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Originally Posted by Dora Taggart
The people who ask for a quilt and I think are not quilt worthy I tell them that Wal-Mart has some very beautiful ones for sale that would better fit their need....May sound qurle why just my oppinion ...
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Originally Posted by leatheflea
After reading a post on here yesterday of a quilter that was frustrated by people wanting her to make quilts I started thinking. I too have been in that situation over and over again as I'm sure many of you have also. Hang in there with me I'll get to the point in a little while.
Do any of you remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaines contraception device "The Sponge" was being discontinued? She went on a big search for these things and found a whole case. Thats all she had to last her for what seemed to her forever. So before she would "use" one of these she would ask the other participant if he were "sponge" worthy and why he thought he was. So this is where I get "Are you quilt worthy?" I spent hours of my life making these quilts, I shed blood, endure shoulder pain, neck pain, butt numbness, crossed eyes from concentrating on every stitch, and many hours researching on "The Quilting Forum" and you want me to just whip one of these babies out of my hindend for you. Most of the time I don't take requests for quilts, I've done 3 upon request outside of my family. One turned out not worthy. I got the quilt back after about 3 months, badly abused by the kitty, and smelling like the liter box. I washed it 3 times before I could begin the repairs. I still have this quilt after 2years and he wont get it back till he's worthy. I think with owning a "homemade" quilt comes some responsibility. So before making and giving I ask myself is this person quilt worthy? I keep a mental application in my head. If you could give an application what questions would you ask? My first one would be ....Do you think it would be appropiate to line the liter box with my quilt? Would love to here what you might add to the application. Halloween quilt block, not a little box bed. [ATTACH=CONFIG]112536[/ATTACH] |
I have a lovely chair that was my Grandmother's, then my Mother's. When it cam to me it came with some of the original fabric scraps for future repairs.It is just known that down the line that repairs will be necessary. I used them to replace the arm fabric. Very few people know that I quilt as I am a beginner. But right away after the quilt is complete I make up a packet of leftover to go along with the quilt for repairs in the future....its over to them, not me, to make the repairs.
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Originally Posted by fabric_fancy
i guess i don't fit in - i make quilts for my pets every year.
i don't see anything wrong with my friends asking me to make a quilt for their pets. |
you have my vote if you run for president
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I've made dozens of quilts thru out the years and only have given away three when my heart speaks to me.Recently a saleslady who treats me like a piece of china and I truly love this lady(I've known her for 15 yrs.)it's time to part with another quilt for her.Each quilt spoke to me in my heart for the right one.Jet
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My SIL keeps asking for her quilt...she is no way quilt worthy! I make other little things for family. pillows, table runners... But only 3 people have gotten quilts from me. 1. a dear friend that had a baby boy. (she bought all the material) 2. My daughters history teacher for a civil war quilt(he has had all 3 of my kids and I figure he deserves something for that!) and I am working on an out-of the box quilt for my mom. She came through for me during a difficult time and want to give her a piece of my heart. As for others; they may qualify in the future but for now...keep working on your quilt worthiness people.
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I have always made my quilts for loved ones, but just last weekend I had my quilting teacher make a baby quilt for a fellow that works for us as he had just had a baby. I was so proud of the quilt and know the time and effort it took to make it, but when I gave it to his wife she just said "Thanks" and that was it. I was so hurt that she just didn't appreciate our gift, since she knew I am a beginning quilter and love it so much. I'm still very upset with her even now, so yes you should only give a gift of so much love to those who can appreciate the time and love that goes into each quilt we make.
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Originally Posted by mcar
I have a lovely chair that was my Grandmother's, then my Mother's. When it cam to me it came with some of the original fabric scraps for future repairs.It is just known that down the line that repairs will be necessary. I used them to replace the arm fabric. Very few people know that I quilt as I am a beginner. But right away after the quilt is complete I make up a packet of leftover to go along with the quilt for repairs in the future....its over to them, not me, to make the repairs.
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This topic fascinates me. My avitar shows my DH and children and significant others with the couch blankets I made them all for Christmas. They were so surprised and happy I still smile everytime I see the picture. They actually argued over who had the best one because they all liked their own best. I know they are used in different ways, some go everywhere with them and some are hung for looking at. They all love them and I am good with that. Big problem is how do I ever top this?
