jolo

This quilt that I am finishing by hand quilting, needle turn applique, old barns with silk ribbon embroidery embellishment,, has taken me one year to complete, I would hate to let someone have it and put it down to wipe muddy feet on. know haow you felt when you saw stuff in the floor board of the car.

mynani

I've also had this experience . Once when my DD laughed at the placemats I had machine embroidered with beautiful birds. Also when a couple of crocheted aphgans were used as dog beds. And she still asks me to do items for her.

moonrise

I've never had anyone say anything directly to me, but I made something for my mom a few years ago (not a quilt, but it was pretty time-consuming).

A few months later, she had it out at her yard sale. She knew I was coming by (and when), but she didn't even bother to "hide" it so I wouldn't see that she was selling it. :evil:

I picked it up, and commented that I made it (which she knew). She didn't say a word.

Then I asked her how much she wanted for it, and I took it back home with me. :P

49elephants

I have a similar story... I made a lone star quilt for my son and new DIL. It took me a long time to do the piecing as it was my first one. Then, it took me 5 weeks to hand quilt it. I gave it to them for Christmas and sat with both of them and told them the proper care for a handmade quilt. I said things like, "This is not a camping quilt or a picnic blanket or a quilt your children would play with. It shouldn't be washed a lot." The next time I was at their house, the kids had it on the floor and they were making forts with it. So I made the kids each a tied flannel blanket. The next time I was at their home after that, the quilt was again being used for fort building and the flannel blankets were in the top of their closets. I have also been on several camping trips with them and they have brought the quilt every time. Last year I got wise and gave them all sleeping bags for Christmas and this summer was the first time I didn't see the quilt camping with them. I must admit it's like a knife sticking in my heart every time I see that quilt being so misused. I too, love them both dearly, but I decided to protect my feelings, and they will get nothing that is handmade from me again.

mimiknoxtaylor

I was a nurse in L&D for 20 years & never, ever got such a nice gift! Of course the hospital had a policy against such lavish gifts. Thanks for sharing the tip about giving the fleece first :lol:

ksea

My DH and went on a fabric/quilt store trip a month or so ago and on our trip we encountered a wonderful Amish woman who had some of her handemade quilts for sale. I am a full time student and I don't have all the time to quilt that I would like to have. I have 6 kids and 12 grandchildren, all but the youngest DGD (10 months) have a quilt that I made (hers is in the works, will be a birthday gift) but the kids don't have theirs yet but 5 of them have picked out their patterns and fabric. One DD lives in AZ and hasn't picked hers out yet, so on this trip my DD picked out a quilt that the Amish woman had for sale, it was just beautifully done, lots of beautiful hand stitching on it, he paid $600. for it. I mailed it to the daughter in Az and 3 days after she got it she called and said "nice blanket dad" she hadn't even taken it out of the box! My husband was heartbroken, he explained what it was and my DD was ashamed that she hadn't even looked at it. Any way he says she will never get any of the quilts that I make because if it doesn't come from a designer store it isn't good enough for her or her home.

reneebobby

That is a great idea. I wish I would of had that information years ago when I made, quilts, afghans, dresses and stuff that well, I would say were given to good will. Okay can't complain on the good will part at least someone will love it even if they don't know who made it.

HeatherQuilts

Yes, through all the layers, with a straight stitch. Although, now that I think about it, I should probably have used a slight zigzag, to allow for the stretching of the fleece) Ours seems to be holding up fine, though!

ellenmg

OMG, I am flabbergasted at these stories, but not really surprised..Great idea of making a small item to gauge response...I did make fleece double-sided lap blankets for MIL, FIL and Step MIL. I do not see them out during the winter so I can guess they are not being used....That's 3 off the quilt list....
I am making a quilt now for a neighbor, older gentleman, and I have involved him in picking pattern, and took him with me to buy fabric. That worked out well, as he fell in love with a woodsy print he saw and we threw out our original pattern for this fabric....(He got bitten by the design bug!) He says he has a new appreciation for how much work goes into a quilt...I have pieced it and after several thoughts, I am quilting bear paws across it....

sew_southern

Good idea! Smart & cheaper way to find out! :)