I am having the best time learning from all of you. My husband asked me a very "man-ish" question when I was discussing wanting to pursue this hobby: "So what are you gonna do with all these quilts you're gonna make?" It got me to thinking....what do you all do with most of your quilts? Do you actually use them, wash them, enjoy them, give them away, or "save" them because they're too precious to mess up? Do you display them? Thought it would be fun to know. :D

Welcome to the board and the answer is: all of the above. Glad you joined us.

So far I have given all of mine away. I did manage to get photographs of most of them. One of these days, after I have retired, I will work on my dream quilt for my bed. In the meantime, there are grandchildren's birthdays coming up, so off to sew I go. :lol:

My grown daughters and granddaugther grabs all the quilt I make. They love every one even the ones I think aren't so pretty. I keep a stack of baby quilts on hand for baby gifts, mostly their friends who are having the babies so they grab them too. Nothing beats making quilts for a grandaughter that loves her Mamaw. Nothing.

I have friends with there hands out and of course my kids get first dibs on everything.. and then there is ME! I couldn't give this up if I tried .. I go to sleep thinking of new quilts to make......

Mine are resting on beds though out my house. Both DDs have a number and DS has many. My DGD had three and all my nieces and nephews have some. Three for my bed and a number of wall hangings and quilts for my bed and for the living room. I guess my quilts are everywhere.

Most of mine have been given away. About 3 doz to charity and a dozen or so to extended family, each of my kids have at least one (4) about 15 wedding gifts and another dozen baby gifts and another 2 dozen for various reasons, sickness, watching my pets, staying with my kids, memory of a deceased family member, etc. I have about a dozen or so around the house on all the beds and in the living room and they all get used.
The only place I don't have one is on my walls. Which I have a top done and ready to be sandwiched for the wall behind my bed.

Welcome!
I give them away, sell them, pass them on to my kids, display them on the wall, whatever you can imagine.

Same answer for me.

My honey had to learn that I often buy fabric without ANY plan for its use. When he gave me the "how many sewing machines does a person need in a lifetime?" there were harsh words and I started a count of his toys (how many saws does one person need AT ONE TIME?) Pat has since been enlightened and he is one of my best supporters (and color advisors). If he were to ask me that question today, I would say "to build up a stash and smother you with it." lol

Yes, all of the above. I would love to make an applique quilt (queen size) for each of my grandchildren (5). Right now I'm making use 'em and love 'em quilts for them (they're between 5 - 13).

All of mine have been given away. One of these days I'll keep one for myself

All of the above, except for save them. I make them to be used and loved! My hubby says the same thing. :) There are other things you can make to satisfy the quilting itch, such as table runners, placemats, purses/totes, Christmas items, etc.

There has to be a reason :shock: :lol::lol:lol:
I quilt because I love to...I could give every one away and still be happy :D:D:D

I give most away, occasionally make one just for me that gets used. My Mother never uses them or gives them away. They are all neatly stored in a closet! (Last count was over 50 of them.) To me that is a waste. Quilts are made to keep you warm, and I think they look better when they've been loved.

Well, except for the first quilt I finished (Eleanor Burns' Log Cabin in a Day), every quitlt that has been finished has been given away. I have three tops that are waiting for... Something... One I love, but is covered w/ cat hair from DD's cat who was visiting & I've just not wanted to deal with it. Two are from a Thimbleberries club I was in. I keep thinking that I'm going to try to quilt them myself, lol. Don't love them enough to pay somebody else to do it.

Neither DD likes quilts - too traditional, I think. That said, I have blocks done for one for elder DD, very geometric, not my taste at all. That's to be a birthday gift for her later this year. She picked most of the fabrics, I think she wanted something I made. So although it's not my style, I'm committed to finishing it for her. Was going to be a gift last year, but as she decided not to come home for Christmas, I didn't feel a huge need to get it done.

Several things I'm working on now are for ME, a new concept... I like to have several things going on at once, so if I reach a point where I'm frustrated or bored I've got another choice until I can deal with whatever issue. So I have two Bonnie Hunter quilts that will be mine. I'm in the IRR, so while I'm working on tops for others, they are working on mine. I have a flannel top almost done (put away out of frustration). And a batik quilt that is for a June wedding gift.