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Originally Posted by JETTA
I've made dozens of quilts thru out the years and only have given away three when my heart speaks to me.Recently a saleslady who treats me like a piece of china and I truly love this lady(I've known her for 15 yrs.)it's time to part with another quilt for her.Each quilt spoke to me in my heart for the right one.Jet
Believe it or not I've got one I've been working on for years for my ex-husband. Don't know if I'll have the nerve to give it to him. Its the Carrie Nation pattern, cant decide if my hearts in the right place on this one. Evrytime I work on this quilt my machine acts up, threads break, bad mojo. |
I have been quilting a little while...and love to quilt best when I am making something for someone else. But I too will not make it for someone I think will not appreciate the quilt or its maker. I want my quilts to be used and loved but not abused...treated with respect.
I feel as if I am giving part of myself when I give a quilt or something I made. I am giving my time and my creativity. Something only God made and can't be bought. I did not appreciate my quilts fully until I started making them. I now honor the quilts my grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt made and wish I had taken the time to learn from them. |
You sound like such a sweet lady and I too want to know that the gifts I give others come from the heart.
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Originally Posted by SherrieDLux
You sound like such a sweet lady and I too want to know that the gifts I give others come from the heart.
I try to be sweet but not always successful. God's still working on me. |
I live in N.E. Georgia near the SC border, wouldn't it be nice to have an email buddy to talk to, my email address is easy, [email protected], being new to quilting is always a struggle for me, and I too feel Gods finger shaking at me to stop it sometimes. Ha. But thanks for the invite, I am sure it would be a hoot.
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Ah, what a great term- "quilt worthy"...I learned the hard way about this. I made not 1...but 2 quilts for one of my friend's DD when she had her 2 kids. You would have thought that I would have learned after she NEVER thanked me for the 1st one....but no...I did it again. This girl barely looked up at me when we happened to stop by my friend's when she was over...why oh why does her mother think that that is ok????
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When I make something for someone (I've been making blankets for every baby I know since...gosh, since my oldest was still baking!), I make it to be used. I know every baby blanket I've made has been puked/pooped/peed/slobbered on, destroyed and repaired and *loved* right down to the last thread. I just recently started making anything bigger than a baby blanket, and will be gifting a large-ish quilt to my IL's. I know they will love it. And I know my mother in law will care for it gently and cherish it, because she is just that kind of person. But I don't expect my quilts to be preserved...I expect them to be loved. Even if it's by my IL's dog. I make and give things with love...all I hope for is that the recipient will love it too, even if it's "loved to death".
That said, I won't be making quilts for anyone outside of family and friends until they're paying for materials and time. This is an expensive and time consuming hobby. |
I love the "quilt worthiness" idea as that episode of Seinfeld is among my favorites. Here's how I look at it: We can't have our cake and eat it too. When we give something to someone it is no longer ours. I belongs to them. What they do with it (or how they spend it if it's money)is irrelevant. I make and give quilts more for my pleasure and entertainment than for the recipient.
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I have only made quilts for my family. They have all really appreciated them.
My mother crossed stitched a quilt top with squares of beautiful iris. When she passed away I took the quilt top, cut the blocks apart, they were 18 inch white blocks with iris in the middle, pieced around each so it looked like a picture frame then sewed them together to make the most beautiful quilt I have ever made. I gave it to my nephew for his wedding present. When he opened he cried. He told he can remember his grandmother sitting and working on the cross stitching. He was definitely quilt worthy. |
do you have a picture of it that you can share with us, would love to see it. Amazing story.
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Originally Posted by deema
When I make something for someone (I've been making blankets for every baby I know since...gosh, since my oldest was still baking!), I make it to be used. I know every baby blanket I've made has been puked/pooped/peed/slobbered on, destroyed and repaired and *loved* right down to the last thread. I just recently started making anything bigger than a baby blanket, and will be gifting a large-ish quilt to my IL's. I know they will love it. And I know my mother in law will care for it gently and cherish it, because she is just that kind of person. But I don't expect my quilts to be preserved...I expect them to be loved. Even if it's by my IL's dog. I make and give things with love...all I hope for is that the recipient will love it too, even if it's "loved to death".
