Gifting Quilts (Excluding Charity Quilts)/Questions
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,869
For my family, it depends on the person LOL ... I've gifted my sister with three Jenny Byer's quilts, and she used them for her cats to sleep on. I wasn't amused, and said so. Her response? Well, at least they are getting used. She doesn't get any more quilts from me.
My mother used the one (yes, ONE) quilt I made for her for my nephew (sister above) when he was really sick, and he had diarrhea and vomited all over it. She's never got another one!
My dad - of all people - has three of my quilts! One is a lord of the rings that is hanging on the wall, the other two are for him when he is watching TV - one is a lap quilt, the other is a huge rectangle so his whole body is covered!
I have had requests from some cousins, aunts, etc and I've done them, and they have been appreciative.
I make about 30 quilts a year (none are full bed size anymore) and I donate all of them to various charities. By December 15 I have dropped off all my quilts at different places for them to be handed out over the holidays.
My mother used the one (yes, ONE) quilt I made for her for my nephew (sister above) when he was really sick, and he had diarrhea and vomited all over it. She's never got another one!
My dad - of all people - has three of my quilts! One is a lord of the rings that is hanging on the wall, the other two are for him when he is watching TV - one is a lap quilt, the other is a huge rectangle so his whole body is covered!
I have had requests from some cousins, aunts, etc and I've done them, and they have been appreciative.
I make about 30 quilts a year (none are full bed size anymore) and I donate all of them to various charities. By December 15 I have dropped off all my quilts at different places for them to be handed out over the holidays.
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 180
Hum...I guess everyone's approach to making quilts for someone else is, indeed, unique. I can't imagine not remaining motivated once I've started a quilt -any quilt- but perhaps when problems occur or the design isn't working, that could have a negative impact. I can certainly relate to your statement that you can't keep quilts around long enough to build up a gift stash! I do not have in my possession a single quilt I've made for my personal use. The quilt on my bed, lovely though it is, is store-bought. It's embarrassing! I did make a log cabin throw using Moda's Roses and Chocolate II line of fabric for myself, BUT, as you pointed out has happened to you, when I finished the top and added the borders to it, my long-time friend from my home state, a woman I call "sister of my heart," came to mind; I didn't know it at the time, but I was making it for her. It is beautiful in its simplicity, and I don't dare attempt to quilt it myself, so for the first time, it will be quilted by a lady in my quilting group that does all our quilting on her long arm. So, I still don't have a quilt of any kind! Thank you for your comments!
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 180
I very much agree with you that even though a gift might not be well-received, the risk of giving is still worth it. I think I would like to quote you in response to Iona's post -it was she that said she had stopped giving gifts because they were not appreciated; I think when one gives from the heart, one has done all that can be done; the quilt takes on a life of its own, and the quilter moves on to another. There is simple joy in the giving, and who is to say that at a later date, sometimes much later, the recipient views the gift in a whole new light? Yes, I definitely agree with you. Thank you for your insight.
#14
I also follow those leadings that tell you who a quilt is for, as you are making it. Its so awesome.
Mountainwoman, you mentioned a quilt may not be working out and have a negative impact on you. I wanted to tell you that usually there is a period near the end of the making of a top, where you can fall out of love with the quilt and wonder, 'what the heck was I thinking?' At that point, press on... usually you will fall back in love with the quilt once it's finished. There's a recent thread here, titled "Is This Quilt Worth Quilting?" where that exact thing is happening! Hope she will finish her unique quilt.
Mountainwoman, you mentioned a quilt may not be working out and have a negative impact on you. I wanted to tell you that usually there is a period near the end of the making of a top, where you can fall out of love with the quilt and wonder, 'what the heck was I thinking?' At that point, press on... usually you will fall back in love with the quilt once it's finished. There's a recent thread here, titled "Is This Quilt Worth Quilting?" where that exact thing is happening! Hope she will finish her unique quilt.
