grammypatty7

Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates quilts OR are uncomfortable letting you know how much they appreciate the quilt. I'm very selective with whom I will give a quilt to for that reason - my hubby, children and grandchildren. I did make gorgeous throws for each of my inlaws and I know they liked them but later learned they were used to cover up the furniture in their FL home while they are in the north for the summer. After that, it's immediate family only as I know they love and treasure my quilts.

I'm positive that your quilt is loved and treasured and that perhaps the recipient honestly doesn't know how to show it adequately. That is often the case. It's also possible that they have no clue the amount of time, effort and love that went into the creation of your lovely quilt. You made it out of love and generosity so please feel good about that. Assume the quilt is loved, treasured, and honored and don't dwell on it. Some people honestly can't and don't make a fuss over gifts as they are uncomfortable doing so. My inlaws are very conservative that way but due their being so conservative with their appreciation, I don't want to make anything for them. My kids, on the other hand, make a big deal over my quilts and I know beyond a doubt they are loved, treasured and wear out but they are used and they tell me that every time they wrap up in one of my quilts, they feel my love and that's how it should be.

grammypatty7

Exactly and well stated. Some people also just don't know how to show how pleased they are and some are even embarrassed over being given such lovely gifts.

carrieg

This same subject is always discussed regarding cross stitch, which I used to do a lot of! Personalized samplers made with the couples name and wedding date. Framing those can cost lots of money too, hundreds for larger pieces. I know today's world is a lot of matchy-matchy, then toss it all when the theme is changed.

I also read a comment once about those who lived thru the depression always had handmade, so store-bought was a huge, special thing! Everyone is different. It just makes me try to me more expressive in my response when I receive something.

grammypatty7

My daughter's quilts get very HARD use and ABUSE but they are used, loved and treasured. Her family (hubby & 4 children) use my quilts exclusively but they are still beautiful though beginning to show the wear after 20 + years and last summer I had to mend a couple for her but mending 3 over the years of such hard use is also quite a testament to my workmanship. My quilts are tents, drug around the house by the 4 children, used in tug of wars, etc and it's amazing how beautiful they still are today. 2 of her quilts are now showing signs of fabric rotting and it was heartbreaking to see her reaction when I tried to mend them last summer. When you hold the quilt to stitch and the finger goes through the fabric, it's about had it but i did repair it best I could and told her use and enjoy them until they fall apart. I also took very detailed photos and may see about rebuilding them or doing better ones as I'm a much better quilter than years ago. It was fascinating to see how my style and technique has evolved over the years.

My daughter in law loves and treasures my quilts so much that they are rarely used. She truly does love and treasure them and doesn't want them to wear out. Bless her heart. She and my daughter actually had quite a heated argument one day over who loves and treasures my quilts more and I had to intervene between these two best friends. It's wonderful that she treasures my quilts but my daughters children are growing up wrapped in grammy's love every single day while her children see the "don't touch quilts as we have to keep them pretty because Grammy put so much hard work into them." It's a tough call, you know. My daughter's family's quilts will wear out and my son's children will have their quilts looking like new. I have very mixed feelings about it. I love that she treasures my "heirlooms" so much that she wants to preserve them but the bond I have with my daughter's 4 children is so amazing and I know a huge part of it is the love they feel using my quilts daily. Each grandchild came home from the hospital wrapped in a hand quilted Grammy quilt.

grammypatty7

I totally agree with you. I had a very hard time making quilts for my son's children due to my wonderful daughter in law's attitude BUT as I've given each of their 3 children their quilts, the love, joy and bonding that has happened with the presentation of each is something that can't ever be replaced. One day, they will get to have those quilts to enjoy and hopefully they'll remember the love and joy we experienced the day I gave them to them. I will say that although my daughter in law protects those quilts, she does sit with me and talk to them about how much time, work, love, skill, and talent has gone into each quilt. She truly does love, appreciate and admire my quilting skills. I just wish the children would be allowed to enjoy using the quilts more but on the other hand, when they go to college, each will have a quilt to use on their bed in the dorm; when they have their first baby, each will be able to use the baby quilt that was made for them with love for their own babies and that's not a bad thing either. My daughter's childrens quilts may be worn out by that time although they have worn amazingly for so many years now.

You make the quilt with love, you give it with love and although you may never know for sure, I bet those quilts are all very loved and treasured. One thing about it, the quilts given to my son's family will be known by a future generation and that's not a bad thing either.

Quilt4u

All the time. But I still give.

joan gaddis

my daughters want my quilts and i said o k but you need to help me on the first one . the first said i didn't know how hard this is!!!to me it's not hard but fun (when i'm in the mood to quilt)but i think the experience will make them more grateful

grammypatty7

Just my opinion on this, if you make her a quilt, you are doing it out of love for your husband and that's worth a lot! I'd do it, no matter how much you don't want to do it. Do it out of love for your husband and who knows, it could bring rewards beyond your dreams. Seriously. If it doesn't, you've honored your husbands wishes and loved him enough to do it for him and that's huge right there. As you work on it, think of your love for him and pour that love into the quilt - it could come back to both of you with huge rewards. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I didn't want to make for my son's children and my husband pushed me to do so. I'm so glad I did even though I had a rough time doing so and believed they wouldn't be appreciated but they are and I do know that some major bonding took place as each grandchild got their special grammy quilt. Sometimes in life, we just have to do a labor of love for our hubby's that we may not really want to do. Enjoy your quilting and pour all of your love into it that you can and that love may come back and it may not but you will have loved your hubby enough to do it - just my opinion.

grammypatty7

I agree totally. I've made a point of making sure that my children and grandchildren have seen me hand quilting on their quilt so they have a bit of a clue as to the amount of time and love that goes into the quilts. It definitely makes them more appreciative of the time, skills, and love you put into their quilts.

eightylady

...way to go, hazeljane...u hv arrived, girl :!: :!: