When I make a quilt it is always for use as a bed spread and I never use it as a blanket. However, most of the time when I make a quilt for one of my daughters or grandchildren they use them a blankets.

Just wondering how everyone else feels about this.

I make them to be well used and loved :D:D:D

Depends. If I made a bed quilt (I've got two in progress but neither is finished yet) I expect it will be used as a bed quilt until it is too worn, and then to be used as a "blanket" (carried on picnics, taken camping, on fishing trips, etc). If I make a throw size or baby quilt, I expect they'll be carried around and used however the owner needs to use them, whether it's on the couch or on a picnic.

Really, I don't do hand quilting, and all my quilts tend towards the "utility" end of the quilt continuum. I try to make them washable and durable, and I very rarely do complicated patterns or hand applique. I use a lot of scraps, and reuse clothing. I might feel differently about a hand-appliqued, hand-quilted baltimore album made entirely from quilt shop fabric that cost $10 a yard.

Personally I don't care how the recipient uses what I make for them. I make mine to be attractive as well as utilitarian. A neighbor made me one I use as a couch throw so everyone who comes in my house sees it. I don't hand sew or quilt anything because I want it to be able to be washed and "loved". That way I know they are appreciated.

I use mine the Linus way - as a comfy blanket. Everyone else varies.

I use them as blankets. Honestly, I am too lazy to have a bedspread that I have to remove and fold neatly every night just to put it back on in the morning. No one but family sees my bedroom and I make the bed every morning. If I am feeling fancy, I put an extra set of pillows with matching shams on the bed. I can just toss those in the corner at night! lol

I think either way is right. We all love things differently. My grandmother used bed spreads and they looked very nice. So maybe it is part generational?

We just bought new livingroom furniture for the first time in 30 years. I have quilts covering the seating areas because we have 3 chihuahuas and my husband feeds them on the furniture. All my quilts are made with easy patterns and meant to be used and washed alot. My kids use the quilts I send them too.

I use them for bedspreads, blankets.. one I only use, that my mil made, when I am sick.. I also have one that my huby's great aunt made and it is on the wall. She made it around 1930. Others always adorn beds, bench seats, hope chest etc. I love to see them and use them, to be able to touch them.. bring to minds eyes who made them with loving hands whether I knew them or not.

As long as they are not folded on on a shelf , it doesn't really matter . I do not keep any of my quilts.

I absolutely use mine. On the bed, on the sofa, on the floor when my grandson and I have a "picnic", one daughter uses hers on the bed the other one won't use hers because she afraid of ruining it, I keep telling her she can't hurt it, I made it to be used. Now that she is learning to quilt herself, she'll begin to use it.

Mine are made to be used and abused. I want to see them being loved to the point of falling apart that way I have an excuse to make more.

same here

In the winter as a blanket.

Now there no way I could sleep with a quilt. It is just simply too darn hot without air conditioning. I used to use the swamp cooler, but the outside faucet that it is hooked to leaks under the kitchen sink. I can't afford to fix it so I am hot hot hot. When oh when will it be Fall.

I can hear the thunder and smell smoke right now, so I know there is a fire close. I just wish it would rain and rain and rain or even snow.

I hope to get a quilt ladder so that I can hang a couple of quilts my mom made. I won't let anyone use these because they are just too special to me and I miss her so much.

I make mine to be used!

I make mine to be used and to be given away.

I always make quilts with the intent that they will be used and loved. If I ever made one that was for looks only, I'd make it as a wall quilt. Everyone (even the grown ups) needs a "blankie" at some point in their lives. I would be honored if mine was the one someone chose to comfort them. :) And if someone's wears out, I will make a better one.

Here, Here Katier825 I agree with you, if one wears out I'll make them a better one

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I have never had a quilt in my life, but if I did I love, and snuggle in it forever! :mrgreen:

I have a quilted table runner on the dining room table, and quilts on the back of the sofa, the back of my favorite chair, draped over the rocking chair, and on every bed.

In the winter we have 2 or 3 quilts on every bed. We use the nicest one (sometimes that is the newest) on top, but we use them. They aren't removed when we go to sleep.

I change them depending on my mood and the season. I consider the quilts to be art. I like having a change of scenery so I rotate different paintings on the wall and I enjoy different quilts on the beds for the same reason.

I'm in the process of making my first bed-sized quilt now (twin XL) and am also in the process of convincing the recipient to please use it! If you don't put it on your bed, keep it handy to wrap up in during the cold Ithaca winters! Haha, as long as it's being used in some way, I am happy :)

I use all of my quilts, on the beds as blankets and bedspreads. I use them as lap quilts , wall hangings, I think they make a house a home. When I make quilts for people I make sure they are in the colors they like, because I find they will use them.

To be honest how I feel about it is this: you say you make these gifts 'for use as a bedspread' but the only way to control what happens your quilts is to keep them under lock and key. From your post I am hearing some anger toward those you gifted quilts to. I think this is very sad. Did they say they wanted a bedspread? (Do your grandchildren even know what a bedspread is?) I would be really annoyed if my mother made me something and then found fault with how I chose to use it (within reason, obviously) I think you should be pleased they like your gifts enough to use them, and to use them so intimately. I guess they must love you dearly to want to have your work near them like that. Pretty nice feeling, no?

