Quilts have always been a part of my life. Growing up, all that covered our beds and warmed our sleep were hand made/ hand stitched quilts that my grandmother and great-grandmother made. I never knew there was such a thing as a blanket for many years. I still have one they made and a couple that my grandmother made. Grandma made each of the grandkids a quilt for graduation from high-school.. all of those have covered beds in my home from the last 20 to 40 years, one or two have been "loved to pieces" and have some disintegrating pieces, others are still intact and holding their own very well.. but if you come to my house to visit ..one of those quilts will grace your bed.

Tippy, I'm on the next plane...! :D

K x

When I made baby quilts for my nephews. I expressed how much I wanted them used. I even hoped they might follow them to kindergarten. Now that they are big boys, their mom has put them away so they can have them for their babies, which I also appreciate. I always put in washing instructions, which helps preserve the quilts even though they are used. What good are they, if they are put up and go unseen and unappreciated. I use to be bad about putting things away people gave me because I was afraid something would happen to it. I finally came to the conclusion what a waste, people give you things to be enjoyed. I now use or display everything that I am given and hope everyone else does the same.

I too have a few quilt here at home the I made and have been loved to death by the kids, the dogs, the cats and me and DH. One has a hole I swear I can step through...lol
Some I have made have been given as gifts and I have learned that some are used and some are used as decorations.

I made my Auntie a quilt with a florida beachy theme (she lives in kentucky but loves Florida) and it is on her bed during the day as a decoration quilt and at night it is folded up and put in the chair. I did tell her Auntie, sleep with the dern thing but she is scared to "mess it up" I did tell her well if it gets messed I can always make another one.

In my house the family knows if its drapped over a chair a couch or any where within reachable grabbing distance its fair snuggle game.

Lisa

Several years ago I made a quilt for an elderly friend who had watched me make several quilts for others. She kept teasing me and asking when I was going to make a quilt for her. She loved looking through my Q books, and she kept going back to one watercolor quilt in particular that she had seen me working on as a wedding quilt for a young friend. I was handquilting another one with that design when she asked 'When are you going to make one for me?' I took the last stitch and said,'This one's for you.' She was speechless. She slept under it until she passed away - even insisted on having it in Hospice. She was a dear, dear friend, and I miss her. Her family keeps it on her bed to this day.

I have a Lof Cabin quilt made by my grandmother...given to me for my high school graduation. It's not currently being used, because the edges are fraying from lots of use. My plan is to bind the edges with a cream-and lavender binding and put it to use again. (Lavender was my grandmother's favorite color...and should look really different with all the colors in the Log Cabin blocks!) I have other quilts also from my mother, and they are still being used. If they fall apart, I'll always have warm memories of the beloved maker.

Jojo

This thread turned out to be a joy to read. Lovely memories and
very special thoughts. I especially liked hearing about littlehud's quilt and Joanne's friend. Makes me proud to be a quilter.

I want the quilts that I make to be loved and used. When I give a baby quilt I always attach a little note or tell the mom that this is NOT an heirloom quilt. It is made with love to be loved. That baby can pee, puke, and poo all over it. All she needs to do it throw it in the washer and dryer and it's good to go again.

The first quilt I made (1995) is used daily. It's draped on the back of my recliner and anyone who needs a wrap can pick it up and use it. That's the quilt we throw on the floor when a baby falls asleep. It's been a tent and a picnic quilt. The binding is getting thread bare. I wish I had kept a piece to re-bind when the time comes.

I hope loved to death!

I too, have a quilt that my Grandmother made for Rich and I. She made it in her favorite pattern....9-Patch. The front is made of polyester fabric and she backed it with flannel. The flannel is starting to fray. Those frayed spots show that the quilt has been loved. When it gets too bad I will replace the flannel and continue snuggling up under the quilt that Grandma lovingly made just for us.

An idea for quilts that are beyond repair. I worked part-time for a woman who owned a antique store. We would take old worn out quilts and salvage the good spots. We would cut small blocks, stars, hearts, ovals, etc. out of the salvaged pieces. We sewed pairs together and then stuffed to make small pillows. She placed these small pillows in wooden bowls, antique wooden boxes, etc. and sat them around the store. You would be surprised how many of those we sold to people for decorations.

We also made small pincushions, doll quilts, potholders, and framed some of the pieces. We also did this with hankies, linens and old clothing.

There are so many things you can do to recycle old quilts that some might think are useless and need to be thrown out.