I will admit sewing/quilting is getting to be expensive. I got to thinking instead of making it myself just buy it instead. But all of that thinking went out the window when I went to visit my nephew and his family.

I had made quilts for the two great nieces and one quilt for nephew and wife's bed.

As I was visiting some friends had come over. Yvonne, niece in law, was showing friends the house. "What a gorgeous bedspread!" My niece replied, "My Aunt Debbie made that for us. Come let me show you everything she has made for the family. My Aunt Debbie is so amazing!" I had tears in my eyes because of all the pride she had in her voice. I know it was genuine because she had no idea I was anywhere close enough to hear her.

Later, during the visit, we had all went to the dragstrip. My nephew and brother (his dad) built a racecar together. My brother is small in stature. Since he is the "pitboss" he has to carry several things with him. Once he gets everything together he suffers from "plumbers pants". I made a special vest for all his stuff. On the back of the vest I embroidered PIT BOSS and an outline of their car. At the strip, my brother put on his vest, got it all loaded up. During the races, I saw my brother talking to someone and showing them all the features of the vest. Then they came over to where I was setting. My brother put his arm around my shoulders and said, "This is my sister, the brains behind the vest." The man shook my hand and said, "I would love to have someone like you in my family." My brother said, "Nope, God only made one and I was the lucky one to get her!"

Needless to say, now I make everything I can, and try to figure out how to make the things I can't.

I so enjoy making my gifts, and much prefer to receive HM gifts. There is a lot of love invested in them. If everyone gets the same enjoyment from making gifts as I do, then even if they cost the same, it is well worth it for the giver and recipient to give/get HM gifts.

My daughter always tells me she would rather have the things i make her for a gift than go out and but it.

This story just warmed my heart! Thank you for sharing it!!!

Quilting is my stress relief. I go to my room, turn the tv on and sew away. It's about the only time I don't think about other things. Yes I could buy it in the store but it wouldn't look like mine. Besides I need to work on the stash :thumbup:

Anyone can go out and buy a gift if they have the funds, but not everyone who can afford to buy gifts can sew for their friends and family. That's special and the recipient knows it :)

This is the reason to make the gifts and not to buy! Plus I like the look I get from the recipient when they find out that I made it on a 100 year old plus sewing machine! You cant get that kinda love from a department store!!!

Billy

Specialty gifts are worth the efforts. But it doesn't make sense for me to buy flannel for pj pants when the girls are perfectly happy with the $10 ones at Old Navy!

Debbie, that is such a nice story! I know store bought may be cheaper but it lacks what handmade has :)

Just remember when people are buying those store bought embroidered gifts, they are usually made in a foreign country most likely in sweat shops. Yes, it costs us more in time and money to make it ourselves, but to me that is much more appreciated by the recipient. My girls love that I make them things. Whether I knit a scarf or sew a table runner, they know I put my heart and soul in it. And my grandkids love it when I make them gifts. When my grandson graduated from high school and went off to college in the fall I asked him what he wanted for a gift. He requested I make him a quilt/blanket for his dorm. I was thrilled.