Old Quilts VS. New Quilts
 

Someone mentioned recently that she's started giving away quilts she's lost interest in. I am leaning in that direction, but am not sure if the people I give them to would like the idea of getting something made years ago. (The labels all say when I'd completed them.)

I want people to enjoy them, but I don't want them to feel as though I'm just cleaning out the sewing room, and giving them stuff that I don't care for. I did put a lot of work into each one.

I am having the same dilemma. I’m going to relabel them before they go.

I put out my Christmas quilt with gingerbread men on it and i made it in 2004. feels like new to me! hardly used you see.

If you don't want to relabel, I'd just explain that you've enjoyed it for [a while] and want the giftee to share in that enjoyment. Perhaps adding that if they have reached their enjoyment level, that they also pass it on to a quilt lover.

Relabel it the year given. Given to__________ in (year) __________ made by ____________

That's all you need.

Please do NOT relabel your quilt. If you want to ADD to the label or add a label signifying the person you are giving it to, then please do so, but don’t lose the information on when it was actually made. As you gift it, just say I made this quilt and when I saw it the other day I thought of you. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it. Then stop talking. If they care about you, it won’t matter to them that you made it 20 years ago.

How's this? "You know that I love making quilts, and I'm getting rather a lot of them waiting for a home. Why don't you come over and chose one of these for yourself? I can't think why I haven't done this sooner, because I'd really love for you to have one, if you'd like one, of course." That way you can filter out those who really don't want one, and are going to use it to work on the car, or some such heresy.

Back in 2015 I made a pair of oversized lap quilt for a set of twins. Never could find their grandmother after I finished them to send so I kept them stored in pillowcases.............just in case I found her. Anyway, had 2 pairs of new parents and decided to give these quilts to them......one each. I ripped off the label as it had the original baby's name and made a new label. These parents were very happy to get these quilts...............of course I didn't tell them the history behind them..........didn't think it was necessary. I'm just glad I found homes for these quilts.......

Also made quilts for my sister and mother before moving from Florida to Iowa to live near them. Once I got up here they claimed other quilts I had made so needed to find homes for the ones I originally made them. Folks that get these quilts were happy just the same. My mother has gotten her new one she picked out but my sister is still waiting for me to quilt her's.......................that will teach her to change her mind........not trying to be cruel to her just haven't found the time to get it quilted....................

I would be thrilled to get an older quilt. I would feel you cared enough to share a quilt you made and loved.

I'm not that sentimental about when I made a quilt. If the quilt lasts long enough for someone's future great grands to have it, the date given would be olden days enough for them by then.

When my sister's friend was told her cancer had returned, I wanted to give her a cuddly quilt. We had celebrated Xmas together for a few years, and I was so sad for her to have to travel that journey. I went through my quilt collection and chose one with her colours and a flannel backing, label was on from completion.... I added a hand embroidered label above that one, that read: Quilted Hugs from (our names) Gifted to (name) on (date) She loved that quilt, and said it was extra special that I would part with it. [ATTACH=CONFIG]606066[/ATTACH]

Thank you e4. The reason we label our quilts is for the history. How many times have you wondered who made an unlabeled quilt. What part of the country did it come from? Etc. etc. Please do not remove old labels. E4's comment was "right on"---including what to say when "gifting" a quilt.

I had some friends over recently and invited them to each choose a quilt to take home. Some of the quilts were "new" and some were "old", but I don't think it made any difference. (Hate to say this, but most of them didn't even have labels.)

I always let a recipient look over a stack of quilts and choose what they like. Time of completion doesn't matter. They know I make extra. So whether it's old or new, it's appreciated.

This, exactly.

Totally agree

This is a wise and gracious way to part with quilts you no longer want. If a person wants one of your quilts, it’d be because you made it, and they like it, not based on when you made it.

I agree —do not remove labels. Add if you want, but a quilt made in a certain era and labeled in that era should match. I woujd rather take a quilt in 2019 made by my aunt in the 1970s and see the label with, say, 1974, than 2019. The fabrics would match the era.

The wording suggested by themadpatter gives anyone an “out” who simply has no desire for a quilt. For some people, quilts are just not “them.” No shame in that. I wouldn’t want to feel guilted into taking something I didn’t value, but if I wanted something made by someone I care about, the year made would be irrelevant. The maker matters.

Don’t relabel them, just add a note explaining that you held onto them until the right person that it belonged to, showed up. It would make it seem even more special. Would you recut a diamond because it was not new? No you would not, quilts are the “diamonds” that we leave for others when we were gone. I would just point out how long it took to find “the real owner”. It is still your quilting history.

Themadpatter is right.

I like themadpatter's idea of inviting people to choose a quilt from your supply if they would like one. It is better than guessing who might like which one.

Thanks so much for your comments. Some very interesting points have been made. I appreciate all of your thoughts. They are helping me make decision.

love that. It's so spot on! :thumbup:

Why not invite possible "giftees" to coffee & cake, and let them each pick a quilt they like. If anything is leftover, then look for places that could use warm quilts.

DO not relabel.

If someone wanted to give me a guilt I wouldn't care what the label said. I think the older it was the more it would mean because you thought enough of me to give me something that had meant something to you so that would make it more special. Just my opinion.

I think that's a great idea!

I had an old quilt on the back of a couch and a guest took such a shine to it, I sent it home with her. Maybe if you display your old quilts and invite your friends over, you can send them home with new owners.

My labels aren't dated but just read "Handmade with love" and my name. If any quilt outlives me and has experts wondering about when it was made, I guess they can look me up in the history books. I'd like to think my quilts are well used and loved to death.

I appreciate the advice about inviting friends over to pick them out. However, I would be embarrassed beyond words to have anyone see this place. Mostly, I am wanting to give some to my Sunday School Class. I am thinking of asking them what their favorite colors are and then laying quilts over the backs of their chairs as a surprise.

I am still working on what I want to say when I give them.

I wouldn't relabel. The whole point in labeling is the 'time' YOU made it. I am one who would appreciate an older quilt. I like the idea of 'inviting' someone to choose a quilt. That way those who don't appreciate or like quilts, won't take one out of obligation. (Never will understand those people -wink wink) Those who do choose, know the value and the older the better, I say.... BTW, What time is Sunday School at your church? I suppose I could miss my regular class for one of these!-lol