I guess I don't see what's so bad about what she said. I mean at least she took some interest in what you are doing.

I bet she doesn't do any crafts herself and has no clue as to the quality you put into your quilts.

She gave you a very strong hint at what she likes, though! I'd take that and start mentally making her something in her taste. Ask her more questions about why the back attracted her.

Someone once told me that the reason we say "I take offense at that" is because we always have a choice. We can choose to accept the offense or we can refuse it. If we refuse to be offended, the other party cannot force it upon us. This thought has really helped me out.

I had a MIL (monster-in-law). She divided her time between making my life miserable and trying to turn my husband against me. Guess it worked because we got divorced. I still can't figure out who I was happier to live without, the ex or the MIL! ;)

I've remarried and am twice blessed: a darling husband and a wonderful MIL who is a friend! :D

Can you believe some people, I don't know what I would have done, I know my jaw would have hit the floor.

You are very lucky, I never got to meet my inlaws, but they must have been great, because my hubby is.

I'm sorry for you having such a mother-in-law.

I'm sorry that you could not have had one like my
own beloved old Portuguese mother-in-law, who
was an absolute jewel. In fact, once she told me
that if my husband (a charming result of her upbringing)
ever got mad at me, for me to go live with her. And our
son and my two daughters from a first marriage!!!

I'll always miss her.

I'm a MIL and my DIL are good friends. We had a long talk before the wedding to get all things settled before. I had the MIL from hell and I wasn't going to have anyone else ever go thru what I had.

My Mom can be the MIL from hell, she really doesn't like my husband, but doesn't cause trouble, we just don't see her a lot, short visits.

I guess my DIL would categorize me as the MIL from you know where since she has only bothered to show up at our house for a total of 4 whole minutes since my son married her. I know that sounds silly except her parents live 4 miles from us and she's spent approx. 3 weeks there. We've invited her out to dinner, breakfast, lunch, etc. She never bothers to show up. I give up.

My SIL is another story. Sometimes I'd like to say "why don't you call your mom and talk to her". It's pretty funny when you think about it.

I hope you can find your own place soon. Just ignore her til then.

Sounds like you and your MIL are poles apart, sometimes, no matter how you try the differences are just too great. It was strong of you to say nothing when she offended you, and I have done the same many times in my life. It was good to journal your feelings and vent here, where you can get support and know you are not alone. Keeping stuff bottled up inside is a recipe for disaster, the stress really affects your physical and mental health....so vent away...to us...she wouldn't even "get it" if you said it to her.

Continue on building your stock of beautiful quilts...it will keep you going and hopefully result in some good sales to help secure your future independent of your in-laws.