KIDS............................! They tell it like it is.

I made a turning twenty pattern quilt for my youngest niece, she was 20 at the time, in her favoritte color, purple. I fussy cut from a fairy fabric (which she loves and collects) for the center blocks and then used different fat quarter in purple for the frames of the blocks, on the back I used Hoffman's pansy print in purples. It was my second quilt and I made it for her graduation present. I put a lot of thought into this quilt, not to mention that I spent a lot of money and was up for hours every night trying to get it finished.
I went to visit my sister a year ago and found it was on my second niece's bed. She comes in from the stable and sometimes just crashes on the bed mud, muck and all. It was a filthly mess. I was so hurt and angry that I almost cried. If she did not like it I would have rather she told me to my face and gotten it over with I would have taken it back. Better that then to wind up that way.

I must have the same SIL. LOL

My daughter has said that the fabric was "old lady fabric" and turned her nose up at several of my choices. However, almost every single time she has seen the finished product, she has exclaimed, albeit somewhat grudgingly once or twice, how really great they look.

I keep telling her that when you're making a quilt, it's ok to use "old lady fabric" and that if the quilt design is a good one, the "old lady fabric" will look great in the finished quilt.

Finish the one you have started. It will find a home somewhere. I have my kids and DGD go with me to pick out the fabric for their quilts. It works better that way.

For the first few seconds after reading this post I was thinking bad thoughts about the granddaughter. Then I remembered that when I was about 10 (which was 52 years ago) my grandmother made me a quilt. It was pink and blue and white. She made it on her treadle machine. She didn't have money for patterns, so she'd see a design in the newspaper (they advertised patterns on the same page as the comics, if I remember correctly) and make her own templates and cut them out with her scissors. I remember thinking it was old-fashioned. My friends had "store-bought" comforters on their bed, so when they visited I'd turn the quilt over to the plain pink side. I still had the quilt when I got married, and it got washed many times. Before I really knew how to quilt I replaced the batting, and then the backing. And washed it many more times. Now all that is left are the corners. I've cut them out and put them in a shadow box with a picture of my grandmother. It's hanging in my sewing room, and it inspires me. My grandmother inspires me. So I didn't love it when it was new. And now that only small pieces are left, I cherish it. As I do memories of my grandmother.

Similar experience here...Friend is expecting a little girl so I had a pink/white top ready to be sandwiched. At friend's daughter's birthday party (for which I had made a purple one with Tinkerbell backing) I found out she does NOT want any pink until the little one picks pink of her own choice. So back to the store for 'not pink' fabric. Found some adorable fabric...lime green background, lady bugs, dragonflies and butterflies (a few are pink) and the words 'girl bugs'...lime green and yellow sashing & then got lime green flannel for the backing. Almost done with the flannel overlap binding. Hope to give it to her this weekend. Missed the shower today as I was at work and the binding was not done either.

I do hope that my niece who is the same as as your granddaughter also like red and black...as I just finished her a red, white and black quilt.......here's hoping.

I have been disappointed many times in the reaction of my DILs when they received hand quilted baby quilts for their babies. They thanked me but just no excitement or appreciation for the cute quilts and all the hard work. But the worst was when my DIL asked me to make a quilt for her oldest son, with Cars fabric (from the movie) and said she would pay for the materials. I made it, sent her the amount due, (which she never paid) and then mailed the quilt to her. She never thanked me, or even acknowledged it! I know she got it because my husband asked if she got her package of xmas gifts and she said yes. But no special mention of the quilt. Never again!! But... on a bright note, I am making my DGD (who is 16) a quilt and asked her favorite colors. She said purple. I had just finished a scrappy purple bear paws top and the next time I saw her I brought the top to show her. She grabbed it, hugged it to her chest and said, "MINE!!" So, I think she'll like it! Now I just have to quilt it.

That's terrible! I've come to the conclusion that some people are "quilt worthy" and others are NOT!

They sure tell it like it is. In a few years tho I bet she would like the you made.

I'm just wondering why we are "Blaming" a person for having her own style?? That doesn't mean she loves you any less in fact be proud she's learning to say what she likes and dislikes. Someday that may come in handy when someone tries to make her do something that isn't quite right and she has the courage to voice her opnion and not just go along so she doesn't hurt anyone's feelings. If she was nasty then she might have to be alittle more tactful but not mean.

