It's a misnomer to call it slave labor.

The people choose those jobs over starving - or over living on the meager government handouts which keep them chained to their poverty.

They depend upon us to better their lives.

I got one from JC Pennys Americana with Shames and I still love it and have it..but I just started quilting...

Have I bought quilts from a store - yes. Would I buy them again - yes. Do I make my own - yes. Do I have the skill or patience to make ones that I have bought - no. Does buying a quilt in a store cheapen what I do - no. Actually buying some quilts allows me the time to make the quilts I like to make and the joy of using beautiful quilts I don't want to have to make.

We have bought beautiful quilts made by machine and beautiful ones made by hand and I appreciate the talent invested in designing all of them and hand quilting some of them.

We have purchased quilts from many foreign countries and they are NOT made with slave labor. In India we purchased quilts made by women in a cooperative in the slums who sew quilts for a living. Was the quilt inexpensive - very much so compared to purchasing a hand made quilt in the US. However, those women were proud of their work and proud of the the fact that they made a living for their families. They own the cooperative and set their own prices, which are inexpensive. We also bought very inexpensive quilts in China that were beautiful and made by large machines that pump a quilt out every hour. It took someone a long time to design the gorgeous quilting and I am glad they did and glad that I didn't have to pay thousands for the quilt.

There is a place and a need for all.

How is buying outside the US any diff then hiring cheap labor here? I buy what I like and don't care where or it's made...I'm not into PC

the quilt on my bed was from Pottery Barn ... for years! everyone in my family had quilts i had made but i did not make myself a quilt ...and i love my pottery barn quilt!...but it has finally been replaced with one i made.
i have purchased quilts made for store displays for lqs' when they move on and sell them, i have bought Amish quilts in shops while traveling...
i don't see why its a (bad) thing to buy a quilt from a shop if you like it and can afford it. after all- there is not enough time for us to make them all...and i enjoy the work of others. sometimes i see one i love that i have no desire to ever make...if i can buy it i'm happy :thumbup:
why would this be a big deal???

You all have made valid points. I apologize for making a harsh statement. Two years ago I saw a documentary on, shall we say unfair labor acts, and it just broke my heart :cry: In the future, I'll try to be less vocal about my opinions.

You be as vocal as you want ------- notice what a nice thread your vocalization started?

I will buy comforters but I make my own quilts!

Yep, I got one for our bed - just one of those inexpensive ones, because I like the look of a quilt as opposed to a bedspread, but my 2 dogs and 2 cats get up on the bed - with my encouragement and permission - and I didn't want a quilt I had spent many hours and lots of money to be ruined with pet toenails. Nor did I want to ban my pets from being close to me to protect a quilt. Seemed like a good solution.

I have one that my mother bought at Kohl's just before she died. I use it, and it reminds me of her. I also have one that I bought before I started quilting. There is little quality, but back then I didn't know any better and it was cheap. Now that I'm quilting, I'm sure they will be replaced along the line. :)

Actually, I do. I am not a prolific quilter (getting better). Decisions are difficult for me. I bought several as we have two homes, 1 in Illinois where all the kids and GKs are and 1 in WI on my DHs grandfather's land and also a mobile home there too, used as a guest house. All in all we have 15 beds of all sizes. Oh yeah, and I have 8 toilets to clean and 1 outhouse. Oh, glory be!

My DIL and I made 3 hanky (Moda) quilts for the WI home and I had one more twin bed in that area and I wanted another one so I bought a quilt from Wal Mart and used my extra hankies by sewing them onto the squares and requilted it. It turned out great. Took me just a couple of short days to do.

I just bought one for the MB in WI from Penney's that I absolutely love. It was way on sale and so I bought extra valances and shams to cover an old recliner (partly) and arm covers and also for the windows. Didn't cost me an arm and a leg and room looks beautiful.

I have seen some gorgeous ready mades (if you will) and have no problem buying them.