i think non-quilters don't have a clue, but that is the same as I don't have a clue at what it takes to make a piece of furniture!

I can make clothes also, but I enjoy quilting much better,making clothing frustrates me, it never turns out like it is supposed too. Quilting is a job, I have made ones from king size to baby quilts, they are alot of work but you get to express your imagination. and I am sure that people who dont make them have no idea or even a clue how much goes into them.

Your story is beautiful!! and gave me chills. I think quilting serves serveral purposes. that is how we can carry on a quilting tradition.

I am happy to make quilts. My first quilt was made to give away, but it took my third impending grandchild before I was convinced that a quilt would be a good gift. Four quilts later, all the GC have quilts and I'm happy. They can be rough with these, because I'm learning and will one day make nicer ones. The only quilt I have kept is, ironically, the one I made with fabric I didn't like. My intent was to give it to a nursing home, but being an institutionalized facility they said they couldn't use it. Meanwhile, I'm content to keep making quilts and will find people to give them to. I like the idea of making quilts for women's safe houses.

I think bj had a really good point... the only thing we can control is how much we get out of it.

I recently made a wall hanging in memory of a friend's little girl who died of cancer, just shy of her third birthday.

Another friend asked what I was going to do with it when it was finished, and I had to confess I had no idea. It was the process, not the product, that was important.

It was the process of making it that I needed to do, do deal with my grief, and the end result was ...... not irrelevant, but not as important as the making was.

When it was finished I was so pleased with it I did give it to the family, and they loved it and hung it up. If they hadn't liked it, I wouldn't have been hurt, my backup plan was to raffle it to raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation over here.

I guess the point I'm trying to make (I'll get there eventually! LOL) is that sometimes the love and time you pour into a quilt is for you, not someone else. YOU know how much it cost (financially and emotionally) and that's enough.

Once it leaves your hands, you have to let go.

Kara's reply was right on. Pick and choose your quilt recipients. In your heart of hearts you know you have done a wonderful job wih your quilt and that alone is enough for me. Also, I would really have to think over whether I would make a hand quilted (except wall hangings and such) for anyone who is not quilt savvy. Save those for your friends who REALLY appreciate it. And I find the lack of gift acknowledgement in the younger generation a real turn off for me.

BlueChicken:
Your story was beautiful and really touched my heart. I agree with everything you said. We quilt for ourselves and the satisfaction it gives us. The time we spend is love time in everyway. That is what I remember now when I give my quilts away. I do it because I want to and because I care about the person I give it to.

I make sure the receiver knows how many hours I spent making the quilt. Especially the hand quilted ones. I generally get a better reaction.

That's how I feel about it, as well.

i'm sorry that people are so rude.. i haven't given a quilt away in a long time but have crocheted baby afghans and not even get a thank you card. one person has it written out but wants her aunt to bring it to me---can't she just mail it? that has been 3 months ago---good grief!!!