That said, I won't be making quilts for anyone outside of family and friends until they're paying for materials and time. This is an expensive and time consuming hobby. |
Originally Posted by marymc
First off let me say that my quilts are far from perfect. I put a lot of hard work and love into piecing them but many are tyed not quilted. I make them for people I love and I expect them to use them which sometimes means they are not treated gently. I made my first queen size quilt for my son oldest when he got married. He has since gone through some very rough times including a divorce. When I see that quilt in the back seat of his car I know it's not a matter of him not caring but that he loves that quilt and wants it with him if he may be away from his home over night. I smile every time. He is quilt worthy although others might not see it.
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We should have asked my nephew's wife (now ex) this. They had some flooding, quilt (vintage) got some mildew on it so they threw it away without trying to get the mildew out. If nothing else, the affected area could have been replaced. I actually got sick to my stomach when he told me this.
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My DDIL told me yesterday that the whole family, my son & the 2 kids fight over the quilts I have made every time they sit down to watch TV. So now I know what I am making my son for Christmas; another quilt for in front of the TV. They are definitely quilt worthy. How good a feeling is that?! To know they are fighting over "me".
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I love to give my quilts away. When I quilt I usually pray. Sometimes I am told where the quilt should go.
For example I was making a quilt for my DIL as a surprise as I was making it I had a real strong feeling that it should not go to her. The quilt was bright colors, I called it my happy quilt and since she was going through some hard times I thought it would cheer her up. But I kept getting the feeling that it was not right. So I went out and bought new fabric in her colors, (Black, white and red) When I showed her the bright quilt she said "Oh that is nice" but when I asked what she thought of the Black, white and red she gasped and said WOW. I knew the bright one was not right so made another in her colors. She loves it. Just some of my musings about my quilts. |
Originally Posted by sandpat
Ah, what a great term- "quilt worthy"...I learned the hard way about this. I made not 1...but 2 quilts for one of my friend's DD when she had her 2 kids. You would have thought that I would have learned after she NEVER thanked me for the 1st one....but no...I did it again. This girl barely looked up at me when we happened to stop by my friend's when she was over...why oh why does her mother think that that is ok????
You gave them a loving gift and that is what counts. |
Originally Posted by fabric_fancy
i guess i don't fit in - i make quilts for my pets every year.
i don't see anything wrong with my friends asking me to make a quilt for their pets. If you make a quilt for someone in mind, you hope that person is getting the use and loves the quilt. Just like when you make it for your pets. Hope that makes sense. Myself, I make quilts for fun, for therapy ;) ... and whatever happens to it ... happens ... now if they were to take it and sell it/give it away ... then I would probably not make them another one ... Of course I might feel different once I make more quilts!!! I'm pretty much a beginner! |
I really think it is all very subjective....it depends on your intention when you make a quilt, what kind of quilt, etc....
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When I make a baby quilt for a friend or family member there's
a poem that is part of the label. A Baby Quilt Please let me cuddle with your new baby, it makes me feel loved, Don't hang me on the wall, I'm afraid of heights. Please, don't put me in the closet, I'm scared of the dark. I'm meant to be used,thrown up on, peed and pooped on and thrown in the washer and dryer. Don't be afraid to use me as I was intended. Thank you, your baby quilt. |
Are you quilt-worthy?
One requirement: Will you cherish the gift quilt as something that came from my heart and hands especially for you? (The last quilt I gave to someone is being loved and used by the siblings of the baby it was gifted for. It has become their "Magic Carpet" and is giving them joy, so all is good!) I don't think any non-quilter can truly appreciate all the hours and $ that go into a handmade quilt, but they can appreciate the sentiment that comes with it. On the other hand, if they would appreciate a "store-bought" gift, then by all means, that's what they'll get! |
Originally Posted by purplefiend
When I make a baby quilt for a friend or family member there's
a poem that is part of the label. A Baby Quilt Please let me cuddle with your new baby, it makes me feel loved, Don't hang me on the wall, I'm afraid of heights. Please, don't put me in the closet, I'm scared of the dark. I'm meant to be used,thrown up on, peed and pooped on and thrown in the washer and dryer. Don't be afraid to use me as I was intended. Thank you, your baby quilt. |
I made a quilt for our oldest son and he cried when he called me to say thank you. I also do charity quilts and with those you need to let go and hope you have made someone smile.
