Should I worry about how many quilts someone gets?
 

I have been making quilts - its my thang :) Now my niece has started sewing as well. Which I enjoy sewing with her and my great nieces.

Now here I am with a great nephew on the way any day and wondering if I should cool off the quilts. Do you guys worry about someone getting too many? My sister actually told me "you better make him a quilt" ha ha

My niece has already made this little fella a quilt. I worked with my great nieces and made one for the shower... then at the shower a friend gave her one as well.

I like giving my great nieces and great nephews quilts - but I don't want to take anything away from niece when she gives them one.

Am I being silly?

part of me also doesn't want to spend the $$ if the quilt will just be one of many and not used. I could give them something else with the money

any thoughts?

I used to gift quilts to basically the same few people. Then I started thinking about the space required for storage and that they only rotate their bedding every so often. I was gifting them because I loved making them, not because they needed them or could even use them. So for the past few years, I have not gifted any more quilts. I did make one for the animal shelter's fund raiser event but nowadays, I do not have time to do much quilting. I have one in progress but have not put any real time in it.

Meyert, a thought well put, there may be something else out there that she could use more. Save for a later time for his quilt from Auntie.

Cherry

I think the baby quilt shows a 'welcome' to the new baby; built with love in every seam. A wall hanging might be nice as well, since most parents use a 'theme' nursery now. A quilt can cover the baby on its outings...sit the baby on the quilt to take pictures...and use another in case of 'accidents' by the baby...so several quilts do not seem excessive to me.

Daughter did tell me she had enough quilts, so I quit making her any more until she asks me for more. Son is delighted when I make him more. I also make a few for friends putting lighter weight batting (or none) in the ones going South and warmer in the ones staying up North.

Maybe save the quilt for graduating into a big boy bed. Or if you want to gift now you could make a teddy bear from some quilted fabrics

I think about this question, too. My sisters and mom just say "bring them on" because they love them and are sentimental. I make pillows to match different rooms in house or quilts I've made them. Maybe doing something that coordinates with nieces quilts would be fun to do. The nieces may "burn out" on quilt making so I imagine there will be lots of opportunities to do a quilt in the little one's lifetime. I love the ideas on this thread

thanks everyone for your thoughts...its good to know that I am not the only one who has had this thought :)

Why not make him a larger quilt for when he out grows the smaller size.

I just make quilts to donate to foster kids. They never have too many. They need them every year.

You can only control the quilts you make. But I like the idea of a larger one, or a more grown-up one.
Mike

I made a lap quilt for my DIL when she had 2nd baby--so she could use it to snuggle with baby when in the rocker.

Maybe a quilt for his big boy bed i a few years. By then, he may also have decided what his favorite theme is.

Knowing how many quilts were already given, I would hold off giving a quilt and wait til he is a little older and needs a new one. In the meantime, there are other nice things you could make. How about a diaper bag or changing pad? Bibs and burp pads are good baby gifts too.

Have you considered making one of those changing pads that fold up and zip the two sides together and fold in half to form two carrier pockets as a small diaper bag? I had one many years ago and it was perfect for quick trips around town when you don’t need a full diaper bag to tote around with you.

What about a stroller size quilt...meant to keep in the car. Put ribbon loops or eye spy to entertain on car trips!
Or a quillow is fun...a quilt that can fold into a pillow. Or a story-time quilt...with a pocket for a book.

I see that I'm not the only one who had the idea to make a quilt for when he's past the baby stage. The baby quilt might have a limited lifespan but a bigger quilt could be dragged around for many years, even into adulthood!

As someone who lives in a colder region, I can use many, many quilts before it becomes "too many" but I'm sure this is something that varies from person to person. I've been known to use three at once just for myself!

If you think you'll get an honest answer (some people might say yes "just to be polite"), you can just ask.

As much as I enjoy making quilts, I have definitely slowed down as everyone I would make a quilt for has enough. Now I'm making smaller bags, pot holders, etc. I do still make donation quilts or sometimes someone "touches" me in a special way and they get a quilt and are always very appreciative of the gift.

I think it's really nice of you to consider your niece about this. The only thing I can think of is to check with her before you make something. I haven't had this situation so I don't have experience but you seem very supportive of her and I think it's wonderful of you :)

No!
Let me share my "in progress" story about this. I live with my DIL and son. Their first, Luke, was born last Valentine's Day. DIL asked for quilts from both her mom and me. Her mom is not a quilter but made a wonderful, cuddly tied quilt. I made a bit bigger pieced top from fabrics DIL picked out. They have both been used to pieces. Just this very minute, my quilt is folded into a bumper across the fireplace hearth since our little fella is a wild explorer! While I ate breakfast, 1 was looking at it and thinking I should have made it about 10 inches taller! LOL! Then, last October, DIL and I decided that we needed a ginormous quilt for Luke to crawl around on both indoors and when they go camping. That got done and is often employed. I ought to know, I do the wash when here!

I can't seem to find time to get all the quilts made that the grands keep requesting. The latest came Christmas Day when visiting the other son. My 8 year old grand asked me if I could make him a Mario quilt! I ordered the makings right then and there! They have already got other quilts I have made and they are showing WEAR! Hip, hip, hooray!!
Maybe they are all just trying to keep me busy but I doubt it. I stay busy enough without help making about 100 charity quilt tops a year, leading a charity sewing bee, working for the local Assistance League, gym, travel, etc. I think they genuinely love, use, and need quilts in their lives and the evidence points to that. My son needed a "quilt" to put on the floor while he started assembling his wife's outdoor fire pit inside. He went out to my car and got the "car quilt" (the one my grandmother made me for college that's been rebacked and is close to retirement) to spread out to work on.

My final take on this is: If you make quilts that can be used and abused without question, the lucky people you make them for will do just that and feel your love for them as well. Take a chance! Make them another quilt!!

I was making a quilt for my DIL's first baby when she told me not to make one, they already had one.. She sent me a picture of a cute store bought quilt.. I already have babies name on the quilt etc.. Maybe will finish for another time..or not.

And bibs.

I recently made those items because the baby's grandma wanted to make the quilt. It worked out great.

I probably would be one of those people who would hesitate to hurt someones feelings

I think they are all so different in size and style and color that it would not matter at all. You can use them in a crib, bed, couch, or in the car. So many places!!! You go girl and have fun

Not as long as they love them. My grands have a quilt for every birthday and some Christmases. They use every one of them. They love them all and I love that they are used.

If I remember all those years ago when I had mine, blankets, quilts and coverings seemed to get dirty from spit, accidents, etc. so got washed alot which means you need another one to use while that one is being washed. If they're anything like my child was, that was pretty much daily so having too many quilts............I doubt it.

I wished someone would have made/given me a quilt back then. I croqueted my one and only blanket for my daughter so added those thin flannel blankets to my supply. Didn't quilt back then either.

That is super disappointing. Prolly one of the Pottery Barn or the Nod whatever it is called place. I would try to find a way to cover up or take out the name and donate to a kids charity. A big cute applique might work.

By all means make them if they're wanted. Thirty years ago, when my MIL, who's a quilter, was visiting, we took her to the old Calico House in Yorba Linda and I was taken by a Wandering Way/Wheel of Mystery sample for a class. I signed up for the class and have been quilting ever since.

From that point on, my MIL has seemingly taken the attitude that I am there to provide quilts for my wife and 2 daughters and so she hasn't given them more than a couple of quilts despite the fact that she's quite prolific. I know my wife and daughters would love more quilts from their mom/grandmommy, but it is what it is.