chris_quilts

As a follow-on to my earlier thread, latley I've ben making wall hanging quilts as gifts for friends. Well, I showed one today at church and had the ladies oohing and aahing all over it and several asked me how much one would cost. I'll probably give them as a gift. The reason I had in church was that I'd amde one for a departing pastor for his next office but his wife hiojacked it for her house b/c it was too good for his office.

Fritzy

It's been very interesting reading all about how the quilts are used & not used. I have made memory quilts for all my nieces & nephews when they've graduated from high school & I know just about all of them are being used. The last of my niece's to graduate wasn't sure if she wanted a memory quilt so I was going to make a different one. Her sister told her you have to have a memory quilt they are so neat so she did get one. I have made many quilts for weddings, anniversaries, babies, friendships etc. & have heard that they just love them & use them all the time. When I give the person a quilt I tell them that it isn't perfect but it was made with a lot of love & I want them to use it. Some are getting worn out but at least I know they are enjoying them. Now when any of them are getting married or having babies they know they will be getting a quilt & look forward to it. I also let our dog sleep with us & if the quilt gets dirty I figure it's washable. I do protect it though when the muddy season is around. I'm pretty selective when I make a quilt for someone & a few of my cousins have been recipients but they are the ones that I know will appreciate a quilt. Now if only I could catch up on all the ones I have to do!

LucyInTheSky

My first quilt was a small end-of-the-bed runner, made without any formal instruction on how to make a quilt (and it turned out pretty well, all things considered). I made it for my sister who as soon as I said I wanted to quilt said "I want a quilt!!!" x 1,000,000. So I gave it to her, and she was all excited, until she realized it wasn't a "real" quilt. Then it went on her floor (and everything she owns seems to live on her floor... her bathroom is a room full of crumpled clothes ... every so often we find a sink).

Anyway, so she gets back to complaining about wanting a quilt. So I make a fast quilt of 2.5" strips for her, since I know this is going to end up on the floor, since this is what she does.

A few days later, it ends up on her floor. A few weeks later, it's ROLLED UP BEHIND HER BEDROOM DOOR! So I finally took it back to my house to wash and re-iron, and I ended up keeping it. So it's been living at my house with my other quilts for the last 6 months, and ya know what, I don't feel bad.

Rose Marie

When you can buy a slave labor quilt for 29 dollars, its no wonder that people dont understand the work and cost of making a quilt.
I have a few myself that I bought before I started quilting and the piecework is good but the quilting is not.
It amazes me that they can make them so cheap even with slave labor.
It was a shock for me when I started quilting and saw how much it cost to make one.
I gave up sewing clothing years ago because it was cheaper to buy but quilting is so addictive I cant give it up even though it costs a fortune.

amma

I am wondering when we are thinking of making a quilt for someone, should we contact them first? First asking if they would like a quilt. Then ask if they would like a more utilitorian quilt, to use, use, use... Or would they prefer a pretty "for show" quilt that will be gently loved/used? Or a pretty wall hanging, with a lot of detail work, that is purely for show. This might help eliminate hurt feelings on down the road...

Lneal

You may have a great concept there with this suggestion!! What I think someone would want may not be what someone else really had in mind. It could be worth finding out first, unless you wanted them to be completely surprised!

amma

Even if it is a surprise, you could do some asking around of family and friends to try and get an idea of how they may/may not use it :D:D:D

Quilt Mom

Good suggestion! It might also help with color choice to have the input of the recipient! (I made a quilt for an individual, and was told, 'thanks, but I really don't like the colors. Would you do a different quilt for me?')

Bottle Blonde

Here are my rules:

I make utility quilts for other people. Beautiful/Special/Hard quilts I keep in my home to be willed to the recipient of my choice when the time comes. My daughter's have their favorites picked out already...I've had to hide a few for my sons. LOL

I only give quilts as gifts when I am with that person, therefore I always receive a thank you. If I won't "see" someone in person - I figure our relationship isn't close enough to gift them with a quilt - I write those people a check or purchase an item from the department stores.

I know my rules are a little harsh .... I've learned my lessons the hard way and now everyone plays by my rules.

LucyInTheSky

I make my quilts to be used (though not abused). Everything is machine wash/dryable. I want the person to use it, take it upstairs, and downstairs, and all that. I just assume they'll take care of it, since otherwise I'll drive myself nuts. Plus I give quilts to people I know/care about, and even if they don't 100% appreciate the time and work and money put into this (and I like the idea of recording the hours spent on each quilt), I know they'll appreciate it enough to keep it in a safer spot than, say, on the floor with the dogs. Or for my mom whose dogs sleep on her bed, I'm making a stronger quilt so the dogs can lay on it and she can wash it a lot :D It's a know your audience thing