I have noticed more and more pretty good looking quilts at places like Kohls and Walmart. Today I saw a double wedding ring king sized quilt at Walmart for . . .$16.00!

We went to my husbands uncles house last year and that was the first time I saw one of these. I "thought" I could tell the difference between the hand made vs. store bought. I guess not. Since then every time I walk by one I kind of glare at it - like it knocked over my ice cream cone.

So my question is - how do you feel about mass made quilts passing as hand made? Knowing most people that don't quilt could never tell the difference.

I doubt if they will hold up very good.

Years ago I purchased a Quilt at Family Dollar it was a double wedding ring (this was before I got the quilting bug) It sure looks hand stitched, I am still using it but it is falling apart I have used it everyday for many years and it is a King size, I squeeze it in my regular washer and dryer so it has been abused. Gonna Have to make me a big one for my bed!!

I don't think the quality is there and after a few washings it will either wad up or start falling apart. I know that is what happened when I have bought these in the past. They look great for a while (few washings) then they look worn and start falling apart.

Most young folks starting out need something warm. If that is what they want and can afford, then they need it. When they get to the point where they can tell the difference and can afford it, then let them make it or have it made.
I don't let anyone tell me what I can or can not buy.....maybe if I found one at Walmart that I love at first sight, I'll buy it and love it too.

Quilts like that have their place. We have a lot of pets, and I would never expose something I had slaved over for hours to their playing and roughousing.

My mom has a couple and they don't compare to "real" hand made. The stitches are really big and far apart. Some of the seam allowances are so skimpy they come apart. Last time I was there I had to re-sew the binding and fix a few blocks on one of hers.

Yes, I know. I should make her one. I'm working on a lap quilt for her. But frankly, at this time in her life the one on her bed needs to be washed so frequently that I'd just as soon have it be the one she has rather than one I made.

Oh believe me - I had it in my hand - then put it down, picked it back up again - then decided for as much time as I spend sewing and the fact that I actually have a true sewing room, I thought I don't need it and it would be hard for me not to pass it off as my own!!

I know people need and want things that look like what we can make - I just feel a little slighted that we as quilters can put so much time, effort and love into something that the next guy could pick up at the store without much effort. Not to mention what it would actually cost of making a quilt like that.

Same thing as someone who bakes probably looking at the cookies at the store. I just never had something like this to feel that way about. :)

Before I started quilting I bought two of those cheapy made in china slave labor quilts at JC Penny for dirt cheap. I did love them but once I started quilting it didn't take me long to spot the shoddy workmanship, scant quilting and inferior quality. One I turned into a wallhanging but the one we used started falling apart fairly quickly, I'd say within 2 years.

I bought a double wedding ring quilt from fingerhut many years ago. The very first time it got washed, it popped a hole and continued to pop holes every other time it got washed. Now it's sitting out in DH's man cave as a chair cover, I've had to attach orphan blocks to it just to keep it from totally falling apart.

worst 50 dollars I ever spent ;)

regardless of how they are made, they arent made with blood, sweat and tears, and not to mention love that quilters put into their quilts. I think that is what makes the homemade ones different from the store bought ones... Most everything we make can be bought, and for a lot cheaper, but that isnt the point. we make things for our friends and loved ones (and sometimes as give aways to someone who needs it) because it means something more when it comes from our hands. :)

I don't think we can compare storemade cookies with those quilts. A home made quilt is quite expensive. Cookies are much less expensive to make at home than to buy.

I agee, I have my quilts in the guest room and hanging on walls and racks, but in keeping with the idea of quilts on the beds I will buy these for our king size bed because the dogs all spend the day sleeping on our bed.

If made by "slave laborers" - the quilts probably are made with "blood, sweat, and tears"

the quilt on my bed was purchased at a catalog store before my hobby began, about 15-20 years ago. i believe it was in the neighborhood of $25. it was hand-made out of the country, shall we say. it's a feathered star pattern. the fabrics were not good and it has two small tears [my fault, but may not have happened with better fabric]. i washed it yesterday and noticed that the edges are somewhat worn. so it's never going to be an antique, but i feel i've gotten my money's worth. i don't think i could ever duplicate that quilt.

That was my thought too :(

I purchased several from Ross and used them on our beds before I got into quilting. I think they have their place as I'm not sure that I would enjoy the doggies after I've slaved over making one. The purchased ones (wedding ring and star designs) have lasted for years. I think I would prefer the quilts I've made used a little more gently than stretched out and pulled like a tug of war type idea that DH can do when he sleeps rolled up in the quilt like a burrito. LOL

Has anybody seen the quilts at Cracker Barrel? They are BEAUTIFUL! I'm sure they are made in China, but still quite stunning.

Homemade cookies do not compare to handmade quilts, price wise, BUT homemade cookies are just as precious to some people as would be a handmade quilt. I know, I provide homemade goodies to some veterans at our local VA hospital and they are treated like they're gold. Homemade treats are also a treasure for many people who don't have the time, knowledge, skills, what have you to make them. Frankly, my cookies usually have fewer artistic creative design differences in them than do my quilts.

look at the stiching there was several women quilting it and getting paid very little and they buy in bulk thats the only way they can sell them so cheap. And this is only my opinion.the stiches are far apart in places.

I don't have anything against what I call Chinese quilts (because they're made in China). But I get cranky with people who ask me to make them a quilt and expect to pay me $40 or $50, because that's how much they'd pay for one at Target.

