Wow what a great post! As a beginner quilter, (who really cant figure out where to start), this post has given me sooo much insight of what to think about before picking out fabrics and who I am going to give them to, I am picky and havent completed my first because I can not decide how to quilt it, I found an easy tutorial for a very beginner quilt but the thought I am putting behind the fabrics for each inividual is very extreme and even after picking my fabrics the placement of them is also something that I am spending alot of time on, I was planning on trying to learn the stitch in the ditch technique but love the look of the hand quilting. I am just concerned about the time, especially as I am not into wall hangings, the quilts I want to make would only be given to very close family and friends. I have already selected in my mind who will appreciate and who will not, its not so much how they are used for me- I want them to be loved and used but would be sad to learn that they were stuck in a closet or under a car tire...but would not mind if ones animals who already slept with them were allowed to sleep on them, I want them to be used. They will end up being very expensive as I lean towards the organic, and designer fabrics, I just love them, so 7-13 dollars a yard- and I am terrible with wasting fabrics, I need to learn better rotary cutting skills, I guess I will have lots of scraps to make those scrappy strip quilts when I get more experience at least, just sad to waste!! Anyway thanks soooo much for all this insight, it has been a great read and given me even more to think about, when you do the picnic quilts do you ever think about using the wipable material for the bottoms, I dunno I would not want to make it look cheap but that sounds like a possible way that you could just wipe down?? I love my fabrics though- then they can take a nap with it too! but that would be good for making baby activity mats, using the soft plastic foam then covering it with the quilt top and batting for extra softness, I need to get my first quilt done before I think about all that ;) ;)

I did/would start in a LQS in a beginner class and also a color class.

are these online or an actual class, we do not have any classes in my area.

Ah, I was referring to local quilt shops. Fons & Porter have on line quilting videos as do several other web sites. I would have never started quilting without a class! Good luck!

I learned so much from taking a quilting class at the local quilt shop. As a matter of fact, that is where it all began for me. Then you can learn a lot from just asking question, quilting books, and quilting videos. Haven't we learned a lot here?!!

As far as I know, all the quilts I have given as gifts are in use. My Mother has hers folded on the couch and she shows it to everyone. I really need to make her a utility one she will use. Probably something with birds on it - she LOVES birds.

Two people have theirs in a chair and I absolutely love that my quilt doubles as a seat cover.

I was driving the other day and saw a man raking leaves into a quilt to haul them across the yard, I nearly wrecked my car. I honked my horn and shook my finger at him (not the bad finger of course) but I thought about it. I bet his wife didn't know what he was using. I felt so bad for that quilt. After all, I repair/restore quilts and believe me only a handful of people really understand the value of quilts. I love doing what I do it is a lot of work and not many people want to pay for it. It is so sad because most quilts are made for someone for a reason and from the heart. That is true value to me. I hope this makes sense.

your pineapple upside down cake is making me very hungry, did you make that? quilting and pineapple upside down cake definately go together.

wow! I'm curious on how you handled that. Did you make another quilt for them?

No not that particular cake. I did make one yesterday and ohh so good! Time to start baking?

yummy, enjoy your cake and quilting too1 HAVE A GREAT DAY

I have given many quilts away - I think if I have a talent it is no good until I share with others that do not have that talent. That being said, it is absolutely astoundung how they are so appreciative of the quilt and say things like "you should sell them, you could get so much money from them", yet they never offer to buy one nor tell or show friends their quilts. Usually they tell me how their cats or dogs love lying on them. One dear friend says how she likes to wash them because they get so soft, I just cringe and try not to think about it. Men & young boys seem to appreciate them the most. If I had more storage, I would keep them and now I will. I have given one to about everyone I know.

Raking leaves into a quilt? :shock: :shock: And I bet he had no idea what you were honking about

the bargello "ashley's ocean" quilt which is my avatar was made for my 12 year old granddaughter, was very labor intensive and turned out FABULOUS! she takes that quilt everywhere...camping, car trips, her favorite security blanket...when it starts to wear out i will mend as needed until she 'out-grows' it and is ready for a new different quilt. i am thrilled that she loves it so much everyone she encounters gets to see it. would any of you be happier if it was just stuck in a hope chest to be looked at once or twice a year? what a major waste of my time that would have been.
the first quilt i gave my mom she refuse to use on her bed, even after i threatened to take it back...she started running in and putting it on her bed real quick when i would show up...broke my heart she didn't find it 'good enough' to be on the bed......of course she saw it differently, just like those dishes in the cupboard no one is allowed to use...seems like 'stuff' taking up space...breaks my heart, after i made her a second quilt the first one did finally get to be on the bed...now she has a different one to 'hide'