twinkie

A lot of quilters enjoy making the tops more than quilting them. There are many that sell the tope on E-Bay for those who love to quilt. I am so sorry to hear about your DH's illness. Will be praying for him and for you.

twinkie

What kind of transplant? My oldest son had a kidney transplant in 2008. He has done quite well. Hope your DH has done well also.

sweetana3

Honey, do whatever makes your heart feel better. Right now, if just making tops is your thing, go for it. For a long time that was what I did and the closet got filled with tops and backings and the bindings all hung on hangers.

I have a friend who loves to quilt but it not yet really good at it. I give her all my charity tops to practice on and she loves it. She does the quilting and binding and every time she does, she gets better. So it is a good relationship.

But if she did not, the quilts would be in the closet until I found an alternative.

Nothing to feel quilty about. It is a hobby and should be enjoyable and take our minds off other problems while we are enjoying the work itself.

rj.neihart

If making the tops are what bring you joy, I say go for it! Don't worry about quilting your creations - sometime you may meet someone who doesn't enjoy making the tops, and only likes the quilting. I have found some beautiful treasures out there, others passed up because they were not quilted. How fortunate for me to have had the honor of quilting these treasures.

coopah

I, too, just enjoy making the tops. So I have started using a LAQ to get the larger ones done. I SID or use a fancy stitch on seams for smaller quilts and charity quilts. No, you can't gift just the tops, so maybe you could tie them instead of quilting? I've done that, too for quilts that are not fancy. Just an idea. Hope your hubby's cancer will go into remission. He sounds like a precious gem.

kathyquilts40

Quilting is what keeps me sane! Do what you love and find someone to help you with the rest. Or find a quilting group that shares knowledge or will gladly finish the quilts for you. I belong to one that very generously helps and encourages. It has been a blessing for me as well. Prayers and best wishes on the recovery for your husband!

carolaug

Don't forget to make yourself a few pillows with your tops. The birthing method is also very easy. you can also make a tablecloth. I love the look of the patchwork on the diningroom table.

catmcclure

My daughter's MIL passed away many years ago. She was born almost 100 years ago. When she passed away she left a large chest full of completed but unquilted top. It used to be the norm that people made the tops and put them away until they needed to make a quilt for a gift. Then they'd get a "bee" together and complete as many quilts as needed. My daughter was in a contest at MQX to submit a quilt made from any KC Star quilt pattern from the 30's to 50's. She just pulled out an authentic 30's quilt from the stash and quilted it.

I just purchased a beautiful applique quilt top from the early 50's. It's just waiting to be hand-quilted. I have a friend who's going to do that for me this year. If it had been quilted at the time the top was completed, it would probably be worn out by now. However, I am now going to enjoy this beautiful quilt. Someone, someday will complete the tops you make and store away.

petpainter

I agree- just stack them up and keep stitch'in! I have a friend with a husband that keep her housebound with him, and she's in the same boat...hasn't been able to quilt herself and doesn't enjoy even trying really. She makes top after top, and loves it. How many people can say they do what they love to do?
Good thoughts for your Hubby and no unneeded stress!

lclang

Have you thought about tying them instead of quilting them?? It's lots faster and works fine. I have a stash of finished tops also. I keep telling myself I will learn to do a passable job of machine quilting THIS YEAR...(I've been telling myself this for the last three years). Can't afford to have mine done by a long armer. You can also do simple quilting, like in the ditch or overall squares or lines. Do what you want and take good care of your DH! Blessings!