When my niece graduated from high school I asked her if she would like a quilt. I got a non-committal answer. Last week she graduated with her associates degree and I asked her again, would she like a quilt. Again, a non-committal answer. The same thing both times when I asked if she would like some jewelry instead. So to date I have not bought her anything. She is turning 21 next month. I really want to get her something that will last and not just be used up and thrown away. I am clueless about what to do. Maybe if I take to a quilt shop and show all the kinds of fabric, she might get excited. The black and red I understand. My niece likes black, dark blue, dark purple. Anything dark and nothing PINK!

I have several people like that in my family. My DH doesn't like it when I give them my quilts. Some think they are just being modest or not pushy even though their responses comes across rude. I would give them just one so they wouldn't feel left out. The ones that get truly excited I would give several. I usually wait until the quilt tells me whom they would like to go home to. By the time I am finished with the quilt and no names were called out to me, I usually would hold onto it until an occasion comes up or a name pops out from the quilt. I get less unhappy faces this way.

Right now I don't let their downer faces disturb me because I am working on getting more efficient in my skill. When I decide to sell my quilts I won't have to charge so much for my workmanship. The theory is I will be able to make them faster.

I have so many quilts that I had made where everybody in their right minds say it is beautiful until the recipient took one look at it and ask why are they receiving this? Here are some examples:

I have a Black, white and red one at home.. I'll get the photo and post it for you tonight. It's meant to be a scrappy quilt so i just used a jelly roll for most of it and I was all set (plus most of the cutting was done for me!)

"old lady fabric" seems to be the adjective of choice when describing any fabric with flowers on it. Never ever put any flowery fabric in a quilt for a young person unless you know for sure they love florals. My adult daughters and granddaughter like all the quilts I make but never ask for the quilts with floral prints in them. Seems any brownish pinks, pastel greens, or country blues are a big turn off in a quilt too.

My granddaughter wants me to do her a quilt, I think I will ask what color before I do all the work. Sorry your granddaughter didn't care for it. Maybe she will a few years down the line.

My granddaughter wants me to do her a quilt, I think I will ask what color before I do all the work. Sorry your granddaughter didn't care for it. Maybe she will a few years down the line.

I was showing my sister some fabric that I had just gotten that I really loved. My DD was standing there, too. Just as my sister said "oh, I love it" DD said "oh Mom, that's ugly" We all three burst out laughing. All I can say is that everyone's taste is different. As my Mother used to say, if everyone was the same or had the same taste the world would be pretty boring. Take my word for it, some day you will both laugh over it.

I thought I was the only one who made quilts and knew who they would go to. But I usually pray while making them and am told from up above who they should go to.
As an example I was making a quilt for my Daughter-in-Law and was sure it was for her. in the middle I got this feeling that this quilt was not for her. As I was making it as a surprise she didn't know so I showed it to her and asked how she liked it?? She said it is nice. I knew then that it was not for her. I had gone out and purchased other fabric. Red & Black, I asked her if it was made out of this fabric would she like it? Her eyes got big and she said wow I would love it!! When I finished it she loved it. and the other quilt. It is now one of the only quilts that I have kept. I love it.

These quilts are gorgeous! The dragonfly quilt, especially, is absolutely stunning! I wish I had made it!

I was making a quilt for my 16 year old son. He wanted one that was black and red. I threw in some white to cheer it up a bit. When I gave it to him, he said "Do over, Mom".
His friend was standing right there so I asked Pat if he liked the quilt. to which he responded "Yes". so I gave it to Pat. No problem. 10 years later Pat still mentions the quilt from "mom" that he is still using on his bed.

I love this story.

getting off the subject..been looking for any tips from some one who has made a fabric clock to hang on the wall. Going to use a Dresden Plate pattern but don't have a good idea of what stiffener/interfacing to use. Been searching online without success. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I know! These two quilts were for my niece. She is very picky and tactless. I had made her a baby quilt when she was a baby and she had given it back to me saying that she doesn't need it anymore because she is not a baby.

When I had shown the dragonfly quilt to my BOM club ladies everybody went balistic. It was a hard quilt for me to make at the time. I did not like it but after everybody gushed at it I finally did see its beauty. At least three of the ladies bought the pattern after the LQS owner ordered them in. I thought it was so funny. With my quilt, I was able to help the pattern's owner make more sales. The pattern is called "Dance of the Dragonflies" by Annette Ornelas. I think you can look at it on her website at www.southwindquilts.com.

