I think many of us feel as protective of quilts that we've made as we do of our children and pets.

I agree that when given, it's belongs to the recipient...... However, I do tell them at the time I give them the gift that it took me XXX hours and more than XXX $ to make......that it is to be treated with respect....because if not, it will be the last thing I give them. Seems to have worked with my granddaughter!!!!! :) I figure SOMEONE needs to teach them/remind them to respect items we make.

I think we put so much of ourselves into our quilts that we feel our love should just pour out and into the other person. Maybe we need to start thinking like a store and let the receipents know that if they don't care for what we give them, we will take it back and get them something else. Theres so many different tastes out there, and not all of them are as good as ours( :) ).

Could you ask your granddaughter to help you make the new quilt for the girlfriend? Then she would understand the time and love that goes into quilting.

I feel so bad for you. It would hurt me also if I had seen one of my quilts so disregarded. Maybe ask her Mother during a conversation, if the girl just didn't care for the colors or pattern........there might be a reason for it being out there and just had not been cleaned and brought back in.

I don't do too many for my relatives, as I don't really know how they feel about quilts. However, I do sew for a "Prayers & Squares" organization from church. We make up lap size quilts and they are given to people that have their names put in for prayers. And I give lap quilts to assisted living homes for elderly people that don't have any relatives any more. There is also a need through the Linus Project (that someone mentioned) for quilts for children in hospitals. These quilts are very well received. The elderly and sick/needy children usually all love their quilts.

So please try to find an outlet for you creativeness that will be appreciated. I have loved sewing since I first took it in Home Ec in the 7th grade. I almost have to do it......and I do almost every day since retiring.

I would tell my Grand how disappointed I was to find the quilt tossed aside and forgotten and I wouldn't be spending my time and money where it apparently wasn't wanted. Apparently the parents didn't care how she treated a gift either. I wouldn't let the actions of a foolish disrespectful girl cloud my thinking about giving my quilts as gifts.

That quilt you made was beautifal. This happened to me too.
I spent alot of time and money on a quilt for a friend having a baby and she said she wanted it for the wall. I even put the hangers on it.
They left for awhile so I took care of their dogs and went to see how the quilt looked. To my shocking suprise it was in the crib with stains and yukkie stuff all over it. I must say a tear or 2 fell that day. I was so upset. I took a picture of it to show a freind. I had to delete it after that because everytime I seen the picture it was a painful reminder. I try to remember the "once you give it away its no longer yours". She was at my house one day and noticed a quilt I had done and mentioned that would look so nice on her bed. Like hint hint please make that for me. All I could do was laugh. I was suprised I kept my mouth shut. It took me awhile to make another quilt to give away but had to remember someone else would hopefully cherish a quilt I made. I've made several other quilts for babies now but use only panels and stuff that I know will be used in a crib.
It is so frustrating like finding something you took the time and money and heart to make for someone and finding it in their yard sale for $1.
Don't give up. You do beautifal work. If you want to make me that quilt it will be cherished. :thumbup:

Oh honey, I feel for you! I'm not a Grandma yet but I was a grand-daughter and I CHERISH every single thing they gave me.
I don't understand how it could be tossed somewhere, sorry.
But please don't let one person spoil the joy that another person would get by having a quilt made by you. Just be selective.
I am protective of quilts and all treasures given to me. And I really don't want to spend my time on something that will be misused.
HUGS

It seems like that quilt was being used for the purpose that you gave it to them. Babies make messes. Unpleasant things come out of various openings.

If I had found it in the dog's bed, then I would have been po'd.