People are used to buying quilts for $29 or $39 that are made with slave labor. I used to buy them myself and must admit they are not bad so I understand why people dont appreciate what we spend so much time and money on. The only thing bad about them is the quilting, its not as nice as a professional quilter would do.
I make my own now as I am hooked on quilting as a hobby. I gave up sewing clothes yrs ago because it was cheaper to buy them.
I have been making lap quilts for the last 4 years since they are not for sale in stores. Bed size I send out as its just to much to handle on a regular sewing machine.
I give away most of my laps and they get used alot since they fit nicely on the back of a couch. Not as expensive to make either. Its nice to see Chistmas quilts I have made come out each yr.

we were watching Antiques Roadshow last night and it occurred to me that in the last 50 years very little has been made that is a 'treasure'...

there are a gazillion furniture stores - one on every corner, full of pressed-wood furniture that is pitched out in the trash, and something new gotten - look at 'Rooms to Go', the way they advertise you should replace your furniture every 6 months or so - get tired of it? buy new

All kinds of glassware, dishes, silverware - very inexpensive - use it for a year or so - pitch it - get new, break it? don't worry about it, you can get a whole new set for $9.99

tired of the color scheme in your bathroom or bedroom? run to wallyworld and get a whole new 'look' for under two hundred dollars - no big deal..

have you watched "House Hunters" lately? talk about spoiled people - "oh, we need at least 2500 square feet for the FOUR of us"... sickening... and then they walk through and make nasty remarks about the flooring - "oh this tile/linoleum/whatever has to go and the cabinets are terrible" - we'd rip those out right away - then they spend more on refurbishing than we spent on our HOUSE!

it's into that mindset that you are gifting a quilt - and it would be the same with a painting or handblown glass - it doesn't mean anymore than the blanket from wallyworld...

sad commentary - and look at the current world-wide crises - all because we've raised a generation that expects to throw away and replace at the drop of a hat - and the whole thing comes tumbling down if they don't....

I was raised by people who survived the depression - we learned to make something last - I still have problems throwing away something that "might come in handy someday" :lol: .....

You are so right.
My mother grew up during the depression and it stayed with her all her life.
I think we are heading into another one now. Some hard lessons the younger generation has to learn.
Those shows make me sick. Such a waste and the ecologial damage it does. My own kitchen isnt as nice as some of the ones they tear out and dont even recyle.

I am so glad to hear some of your comments.. my house is 900 sq ft and I just love it, but we have 4 adults living in it. My son and dil live with us to share costs and help care for me on my bad days. My husband can fix anything and I can cook anything from scratch. My son and DIL cook from mixes and cans, and everything is replaceable. Last night he went to groc store and came home with $167 worth of DVD's. I was appalled! Their money, their choices - but their stuff is all so temporary/disposable.

Ah well, we definitely have a generation gap in our house. DH was born during the Great Depression and I was raised by parents who were dirt poor.

I had no idea what went into making a quilt til I started quilting. All my quilts have gone to my kids (they live with me and know how much work and money I put into the quilts). This Christmas was the first time I gave quilts to anyone who didn't live in my house. My soon to be SIL loved his quilt and thanks me often for it. His family wanted him to store the quilt because they felt a quilt made by hand should be a family heirloom. DD explained I would be offended if he didn't use it. I had to promise I would fix it or replace it if it was damaged in anyway. Silly boy. I made my dad a wall hanging that was a family tree. It's hanging on the most prominent wall in his house and he carries a picture of it to show everyone. It would be the last quilt I made someone if they didn't even thank me. My feelings would be sooooo hurt.

I made a wall hanging for my mom & sister for Christmas 2007. They said it was nice and thanked me. But I really do have the feeling that it has just gone into the closet, folded and forgotten. If that's the case, I would love to get it back and give it to someone who has a daschund and would love the quilt. Oh well.....I won't make that mistake again. It IS a lot of work.

This is the quilt I made for them - my first attempt at machine applique and fell in love with it!

Shoot, where did my quilt picture go????

Don't you hate when that happens. I'm sure it's my computer, not me. LOL :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have been extremely lucky in my quilt-gifting, I suppose. I have made and gifted quilts to four of my daughter's college friends (she graduated in 2000, so these are friends for life) and each and every one of them thanked me profusely. One later asked about cleaning; he had been taking his quilt to the professional cleaners - he was thrilled when I said he could throw it in the washer & dryer. Another had an aged and ill dog that liked to sleep with her, so her quilt was put away until after the dog passed on, but now it is on her bed. The third brought her quilt to a weekend get-together that this gang has each summer so she could brag about it. The fourth has told me several times how much her quilt fits her color scheme in her bedroom.

I'm in the process of finishing up a fifth one. See, I'm putting off - no, practicing up for - the eleven quilts I need to make for the grands.

These kids all just so appreciate my thinking about them and taking the time to make something especially for them. In fact, two of the fellas were with us on the last trip to Joanns, and I came home with a surprise in one of my bags . . .a quilting calculator. So I know they appreciate their quilts!

I agree with all the comments. No, people don't appreciate the work, time and money that goes into them. When I was a teenager, my GF's wife gave me a quilt that she had hand made. Of course, I thanked her and even did send the written thank you note..but I didn't appreciate it. I folded it up neatly and put it in the top of my closet. With her encouragement, I started to learn to quilt in 06 and that quilt finally came out of the closet and is loved for how beautiful it is. I personally have only given 2 baby quilts (which were loved..I know because now the Mom's sister wants to buy one from me) and quilts to Linus...I know those are appreciated and don't expect a thanks.