I was invited to my daughters sister in-laws daughters baby shower and went. This is a family that we spend every thanksgiving with and see several times a year at other events. Needless to say I made a baby quilt for the coming baby boy. Their theme of monkeys and jungle was made known to me after I had already started the 9 patch blue blocks. Not a problem. I improvised and used monkeys on the boarders and baby jungle on the back. Here is what made me feel sad. Her husband was there and held it up and she said here is another blanket and sat back down in the box. A couple of gifts shown later and it was a fleece tied blanket with jungle theme. They oohed and aahed and her mother came over and took several pictures. This went on for several minutes. Now I didn't want adoration for the quilt but to have had more of an even aceptance would have been nice. It made me feel like they didn't like it. Well I feel better that I vented. Here is a couple of pics of the quilt. Oh by the way I also made a matching traveling changing pad and bought a jungle babies mobile that totally matched the animals.

They will appreciate it later when they receive all the compliments! This is very pretty. I know how you feel, I feel that way too sometimes. It's beautiful.

No...I don't think you're being too sensitive! It's a darling quilt, and you did a wonderful job on it!

Maybe they think it was store bought as opposed to handmade? I'm less impressed with store bought items than I am with those that I know someone has taken the time to make for me...

If they didn't like it that's their problem. It is gorgeous and I think the way you incorporated their theme was excellent.

It's really cute, and I'm sure will give lots of cuddles & warmth to their little one. Please don't be offended, people don't always react their best when opening gifts in a group.

What an adorable quilt! They will learn to appreciate it. :)

Oh geez, what is it with people and bad manners?? Just try to focus on the great job you did and the clever save you accomplished by adding the theme to the quilt after you'd already started on it. It's an adorable quilt!

Your quilt is lovely and you should be very proud. I receive hundreds of quilts, afghans and fleece blankets for my Linus chapter. When I bring them to the local facilities, the fleece blankets always get the most attention. I think it is the "feel" of the fleece, or the bulky nature....I often mention that the quilts are worth well over a hundred dollars each, and the fleece are often kits, but unless you are a crafter, it is hard to get them to understand the priceless nature of the quilts.

I think what is hurting you the most is the fact that they didn't acknowledge all the hard work you put into it. Your quilt is beautiful and you did a wonderful job quilting it. I'm sending you a {{{{{BIG HUG}}}}}.

First of all the quilt is just adorable.
Second i am sorry they didn't appreciate it. It happend to me once. I made a quilt for a baby of a relative and when i was talking to the mom and asked if she liked it, all i heard was my daughter threw it on the floor and sat on it....thank you for the work you put in it would have been nicer...but guess what now that after a while she looked at it and got to know i am selling them, she is going to pay for one(FULL PRICE). I am happy now.
I have learned a lesson not to make a quilt as a gift unless i know they will 100% appreciate it....QUILTING IS NOT CHEAP.

Your quilt is really sweet! Sorry that some people just dont understand the work and love that goes into our quilts.

It is beautiful :) You did a wonderful job. It is perfect for a little boy.

Your quilt is an heirloom. I hope you put a label on it. Non quilters don't understand the value of your time and the love that goes into a quilt. But lots of people will.

It is a very nice quilt. I really like the border, and how it isn't 'too' babyish.

The quilt is precious. They will appreciate it.

You know, they may have thought it was store bought since there are so many matching items to it. You may want to let them know that you made it for them. I can understand your disappointment and truly hope that they come to understand how much work goes into a quilt :) ((hugs))

No you are not being too sensitive. I think you did a great save incorporating the theme into the already started quilt. And I don't care how many times it happens but everytime someone refers to a quilt as a "blanket" it cuts me like a knife and I am sometimes noticeably taken aback. I remember when I was visiting with my DH at his work and we were discussing my LA when his coworker said "oh you will be able to make lots of blankets with that". The look on my face must have given him pause because then he corrected himself and called them quilts. 8-)

The bru-ha-ha over the tied fleece when your quilt barely received a second glance also would have upset me, so you are not being too sensitive. It has been said here before and I know it is easier said than done, when we gift a quilt we must gift it and not look back. Yes it is disappointing when they aren't well received but not everyone loves quilts like we do. this is just one of the many reasons the QB is so great. Our quilts get the ooohing and aaaahing they rightfully deserve even if they don't get it from a gift recipient. We know the value of them, the cost of making them and the time, effort and love we put into all of them. So please know your quilt was indeed wonderful and completely let it go if you never see it in use.

