Originally Posted by
Railroadersbrat
I have been thinking about her table top, so I was going to ask her husband to help get some plywood that'll end with 85 x 85 measurements, then sand down the edges and corners so there's no snagging of the quilt. I'd use a moving blanket that I have here to put on her table first, then the plywood, then we could work safely and comfortably.
I was also thinking that since they would want to help, I would make them some small quilted items as thank you gifts, pouches or maybe a small organizer that they can use and I would cover any cost for food.
I know these ladies well enough to know that once I showed them how to do it, it'll be a piece of cake for them and they get to experience a small portion of a quilter's life by going through the sandwich motions. Their usual attention to detail with anything they do would help.
Do you realize how much a sheet of even 'cheap' plywood costs today. Plywood comes in 4 x 8 sheets. So you would need more than one. Plus smaller pieces and how is he going to keep them together so they don't separate as you work on the quilt. Not to mention, the work he would have to do to get it, get it sanded enough that it wouldn't snag. It would probably even need a few layers of varnish or something to that affect. Cheap plywood is full of hairy splinters even after sanding. and to get expensive baltic birch plywood or maple plywood you are talking big bucks. etc. And what are they going to do with the plywood after your visit? You are now asking him to give up his time and money to do this. Then you want to ask people who don't do this, to have a lesson, so they can help you? Honestly I think you have a dream of showing others how much you like doing your quilting, but if someone wanted me to do something that I had to 'learn' how to do it at the sit down, especially something I'm not normally interested in, I think I'd be busy that day and not be able to come.
Just go and enjoy your visit. Don't expect people to experience your hobby and really like doing it. Sorry, but this sounds more and more like an unfun day of being commandeered into doing something, even if not really wanting to do it, but just trying to be nice for the sake of the visit. I'm sorry but I think you are being very unrealistic. Apparently these 'friends' are not quilters. I certainly wouldn't want to have someone take over my house and push their hobby on me.
Imagine this. I going to go to someone's house to visit, but I'm going to take all of my canning supplies and I want them to supply the fruit (plywood) and prepare it, then I'm going to show them how to do it, and make sure they are doing it right, and etc. etc. ----- and I know they are going to enjoy it.
------ um, please just go and visit. If they want to experience your hobby, they'll ask. I for one wouldn't like this and I am a quilter. In a way you are basically going to force people to work on your project or look bad if they don't.
I think it would be much better that if you want to do something like this, save it for when you get visitors to your house and really ask if this is something they want to do while they are visiting you.