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Rarely. My family and friends love and appreciate my efforts. Very few exceptions.But then I know them well enough to not bother making any thing for the 1 or 2 of them who wouldn't like my efforts. lolol
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I know just how you feel. No one in my family sews and they do not realize how much love and time, goes into these items we make. i only have a few family members who really appreciate my work. I am going to keep doing what I love to do regardless. Happy quilting and sewing.
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Originally Posted by newbie1001
I've been reading quite a few comments like this, especially now after the holidays. I sew and quilt myself, so I do have an idea about how much time, skill and money goes into projects. On the other hand, doesn't it ever occur to you that other people just have a different taste than you, and no matter how much work went into something, they just don't like the looks of it? I know I've received gifts in my life that I didn't like, handmade and store bought. I think, with quilts especially, the person giving them is very proud of the achievement, and there's probably also a bit of vanity involved. So the disappointment sometimes has more to do with hurt pride, I would say. I just think we can't give something as a present that suits our taste, but not the recipient's, and then not understand that they don't like it.
Do you all hate me now? |
Originally Posted by cmw0829
I don't make things for my family any more (other than my DH, DS and me). Nobody ever complained about things, but they were accepted and then put away. After my mother told me that I made things for family to be a "show off", I stopped. Nobody ever complained about that either!
The only thing I ever made for my mother that she has used and loved is a memory quilt made for my parents' 50th anniversary. But I think the reason is that it shows her as a young woman and is all about her. Ooohhh...was that snarky? (I do see that we have some "mother issues" here.) Now, I make things for very close friends and for donation. I feel so much more satisfied. |
My SIL and I do much the same things so we rarely exchange handmade items (my SIL made my son a quillow when he was 5, when he wore it out he asked her for another one and she's been happily replacing them at his request ever since).
Since we don't live near my DH's family, and his family is huge and they all pretty much live in the same area, I really don't know what their likes or dislikes are, and I would love to give them things so what I do is mail a box of things I've done to one of the nephew's wives, who in turn offers them to any family member that would like them. I send a box a couple of times a year. There are never "leftovers" and I know that family members are taking what they really like. |
Originally Posted by newbie1001
I've been reading quite a few comments like this, especially now after the holidays. I sew and quilt myself, so I do have an idea about how much time, skill and money goes into projects. On the other hand, doesn't it ever occur to you that other people just have a different taste than you, and no matter how much work went into something, they just don't like the looks of it? I know I've received gifts in my life that I didn't like, handmade and store bought. I think, with quilts especially, the person giving them is very proud of the achievement, and there's probably also a bit of vanity involved. So the disappointment sometimes has more to do with hurt pride, I would say. I just think we can't give something as a present that suits our taste, but not the recipient's, and then not understand that they don't like it.
Do you all hate me now? |
When I make things for family or friends, I do the best I can to choose something I think they'll like. And then I divest myself of any need for them to actually like them or to use them. You never can tell with handmade gifts whether people will appreciate them. With so much heart and effort going into them, I just know within myself that the effort and the desire to please were there. Whether people actually like or use the gift is none of my business. (In fact, I live by these words: What other people think is none of my business.)
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Oh, My I made a quilted,embroidered,mixer cover for my SIL. Haven't given it yet,I feel the way you do catrancher.I made my sister a robe from a 60 kinda I love lucy style,and she is back every winter wanting a new one, tells me it's the only thing she wears when she comes home from work.And it's made from flannel which I have a very hard time finding a good looking print,and quality.I'm thinking about making a scrappy blanket out of the left over fabric.More like a rag type.Last year I used some of the fuzzy soft fabric,which isn't flannel,and the year before that fleece,and tried one out of black flannel back satin for myself, but flannel is the favorite.I want to mix all the fabrics for the scrappy rag blanket.I think I should serge the fabrics that are not flannel with different threads,because they probably will not fray.I'm going to give it a try.might be ugly!I'll keep it for myself.
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I have read lots of the comments, I understand just how you feel. The question I ask is "How did you feel when you made it?" Did you enjoy yourself? Did it make you smile? If yes to these questions, then you have your answer. Make the things for others regardless of their reactions. Making them is whats important to you. Learn to divorce yourself from the item in question. Be proud of what you have done, and not worry about them. That way your heart is not broken every time some does not LOVE what you give them. I am learning to do just that, it still stings a bit too.
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I've learned the hard way to not make some family members anything! So I make things I know that family and friends will use/enjoy, and also I enjoy the process! Having fun being creative is what it is all about! :)
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