if it's off anywhere, she can quickly take it in to fit as she does alterations for stage play costumes.
Good luck with your quilt. I'm sure they will love and treasure it. Have fun doing it as I know it will be filled with a lot of love.
Patty
Originally Posted by patty48
My MIL has hinted about not having a quilt on their bed in the new house (more than hinted!). I would love to make them a quilt. We are heading to SC (they go there for the winter) and I would like to take her to look for fabric to get some ideas on colors she was thinking about.
Here's my questions:
1. How do I show her what patterns I would be willing to make with out looking too pushy?
2. If we wait to pick the pattern at the quilt shop and she picks out one that I don't feel I could do a good job (e.g. applique) how can I say no and steer her in another direction, again without looking badly?
3. Should I take her, watch her with colour choice (see what she's drawn to) and make something on my own and surprise them? They are pretty easy going people.
I could go by the colours of her house except it's all "builder's beige" right now and has not decided on colours. They did live in their previous house for 36 years and has decided "very neutral" this time!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.