I've only been into quilting for 3 1/2 yrs. When my Mom and sister found out...the first thing they told me was NOT to make anything for them! One Christmas I got brave. I made one for my sister that was very, very simple. All I did was buy fleece remnants, cut into 5" squares, and sewed them all back togther. I tied it because I didn't know what else to do. It had a flannel backing. She absolutely loved it!!! After a couple of months I was showing off another more involved top. She made sure she wasn't going to receive it... Months later, I made a modified log cabin quilt. Took it to Mom's and put it on her bed. Weeks later, my brother called asked if I could make him one just like it. So I grabbed another quilt I had finished. Cat blocks. Went to Mom's bed again, gave the first one to my brother and gave Mom the newer one. But I've been told "No more". I have made a dozen since. I promised my other brother he could have my very favorite for Christmas coming. Other than that...I keep making them and no one wants them. I find I love them so much when they are done, I just want to keep them anyway. Mom took hers off the bed because she wanted to save it. I put it back on the bed. The sad news is that now her mind is rapidly failing and she isn't even aware it is folded on the chair beside her bed. Hasn't a clue to use it. I usually just read all your posts. Have only commented a couple of times. But I so look forward to reading all the wonderful things you all have to say to each other . Just wanted to say thanks for the entertainment. Ha ha ha

Just love your quilts and keep them for yourself and let them wonder what they are missing

ditto

Can't imagine no one wanting a quilt. Even if it is to keep in a closet until you want to curl up and read a book or watch TV.

I did make a quilt for a lady I worked with when she got married. She quit the day before, they eloped that weekend. Told her I had a wedding present for her and we set several dates o have lunch and she flaked on me several times. So I took the quilt home and donated it to a church.

I agree.. Keep them for yourself.. I don't know why people don't appreciate things.. I go to the thrift store, and see home made items all the time, and it makes me sad to think that someone discarded something that was made for them..
I am thrilled that have enough people that want my quilts..
Barri

I can't imagine anyone NOT wanting a quilt. My problem is everyone wants them. You KNOW that anyone on this board would love to have one of your quilts!!(hint-hint) There are organizations that would love to have them to auction off to raise $. The one dear to my heart is the Alzheimers Association, they have an on line auction going all the time. This is especially dear to me. 15 years ago I worked as Alzheimers Coordinator at a nursing home. Now my Dad has Alzheimers. No matter how prepared you are or how knowledgeable there are times when you just want to cry :cry:

There are many places that would love your quilts. Try Nursing homes, hospitals, Quilts for kids,Veterans centers, me...enjoy quilting and donate to others or keep them to snuggle with.

You can try and donate to Womens Shelters or homes for unwed mothers or troubled teens.

Plus - I'm sure there are people here that would love some. :) *hint!!* *hint*

My family would love for me to make them tons of quilts but they all want king sized and that ain't happening! :)

There are so many groups and people out there that would love your quilts. Our guild made 130 large quilts and a couple of dozen incubator quilts last year. We just can hardly keep up with all of the requests. There is a need out there in most communities. There are many seniors in long term care that would be thrilled to receive a hand made quilt.

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My sister asked me to make one to be donated to the Bakersfield Moose Lodge to be raffled off for Make A Wish for children.

I think that is a marvelous thing for them to do.

quilts are not for everyone...so make them, store them and when the time is right, their NEW home will find you & them!

There's been a busy thread here lately about how much dialysis patients appreciate quilts. You can read it here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-154088-1.htm

I'll take one! And will love it to death! I've made everyone in my close family one or two quilts each. My cousin is a quilter, a sewer, a crafter. Not one time have I EVER received a home made item from her. I have friends I've made quilts for & I've got nothing ever from them either. I feel offended but don't know why. I've made quilted jackets & purses for 2 of my quilting friends & NOTHING in return. I must have kooties or something, I can't figure it out.

oops double post

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. Mine is my very best friend so I think I can understand how you must feel. Remember that she could feel the love in the quilt you made for her while she could. :) Continue to make your quilts and bask in the joy you get from making them. :)

Good for you. Maybe she didn't really want a quilt and didn't know how to tell you. :)

I hear you and feel the same. :)

If you are giving the quilt away that's pictured in your avatar...I can send you my address...LOL. I LOVE that quilt. I ordered and just received a book called Red, White and Sometimes Blue because I love the patriotic look on/in just about anything.

Some people just don't get it! I love them all!

Some people just don't get it! I love them all!

Anytime you feel the need. you can send them my way!!!

