bearisgray

I am a bit puzzled at the word "gifting" in the original post.

If someone asks for a quilt, I think it is reasonable to ask that person to contribute to some or all of the cost of making it. (depending , of course, on who is doing the asking)

toverly

Thanks for all the feedback y'all. I think I will just concentrate on making tops for a while. If someone wants a quilt, I think I will judge then whether or not I want to quilt it. If they really want one, I'll let them pay for finishing it whether it's by a longarmer or me. I think we can all agree with people don't know how much it costs to provide a quilt. This idea comes from way back when I did needlepoint. It got too expensive for my budget and I provided the labor to needlepoint but it was up to my family to get it finished. I think it will work for me.

Watson

I think that's fair. They will likely be shocked when they learn how much it costs just to buy backing, batting and get it quilted.

Watson

bearisgray

Because so many quilts are donated to various causes, I think some people think quilts are quick and easy to make and the materials cost less than the quilts they see at walmart.

Plus - the maker has the pleasure and joy of making the quilt..

$25 should cover it, right?

cashs_mom

I don't think they are buying the quilts. They are asking for her to make them for free.

Pam S

I don't see anything wrong with telling them "I have some quilt tops you can choose from, but I can't quilt large quilts anymore." You could then offer to help them pick fabric for the backing and binding and give them contact info for a longarmer.(All of which they pay for.) Maybe even find one who offers binding (some do). My guess is when they realize the cost they may change their mind.
It's taken me a long time to learn that "I can't or want to" is a perfectly valid answer.

aashley333

Furthermore, if you are like me, you already have several ideas of your own ready to start after the current project. Or, have several projects at once. My problem with quilting is that I don't have enough hours in the day already!

Macybaby

I'm kind of in the same boat as I like making tops way more than quilting them. However I also own an LA so quilting is a lot less work than on a domestic machine. My normal routine is to end up with a dozen or more tops, then I'll get in the grove and quilt up most of them. I'll do an all over machine design and I've got a lot of them that can be stitched out in 5-6 hours. I still have to bind them though. I have also been considering not quilting up a top until I've got a recipient in mind.

Now that I'm retired, I'd think it might work out to find someone else that quilts, that would like the opportunity to use an LA. Mine sits unused for a lot of time. I've no interest in quilting for others, but think it could work to have someone else running the LA while I'm sewing in the same room. I'd be available for help if needed, but they can babysit the machine while it stitches. For now, the LA hasn't been fully set up since we moved. DH wants to do a full service on it before I start using it.

orangeroom

I'm sure responding with "It'll cost you at least $200+" will decrease the quilts that others are asking of you. Especially if all these years they've been getting them at no cost. Many of us come across others who just assume 'you'll make one for me' mentality. You made one for so and so. I started responding "I'll teach you how to make one, step by step. You can meet me at the fabric store of your choice and bring your wallet/purse/credit card. You're going to need it. We can purchase materials as needed; a pattern, fabric, thread, needles, batting. You're also going to need a start up combo pack of rotary cutter, ruler and mat." Then the questions come "Oh, no. I'll teach you. You can learn. It'll cost less if you buy the fabric from JoAnns vs a local quilt shop. Yes, a difference up to $200 or more. Yes, you can buy a cheap quilt from Walmart for under $50, but the quality is quite different." Usually after explaining how they'll be expected to come to my home for the weekly/monthly lessons and then have homework, not to mention the cost to quilt it and time spent hand binding...they've already checked out and are not even listening. I've only had one person actually take me up on it. She found out real quickly how accurate cutting and measuring vs not can mean another trip back to the fabric shop and added cost.

Big quilts can take a lot out of you. Especially if you're a worrier. I've never really thought of 'what if they don't like it.' Even when I found out that someone didn't like two different quilts I made with the intention of gifting to a newborn. Finally I said "You pick out the fabric and pattern. I'm done." The issue is once a quilt is gifted, we have no control how it's used. It gifted with no strings...ha ha ha....if you will.

We sew/quilt to mend our souls. Not always to gift to others.

Stitches23

I'm in the camp that if someone "asks for" a quilt then letting them pick out a flimsy or kit and letting them pay to finish it or for all of it is fine. If they don't sew, they need to know they will need to pay for someone else to bind the quilt as well as the batting, backing, quilting, and extra fabric for the binding. However, if the quilt is a "gift", then it should be finished before giving. .

I think its obvious a non-quilter does not and cannot appreciate the time, money, and value that goes into a homemade quilt. Which is why we should choose our recipients wisely. I gift my quilts more for sentimental reasons.

If you're happy just making flimsys, then just do that without expectations of their futures.