For my family, it depends on the person LOL ... I've gifted my sister with three Jenny Byer's quilts, and she used them for her cats to sleep on. I wasn't amused, and said so. Her response? Well, at least they are getting used. She doesn't get any more quilts from me.

My mother used the one (yes, ONE) quilt I made for her for my nephew (sister above) when he was really sick, and he had diarrhea and vomited all over it. She's never got another one!

My dad - of all people - has three of my quilts! One is a lord of the rings that is hanging on the wall, the other two are for him when he is watching TV - one is a lap quilt, the other is a huge rectangle so his whole body is covered!

I have had requests from some cousins, aunts, etc and I've done them, and they have been appreciative.

I make about 30 quilts a year (none are full bed size anymore) and I donate all of them to various charities. By December 15 I have dropped off all my quilts at different places for them to be handed out over the holidays.

Hum...I guess everyone's approach to making quilts for someone else is, indeed, unique. I can't imagine not remaining motivated once I've started a quilt -any quilt- but perhaps when problems occur or the design isn't working, that could have a negative impact. I can certainly relate to your statement that you can't keep quilts around long enough to build up a gift stash! I do not have in my possession a single quilt I've made for my personal use. The quilt on my bed, lovely though it is, is store-bought. It's embarrassing! I did make a log cabin throw using Moda's Roses and Chocolate II line of fabric for myself, BUT, as you pointed out has happened to you, when I finished the top and added the borders to it, my long-time friend from my home state, a woman I call "sister of my heart," came to mind; I didn't know it at the time, but I was making it for her. It is beautiful in its simplicity, and I don't dare attempt to quilt it myself, so for the first time, it will be quilted by a lady in my quilting group that does all our quilting on her long arm. So, I still don't have a quilt of any kind! Thank you for your comments!

I very much agree with you that even though a gift might not be well-received, the risk of giving is still worth it. I think I would like to quote you in response to Iona's post -it was she that said she had stopped giving gifts because they were not appreciated; I think when one gives from the heart, one has done all that can be done; the quilt takes on a life of its own, and the quilter moves on to another. There is simple joy in the giving, and who is to say that at a later date, sometimes much later, the recipient views the gift in a whole new light? Yes, I definitely agree with you. Thank you for your insight.

I also follow those leadings that tell you who a quilt is for, as you are making it. Its so awesome.

Mountainwoman, you mentioned a quilt may not be working out and have a negative impact on you. I wanted to tell you that usually there is a period near the end of the making of a top, where you can fall out of love with the quilt and wonder, 'what the heck was I thinking?' At that point, press on... usually you will fall back in love with the quilt once it's finished. There's a recent thread here, titled "Is This Quilt Worth Quilting?" where that exact thing is happening! Hope she will finish her unique quilt.

Well said! It is natural to expect one's gift to be appreciated, if for no other reason than to acknowledge the effort involved. Of course, I suppose if the recipient isn't a quilter and knows nothing of the process, he/she may not fully understand the effort it takes to create a quilt. I hope the quilts I've gifted bring pleasure to those to whom I've given, but I don't really give it much thought once the quilts have left my possession. I'm too busy planning my next project! As for charity quilts, my quilting group and I work on two or three projects at once, but each of us at one point or another create quilts on our own for donation. I'm not part of the decision-making process as to where these quilts end up, and I don't need a thank-you, so I don't need to know the recipient's name. I like to think, and I certainly hope, that the quilt brings some a moment of joy and a very real sense of comfort; that possibility motivates me to continue to create quilts for those in need. OH, I loved the idea your cousin had and that she displays the quilt you gave her in such a manner! I'm wanting, in the spring, to redecorate my apartment, using a country (farmhouse?) decor. It would never have occurred to me to use a quilt on a dining table!

Oh, my, I think maybe your family doesn't quite understand -and certainly doesn't appreciate- all that is involved in quilting, except your dad, that is! Their loss! It is sweet that you are willing to quilt for others upon request, though, and I love that you make so many quilts to be given to those in need. The true joy, as most quilts know, of giving is in the actual giving!

Yes, and I have just the quilt in mind! I am still learning, which is joyful for me, so after watching a video (Donna, Jordan Fabrics) on making a disappearing nine-patch, I purchased 1/2 yd. each of five different fabrics, using the example in the video as a guide. Well, the pattern itself worked out well, but I really, really do not like the quilt (throw size). It is SO not me -all that bright color (I'm a calico or vintage fabric type of girl). When I bought the fabric (on sale), I thought, "well, it is good to step outside the box, right?" Not in this case. I showed it to my quilting group to get advice on which color or colors to use for a border or borders, but I prefaced my question with, "I'm not sure the whole quilt should be a "disappearing" one." They did not agree. The thing is, I can't even bring myself to go get the fabric for borders. I'm not sure what lesson I learned on this one, but I consider this quilt to be a mistake. But, then, hey, it isn't the first one and certainly won't be the last. I don't see myself falling in love with it; I see it as being donated because someone out there must surely love color!

All my tiny family kids, Grands, and Great Grands have all the quilts they are going to get. Three Grands are not really fond of them. One I doubt has any of hers and one I made for her Baby (Now 4). They were young when I made some of them. Sis in Law has a couple, she is now very picky, wants me to purchase very specific fabrics for her, I won't and she won't get anymore. The others love my quilts.

A couple of years ago my Daughter and I donate about 29 almost twin size quilt, crocheted afghans, hats, to a local food pantry.
Now I just make smaller quilts to give to kids in the foster care program. If they don't like them I will never know.
I love all of the quilt making process and just want to make quilts. My Daughter makes quilts and gives other items too.

Any quilts I've given as gifts have always been well received. I relate to the difficulty in making specific quilts. I'm making a Storm At Sea for my sister's 60th (April gone!). I wanted to make something special. I've had nothing but bother with it, the top is made lots of corners cut off but I know she won't notice that. It needs quilting, can't get the back to load on the frame square! The result is I don't like the quilt, I can't be objective about it and am dreading giving it to her, I'm hoping once it's finished I'll fall back in love. Lesson learned, make special quilts with no one in mind.

I usually have a couple of quilts, table toppers, etc on hand. Every so often a person "touches" me in a special way and I give them a quilt. They are so appreciative. I recently met up with a very good friend from years ago and we had such a nice visit. We laughed and cried talking about our lives. She got a table runner which I had along as I felt she would be one of those people that really "touched" my heart.