A "just in case" quilt
 

Have you ever made a quilt "just in case"? DH & I have some dear friends who will probably be relocating to another town. If they do I would like to make them a lap quilt to take with them but I don't want to be rushing with it at the last minute. Have you ever made a quilt under circumstances like this and if the obvious did not materialize then what did you do with the quilt? Did you keep it or give it to someone else (even though it was intended for them). I am planning on making a quilt for them in advance & if for some unknown reason they happen not to move I can still give it to them as a Christmas gift.

sounds like a great plan to me. i often have quilts for such occasions.

I'm making a lovely DP quilt with Fairies print fabrics and so far no granddtr likes them. lovely fabric. making a pillow to match even though the quilt is only about 60x62. used almost all of the left over scraps to make backing. I'm trying hard to clean my sewing room project by project.

If they are dear friends then I would make the quilt anyway and give it to them to tell them how much they mean to you.

I make quilts that I want to make. Rarely do I start out with a recipient in mind. Frequently, it will get a home by the time it is finished, but if not, then I keep it. I enjoy my projects more when I do them this way. I hate working on fabric I don't like. I still want to make a quilt for my youngest sister, but she has a king size bed and her bedroom is brown. I just can't work up any motivation to make a king sized brown quilt.

Your plan of making it into a Christmas gift sounds good. You could also keep it in case you need a last-minute gift for someone of course. After rushing through quilts (using large, simple blocks) for a couple short-engagement weddings, I thought it would be a good idea to make a lap quilt to have on hand for nobody in particular, but I've never gotten to it. It wouldn't be customized to someone's color preferences, but I don't always know those anyway, and it probably would have been better than what I made. On the other hand, that doesn't happen often, and so it would probably sit in my closet for some years before I needed it.

I usually make what I like with no intended recipient. I just make quilts and keep them until I need one for a gift. Then I choose one appropriate for the occasion.

Most all of my quilts have been started because I liked the color, fabric, or design, with no intended recipient in mind. They usually "tell" me who they belong to as I work on them.

I am working on one right now that is intended for my brother, and I'm just not enjoying the process as much as I normally do.

I always have several ready to go.....baby, vet, hospital. For Friends I usually make custom so the colors and design suit them personally.

This is pretty much how I do it, although often I figure out who a quilt is "destined" for before I get it finished. :)

I have quite a few tops finished. That way I can give the recipient a choice. Each finished top has the backing & binding material folded in the top. This way the recipient can choose something they like & will want to keep.

It's a terrific idea. And be sure to give it to the ones you intended it for. It will make you feel good.

Like others have said, I make what strikes my fancy. I keep all my completed items in a cabinet in my living room. When the occasion calls, I choose one. I like to donate my items to charities who sell them at fundraisers. Sometimes those events come up quickly so I like to have some already made. I think I have 4 quilts ready right now.

Last week I visited two different friends. I brought everything from my cabinet to their houses - 2 laundry baskets full! I let them choose whatever they wanted. I gifted 3 quilts, 3 tote bags, a wristlet and 5 eyeglass cases that day.

I like that they got to choose whichever items they wanted.

I haven't but I think it's a really good idea.

Since all my family and a few of their friends have some of my quilts. I keep many in case I find someone that needs a quilt. Some I don't want to let go of right now but, when someone comes along I will.

I also donate to kids in foster care and some that must be removed from their homes.

I have made 6 of the 8 baby quilts I am making to put away for great-grandchildren I may or may not be around to greet. It's been a fun project and makes me happy that any great-grandchildren I may have will receive something I made for them. My daughter-in-law has agreed to be in charge of letting the parents chose one as needed if I'm not around to help them. It really isn't morbid, but is very satisfying.

I have a couple tops that would take no time to finish if I needed a "just in case" quilt. I don't limit it to quilts though. I always have a supply of "just in case" gifts on hand for those moments when I don't have time to run out and shop.
Hmmmm....wondering why I don't just finish them...???!!!

I frequently make quilts just because I want the challenge of a new pattern or I have the fabric on hand, I am a scrappy lover. I just set the quilt aside when finished knowing the there will be a person who needs the comfort of a quilt. A number of years ago, I had donation blocks, several quilts (3 or 4) finished that I made just to try the pattern and I heard in my heart to give them to a group of mature single women who had been emotionally wounded. So for Christmas that year I gave away 8 quilts. Sure, I had to rush near the end but I also knew I needed to do this for these gals. So, I am all behind your thoughts of making your "just in case" quilt. If they don't leave you can still bless your friends with a quilt for some occasion or no occasion at all.

I have a pile of just in case quilts. Some are finished and bound, others need binding, some need to be quilted. I finish them eventually when I figure out where they are going. Some are gifted to friends. Others go to charity or some good cause. I have given several to friends going thru chemo.

How fortunate to have such close friends. I would go ahead and make a quilt that you liked and if they don't move you can keep it and enjoy it or give it to them for another occasion. I also hate to make quilts that people ask for in certain colors that I don't enjoy. I already have 4 requests for family quilts so I doubt if I'll ever have time to make a "just in case" quilt but you are a very good friend to consider doing this.

I made a baby quilt and had enough fabric left to make a second of the same pattern. Now I have one for a baby girl "just in case." It's kind of like the old casserole theory; if you make two and freeze one, you're saved a night of cooking!

What about using a muslin-colored fabric or any lighter beige fabrics?

Yes I have and they usually find a home before they are even off of the frame.

Your thread title reminded me of a joke a friend sent us last April 1. It was a list of books and the authors. So cute.
Here are some: "Meat is Good for You" by Chuck Roast.
"Why I Believe in God" by Justin Case
"How to Make a Go in a Retail Store" by Pam Ida
"German Recipes" by Frank Furter
There were lots more by I can't remember them now.

I always have 1 or 2 lap size quilts on hand, just in case I need them. I also try to have at least 1 baby quilt "in stock", and somehow, they all disappear to a good home. Once a neighbor electrician worked in hour home for over 2 hours, and since he did not find the problem, he refused payment. The next day we went to his home, delivering a baby quilt for his new grand child. They were thrilled. Its always good to have a quilt on hand. A log cabin pattern will fit into just about any home.

I have 2 baby quilts in the closet, just in case