Nah, those poor slave laborers are having the time of their lives! NOT. They more than any of us put blood, sweat and tears into their work, and they probably earn $1 a week. Actually, some of the quilts I've received in swaps weren't made as well (or poorly) as these china-made quilts, but I could appreciate them anyhow.

I have a DWR bedspread and shams for a Queen bed, and it has held up quite well. I purchased it from JC Penney, I think, 4-5 years ago. I do think these imported quilts have a place in the market. Everyone can't afford to have a quilt made specifically for them -- and one of the retail ones is the answer to that. It gives them a bit of decorating color, etc. I have one that my SIL bought before she died. I was with her when she bought it; and it's hanging on my quilt ladder now with some of my quilts. It's just as special to me. Sorry to stand on my soapbox for so long. Too much caffeine this morning.

Before I started quilting on a regular basis I heard many of these are made overseas by companies who employ both women & children who are working in horrid conditions and grossly underpaid. Each time I see one of these types of quilts that goes thru my mind. I won't touch them.

My mother once bought one of the "homemade" quilts at Sears and the first time she washed it, it fell apart. I think she paid $40.00 for it and that was probably 25 years ago. It was a pretty quilt...until she washed it.

Perfectly said :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I agree. I use my old quilts for new pet beds. They love 'em. I think that no matter how often you wash them, they still have their"human" smell.

My new 1yr.old adopted Yorkie mix found my scrap (throw away scraps I use for stuffing) box the first day for a nap.

Forgot to mention. His name is Linus after the Peanuts cartoon Linus with the blanket.

The one I saw at walmart was a wholecloth printed quilt. Not what I'd want but I'm sure some would. I did buy a wal-mart quilt years ago before I started making my own and it was pieced and has held up nicely. I gave it to my MIL while she was in the nursing home, and believe it or not it held up for about 6 or 7 years of being on her bed and washing about once a week. When she passed I brought it home and other than fading it had no flaws. All the seams held up.

Too funny! I love your glare comment! I bought one years ago at Dollar General. It did not hold up as good as handmade quilts, but I never felt guilty with our dogs all over it!

I'm new at quilting and have made 2 for my daughters so far and a pillow. I have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren which I hope to make each one for. Also my husband asked me to make one for him. We just had our guest bedroom walls (lavendar)and trim (white) painted and I wanted to make quilts for the beds but if I did that first, I'd never get to the rest of the family. Sooooooo last week I bought twin quilts and matching shams at Macy's. They were Martha Stewart's collection and I hate to say "made in China". Must admit they are gorgeous, reversable, and beautifully quilted. They were $200 each but on sale for 50% off. The color lavendar with lovely flowers on a cream background was just what I was looking for so I bought them. Sometimes necessity is the reason for doing something and I guess this was a necessity in my case. I guess I put my family first this time even tho I would have loved to make them for my room.
Sincerely, Jackie

My kids and grandchildren want a quilt made with my own two hands...something made with love, blood (most have at least one drop of my blood from a pricked finger hidden somewhere in the quilt), and my time. It may not be as pretty, or quite as perfect in construction, but it's made by me and won't fall apart any time soon! I use the best fabric and threads I can possibly afford. One of my daughters said it's the "glitches" that give the quilts character. She loves the ones I've made so far. They all do. And the glitches are noticeable only by me.

I would never buy one as purchasing one supports slave labor. I think it also diminishes the work that we as quilters do. For those of us who sell....people are alarmed at the prices we charge not understanding the quality of the work as compared to the foreign made, mass produced ones.

There's a huge difference between "handmade" and "handcrafted." Technically, anyone with fabric, thread, and two able hands can make a quilt. Not everyone can craft one--that takes skill, experience, and time.

For that simple reason, I don't compare my handcrafted items to "handmade" commercially-available things. They churn 'em out faster, but I churn 'em out better. ;)

My sister-in-law always told me to never buy one of those store bought hand made quilts because they likely were made by women in China who had to sell their skills far too cheaply. I suspect it now goes far beyond China to other Asian or third world countries.

With her it was a matter of principle and ethics between the world's community of quilters. I guess I just inherited my opinion from her. I would not think of buying a hand made quilt from a large commercial store like a Kohl's or Walmart for their very low prices. I (we) know the true value of the work.

I have a number of mass market quilts and they don't hold up well. Only the ones that are whole cloth have stood up to repeated use. All the pieced ones are falling apart at the seams.

I gave my girlfriend a hand quilted one from Lands End a very reputable company. It fell apart.

Personally, I make quilts for the fun of it. It's my hobby. I put everything I have into them but the joy is in the doing. But, you have to be realistic as well. I have purchased "Bed-in-a-Bag's" for $39.95, the quilts have been washed a gozillion times and they still look brand new. If I want to redo a bedroom, in addition to the cost of the paint, wallpaper, curtains, etc., etc., I now have the addition of $100 or so for the top including borders, binding not to mention cost of the batting plus the backing plus a month or better to hand quilt. At that point if I can find a quilt on sale from Eddie Bauer for $69.00 for a queen I'm going to go for it. I absolutely love quilting but have realized that I don't want my gifts stuffed in a drawer to be passed down through the ages as heirlooms....I want them to be used. So, since the cost of cotton has skyrocketed I'll probably just be doing smaller quilting projects.

A few years ago I bought one of "those". After the first washing it started falling apart. I would fix it every time I washed it. I still use it because of our dogs do get on our bed. Now everytime I wash it, I spend some time practicing FMQ on it. It looks bad, but I'm getting better with FMQ.

My MIL gave us a beautiful commercially made quilt a long time ago. Don't know where she got it but it was well made and still looks great.