Probably a lot "generational" since I am soooo many generations!! lol

Angry? Not a chance. I love that my offspring love my quilts. I was just wondering how all of you used the quilts you made. I have nine grandchildren and they are all on their third quilts, so you know that they have been used and loved.

I make mine to be used. My DH and I sleep under a king sized one I made every night. I use it as a bedspread but I don't take it off at night. I don't like scratchy blankets and don't even own one.

My Mom gave me a BEAUTIFUL quilt, a double wedding ring. This quilt is so special to me. I haven't put it on my bed yet because I am afriad it will get ruined. I have had it for seven months. Clearly, Mom is upset that I haven't used it yet. I wouldn't dream of using it as a blanket. If I made it for someone I wouldn't want them to ever use it as a blanket.

I make them to be used also, it doesn't always happen. I made a baby quilt for a great niece. They won't use it, but they did put it on the wall which I guess in a way they use it. I made quilts for two more great nieces and these have to stay on the bed. So, I solved this by making each of the nieces a quilted fleece blankie and my sister delivered them. She told the kids in front of the parents that their Auntie said they could use them whenever and wherever they wanted. What could the parents say and the girls just love them. Now I need to get one finished for one of their brothers because he was very jealous of the girls. I didn't think he would appreciate the pink that girls received, so I have a blue with cars I will make for him.

The reason I don't use a couple of my Mom's quilts is that I have 4 quilts she made and I am alone now and only have one hospital type bed. My Mom has been gone for about 6 years and I really want to display these two quilts. I would like to be able to hand them down to Mom's greatgrandchildren when the time comes because they will be very special to the girls in remembrance of her. My Mom was very close to her first grandson because we all helped take care of him when he was little, and I want these quilts for his daughters. I quilted a stack and whack top that mom Mom had made and gave it to him and his wife for their wedding. It was a beautiful quilt and is very special to him.

Mine are used as wall hangings, on back of furniture. Bed quilts are used however the recipient chooses. I remember making my middle DS a quilt that he slept under every night. When he was going through the pimply teenage years he got some acne cream on it that resulted in bleach type marks on the dark blue border. I was cross when I saw it then quickly realised that it will always be a reminder of a special time in his life. I still smile and have lovely memories every time I look at that quilt. He is now 30 this month.
Colleen

the big dragonfly quilt i made my daughter for her wedding gift i put a hanging sleeve on, when it is not needed on the bed she hangs it over her sliding glass door in her room, so she can just enjoy it...

she does not take down her insulated drapes so it is not being damaged by the sun and helps keep the room cool.

I make mine to be used. I tell people to use them and love them and I am always glad to make a new one.

I want mine used for whatever the person I make it for wants to use it... I have my first quilt that I use all the time. It is folded at the end of my bed year round - even though we live in FL. I took it with me to my hospital stay last October, it will go with us to IN next month -and it always goes camping with us... Same as my boys and my daughter's quilts - well used, well loved.

I also make my quilts to be used, abused and loved!! I made my very first lap quilt for my mother so she could have her own quilt to bundle up with. But she said it is too nice to use instead she has it folded over a quilt stand! :-( I on the other hand have several quilts she and my grandmother made for me and I always bundle up on the couch and even take on trips with me. I usually rotate them because I want to make sure that I use them all...lol!!

It really depends on what I am making. Some are specifically for spreads and some are for blankets. Whatever I make them for, I make them to be used mot just displayed. I would much rather see one of my quilts loved to pieces than just sitting there to be admired.

I made a baby quilt for a friend and gave it to her at a shower. When she opened the gift, she said she'd put it away and take good care of it. I had written on the card a message to the baby about using the quilt however she wanted to and to tell mommy and daddy when it needed to be washed because it had been dragged through mud. I said they'd wash it for her. It's been the quilt they put on the floor when she was first put down to explore her world. I'm so glad they're using it.

Everyone in my family has a quilt on their bed; whether it's one I made or one I bought from a store. They are usually wrapping themselves in it at night and in the morning make their bed with it. My granddaughters have dragged them here and there but since they are bigger than a toddler bed size dragging that size around is just plain messy and dangerous. After taking it with them to the store they want to sleep with it. Sorry, but I gotta wash that first before putting it back on the bed.

I make them to be used, anything thats still here, used for anything. :)

I make quilts to be used, any way the recipient pleases, even if it's for the dog.At least it's in use. My eldest DD asked for one I was making, and it's spent 2 years folded on a cupboard shelf. My DGD drags hers everywhere, followed by about 3 or 4 doll quilts. DGD's best friend cuddles hers every night. Guess which ones are more appreciated. Sitting on a shelf hidden in a cupboard, IMHO isn't what any quilt is made for. And it was patched and quilted in about 5 hours,so it's not an heirloom.

Absolutely. There is nothing any more beautiful than a very loved quilt. Especially if the person doing the loving is a child.

[quote=cjomomma]Mine are made to be used and abused.
Ditto!! :thumbup:

I use mine as bedspread, plus as blankets. Gift quilts I put a care label on and then hope for the best. Once they leave my care, I treat them like my kids, they are on their own. grin Hopefully the recipients will appreciate the work and take care of the quilts. I do expect them to use them.