Why do we give quilts?
12-01-2010, 08:45 PM
#101
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
I love it when I see my quilts being loved and used.
When I was little, my siblings and I would beg for a particular quilt my grandmother made. It was, fittingly enough, a grandmother's flower garden and it was hand pieced and hand quilted. We really wanted it when we were sick and I can't count the number of times someone threw up on that quilt. After about 45 years, that quilt is in tatters, but we each still love it.
Some might call that abuse, but we called it love.
When I was little, my siblings and I would beg for a particular quilt my grandmother made. It was, fittingly enough, a grandmother's flower garden and it was hand pieced and hand quilted. We really wanted it when we were sick and I can't count the number of times someone threw up on that quilt. After about 45 years, that quilt is in tatters, but we each still love it.
Some might call that abuse, but we called it love.
12-01-2010, 08:51 PM
#102
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 556
Originally Posted by Shelbie
I want my quilt to be used, loved and appreciated. I know once I give it away, I should have no say about how it is used or not used. However as quilters we all get a little hurt if our treasured quilts that we have worked so hard on get ill treated.
Last summer I young lady came and bought 3 of my gorgeous baby quilts for her "baby" -- a chihuahua puppy! I smiled and said were going to a good home and I was happy they were going to be appreciated by her and her dog.
12-01-2010, 09:01 PM
#103
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington State
Posts: 80
I make quilts as gifts of love.And I want then to be used and loved. I generally see a quilt pattern and think.."Oh, I have to make that for"...so and so. I have a hard time trying to find a quilt for a paricular person.A couple have been requested.I've never made one for my self, but thats my goal this year.
12-01-2010, 09:28 PM
#105
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pa.
Posts: 3,612
I feel, like any gift, once it is given to someone, it is no longer yours. You hope the quilt you lovingly gave to someone special will handle it with care. However, if you see it isn't then you can make the decision to not give them another, or be happy they used it.
12-01-2010, 10:22 PM
#106
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13
Awesome! Your quilt helped your DD and that is the magic in giving what we have made for / to a loved one. It's that medicine that money can't buy and it all helps the human condition with the healing process! Great response and I feel the same---any quilt I give is up to the owner to use it as they will!
12-02-2010, 12:57 AM
#107
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Queen of California Baby
Posts: 509
I want the quilts to get used and worn out. Their sole purpose is to keep you warm, but in the end I snap a picture, send it off and hope it ends up staying with whoever it was created for.
I made one for a friend who is "rich and famous". I expected it to be tossed into a closet, but much to my joy, I observed it crinkled up on his couch in an interview that he gave a few weeks later.
On the other hand I gave one to a good friend for her baby who always posts pictures of said baby on a store bought creation. I have to say, it irks me a little.
I made one for a friend who is "rich and famous". I expected it to be tossed into a closet, but much to my joy, I observed it crinkled up on his couch in an interview that he gave a few weeks later.
On the other hand I gave one to a good friend for her baby who always posts pictures of said baby on a store bought creation. I have to say, it irks me a little.
12-02-2010, 01:07 AM
#108
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tzaneen, South Africa
Posts: 1,305
Originally Posted by starshine
When I was younger I would put my treasured items away so they wouldn't get broken or ruined. I guess to me they were too precious for every day. Then I read an article by Erma Bombeck (after she was diagnosed with cancer) about how she saved the good china for special celebrations, and her special perfume bottle was still full because she was saving it for special occasions...etc. and she suggested we use our "special" things in our living every day so we could enjoy them rather than pass them on unused or hardly used after we die. So then I started useing things more often. But when my aunt died and one of the things I received was a bowl that she always put the mashed potatoes in for holiday and family gatherings (she took care of grandma so all the aunts & uncles would gather at grandma's house) when I was a child growing up. And I liked having it as a memento of that time. My husband and I were so far away from there that we had never spent a holiday there. When telling a friend I had gotten this bowl and a few other items, she said 'and use it often yourself-that's how memories are made. And if it breaks, you and your family will have memories of using it too. But what memories will your kids have of it and her if it is in the cupboard and never used?'. These lessons taught me to use my "special" things. When I have read on this board of quilters commenting someone is not quilt worthy because they put a quilt away on a shelf and never use it, I wonder how many of those folks are saving it because it is so special to them rather than not using it because they don't care to have it. If you find someone has put your quilt on a shelf or in a drawer, let them know you would like to see them use it so they can have memories.
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