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Some of you have such sad stories. My heart breaks for the time and money that you spent only to have your quilts trashed.
My daughters and my sisters are the only people that I will quilt for now. Oh, I forgot my husband. He's very appreciative to have his own man quilt (one without flowers). My sister's start crying when I give them a new quilt. I am happy to do this for them. None of my four sisters sew. I give them two rules. I never want to see the quilts outside being dragged down the sidewalk by a kid. And no pets on the quilts. My sisters all have big dogs. They know that they will never get another quilt if their families don't take care of it. I have a large house but really, how many quilts do I need displayed? So my sisters are the lucky ones. I will not make any more quilts for my mother or the in-laws. My mom scaled down her house to go live in Florida. She gave me back all the pictures of the grandkids that I ever sent and the quilts I made. I designed and hand quilted a quilt using flour sack fabric that my grandmother had. That quilt had zero sentimental value to her apparently. At least she had the courtesy to give it back to me. I won't even get into why the in-laws aren't worthy. :mrgreen: |
My oldest daughter had no idea until one day she asked me what it costs me to make a quilt. I explained the cost of QS fabric, patterns, thread, batting, sewing and quilting time and or money if you have it quilted. I noticed that she now takes much better care of her quilts that I have made for her.
I just try to remember that once I give something as a gift, it is up to the recipient to decide how they want to handle it. It is no longer mine, it is theirs. I make a lot of charity quilts for my church and my 2 guilds and I find that I am much more joyful if I just look at the beauty of the project and not the cost or time. I just love to quilt and it does my heart good to just share my God given talents with others. :) |
Originally Posted by blahel
I dont think most people have a clue as to how much work goes into a quilt and not to mention expense. i think most people think that homemade items are made to save money but the opposite is mostly true and it often costs at least twice as much as a commercially bought one.
I recently made my niece a diaper bag and a baby blanket and put a lot of thought and work into it. i made a lovely label and hand embroidered his name etc. The only thanks i got was from her mum (my sister inlaw) and all she said was Naomi said thanks for the gifts. That was all. It would have been nice to receive a thankyou card from my niece and maybe even a photo of her and the baby as i also bought a book and a soft toy. I should have not expected that as for her 21st my mum and i went halves in a gold bracelet for her and i have never been thanked for that either. I usually dont make quilts for other people unless they admire what i am doing and then i usually make them a gift for a special occasion as i am fully aware that non quilters dont always want or like quilts but that is their choice. I was just hurt that my niece couldnt even send a card herself to say thankyou. |
Originally Posted by stashblaster
Some of you have such sad stories. My heart breaks for the time and money that you spent only to have your quilts trashed.
My daughters and my sisters are the only people that I will quilt for now. Oh, I forgot my husband. He's very appreciative to have his own man quilt (one without flowers). My sister's start crying when I give them a new quilt. I am happy to do this for them. None of my four sisters sew. I give them two rules. I never want to see the quilts outside being dragged down the sidewalk by a kid. And no pets on the quilts. My sisters all have big dogs. They know that they will never get another quilt if their families don't take care of it. I have a large house but really, how many quilts do I need displayed? So my sisters are the lucky ones. I will not make any more quilts for my mother or the in-laws. My mom scaled down her house to go live in Florida. She gave me back all the pictures of the grandkids that I ever sent and the quilts I made. I designed and hand quilted a quilt using flour sack fabric that my grandmother had. That quilt had zero sentimental value to her apparently. At least she had the courtesy to give it back to me. I won't even get into why the in-laws aren't worthy. :mrgreen: |
My look at all your responses! I've only made quilts for my GC. They have always given me hugs and kisses. Now, they are teenagers, and learning the art of quiltmaking. I think they understand the time and frustrations in quilting. I'm in the process of designing (1st time ever) a quilt for a friend. Hopefully, I will get a thank you from her.
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quiltntime that is the cutest little dog! what kind?
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I have given away almost all of the quilts I have made. Some of the people are very appreciative and others not so much. But I remember when we were newly married we got a quilt from my husband's grandmother. It didn't match anything in our house and I used to throw it on the floor for my babies to lay on and we took it on picnics. I didn't have a clue!! I even threw it out when it got all tattered. Now, it makes me sick to think I did that. I have ones my mother-in-law made and an aunt made, they match nothing and I treasure them. I wish they would have singed them.
One daughter loved the quilts I made her kids but she's put them away and no one sees them and they don't get damaged. My daughter in law uses them all the time and that makes me feel good. Something I made is giving warmth and comfort to my grand babies. When people ask me if I sell my quilts I always say no one would pay the price. And it's true. I hand quilt only, so they do take lots of time. My youngest son loves his and asked me to make it larger when he got a larger bed. I did.When we went to visit I noticed he had the corner turned back to expose the signature. I just put it back down but when I saw it that way again I asked him why he did that, he said he wanted anyone who saw it to know it wasn't just any quilt, it was made by me for him. Can't get any better compliment than that. |
What a wonderful son you have. And what a wonderful mother he has. I have a granddaughter who lost her daddy when she was 14 mo. old (our son) and she had no memories of him except what her mother told her so I put together a photo album quilt for her with pictures of her and her daddy and then her daddy as he was growing up until he passed away. He was in the Army and so his army picture is beside one of her on the label and it says "I will always be your guardian angel" I put 2 - 9" pocets on the back for her to put any letters she wants to write to him and the other to put a journal in to write things that people tell her about her daddy so she will have some memories as she grows older. She is 11 now. She won't let her half siblings touch it but she shows it to everyone and tells them about her daddy now. I also put long ties in it so when she says her prayers at night she can say one for her daddy and mommy and tie a knot for the prayer. She will never part with it. She still has the one I made for her when she was born and I have repaired it so she can still snuggle up in it too. She wants me to teach her but she live 400 miles from me so when she comes for a visit we sit and learn together. I feel so blessed!! God gave me the skills for reasons beyond what I can fathom.
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No, non-quilters are CLUELESS!!! People don't even have an idea of what good cotton fabric is, much less the price.
If you want to see shock, just tell someone what your time and costs are for making them a quilt. They will opt for the $69 QVC quilt every time. I make quilts for family members who know how much goes into each one. They value them. Mostly I make quilts for my home and that is it now. The quilts I made for my mother, dad and grandparents don't get used at all because they are afraid to ruin them! LOL That is a compliment in a way! I used to make quilts for a friend, but when I stopped under-charging her for the work, she cancelled her remaining orders. Quilt because it makes you happy! And if someone is ungrateful, tell them you would like it back! It's better than hurt feelings on your part. |
I give all of my quilts away. I was at my aunts house. Her Best friend was there I was showing my Aunt my newest Quilt. And her friend fell in love with it... so I asked her to hold it for me...... forever.... she still loves the Quilt... and rants and raves about it.... Thats the kind of matches I like to make....
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