I have made quilts for years,and all were gifts. Some I know are used and some are stored. I gave them as a gift, their choice as to how they use them.

I make quilts as gifts for three reasons: I like to quilt, I like to give gifts that are appreciated, and yes, I like it when my work is admired. If I don't feel the gift of a quilt will be appreciated, and that a gift card or a shower curtain would be more appropriate/appreciated, I give that. Because no matter how much I like to make things, I know that when I give a gift, it is not for me but for the recipient. However, I'd be lying if I said I get as much enjoyment out of that, because I really do love it when my work is admired. It's not the reason I make things or give them, but it's a nice perk. I was really disappointed when I couldn't finish my sister's baby quilt in time to give it at her shower, because while I still finished it and gave it to her, and I'm happy that she really liked it and used it, I missed out on a great audience for the quilt I worked hard on. It's a fleeting reward, and not a make-or-break thing, though. I give quilted gifts even if I know I won't be there to see the reaction.

My nephew is a Univ of Michigan fan. I made him a quilt when he was young. I was down visiting a couple of years later and it was shoved in the back of his closet. He was too you to understand. I hope that now he is older he appreciates it.

I don't know a lot about how the people use my quilts I give to them but my little granddaughter, just last week, had her Christmas quilt spread over the carpet in her bedroom playing with her toys. I think she likes it!!

Think I might be a little weird.. I've been making quilts for select people.. and I don't need to get anything out of it.. I just see a need that they might have.. Okay.. So what am I talking about? I made a quilt for a 5yo daughter of an employee of mine.. The child is a beautiful child.. The mother on the other hand has major ADHD issues, and is extremely self centered. The child knows her mom has a problem.. Both were in love with the quilt, and I know it will be respected, and cherished..
I just started five quilts for myself, and staff.. I'm using my scraps,, and making the same quilt for all.. Planning on making the label with the name of the quilts " The sisterhood of the quilt". I'm planning on having a party, where they will have to write on the labels something nice about the recipient of the quilt.. It's going to be a bonding party.. Is it needed.. Yup.. Do I expect to get anything out of it? I don't care.. I don't need it..
Barri

And then on the humerous side.....while my Dad was in the hospital recovering from major heart surgery, I asked him if he would like for me to make him a quilt. His reply:
"No, quilts are for old people"! Since he is "only" 84 I guess I will have to wait for awhile to make him a quilt when he gets "old".

I have a sister in law who most would consider to be the rudest, most in grateful person on the planet. She never EVER thanks anyone for gifts, we never know if she liked something and would throw out gifts given to her kids if she didn't like them. Out of respect for my brother I would never ignore her birthday or Christmas. Over the years I have come to know that if I give her a gift that I am proud to give someone then I am okay with the universal karma and she can take a flying leap.

I to have been let down at gift opening time, but later on I find out different. I made a rail quilt out of scraps and gave it to one of my dear friends. I knew at the time I gave it that he liked the gift but I just didn't get the feeling that he was over Moyer. However, he came camping with us and guess what blanket he brought to sleep in the trailer. My quilt! It made me happy to think that he thought enough of the gift to be using it.

Yes. A high compliment to your friendship and his fond feelings for the quilt.

I too have given gifts and wondered if the hand work was appreciated only later to receive a very touching handwritten thank you note. You just never know.

A friend of mine and myself made a quilt for a mutual friend. It was a TOTAL surprise to her. It is a big queen size. My friend did all the terrific quilting on her Janome 6500. Great job and she was ecstatic! It looks great on her bed.

I'm with you on this one. I made my DD and her DH a wall hanging for Christmas two years ago. Saw it only folded up on an end table covered with other 'stuff' Then one day it was gone. I looked for it - hoping! Then I found it----- on a table with lots of other stuff, in their yard sale!
I had also made them a large casserole dish carrier complete with an insert for a large spoon. I figured they would use it since they attend a lot of pot lucks at their church. Last week I was at DD's mil's with the kids and others for a dinner. DD mil mentioned she couldn't find her casserole dish carrier. DD asked if it was blue, because she had a blue one at her house and didn't know where it came from! EXCUSE ME?????? Needless to say when my son in law tells me they don't have a quilt from me yet (and he has a couple of times) I just tell him that they haven't given me their colors yet. And so far they haven't given me their colors, nor pattern.

