What I figured out last Christmas...
08-11-2010, 08:05 AM
#61
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 64
My older sister taought me to sew. She is an amazing seamstress - but does not "get" quilting. (unless the quilt is made from scraps or old clothes) ANYWAY, I decided to make her a quilt in her favorite colors with her favorite things - cats. It took me almost a year to finish this quilt with all of the piecing involved in the squares. Come Christmas Morning her comment was "it's about time some one made something for me". I know whe has looked at it because she commented on a flaw on one of the squares - but she keeps it in a box in her closet because it is "too nice to put out." sigh. I was amazed at this response from the person who taught me to sew and craft! My sister in law - who drives me crazy - has been begging me for a quilt - but she understands what goes into it. One of these days she will get it too!
Carols Cat Quilt
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08-11-2010, 08:12 AM
#62
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Chester, AR
Posts: 99
About 9 years ago I was doing counted cross stitch, and started working on one when my DIL said she was expecting her first child. It took me over a year of intensive work doing a Bird Alphabet that used a lot of 1/4 stitches. It cost almost $200 to frame it. I had no idea if she would value it. Soooo, I borrowed a phrase used on Antiques Road Show. "Just to let you know for insurance purposes, this should be valued at about $1,000." Well, she still has it and does value it.
I have not been shy about saying the same thing about my quilt gifts, and my family does know their value. Sometimes we just have to be proactive. :lol: I have another DIL who would probably turn a quilt into a dog bed, and her gifts are a gift card from Wal-mart. Sometimes we have to judge our recipients with the same care as we choose our fabric colors and designs. :roll: Your idea is excellent and I just might use it. Thanks.
I have not been shy about saying the same thing about my quilt gifts, and my family does know their value. Sometimes we just have to be proactive. :lol: I have another DIL who would probably turn a quilt into a dog bed, and her gifts are a gift card from Wal-mart. Sometimes we have to judge our recipients with the same care as we choose our fabric colors and designs. :roll: Your idea is excellent and I just might use it. Thanks.
08-11-2010, 08:14 AM
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MA and FL
Posts: 413
I get what you mean. Last Christmas I made ornaments using clear glass balls and thin strips of batiks I had left from trimming for another project. I gave them out to my quilty friends and they loved them and the idea. They gave me the idea to give them to family as little gifts and see their reaction, to see if they were "quilt worthy". Even though they weren't quilts, some people just don't appreciate hand made items.
08-11-2010, 08:23 AM
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 368
These are all really touching letters. And I don't feel so bad about some in my family now! I have made quilts for all the children, almost all the grandchildren and all the g grand children. Two did not acknowledge the 4 quilts and 1 wall hanging, and one never used the baby quilt for a ggchild. It wasn't as soft as the fleese ones that were bought and it had cat fur on it, (after several washings)maybe a hair or 2.
Win a few and lose a few. It was hurtful, so they won't receive any additional quilts. and the quilts that are bed size cost $300 + to have quilted. I really enjoy making covers for kids for our quilt guild project so I make one a month for that project.
Win a few and lose a few. It was hurtful, so they won't receive any additional quilts. and the quilts that are bed size cost $300 + to have quilted. I really enjoy making covers for kids for our quilt guild project so I make one a month for that project.
08-11-2010, 08:33 AM
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 448
I don't think this is negative at all. I think it is very smart way to honestly assess if people like what you make without having them put on the spot. One of my objectives when making/buying a present is that it is something someone would enjoy receiving. Believe me if a friend of mine stuffed animals I really don't care how much time/money went into it, I would not want it. Future gift givers to me please note LOL. Thanks for sharing this great idea.
Originally Posted by HeatherQuilts
I have read a lot of posts about how certain people have NO IDEA and NO appreciation for the quilts that we make. I figured something out last Christmas, to save myself some heartache.
I made 8 or 9 fleece blankets (I sewed the edges though, I didn't tie them) and gave them as gifts. I made one for my Step-dad, and he loved it, he was very appreciative. He is someone that will get a quilt from me some day, I know it will be worth the effort, and he will appreciate what I've made.
I made one for my Dad and Step-Mom, and they did not have the same reaction. It was kind of like, "Oh...this will be nice to keep us warm in the car...." Totally didn't get that I took time to MAKE them something! :lol: Clearly NOT someone that I will make a quilt for. I love them dearly, of course, but I know they just wouldn't "get" how much work goes into a quilt.
Anyways, I gave all the blankets out as gifts, and I know who will eventually get one of my quilts, based on how they reacted to the fleece blankets.... I'm glad I didn't take the time/money/effort to make a quilt for all these people!
Long story short!! :lol: :lol: (sorry I tend to ramble)
If you aren't sure if a person will appreciate a quilt, maybe think of a smaller, not so time-intensive project to make them. Like a tote, or an easy blanket, or something along those lines. Then you will know who is "quilt-worthy" :D
(I meant nothing negative by this post, I don't mean to say that people aren't worth my time, obviously! But it has saved me some hurt feelings, just thought I would pass it along) :-D
Thanks for listening! You guys are the best!
I made 8 or 9 fleece blankets (I sewed the edges though, I didn't tie them) and gave them as gifts. I made one for my Step-dad, and he loved it, he was very appreciative. He is someone that will get a quilt from me some day, I know it will be worth the effort, and he will appreciate what I've made.
I made one for my Dad and Step-Mom, and they did not have the same reaction. It was kind of like, "Oh...this will be nice to keep us warm in the car...." Totally didn't get that I took time to MAKE them something! :lol: Clearly NOT someone that I will make a quilt for. I love them dearly, of course, but I know they just wouldn't "get" how much work goes into a quilt.
Anyways, I gave all the blankets out as gifts, and I know who will eventually get one of my quilts, based on how they reacted to the fleece blankets.... I'm glad I didn't take the time/money/effort to make a quilt for all these people!
Long story short!! :lol: :lol: (sorry I tend to ramble)
If you aren't sure if a person will appreciate a quilt, maybe think of a smaller, not so time-intensive project to make them. Like a tote, or an easy blanket, or something along those lines. Then you will know who is "quilt-worthy" :D
(I meant nothing negative by this post, I don't mean to say that people aren't worth my time, obviously! But it has saved me some hurt feelings, just thought I would pass it along) :-D
Thanks for listening! You guys are the best!
08-11-2010, 08:36 AM
#66
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 1,911
[/quote] Once I made a beautiful fabric bowel for a neighbor and friend across the street. Just for fun, I put a few of the roses from my rose garden in the bowel (I had the roses set in a small bowl of water of course). She shrieked to the other guests at her birthday party, "Look at what Bev gave me!! A bunch of roses from her yard!!" as though it was a big joke. [/quote]
Well now that's just plain rude!
Well now that's just plain rude!
08-11-2010, 08:55 AM
#69
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: central Indiana
Posts: 1,166
That is a good idea...a trial gift! LOL Last Xmas I made aprons for my step-mom, SIL and 2 nieces. One of the nieces looked at it, said thanks and crumpled it up putting it back in the box. It is typical of her...she has been this was since she was a little girls...I was not surprised. Her sis, on the other hand, thanked me profusely and has mentioned to me several times how much she enjoys wearing it. Quilted gifts are not everyone's idea of something they want to have decorating their homes. I would be very cautious about gifting people with quilts. This year, all the females in the family are getting Bow-tucks bags!
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