Retail quilts
#31
I'm new at quilting and have made 2 for my daughters so far and a pillow. I have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren which I hope to make each one for. Also my husband asked me to make one for him. We just had our guest bedroom walls (lavendar)and trim (white) painted and I wanted to make quilts for the beds but if I did that first, I'd never get to the rest of the family. Sooooooo last week I bought twin quilts and matching shams at Macy's. They were Martha Stewart's collection and I hate to say "made in China". Must admit they are gorgeous, reversable, and beautifully quilted. They were $200 each but on sale for 50% off. The color lavendar with lovely flowers on a cream background was just what I was looking for so I bought them. Sometimes necessity is the reason for doing something and I guess this was a necessity in my case. I guess I put my family first this time even tho I would have loved to make them for my room.
Sincerely, Jackie
Sincerely, Jackie
#32
Originally Posted by cminor
I have noticed more and more pretty good looking quilts at places like Kohls and Walmart. Today I saw a double wedding ring king sized quilt at Walmart for . . .$16.00!
We went to my husbands uncles house last year and that was the first time I saw one of these. I "thought" I could tell the difference between the hand made vs. store bought. I guess not. Since then every time I walk by one I kind of glare at it - like it knocked over my ice cream cone.
So my question is - how do you feel about mass made quilts passing as hand made? Knowing most people that don't quilt could never tell the difference.
We went to my husbands uncles house last year and that was the first time I saw one of these. I "thought" I could tell the difference between the hand made vs. store bought. I guess not. Since then every time I walk by one I kind of glare at it - like it knocked over my ice cream cone.
So my question is - how do you feel about mass made quilts passing as hand made? Knowing most people that don't quilt could never tell the difference.
#33
I would never buy one as purchasing one supports slave labor. I think it also diminishes the work that we as quilters do. For those of us who sell....people are alarmed at the prices we charge not understanding the quality of the work as compared to the foreign made, mass produced ones.
#34
There's a huge difference between "handmade" and "handcrafted." Technically, anyone with fabric, thread, and two able hands can make a quilt. Not everyone can craft one--that takes skill, experience, and time.
For that simple reason, I don't compare my handcrafted items to "handmade" commercially-available things. They churn 'em out faster, but I churn 'em out better. ;)
For that simple reason, I don't compare my handcrafted items to "handmade" commercially-available things. They churn 'em out faster, but I churn 'em out better. ;)
#35
My sister-in-law always told me to never buy one of those store bought hand made quilts because they likely were made by women in China who had to sell their skills far too cheaply. I suspect it now goes far beyond China to other Asian or third world countries.
With her it was a matter of principle and ethics between the world's community of quilters. I guess I just inherited my opinion from her. I would not think of buying a hand made quilt from a large commercial store like a Kohl's or Walmart for their very low prices. I (we) know the true value of the work.
With her it was a matter of principle and ethics between the world's community of quilters. I guess I just inherited my opinion from her. I would not think of buying a hand made quilt from a large commercial store like a Kohl's or Walmart for their very low prices. I (we) know the true value of the work.
#38
Personally, I make quilts for the fun of it. It's my hobby. I put everything I have into them but the joy is in the doing. But, you have to be realistic as well. I have purchased "Bed-in-a-Bag's" for $39.95, the quilts have been washed a gozillion times and they still look brand new. If I want to redo a bedroom, in addition to the cost of the paint, wallpaper, curtains, etc., etc., I now have the addition of $100 or so for the top including borders, binding not to mention cost of the batting plus the backing plus a month or better to hand quilt. At that point if I can find a quilt on sale from Eddie Bauer for $69.00 for a queen I'm going to go for it. I absolutely love quilting but have realized that I don't want my gifts stuffed in a drawer to be passed down through the ages as heirlooms....I want them to be used. So, since the cost of cotton has skyrocketed I'll probably just be doing smaller quilting projects.
#39
A few years ago I bought one of "those". After the first washing it started falling apart. I would fix it every time I washed it. I still use it because of our dogs do get on our bed. Now everytime I wash it, I spend some time practicing FMQ on it. It looks bad, but I'm getting better with FMQ.
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