First quilt as gift
 

I am making a quilt as a gift for the first time and have a few questions about how to give it.
First, what would be a nice way to wrap it? I am considering sewing a pillowcase for it to be stored in when not in use. Are there any other ways to wrap it?
Second, should I give detergent with it? I definitely want to print cleaning instructions to put with the quilt but I didn't know if I should include detergent as well.
Third, I am actually making two of the same kind of quilt. I am giving one to each of my sister-in-laws. We are all at the time in our lives that we are having babies and I found a wonderful quilt that I know they would love. The problem is that one of them takes horrible care of everything she owns. You can't walk through her house because it is so messy. Normally, when I give gifts, I give them with just the thought that I hope they enjoy it but I become attached to my quilts and I want it to be taken care of. I know it is slightly ridiculous but that is how I feel. What should I do? Has anyone else ever had this fear and what did you do?
Thank you in advance.

A gift has no strings! I do understand your concerns so u will have to follow your heart on what to do. Good luck!

maybe a pillowcase you can put it in that matches. or a tote bag. I usually tell people most quilts only need to be soaked, spun out and soaked again, then spun and dried a bit in the dryer. Agitation is not a quilts friend and unless it's seriously dirty, it shouldn't need it.

I know how you feel about your quilts, I don`t see why you can`t tie a informational card to the ribbon. But it should be put on both quilts as not to hurt feelings. Now non-quilters may want to know what the quilt is made of and how to take care of them. Not every quilt is made of the same material and can be cleaned the same way! Don`t be surprised if they are not taken care of the same way, but you tried.

I put a color-catcher in a small (sandwich-size) zip lock bag with a printed suggestion of how to wash and safety pin it to the quilt. With the washing instructions, I put a sentence that they are to use the quilt and if it falls apart as the child grows, I will make them another. Then I give the quilt with love and let it go! You can always make one for yourself, too ...

What a wonderful gift, we all get attached chef to our quilts but you have to just give it and let it go I know how difficult it can be when the recipient is messy , I have family members that are not just messy but slobs but if I give a gift t t that's it , it's their's......

I agree it is your choice but once you give it, it is theirs. I don't think it is necessary to include detergent but I definitely would gift a few color catchers - not everyone has those on hand.

I like to make a pillow case using the leftover fabrics from the quilt. So when they're not using the quilt, they do have a good place to store it. As to cleaning items, you might want to add a color catcher sheet along with the cleaning instructions. As to how the quilt will be taken care of, well that's in the hands of the recipent and God. I find once I give a quilt as a gift its out of my hands what they do with it afterwards. I decided not to fret over it as I know I have no control over what happens with it anyway. They will know you gave them something of yourself in this quilt..........LOVE.

When making quilts for what I call "Not Housekeepers" I whip out my cotton/ polyester or all polyester fabric for their quilt. It will survive better than an all cotton quilt, IMHO. Bigger blocks, more quilting, etc.

A gift is a gift is a gift. If you include washing instructions, it should help, but you can't walk a mile in her shoes. She will appreciate the wonderful gift, give herself an "I really want to take care of this", then move on with life as usual. It hurts sometimes to see our hard work and love mistreated, but life is like that sometimes. You just have to let it go.

When I make baby quilts, I usually make two: one for "show" if they want it for that, and one to be drug around and thrown on the floor, taken outside, used to make forts with, etc....in general, played with and enjoyed. And I usually (but not always) make a pillowcase to place them in...just looks neater and supplies a place to store the quilt in if they don't use it now and again. And I tell the parents to use them both and enjoy them. If they wear out, I will make another (have to be careful about saying that now since I'm 72....:))...

Instead of wrapping, I often roll a quilt and tie a piece of the leftover (I always overcut!) binding around it as a kind of ribbon.

I think a pillowcase or tote, as suggested above, would be nice. I always wash my quilts first, they get dirty in the making, and to make sure all seams are going to hold up to washing. I do include washing instructions, but not detergent. As far as worrying about the care it will receive after given, that's out of your hands, once you decide to gift anything, then it's not yours anymore, so it will be cared for the way the recipient wants to. You are the one putting the work into making it, so you have to decide if they are "quiltworthy".

First Quilt as Gift
 

I LOVE tying the package up with selvage as a ribbon....maybe just even tying the quilt up with a selvage bow...not even put it in a box. My DH found my selvage supply and now every sleeping bag in the house is tied up with selvages.

If it bothers you that your careful planning and hard work may not be appreciated enough to get the care it deserves, I see nothing wrong with checking their baby registry and buying a gift. Not everyone has the point of reference to appreciate a quilt, and once you give it, its fate is no longer your business. Why knock yourself out? Or you could make a wall hanging type quilt for that baby's room. It will be less likely to get damaged. You will have to be careful that it fits in with the planned theme, if they have one.