My feeling has always been that once I give something to another as a gift, it is theirs to do with as they wish. I have no say in the matter. That being said, I have the right to not gift them again -- without an explanation.

I saw a lovely quilt used as a table cover under tools at a flea market and asked if I could buy it, it really bothered me. I paid $20 for it. I have told others that they need to sell the quilt and use old tablecloths instead. A friend made a beautiful quilt for her new great GS and sent it to the parents. Six months later when she visited, the dogs had it in their bed. My SIL lets his little dog chew holes in the quilts I've made my DD, no more quilts for them!

I hand embroidered and quilted a baby quilt....my daughter bleached the " hotel" out of it..( must have been a pretty dirty kid)

Some of the uses mentioned would bother me - such as for a shower curtain - but at least it is being used and seen every day -

Is that "worse" than putting the quilt in a closet and never looking at/using it again?

I don't know, i like taking mine out and stroking them! I'm better now, trying hard to put them to use instead.

You've got to be kidding, right? That couple wasn't worthy of even the thought of making a quilt for them. Horrific.

I went to a local quilt show in the state north of me and the quilts were on display down every hallway and on the walls of every classroom. I thought they might be laid across pews but none were in the sanctuary. I looked specifically to see how they were hung and they used map tacks straight into the walls. I'm so glad I did not submit any to be displayed. I couldn't believe it.

Abused or utilization????
 

Saw this at my daughters neighbors house.

I have no problem with my GS using his QOV for his dog. It's his quilt and he took it with him wherever he was sent, so it served its purpose. My issue with the other one wasn't sitting on the quilt - they are made to be used, but sitting on the Tree of Life and what it symbolizes.

Polyester double knit used in a quilt creeps the bejeebers out of me! What were they thinking? That stuff wont even deteriorate after 100 years in a landfill.

Closer to home, I made a churn dash quilt out of plaids for my son, some from shirts he wore as a child. I was horrified to spy it folded up in his trunk. He and his wife (then girlfriend) were obviously using it as a ground quilt for picnics, concerts, or camping. They assure me they love it, but I envisioned it on his bed, not folded up in the trunk.