And there are those I would make a quilt as a gift and others that I never would consider. So this just means to me...go with your heart and what keeps you smiling and sewing. It is our choice how, when and what we do to keep us sewing and sharing our gift of quilting. |
I would ask "Do you allow all your pets on the bed (or wherever the quilt is going to be."
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When I give a quilt, I always say that Every stitch is a little I love you. I think that we have the responsibility to teach people that are used to store-bought, that a hand-made item need a special treatment. Once, a friend of my DH stopped by, he had a quilt in his car trunk, he was going to use it to cover furniture while he was painting . I asked him to have a look at the pattern, I told him how much time and love had been put in it. When, he came back he told me that it now lays on his couch, that he wraps himself in it after a hard day work.( He is a SWAT policeman.) We have the right of wanting our quilts to be appreciated and put to good use , but we also must educate.
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I don't think I am quilt worthy. After giving my first blanket to my soldier, I think few civilians are worthy.
There are a few exceptions, I think most animals are quilt worthy. Kids, too. HARD working folks always have my respect as well. I don't care whether its loved and appreciated or sent to Goodwill. I just want to think while I'm making it that the recipient, who is in the middle of a struggle right now, might think for just one second that someone else appreciates their sacrifices. Even if it is expressed through a dumb blanket. It's important to know when to give money and not a craft item. |
I agree with Leatheflea-when I knit something-I think about how that person will take care of it-so the non-responsible ones don't get alpaca or expensive yarns-and the kids who will lose their scarves or mittens get acrylic.
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Originally Posted by nanakathy
I agree with Leatheflea-when I knit something-I think about how that person will take care of it-so the non-responsible ones don't get alpaca or expensive yarns-and the kids who will lose their scarves or mittens get acrylic.
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They need to take a mental exam and then given a page or two of questions on how they will care for the quilt and what useful purpose will it have to them? It could be a 1000 word essay along with the test. They would then have to listen to a lecture on the care of quilts and what work, time and expense went into making a quilt. If they fail the test and continue to ask for a quilt, they will need to spend 4 hours per wk for the next six months meeting other quilters and just hanging out at the LQS. If they have the quilt and violate its care, they will need to do community service work.
Originally Posted by leatheflea
After reading a post on here yesterday of a quilter that was frustrated by people wanting her to make quilts I started thinking. I too have been in that situation over and over again as I'm sure many of you have also. Hang in there with me I'll get to the point in a little while.
Do any of you remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaines contraception device "The Sponge" was being discontinued? She went on a big search for these things and found a whole case. Thats all she had to last her for what seemed to her forever. So before she would "use" one of these she would ask the other participant if he were "sponge" worthy and why he thought he was. So this is where I get "Are you quilt worthy?" I spent hours of my life making these quilts, I shed blood, endure shoulder pain, neck pain, butt numbness, crossed eyes from concentrating on every stitch, and many hours researching on "The Quilting Forum" and you want me to just whip one of these babies out of my hindend for you. Most of the time I don't take requests for quilts, I've done 3 upon request outside of my family. One turned out not worthy. I got the quilt back after about 3 months, badly abused by the kitty, and smelling like the liter box. I washed it 3 times before I could begin the repairs. I still have this quilt after 2years and he wont get it back till he's worthy. I think with owning a "homemade" quilt comes some responsibility. So before making and giving I ask myself is this person quilt worthy? I keep a mental application in my head. If you could give an application what questions would you ask? My first one would be ....Do you think it would be appropiate to line the liter box with my quilt? Would love to here what you might add to the application. |
I agree that some people are not quilt worthy. When my son married, I put labels on the backs of the quilts stating that they were HIS, given in honor of his marriage. Guess what, they divorced, and he was able to get the quilts back because they were given to HIM, not her. Worked for him and me!
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you know I just said that to someone - I make them and give them away - and do not have one BEAUTIFUL one for My home.............what's up with that!! people know I quilt and when they come over they see my sewing room and work in progress things..........only have a few kids quilts that are layed on and abused - but loved dearly (wouldn't even show anyone!!!) I take pics and save them on a file in my computer so I remember the ones I;ve made!! helps a little!!! LOL!
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