I think it is just wonderful!

I was at a baby shower this weekend also. I know that the mothe to be was overwhelmed with all the gifts. I think your quilt is adorable and I bet they will to when they have a chance to breath and take in all the different gifts they received.

It turned out really cute! It will end up being the little guy's favorite quilt...and he'll probably drag it off to college when he goes!!!
Happy quilting!

That is a beautiful quilt and perfect for the occasion. I just think that so few people realize the planning, executing, artistry and money that goes into quilt making (the homemade kind). But I know what you mean that appreciation from others is very nice. That is why I come to the QB. Just take a deep breath and know what a nice thing you did... your intention and gift was right on.

It is a beautiful quilt! Perhaps so much they thought it was store bought! Because so many people don't recognized hand crafted, I always fold my quilt with the label facint up - with a bow tied around the quilt so they will have to take a moment to untie it. That's makes it more likely they will pause long enough to see the label.

Another BIG HUG from Gainesville, FL - as another poster asked, "What is it with people and bad manners?"

I have a feeling that yours will be the long distance runner, though - kids can feel love put into something made for them, and will go back to it time and time again, but "simply purchased" items go by the wayside eventually. Also, I have a feeling that the other items say "baby" whereas yours says "kid" : "KID" items survive culling each and every time.

The quilt is adorable.

there are some folks who just don't appreciate hand made items. they prefer commercially made items. i'd feel hurt, too. but there's nothing to be done now. perhaps you can get another family member to point out how much love and work went into that beautiful quilt. hopefully, she'll appreciate it later... or maybe it will be the baby's favorite [even better]

Yes, this is my thinking, and it's happened to me before, too.

A fleece tied blanket is clearly home sewn, but looking at your quilt it is not immediately apparent that you made it yourself. Is there someone you could ask something like, "I really hope she enjoys the quilt. I tried to pick fabrics that would complement the theme she was going for..."

Although, they really should have been more gracious even if you HAD bought it. How rude!

I think it's adorable. they aren't quilters are they? so don't fret. only we who know how much work and inspiration go into quilts would appreciate it thoroughly.

A lot of people have poor taste (them!) and do not know enough to appreciate quality (them!).

You did a great job on it :thumbup: The thing I'm finding out more and more is how insensative (sp) and rude people are now a days. You're lucky if someone says thank you for holding a door open for them. You watch, it will be their go to quilt. :D

I LOVE IT!!! When I was pregnant, if I had gotten a quilt, trust me I would have adored it and gushed over it at my shower. It is an amazingly thoughtful gift!!! I'm proud of you for making it and I know you enjoyed making it. At least know that when the baby gets bigger, he will enjoy the fact that someone cared enough for him to make him a quilt before he was even born! Hugs!!!

The baby is going to love it. I know how you feel when you are so excited about a quilt and the response falls flat.

You are not to sensitive. The quilt is adorable and I would be so proud to have had something like that when my boys were born. I think that unless you actually do anything by hand it cannot be appreciated for the time, value, and effort that goes into the project. One day when they are not so overwhelmed it will be appreciated.

Darling quilt! Great job. Anybody can walk into a store and buy a baby "blanket" and give as a gift, but the quilt you handmade represents LOVE.

It's a great quilt..if they don't appreciate it..that's their problem..xoxo..from me..the baby will love it!!!

Big hug-sorry this happened to you. I seriously think they just didn't *see* it, maybe didn't realize it's handmade, and they'll come to appreciate it more when they use it.

No, I know how you feel! I've made many quilts for many babies, and it always seems that the mothers are not impressed. I don't know if it's because they just don't appreciate hand-made, and prefer something with a
"brand name" or what. Since the last time I made one for a baby shower, though, I have decided not to do it anymore unless it was requested by a relative of the mother. I wanted to ask for the last one back ~ I really did. She made me feel like it would be the first thing in the yard-sale pile as soon as possible.

Sometimes baby showers can be overwhelming- too many people, too much action, too many gifts, all crammed into a short period. Hence, I am saying that you can't judge how much they will "appreciate" your gift long term by that initial introduction in a less than perfect setting.

I am sure that the reaction will be different as they use it, an it becomes their favorite thing versus the store-bought items.

It is their loss. The quilt you made is adorable and shows lots of thought and love. Some people just don't realize that, so it is their loss.

Just ignore people like that. They are not worth getting upset over. You quilt is really pretty. You did a great job.

I second Charlee's comments.