Whatever happens later... You know, the BIG later, when I'm gone, lol... Well, it won't matter to me! So if somebody in the family or a friend wants them, fabulous. If not, finished ones are to be given to the needy, tops to my guild to finish and donate to a worthwhile cause.

So far, I only have one that I have made. The rest? Lets just say, I have a fairly extensive family!!! LOL And they don't all have a large one yet...some only have runners, or wall hangings...but I'm working on it.

Patti

I usualy give mine away, actualy i usualy just make them for people...I don't have any of my own :( But If I did, I would be using them constantly, not only do I have a blanket fetish..but I LOVE LOVE LOVE quilts..I don't think you can have to many of them..or blankets for that matter.

Yep I am voting in with "all the above"...mostly my DGD's have recieved my quilts. I usually start them w/ someone in mind but I have a few on my to do list that are going to be for me.

Great thread! I love hearing what all of you are doing with your quilts as I have wondered the same thing!! I only have 3 quilts I finished 3 years ago (which are falling apart since I though 1/4 inch seams were optional at the time :)), but these three are well loved and used everyday. Then I have a Christmas one I finished a year and a half ago that I use at night, and a lap quilt I finished about a year ago that I use to keep me warm at work. I made a breast cancer quilt for a friend about 6 months ago (the only quilt I have given away) Then I have 2 quilts in the process of being quilted, and 3-4 being pieced. I am amazed at how many quilts some of you make and have always wondered what I would do with so many!! I am amazed at your generosity as I find it very difficult to part with them after all the time & money that goes into them. LOL But maybe if I get more than 5 finished I will change my mind!! Not sure though as I have promised my hubby a few that are in the process of being finished and quite honestly I'm not sure if I can part with them even for him!!! LOL

Cheers!
Rachel

So far I have given all I have made away. I am still "new" to quilting and love ALL of it!

I give most of mine away. Family, friends and good causes. The only one in the house now is the one that I made for DH for Christmas. I can't seem to help myself! If someone really loves it, unless it is made specially for someone, They get it. This year, however, DH strongly suggested that I keep more for our use.

I agree whole heartedly. I give away 99% of my quilts. I try to give every new baby born in our Church a new quilt....some for Children's Hospital, lots for my kids and grandkids, some for my friends at work, some for other family members, some for charities. My oldest daughter told me awhile back to not give any one in her family a quilt for Xmas as she had so many and not enough room to store them all but every time she sees me working on a new one since she starts drooling. I am now working on one for her 17 mo old daughter for when she goes in to a "big girl bed". My daughter is thrilled with it. I mentioned I might give it to her or another friend's daughter and she immediately said she wanted it for Karlie and gave me ideas on what else to do to it (colors, borders, etc). Didn't even blink an eye while saying it all either. I just smiled and said OK of course.

Welcome aboard to the quilting world gal. Some day you will feel like the rest of us old quilters....not necessarily old in age either. LOL

Basically, I quilt because I am ... or, I am, therefore I quilt.
I use my skills to encourage others and I give my quilts to hospitalized veterans locally, and throughout our state. <wave>

I to thought that someday when I retired I would have time to do all those hobbies. Quilting, crochet, knitting, painting, macrame'. Not so. As the family got larger so did all the problems and sicknesses. Sometimes I can't help wondering where will it all end. Sorry to be so glum. Stay positive. Love to see photos of what you do have left.

Everything I've made has gone to family, except two afghans I crocheted before I started my Home Sewing Business. I'm going to make a sampler for ME & an Irish Chain, it's time for ME.

Ditto, Absolutly NOTHING! Meme, make one for my cat, doll, etc. Oh Yes!!
Then a few years later I have her one for Christmas..Meme I have alot of blankets. LOL

Weeelll, I've saturated family with smaller stuff--pillows, wall hanging, tree skirts, lap quilts. I've given many ragged flannels away--maybe 8. Both my children have at least 4 quilts-one now has five. My DD requested a second ragged flannel for Christmas, and the kids have first dibs on anything I make. I have three saved for my lap quilts and two on the bed. There are ten wall hangings in the house. Neither of my children are married, but one will be this summer; there are three quilts on hold for grandchildren. :wink: My son's fiancé has a tree skirt, two wall hangings, and a ragged flannel. I pounced on her fast once I knew they were serious. :lol I can't stop making them--and now that both kids have been in college I have more time than ever before, so...I started selling. I'm pleased with how it's going, but sure wish more would sell.