I'm sorry your family don't appreciate the love your trying to wrap them in. I can tell you that there are a lot of people who are very sick who would love them. There are soliders who would love them, kids, older folks, you name it. My family have a few quilts each and love them. My Granny made quilt tops for all of us. I guess I have about 10 of them. They are all quilted now. I was the first person to make her a quilt. She slept with it until she died and I now have it also.
Don't give up, enjoy your quilting and the place they need to go will soon speak for them.

I've given a bunch of quilts to people, and I've also given of myself.. I think I would go into shock if I got something back in return.. I'm not sure how I would deal with it.. I'm so used to being on the giving end..
Barri

You all are so special. Thanks for your comments. I am taking it all to heart. The quilt in my avatar was an early one I made at LQS. For $5 a week, they gave me a kit for each block. All different. It was a fun way to learn and I really enjoyed the class. I couldn't go on the fridays they set, so I went on my days off which were always thursdays. I had the shop to myself. They ran the business, and I ran them wild with all the questions. LOL

Interesting topic. I quilt mainly for my own pleasure. Some people get quilts, but only if they ask, and I feel like it (like grandchildren) or if I am sure they want them, and the rest of them are still with me. I like using them or just looking at them. I don't expect them to become heirlooms, but, that's okay too.

I know what you mean. Being on the giving end is not all it's cracked up to be. I gave my daughter $17K and now she won't speak to me. At all!! Took vacation last year when my sister had surgery and she wanted someone around. I had surgery this past May...nothing. Not even a phone call. I guess that is where I channel all my energy is into quilts. Last week I did a marathon quilting session on my day off. Sewed or cut fabric for 11 hours straight. Only potty breaks, let the dog out, snacked, then right back at it. It's very theraputic for me. I love ALL of it. Though I'm not really good at it, yet. LOL

I agree keep them and enjoy them as long as you want to. I have the same thing in my family so I keep special ones for me and the others get donated to the Cancer Society for patients dealing with cancer. Just enjoy them like we do our fabric stashes.

I agree keep them and enjoy them as long as you want to. I have the same thing in my family so I keep special ones for me and the others get donated to the Cancer Society for patients dealing with cancer. Just enjoy them like we do our fabric stashes. Posts aren't going through very well tonight.

thing is...after I spend so much time fingering and positioning each little piece, I really love them. Hard to think of just giving them away to someone knowing I will never see it again. Know what I mean?

thank you

They don't want you to go through the effort of making stuff for them because they can't reciprocate. That's usually the issue unless your tastes are so incredibly different they don't gel.

My family members asked me to stop making afghans. Made sense since only my Mom and one sister seemed to use them. Quilts everybody wants, so not a problem. Keep them for yourself. Sell them on EbaY. While some ladies here are always pushing to donate quilts, feel free to make a profit on them. It will free up your space and provide you with funds to make something else. I'm making several Halloween quilts. I'll keep what I love and the others will be sold to pay for new Bernina feet and supplies.

never thought of ME making money on them. EBAY might be a solution. Thanks

I have a 5 year old boy and a 7 year old girl - one or the other of them always wants what mom made, but they understand when I tell them "this one is for a little boy or girl who doesn't already have one". The local women's shelter is always very happy to receive quilts.

I believe you'll find the right home for them when the time is right! Keep doing it if you love it!

My DMIL told me not to make her anything -- if she wanted it she would make it herself (she was an awesome seamstress). Now she asks all the time for quilts and blankets -- different colors, patterns or textures. She is in a nursing home and they sometimes disappear and sometimes she just likes a change. Her memory is not so good, but she is always hugging one of thw quilts I made her.

I have just the opposite problem. Everybody I know wants me to make them one.They're isn't enough hours in a day for me to get to them all.Now I only do it for friends and family, and I'm still covered up, pun intended! LOL

There are so many places to donate quilts. Pick a favorite and keep stitching. For instance: Project Linus, Lap quilts for rest home residents, homeless shelters, hospital NICU's, Veteran's homes, those moving into a new house who have lost a home to fire or flood, check with your church to see if the missionaries need them, maybe just a close neighbor if they like what you make. Don't get discouraged. Most people really LOVE a handmade quilt.

There are charities that are looking for quilts all the time. Just in the last week or so I've seen two posts on the board asking for quilts. One in Texas and one in Vermont. I'm sure they would love to have your help ( and quilts ).

I would have more of my quilts laying around here and enjoying them if they didn't like my quilts and didn't ask for one. But then again, I like gifting them to family and friends.