toverly

After quilting a Twin XL quilt for a "big boy bed" for a great nephew. I am done. I just don't enjoy quilting bed size quilts. I am thinking of just making flimsies. When someone wants a quilt, I can let them choose a flimsy. Or even better a kit that they like. I could complete the top only. They can purchase the backing, batting, and binding and get it quilted. I would let them know it's going to be around $200 to complete and if they really want it, they can pay for it. I'd even go to the quilting store with them, just not pay for it. There is a chance that a flimsy would disappear. Do y'all think that might work? It sure would save alot of hassle. All I kept thinking as I sewed this top, what if she doesn't like it?

petthefabric

I know the thought "what if she doesn't like it?"

I think your idea would cut down on people expecting quilts for free.

If someone asks for a quilt, then I think asking them to foot some of the cost would determine how serious they are.

I enjoy the piecing more than the quilting. And flimsy's are easier to store. So I have no problem leaving them behind.

I'm dense when it comes to "would this be rude".

LGJARN52

I've thought of simply making only the tops many times and just donating them somewhere. This would help me use up my fabric faster, and besides I've come to realize that I enjoy sewing more than the actual quilting. It was easier when I had my quilt frame, could load a quilt and within an hour or so have it all done but the binding. With advancing age it becomes harder and harder to wrangle a quilt around a domastic machine. Maybe that why I've gone to more Kennel Quilts and Pillowcase challenge items?

b.zang

What about binding? Giving a non-quilter a flimsy and instructing them on how to get it quilted doesn't still provide them with a quilt.

I have taken to a lot of straight stitch quilting. I can stitch in the ditch or use painter's tape to mark diagonal straight lines. Yes, it's a pain to wrestle a large quilt under the needle but it's part of the process of making a quilt. When I want to gift a larger quilt, I carefully assess my finances and sometimes have it quilted by a local long-arm quilter. Maybe you can join a guild where you can make flimsies and someone else finishes them off! Of course, they are then donated but still, you had the fun of putting together all the pieces.

Stitchnripper

I guess for the right people it could work. I think that will be limited. For those who are not quilters it might be considered outside their comfort zone of picking a binding, backing, batting, and finding someone to finish it up and picking a design, not knowing what edge to edge is, pentagrams, etc. Maybe you could find someone who just likes to quilt and share the expense of the other parts. And then donate the finished products on behalf of both of you.
PS One of my pet peeves is that one of my quilting friends puts a label on all her quilts. Made by "her". But she quilts by check and never puts the name of the quilter! I ask her about this on the regular and she said she paid so she doesn't have to!!

petthefabric

Lots of ideas.
Certainly see the situation of a non-quilter have the resources to accomplish the quilting/binding process. How about have them foot the bill, in advance, for quilting. Then you can walk it through the process, with binding.

Labeling without credit to the quilter-------how much skin are you willing to invest? I agree the quilter should get the credit, BUT.....

I'd love to be a piecer with a person willing to custom quilt for me. Haven't found that person who likes quilting more than piecing.

I too quilt by check. Shoulders have had a lifetime of abuse.

quiltingcotton

I don't quite understand why you would only do the flimsy and let the 'buyer' see about sending it out for finishing. Why not just have someone pay for the flimsy, batting, backing, binding, and you just send it away to get it all put together for the 'buyer'. What difference is it other then you might get more money for the quilt - in whether you send it all away to a quilter to finish it, or the buyer try to find someone to finish it (send it off). I think you would get more buyers, as opposed to just doing the flimsy..

aashley333

I like the idea for people that ask for a t-shirt quilt. When they ask, I could agree but inform them that I'd make the top and help them hire a quilting service to finish.

lscho4jm

What is a flimsy?

aashley333

A flimsy is just the top piece of the quilt before quilting.