I've donated two, and will again when a cause I'm passionate about comes up.

My goal for 2010 is to make small stuff--little table toppers and wheel chair quilts for local asst living places and nursing homes and pillowcases for hospice. Plus I want to make some items for the local library to use for a fund raiser. More doll quilts.

I can't stop now--I'm just figuring all this out, after 16 years. :lol: I can retire in 10 years.. then I'll need to open a shop!

Give them as gifts, use them, sell them.

There are so many things to quilt besides bed quilts. Wall hangings, table runners, pot holders, doll quilts etc. And so many patterns to use and more to create on your own.

when I start quilting I imagein I well be makeing one for all three of my boys and their wifes, and after that the grandchildren and maybe my husband should be in there, and then there is my mom and father in law, needles to say the list gose on. good luck!

Excellent plan! A very worthy endeavor <wave>

All of the above.

I've done dozens and dozens of lap quilts for charity thru our quilting guild at church. Luckly I don't have to finish them, just do the tops (the fun part). I have just finished two graduation quilts for grandsons who will be graduating the end of this school year. I've given a lot away but still have a pretty good pile of them in the "sewing closet". When I learn how to post pictures, I'll do show and tell.

I enjoy making the quilts and giving them to family. There never seems to be a shortage of who wants them.

My sons are always after me to sell them. I still have my cedar
"Hope Chest" so I am adding labels for the future to my finished quilts and storing them in there.

I hope to be around for years to come don't get me wrong. In my "Hope Chest" are quilts with labels for the future, such as graduations, weddings and such. Now all they need is to be boxed, wrapped and a bow added.

All of the above. I have given many away. I have made at least 6 for my husband, about 3 or 4 for my sister, pluse there are friends in several states who have quilts by my hand. I also have kept many for myself. Some I use, and others are in the cedar chest. I have three quilt racks for display and a wall hanging in the living room.

A few I make for myself and keep. Most are made for the grand daughters. They usually grab them up as soon as they are finished. Everyone in the family gets a crib quilt for a baby shower gift. And I use my scraps to make/donate to the Linus Project. And have recently made a quilt for "Quilts for kids".
Making crib/lap size quilts don't take as long or use as much fabric. So I can make more quilts. There always seems to be someone who needs a quilt :) Happy Sewing!

[quote=GrannyHanaDa]I
I still have my cedar
"Hope Chest" so I am adding labels for the future to my finished quilts and storing them in there.
quote]

Quilts stored in a cedar chest MUST be protected from the inside wood, it WILL stain the quilt. At least put them each in a washed pillow case, better yet would be to use acid free tissue paper to put between the folds. Also refold them at least once a year.

I love to take a pic for my own memories and I gift everything else. It gives me joy to create something and so many others I know don't do anything crafty at all so when they get a gift its a special treat for them too. I have 100 more ideas of what I want to do then there is time to do them. As soon as I complete one and check it off the list three more show up saying.. make me make me. If I kept it all my house would be jam packed to the ceiling and maybe that is not a good look?

[quote=brushandthimble]I lined my cedar chest with some nice 1/4 inch thick plastic pieces that Jim gave me. It isn't fancy but it protects my quilts from touching the wood.

We must be on the same wave length. I have recently started making quilts for the future as well. Although my grand daughters only 8 and 13. I have started quilts for their wedding.
As you said, we all plan to be here for a long time. But- I want to make sure they have some of my quilts when the time comes. Its easy to just think about a project for this week. But necessary to think farther into the future. :)

Tell hubby that the joy is in the making of the quilt. There is always a place to give it, sell it, display it, stay warm under, cuddle up with it. And grandchildren are always looking for another one of Gram's quilts. Friends need one. People in other countries as well as the USA need them. And on and on.