#15
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 180
Well said! It is natural to expect one's gift to be appreciated, if for no other reason than to acknowledge the effort involved. Of course, I suppose if the recipient isn't a quilter and knows nothing of the process, he/she may not fully understand the effort it takes to create a quilt. I hope the quilts I've gifted bring pleasure to those to whom I've given, but I don't really give it much thought once the quilts have left my possession. I'm too busy planning my next project! As for charity quilts, my quilting group and I work on two or three projects at once, but each of us at one point or another create quilts on our own for donation. I'm not part of the decision-making process as to where these quilts end up, and I don't need a thank-you, so I don't need to know the recipient's name. I like to think, and I certainly hope, that the quilt brings some a moment of joy and a very real sense of comfort; that possibility motivates me to continue to create quilts for those in need. OH, I loved the idea your cousin had and that she displays the quilt you gave her in such a manner! I'm wanting, in the spring, to redecorate my apartment, using a country (farmhouse?) decor. It would never have occurred to me to use a quilt on a dining table!
#16
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 180
Oh, my, I think maybe your family doesn't quite understand -and certainly doesn't appreciate- all that is involved in quilting, except your dad, that is! Their loss! It is sweet that you are willing to quilt for others upon request, though, and I love that you make so many quilts to be given to those in need. The true joy, as most quilts know, of giving is in the actual giving!
#17
Junior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 180
Yes, and I have just the quilt in mind! I am still learning, which is joyful for me, so after watching a video (Donna, Jordan Fabrics) on making a disappearing nine-patch, I purchased 1/2 yd. each of five different fabrics, using the example in the video as a guide. Well, the pattern itself worked out well, but I really, really do not like the quilt (throw size). It is SO not me -all that bright color (I'm a calico or vintage fabric type of girl). When I bought the fabric (on sale), I thought, "well, it is good to step outside the box, right?" Not in this case. I showed it to my quilting group to get advice on which color or colors to use for a border or borders, but I prefaced my question with, "I'm not sure the whole quilt should be a "disappearing" one." They did not agree. The thing is, I can't even bring myself to go get the fabric for borders. I'm not sure what lesson I learned on this one, but I consider this quilt to be a mistake. But, then, hey, it isn't the first one and certainly won't be the last. I don't see myself falling in love with it; I see it as being donated because someone out there must surely love color!
#18
All my tiny family kids, Grands, and Great Grands have all the quilts they are going to get. Three Grands are not really fond of them. One I doubt has any of hers and one I made for her Baby (Now 4). They were young when I made some of them. Sis in Law has a couple, she is now very picky, wants me to purchase very specific fabrics for her, I won't and she won't get anymore. The others love my quilts.
A couple of years ago my Daughter and I donate about 29 almost twin size quilt, crocheted afghans, hats, to a local food pantry.
Now I just make smaller quilts to give to kids in the foster care program. If they don't like them I will never know.
I love all of the quilt making process and just want to make quilts. My Daughter makes quilts and gives other items too.
A couple of years ago my Daughter and I donate about 29 almost twin size quilt, crocheted afghans, hats, to a local food pantry.
Now I just make smaller quilts to give to kids in the foster care program. If they don't like them I will never know.
I love all of the quilt making process and just want to make quilts. My Daughter makes quilts and gives other items too.
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: N.E. England
Posts: 1,171
Any quilts I've given as gifts have always been well received. I relate to the difficulty in making specific quilts. I'm making a Storm At Sea for my sister's 60th (April gone!). I wanted to make something special. I've had nothing but bother with it, the top is made lots of corners cut off but I know she won't notice that. It needs quilting, can't get the back to load on the frame square! The result is I don't like the quilt, I can't be objective about it and am dreading giving it to her, I'm hoping once it's finished I'll fall back in love. Lesson learned, make special quilts with no one in mind.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Gaylord, MN
Posts: 4,014
I usually have a couple of quilts, table toppers, etc on hand. Every so often a person "touches" me in a special way and I give them a quilt. They are so appreciative. I recently met up with a very good friend from years ago and we had such a nice visit. We laughed and cried talking about our lives. She got a table runner which I had along as I felt she would be one of those people that really "touched" my heart.
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