[quote=plainpat]When DH's Grmother died, we found stacks of Christmas gifts, including a red half slip she'd said she'd always wanted.All were in boxes....what a sad thing. After that,I got over any "too good to use" thoughts I'd ever had.

My GM was the same....every gift was up in her attic in the original box, saved for another day.

I totally agree!! If I make something that just isn't right for the person I give it to, I would rather they pass it on to someone who will use it and enjoy it than hide it in their closet and whip it out when they know I am coming for a visit!

I should have qualified my statement. "used lovingly" would be more like it. I can only imagine the potty mouth I would have if I saw my quilt slung over a dirty motorcycle or in the bottom of a dog's bed!

I made a Jeff Gordan quilt for my grandson for his birthday.
With the left-over fabric I made matching curtains for him.

The quilt was all folded up on the kitched table and my daughter told him he needed to get it and put it on his bed.

He said, Oh no! Grandma made that. It's one of those keep sake things, that you put up and don't use, ever! It's special!

I thought it was so precious of him to think that much of it. I assured him that it was "safe" to use it. So, it's now on his bed.

That is a GREAT attitude and truly encompasses the spirit of giving! I think sometimes people feel that the way a gift is received is reflective of the recipient's feelings about THEM and not their gift. (Could I have written that sentence more confusingly??) :-D

Well, at least they opened the presents! My kids have been to elementary aged birthday parties, lately, and it seems to have become the "norm" for the kids to not even open the presents until after everyone has gone home :shock: :shock: :shock:

You made a great point that everyone has different tastes in patterns and color selections. From now on if I'm making a quilt for a gift, I'll check first to see their preference on color and pattern :D

When I make a quilt for a gift I first ask " If I were to make you a quilt, which three colors would you like to see in it? Is there any color you hate?" I tell them they don't get to select the fabrics, pattern or size of quilt although some offer their opinion any way, lol. That way I know that my gift will be something they like and will most likely use.

A friend of my daughters asked me to make a quilt for her boyfriend, it was a scrappy, I spy quilt, where she wrote some of their favorite sayings in some of the blocks. I embroidered the "M" for UofM. This was made with all conversation prints, that she picked out, they were 5x10 inches so like a brick quilt. Well he wrote me a wonderful thank you letter, on how wonderful the quilt was, how could I part with such a great quilt, and also let me know how it would be used and loved. He had in the letter that he was covered up in it as he wrote the letter. I cried when I read his letter.

Now the saddest part, a few years they were traveling nurses, and went to California, she came home one day and he was dead (heart problem) in his late twenties. I could not get off work for the funeral and my daughter say "Mom be glad you didn't go" They had his quilt at the funeral home and talked about how much he loved it...

Then his family took it home after the service which hurt his girlfriend who had paid me to make it, after a few months my daughter told that his family gave it back to her.

I never expect to get high praise for one of my quilts when given in a large crowd. I'm make them for special people in my life. If they get one, they know they are special because I tell them this was made with love in honor of them. I also include the start and ending date. And if they think about it, they'll know I was blessing them for seveal weeks prior to the gifting.

I always strive to make quilts that I think will reflect the taste of the people I am making for. Sometimes I don't know them well.

My brother Patrick is getting married to a woman I really like, but have only met twice. I was at their apartment briefly two years ago. Hmmm. So, I started making a turning twenty quilt I have been thinking about for a while. Somehow, it didn't seem right. I sent a photo of the quilt laid out, and then called.

Patrick will love anything I make, but I really wanted Emily's opinion. It took me 20 minutes to get her to look at my quilts and give me some feedback. She finally confessed that she really loved my 1930's quilt, and loves the ones with white sashing. She felt so badly, and I corrected her- the other quilt will go to someone, or be raffled for a fund-raiser, but what I really want is to give them a quilt that THEY want.

So I am having a ball making a 1930's quilt with white sashing that they can treasure and use.

I also have to say again, I put my prayers and hopes for the recipient into the quilt. I also always tell them it is okay to pass it along if it is not to their taste. There is nothing wasted in my labor and intention- they are still there, and I want the quilt to be USED UP. Loved until it is in tatters. I don't make heirloom quilts. I make quilts to keep folks warm, body and soul.

I didn't get a thank you for one baby quilt I made until the baby was in her twenties. Then she mentioned how "she had loved it to pieces!" I can't wait until she has a baby so I can make another one.