There are several Marys here but if you are asking me mine is a Star Spin.

Funny story. One of the guys at work asked if I would make his mom two king size quilts. Said she would gladly pay up to $150.00 for both of them. After I stopped laughing :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: had to explain to him I would have more that $150.00 in supplies (fabric,batting and thread) in those two quilts. He decided maybe he didn't want them.

Each of the responses touched a nerve in me. I never give a second gift of ANY kind to anyone who hasn't acknowledged the first gift; this is not something I should brag about, but I don't need the aggravation I feel when people are unappreciative. I also give quilts only to charity or to persons that I am sure will love them and appreciate them. It's not important whether they are aware of my time, effort and money spent as long as they love the quilt(s). And yes, depending on the quilt size and complexity and quilting method, you CAN make many items of clothing in less time and with less trouble.

Funny you should say that, I'm still waiting for a thank you for the xmas gifts I sent to my niece (she's 16) and nephew (he's 19). I'm just a phone call away, guess it's too much trouble to call and say thank you.

I don't think non-quilters have any idea about how much time and money goes into a quilt either. When my first sister was turning 50, I asked my other sisters and brother (I have 4 sisters and 1 brother) if they wanted to give her a memory quilt. I would make it and the 5 of us would split the cost for materials and to send it out to be quilted. I think they almost fell over when I told them how much each owed me.

I do have to say that she loves the quilt. I've made another for sister that turned 50 - she loved it as well. Have another 50th b-day coming in July.

Dear Pal:
I am so sorry that you that all your love and hard work went unappreciated. I agree with everyone else that the vast majority of non-quilters haven't got a clue the hard work, time, money, thought and love go into planning and then puttng the whole thing together into a beautiful work of art.
I know how it feels to have all that work and love go unappreciated. I made a quilt for my younger niece as a graduation from college gift. It was a full bed size quilt and I paid much more for it then I had planned. Took weeks gathering all the material into her favorite colors. Brought 5 yards of Michael Millers pansey material at $9.00 per yard because they had her favorite colors and it was so beautiful. This way she could reverse it if she wanted to. She did say thank you when I gave it to her but the next time I visited my sister's house I saw the quilt on top of her sister's bed. Now you may say, well that is not too bad but my middle niece, who I adore, is in the habit of coming in from the stable and laying on top of whatever is on the top of her bed. Needless to say the quilt was a mess. I was very hurt but I have learned the people who do appreciate things like this and they are the only ones I will gift something like this to.

I don't think the word "thank you" are in their vocabulary. This year I decided not to make any more gifts for my 10 granddaughters, except for 2. All others took the package, no thank you, don't know if they even opened them at the party. I spent many hours making what I thought they would enjoy. NO MORE> My friends gave me a big thank you, and admired the fabric I used. So, Friends only will get gifts.
Cheer up, your not alone.

I guess the bottom line is the degree of pleasure you got from making and gifting the quilt. All you can control is the joy you have in the making and giving. You can't control their reaction. Thank you's are nice, but do seem to be a dying art.

BJ:
I agree with you. I had a lot of fun making it, it was my second quilt and did it in turning twenty design with fairy blocks for big block centers and different colors of purple along the edges. I loved it and it made me proud that I made it since I am 60 and never sewed before this. Truly that is all that matters at this point.
I did make a quilt for each of my 3 grandsons, ages 8 (dinosaur theme), 5(bug theme), and 4 (construction truck theme) respectively. They LOVED them and the crocheted scarfs I made each of them and they all thanked me indivdually and told me what parts they liked the best aobut their quilts.
Hey I know all of my family loves me and they ALL appreciate everything I do for them. I think the hurt was all about me and not about them. That is why I agree with you BJ.
Enjoy the picture it was a fun time and that is what I remember most.

I didn't get a thank you for the quilt I made my grandson for Christmas , either . I found out Friday that it still in the gift bag ! Never took it out . Well no more quilts for him . I wouldn't be surprised to see it out in the yard for their dog to drag around .


What really irked me about 4 years ago I handquilted a large panel for the man next door . He paid me , thanked me . I went over a week or so later , he had hung it . Not with the hanging sleeve ! Huge nails drove through it . Well my heart just sank . I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying something .

Annie

One thing we need to do is to be sure and lead by example. I have gotten some wierd gifts over the years but I try to express my appreciation of their thought.

For those of us that are parents we need to be sure our children say thank you. My youngest daughter was recently married and even though she is an adult I made a point of asking her if she got all of the thank yous mailed out. I am proud to say she did (before I asked). (I'm still wondering if some of the gifts I gave to others actually made it to their destination)