Something that strikes me as a bit ironic -

It appears to me that many people say they make their "heirloom" quilts - the ones that are put on the guest bed and stored in acid free paper - and not really "used" - they may be loved, but are not made for hard/steady use - out of "good/better" fabrics because they "want them to last."

Then they say that they make the "charity/kids/everyday" quilts out of "lesser quality" fabric - and these are the ones that will probably be used and loved to shreds.

In a way, it would seem to make sense to me to make the ones that are going to get the steady/everyday use (I am NOT talking about abusing the quilt here) out of the more durable, longer-lasting fabrics.

But then, maybe it's in the same category as buying a wedding dress that's worn once versus spending the same amount of money on a working wardrobe (for whatever one does) that will be worn every day for years.

Just a thought.

By the way - we had quilts from my Grandma B made from used clothing and whatever that lasted for years and years. Of course, she used sturdier fabrics in them.

Agree

I use the best fabric I can find for all quilts I make. I agree - a quilt that will be used and washed many times needs a sturdy fabric. But I also feel that everything I make is meant to be used, not stored.

I agree with you so very much!!! I have a quilt from the 1880s that, although somewhat fragile, is still strong enough to be used. What is a quilt, anyway? They were designed and used to keep the family warm before there was such a thing as forced air heating. Some of the beautiful art quilts done these days will never cover a bed. They may hang on a wall for a while, but will be folded and put away somewhere eventually. Maybe the family will one day donate some to a museum or art gallery...but those are rare indeed. If your family cannot enjoy the use of the quilt, really, why bother? The quilts we donate should be quilts we would give to our own family. At least in the types of fabrics we use, if not the amount of work we put into the piecing. It's like buying a Cadillac and leave it sitting in the driveway because you don't want a fender-bender spoiling it.

In My HUMBLE Opinion!!! :-)

I agree with jljack:

"The quilts we donate should be quilts we would give to our own family. At least in the types of fabrics we use, if not the amount of work we put into the piecing."

Mine are. Most of are made from my left over scraps.

I agree, we are to use the quilts not keep them stored

I agree completly!! My DWQ that my grandmother and mom made was made of clothing scraps. My grandparents were farmers and not wealthy people, so I doubt if the fabric was top quality even when bought for clothing. Dresses were made over and passed down through three girls before going into a quilt. Mom used that quilt on her bed all the time and it got washed a lot, and was still in use about 4 years ago. There are a few weak looking spots, but not many. Any quilts I make are to be used and enjoyed by the person I'm giving too. People years and years from now won't know me, and probably won't give too hoots that I made it and it was passed down.

Oh, I agree. I want my quilts to be used. Not put away "for special" I guess when I was younger I wanted to keep nice things nice.but now that I am in my fifties that makes no sense. What are we saving it for? Recently I took out my good china and started using it for everyday. Same as some of my (store bought before I started quilting but really nice ) quilts. Every quilt I have made for someone I have told them they must USE it and enjoy it. I didn't spend all that time and effort to make something that will be put in a cedar chest and hidden.

I use the best materials I can afford for all my quilts. Who knows which will be a family heirloom. There is a quilt in my youngest DD closet (hand made by my mom) that is the most loved quilt in this house. All three kids slept with it and DGD is trying to claim it now. It is in tatters. I make mine out of good fabric in the hopes someone will love just one of them as much as that one is loved.

I agree very ironic ...