Your quilt is beautiful and looks very patriotic to me, very American. I can see that and I am Canadian. My mother did that all the time but not to my other sisters so I know how much it hurts. If it ever happens again, tell him firmly and maybe he will realize how mean he has been. Chin up and keep quilting, you are good at it.

It is gorgeous. :D Be proud of what you have accomplished. Your Dad reminds me of mine, very similar, maybe we are related. :thumbup:

I love your quilt & can't believe your Dad was so, well let's say "unkind." I can feel your pain, really I can. I have given my husband gifts (not even homemade things) and he just out and out didn't like it. That feeling of rejection and disappointment is so painful and I'm so sad for you. I would rather have a homemade gift from my kids (grown now), than anything purchased. Even if it wasn't "my cup of tea," I couldn't be cruel like that. So sorry for your pain.
CherylR

Your wallhanging is beautiful. All I can say has already been said by many people here. Sorry that you were hurt. Know that you did it for all the right reasons and you should be proud of how it turned out. Take care and keep on quilting.

I agree with everyone else. Your wall hanging couldn't be any more patriotic, and I think it's beautiful. Clearly your father just isn't one who appreciates handmade gifts and the love and work tht go into them. Take it back, buy him a gift card to Target, and don't ever make him anything again.

Has your father ever been in the Service? Some people get upset about flags and patriotic things if they had bad experiences in the services. My father is like that he hated the navy cause he feels it messed up his life cause they drafted him at a great time in his life. My parents had a bad habit of giving me back my presents later saying they really dont need this anymore maybe I can use it. I dont think they really truly understand how they hurt us with the things they say and do. Try and shug it off and get to quilting you do a great job.

I know how you feel. A few years ago when I was still doing tole painting I painted a little footstool for my Dad. It was black with trillium flowers on it. I thought he would love it and I was very proud of it. I gave it to him for his birthday and the next time I went to see him, he had his urinal on it. I was not happy!!!

My new rules of gift giving with my parents are to give them something I know they like to eat, some cheeses, fancy biscuits etc, which make it easier for everyone. My mother is like your Dad, but she used to sew, so she would pick at anything I made, and my Dad just doesn't use any of the fancy things I have bought him, so I stick with this for them. Makes it a lot easier for me.
And, just because your daughters were there, doesn't mean you can't say anything - what are they learning from how he treated you?
I will stand up for myself when my son is there, I want him to learn how to deal with nasty people, there are plenty of them out there . . .

I would say that your father doesn't understand the thought, work and love that went into your present to him. To him, it was just an item. To you, it was an expression of love. Remember that your dad was not rejecting you and your love, he just didn't understand.

Some people don't get it. :roll: They would rather have something that was bought then have (in their words) "a home made gift". A neighbor of mine made a lap quilt for her close friends. The next time she went over to visit them, she found that they were using it for the dog bed. She was very hurt.

There are some people in my family that I won't make things for, because they don't understand. I pick the people who I know will appreciate "a home made gift". I just go out and buy a store bought gift for the others.

I would love for my daughter to make me the wall hanging that you made your father. You did a very good job.
:thumbup:

Remember this feeling when your kids bring you dandilions and not so wonderful things. Some people don't unerstand being gracious. Others just understand the feelings of others. Maybe your dad was in pain or not feeling well.

I hope your relationship will be strong enough to withstand this transgression. I finally made peace with my dad, but only a couple of years before he died.