I fixed a sewing machine for a friend of a friend. The machine was his Grandmother's Singer 401. He inherited her house, along with most of the contents. He wanted to pay me but I don't take money to work on machines. He went in another room and came out with a Grandma's Flower Garden quilt top his Grandmother had hand pieced, he insisted I take it. I have never done anything with it because I didn't want to machine quilt a hand pieced top.

I want to learn to hand quilt and I have decided it will be my first victim. Here is my dilemma, I don't feel right keeping the quilt once it is finished. I want to give it back to him or his parents. It was his father's mom who made the top. I asked when he gave it to me if someone in his family would want it to finish. He told me "No, Gram never finished them and no one knows how to, so I'm giving them away". What would you do and how would you approach the family once it is completed?

It is good to see there are still some unselfish people left in the world! Best of luck to you with your hand quilting, your right it should never be machine quilted. as far as approaching the family your on your own there.

One of the most difficult lessons I have learned in life is to accept compliments and kindnesses. You did something nice for this man and he has reciprocated. Accept his thank you graciously and rather than trying to give the quilt back to him, pay it forward when the next opportunity comes your way. Accepting thank yous and compliments shows the person who gave them to you that you respect their gift.

I agree I'd also make sure the label had all the information you just gave us and his Grandmas name then I'd show it to your friend. I'm sure he would love to see it finished

Finish the quilt (or give it to someone who can do it justice), and pass on the blessing!

Finish it and show him. Remember some don't appreciate quilts like we do but he might enjoy seeing it finished.

How special! Please post a pic of it-I am making one (all hand-pieced and will be hand-quilted) and I always love looking at different layouts and colors!

Pay it forward. You must finish it for him. Therese

Say " Thank you very much. I will finish the top and treasure it since you gave it to me and I am sure it was made with love by your Grandma." Why is it so hard for us to accept a token of appreciation? I believe in Karma- nice things come to people who do nice things.

You mention that he had other tops that his grandmother had done that no one else knows how to quilt ...

Why don't you just tell him to pick out one of those that he really likes, or has a special connection to, and you would gladly quilt that one for him for free .... and label it with his grandmother's name as the piecer and him as the recipient ....

If he doesn't want one, perhaps his dad would, since his dad may have more memories of the quilt's origin.