You don't have to be less vocal in your opinions - they are your opinions. Everyone should realize there are some unscrupulous people in the world, but there are a lot more who aren't. I work in product testing/evaluation and have been to many factories and cooperatives around the world that don't treat their employees badly, don't hire child labor, and produce great products we all want to purchase.

well, that was all quite interesting. thank you for your input. i was basically asking about mass-produced quilts. if i saw a hand-made quilt that i fell in love with and that i could afford, i would for sure buy it.

i totally get what you are saying. there are many products i will not purchased because of the story i have read or seen. if we actually knew of ALL the crap that goes on out there, we wouldn't want to buy or use anything, right? we have to pick and choose our causes otherwise it will be too overwhelming. there are stores and products out there that i refuse to purchase because of this fact. that is my choice, and yes, it does make me cringe inside when people talk about shopping there. however . . . i don't get into it, i just say i don't shop there. do not be silent about your opinions. you were only stating how YOU feel, and were not pushing it on others.

I bought a brown whole cloth quilt from Bed Bath & Beyond because I love quilted whole cloth quilts. I'm thinking about buying another one. Because I am a hand quilter with not that much free time, my quilts tend to be twin size or a little bigger--depends on the pattern. I have finished two quilts that don't fit my queen size bed and so I have them under the bedspread for warmth. I don't have any qualms about buying quilts--I don't like that they're made in China, but it's all I can afford.

I have one that I picked up at a yard sale. It's starting to fall apart, but, still good when watching tv, things like that. On my bed is a king size quilt that I made.

I bought one about 10 years for an antique glider on my front porchin the sun and rain!!!! I wash it every winter before storing it and it seems to be wearing better than my hand made ones. Plus, it hasnt hardly faded. I paid $18.95 for it-- couldn't buy the fabrics for that amount.
Good luck ladies, Kutnso

I use mostly Chinese made quilts for my bed because I have animals and grandchildren who are pretty rough on quilts. I have several. Since I do all my quilting by hand I know how much effort and time it takes to make on, don't want them ruined.....

I was just thinking, "Why not? I make some of my clothes, but I still buy off the rack, too." and I read your answer.

Thanks, Ghostrider, for the smile.

I have purchased (bed) quilts from a quilt store for the guest rooms in my home, for $50 or less when on super-discount or as part of a special purpose. Here's why:

- My several K and pre-K grandkids visit and jump on the beds (qults on), they build forts, spill things, leave them on the floor, and just plain act like kids. Kids forget in moments of enthusiasm and creativity. They can't conceive of the work that goes into making a quilt at that age, let alone how crushed we feel when a lovingly made quilt or craft is damaged or ruined in one of "those moments." They'll pick that up as they edge closer to primary school age.
- I use them for small picnics for a home-y feel to the event, so I won't be worrying too much about stains.
- I use these in the bedrooms of guests whose upbringing I had no say in (despite being family) and who don't treat things with as much respect or care as I would like.

So, when the grandkids or guests are gone, the "good quilts" go back on the bed and the doors to the rooms left open for me to enjoy the way they look, rotate them, change for the holidays and love them.

My DH and I have similar conversations often. I'm not a collector, I don't keep the nice stuff for special occasions - if I like it I use it - the wear that comes with use may diminish the value to others, but it's not theirs is it?