EXACTLY!! As someone who does both hand quilting and Longarm I know of what I speak. I think I would have been left speechless as well, for about a nano second. I just don't get why some folks think this.

I agree, my jaw would have dropped to the ground, how dare a perfect stranger give her opinion when not asked, but I also agree w/Susie, because I am truely looking forward to the day when I am 80 (if I'm that fortunate), and have earned the right to say, freely, whatever is on my mind (within reason, of course). She could probably share a lot of experience and knowledge within all those opinions of hers. Bless her heart.

I don't think that 80 year olds have the right to be rude. No one does. Anyone, however, is certainly entitled to his/her opinion about any given matter.

Glad you had grace in the situation. I'll bet she's never tried it (as neither have I and would LOVE to!).

Yes, you are correct... but I was taught to respect my elders, not necessarily agree with them, but respect them.

(respect: deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment)

Hmmm- my head wonders whether she was really a quilter or just a wannabe quilter. Thanks for being the true lady in this situation I have just talked to the Quilting Police and they said longarming a quilt was absolutely fine. So she can just go away now and be happy (after she had a drink or her meds!!).

Your post prompted a memory of my mother and I attending a national show. There we were in front of a amazing work ( my opinion) and my mother ( hard of hearing and in her early 80's) blurts out ... "I thinks is ugly" .... I was mortified as the creator was standing next to my mother . I lean in and tell her who is next to her... and then she says " Its still ugly". I was beyond embarrased ... and my sister and I both took about 5 steps away from her. She had never been so ..innapropriate. So I can feel for you situation , and offer to you that your gratious lack of response was problably to most appropriate response.
At that age ( I am just learning) .. you just never know what will come out of their mouths.

I agree! There are people who are just plain rude...even though she's around 80, she's probably been this way her entire life! They deserve to be ignored!

Filter, schmilter -- she was just plain rude! I have a friend that is a handquilter ---- I informed her she has nothing over me ---- it took a LOT more for me to learn to use the longarm than it EVER took her to do the handquilting. LOL One day she was giving me a bad time and I asked her if she REALLY believed our foremothers wouldn't have used the "ease" of the longarm had it been available.......LOL She couldn't argue that one. and BTW -- don't you wonder what our foremothers went thru when, oh horrors, someone invented a dumb thing called "sewing machine"!!!????!!! LOL

Forget me not when I am old
When I repeat the same things
When I insist on having my way
When I forget your name
When I spoil your plans

Forget me not when I am old
When I am just taking-up space
When I am a burden on your day
When I call you a hundred times
When I seem to presume too much

My child, afford me a little dignity
- spare me a little patience
- show me a little kindness

Forget me not when I am old
for this much I have earned:

Through countless sleepless nights
-caring for you
Through a thousand tiring days
-working hard for you
Through these many years
-watching over you
-to see the beauty of who you have become

Forget me not when I am old
For your care of me
Brings out the best in you
and sows the seeds of your own tomorrow.

I once (years ago) had a lady blast me in the grocery line about how "Lazy moms were nowadays" because I was buying disposable diapers and baby food, back in her day blah blah blah. She picked the wrong day to call me lazy. I smiled and replied very sweetly with, well if I didn't have to work full time and go to school full time and was able to lay around the house all day like mothers use to I would have plenty of time for cloth diapers and homemade baby food. The checkout lady had a hard time not laughing.

Some people are just set in their ways and opinions. When it comes to making a personal item, there is no cheating. I applaud you for your restraint with the lady.