Twice... once from each grand daughter. I knew exactly what my oldest one liked. WRONG.. I knew what my younger liked, busted butt to make a lime green and black with no foo foo... strictly plain.

Oldest grand daughter came in and asked, are you making that for Katie and naturally my guard went up as I said ... Yes..... she replied.. I don't think she's going to like that particular lime green. And I commented... She will when she gets it or she will eat it!!!! At which, with Randi's already cut and in a storage bag to be started on, She stated, wow, I would
REALLy to have the same quilt with the same blacks, but I would want all reds instead of lime greens. And my mind is moving forward, my other grand daughter Beranna better like these colors because it's already cut out and this is what she's getting. Fortunately I had made her pillow cases out of the fabric that was to be in Randi's quilt so hopefully that will work out... I love being a grand mom, even though mine are in their early 20's. but they can take down faster then a straight pin in a huge balloon..

We are raising our kids to be impolite, ungracious and narcisstic. They need to learn from birth how to say thank you, please, address others with respect, and stop saying gimme. Volunteer work with children or elderly can teach compassion.

Hallalluja!!! I couldn't agree more. We taught our kids and by george, I make sure that they are teaching their's. There is no excuse for the attitude. My odest DGS came home yesterday with an expensive mp3 player. When I asked hime where he got it he said one of his friends gave it to him because his mom will buy him a new one. It's going back Monday. On top of that, the music that was downloaded onto it would have made a sailor blush! I checked it out first. Needless to say, my GS didn't get to listen to any of it.

I think that there are some kids that are self-centered and rude. But there are plenty of adults that are as well. It hasn't been invented by the next generation.

I don't think voicing an opinion is rude or narcissistic. I would be very disappointed in my children if they didn't know their own minds and know they that have a right to think the way they do and to say so. That doesn't mean that they are rude and if they receive a gift that isn't to their liking, they still thank the donor and don't mention that it isn't what they would choose.

I wanted to make a quilt for my 24 year old grand daughter. It was a scrappy bears paw with a black and brown background. She saw it on my design board and didn't like it. (boo hoo) She picked out a kit that she likes, black and brown. I can't even get started on it because it is so far from what I like!!

So I know how you feel!!

I wanted to make a quilt for my 24 year old grand daughter. It was a scrappy bears paw with a black and brown background. She saw it on my design board and didn't like it. (boo hoo) She picked out a kit that she likes, black and brown. I can't even get started on it because it is so far from what I like!!

So I know how you feel!!

Thanks for sending the information about the dragonfly quilt, Sabrina. I just went to southwindquilts.com and couldn't find it, but I'll look again when I have more time. If it's not there, I'm hunting it down. I would really like to make your quilt!

I just looked and it is in there at that website. I forgot to mention that it would be under wallhangings. I saw it listed under page 3. It was a pretty old pattern. I made it several years ago. The quilt is only 51" X 51". I wanted it to be closer to a twin size. I had to adapt the ribbon border to fit my quilt size. That took awhile and several extra ribbon blocks later.

I made my son a quilt using colors from a shirt he really liked. The piecing pattern is not anything he is very impressed with, though....so I feel your pain.

I do agree that alot of children are being raised to be rude. I do not give my nieces and nephews presents for that exact reason but I do give my manicurist daughter things like a quilt because she appreciates it and thanks me.

OTOH, I dont think this girl was being rude, just honest. If she had received it as a gift, im sure she would have been polite but that's alot of work for polite so it is better to know now. I showed my GF one of my quilts, one that most people just love and she hated it. There is no accounting for taste.

So sorry, I feel your hurt thinking of all the love you put in on it. But don't give up, save this quilt for someone down the road who will be thrilled to get it. Maybe your granddaughter could go with you shopping for a pattern and fabric she would love and even help with the construction of the quilt?

I had a similar incident with my 24 year old grand daughter also.
I made a top with a scrappy bear's paw pattern alternating with brown and cream blocks. She didn't like it.
Then she picked out a pattern from one of my books and I sent for the kit, but I just can't get started on it because I don't like the colors!