I hear ya! My ex-in-laws were from New York, and none of the ever got it, or much handmade from me! Last year, I made all my family eyeglass cases with paper-pieced patchwork. If they understood the work, great! Most of them did, and if not, I'm not "out" a lot of time and effort. Most of my family either crafts or at least appreciates it! Luckily, all my kids know what crafting is all about, and appreciate it. Not sure about their spouses yet, though! They all (7 of 'em) work on making things for each other for Christmas. Pretty cool! I

I would rather just buy something for someone who doesn't appreciate it, and save my efforts for someone who will.

Good idea!

This isn't about a quilt but a few years ago I went through great pains to paint a little wooden foot stool for my Dad. He is a very patriotic Canadian who used to fish and hunt so I painted a fishing creel with trilliums on it. The next time I went to the senior's home he had his urinal on it. I didn't say anything but I was very disappointed.

that's just what I was thinking.OMG I'll bet she was thrilled. And to even think you would put that amount of time into making a quilt for someone you did not know. (Charity quilts being the exception)

My youngest son has a quilt I made for him when he went to college and then added to when he graduated and got a Queen size bed. When I would go visit the corner was always turned down and you could see the label. I'd turn it back and then when we would come the next time it was turned down again. I asked him why he did that. And he said, "I don't want anyone to think it's just something I bought, but that is made just for me by you." That kinda makes up for the time when I made a quilt for my daughter and mailed it to her for her b'day and I had to ask if she liked it. Needless to say I'm making my son another quilt to replace the one that is getting a bit tattered now. I don't make bed quilts for my other sons who have wives that prefer their own style and would just use it to make me feel good. I've made them throws that are seasonal and they like those. (Probably because they don't have to look at them all year long)They loved the baby quilts I made but the effort that goes into a large bed quilt means I want the receiver to like it as much as I do making it for them. Some people just don't get quilts or care one way or another and then there are people like us who drools over a pretty quilt.

Exactly what I would have done......and I'm a nurse. Never, never, never would I have accepted a gift like that. I would have made sure she left my floor with that quilt in her hands! But then she probably would have given it to the outpatient staff on her way out through. LOL

I feel the same way.I made pj's for every one one Christmas an I found out short time ago that Sons Mother inlaw gave the ones I made her an DIL away an DIL wasn't happy about it cause she liked hers an wore them often.But I won't be making hermom any more things for her to give away.

I can relate to so many of these stories. I think, because of the way some of the quilts I've made for gifts for relatives have been received and used - makes me all the more fond of doing charity quilts. I don't know what happens to these quilts, but I enjoy each and every one I make and figure most of them are as well loved as some I have done for 'loved ones'.

A rag quilt I finished and gave my son when he was first diagnosed with colon cancer and which he cuddled with a lot before he died was used by his spouse in the U-Haul when she moved. I would love to have seen that quilt put aside for one of my son's kids. But, I have learned that 'things' that have meaning for me don't necessarily have the same meaning to others in my family. So, I will continue to foster my love of quilting by doing the charity quilts!

I think you have a great idea, and I wished I had had it a few years ago. I made a baby quilt for every baby/toddler in my church and gave them to the moms. I could not believe the responses I got. One even refused it (she had sooo many blankets already, I should just "pass it on") I don't think that only one out of all the moms I gave one to ( I think I made about 10 or 12 quilts) was very greatful or overly happy to get a quilt from me. It taught me something-I'm not bitter or anything, but I am very careful now who I give anything to. Quilting is not a cheap hobby and if the gift isn't appreciated or used, it is a waste of money. ( I think)

What a great idea. Thank you