Are you quilt worthy?
09-20-2010, 04:46 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: western Pa
Posts: 4,569
I usually only make quilts for family and friends-they are quilt worthy. Except my DIL-she has no appreciation for things unless they come with a designer label. My grandkids appreciate my work more and love their quilts to death. DIL let dog use one when dog was sick. Oh well, someone said when you give a gift, it's given away--I'm not that philosophical or forgiving.
I loved that episode of Seinfeld and my friends and I will still use that phrase if a cute guy walks by (yes we are dirty old women LOL)
I loved that episode of Seinfeld and my friends and I will still use that phrase if a cute guy walks by (yes we are dirty old women LOL)
09-20-2010, 04:59 AM
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 28
I have not been quilting for years, but enough that I have been asked to make a quilt for others and for auctions for charity. If I can do, I will. It makes me proud that others think my work is great. However I think if I found a quilt in the kitty litter that would make me lose a friend. Maybe I have just been lucky in that the people who have asked for a quilt to be made know how much work it takes. But if I had to add to an application I would ask, will you sell this in a yard sale. Marilu-Mi
09-20-2010, 05:03 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 3,291
When I give a quilt away, I always tell the recipient that it is a functional quilt. I don't expect to see it folded up on a closet shelf being 'saved'. I tell them to take it to the lake and on picnics, cuddle on the couch with it, lay on the floor with it, just enjoy it - it's washable. And, since I am an animal person, I let my dogs near my quilts. I have made several quilts especially for my dogs.
I would be disappointed if I saw someone using it to change the oil in their car, though.
I would be disappointed if I saw someone using it to change the oil in their car, though.
09-20-2010, 05:09 AM
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
Originally Posted by leatheflea
After reading a post on here yesterday of a quilter that was frustrated by people wanting her to make quilts I started thinking. I too have been in that situation over and over again as I'm sure many of you have also. Hang in there with me I'll get to the point in a little while.
Do any of you remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaines contraception device "The Sponge" was being discontinued? She went on a big search for these things and found a whole case. Thats all she had to last her for what seemed to her forever. So before she would "use" one of these she would ask the other participant if he were "sponge" worthy and why he thought he was.
So this is where I get "Are you quilt worthy?" I spent hours of my life making these quilts, I shed blood, endure shoulder pain, neck pain, butt numbness, crossed eyes from concentrating on every stitch, and many hours researching on "The Quilting Forum" and you want me to just whip one of these babies out of my hindend for you. Most of the time I don't take requests for quilts, I've done 3 upon request outside of my family. One turned out not worthy. I got the quilt back after about 3 months, badly abused by the kitty, and smelling like the liter box. I washed it 3 times before I could begin the repairs. I still have this quilt after 2years and he wont get it back till he's worthy.
I think with owning a "homemade" quilt comes some responsibility. So before making and giving I ask myself is this person quilt worthy? I keep a mental application in my head. If you could give an application what questions would you ask? My first one would be ....Do you think it would be appropiate to line the liter box with my quilt?
Would love to here what you might add to the application.
Do any of you remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaines contraception device "The Sponge" was being discontinued? She went on a big search for these things and found a whole case. Thats all she had to last her for what seemed to her forever. So before she would "use" one of these she would ask the other participant if he were "sponge" worthy and why he thought he was.
So this is where I get "Are you quilt worthy?" I spent hours of my life making these quilts, I shed blood, endure shoulder pain, neck pain, butt numbness, crossed eyes from concentrating on every stitch, and many hours researching on "The Quilting Forum" and you want me to just whip one of these babies out of my hindend for you. Most of the time I don't take requests for quilts, I've done 3 upon request outside of my family. One turned out not worthy. I got the quilt back after about 3 months, badly abused by the kitty, and smelling like the liter box. I washed it 3 times before I could begin the repairs. I still have this quilt after 2years and he wont get it back till he's worthy.
I think with owning a "homemade" quilt comes some responsibility. So before making and giving I ask myself is this person quilt worthy? I keep a mental application in my head. If you could give an application what questions would you ask? My first one would be ....Do you think it would be appropiate to line the liter box with my quilt?
Would love to here what you might add to the application.
Might even have a few business cards made up, with such questions on it, that I could just hand over to the 'askee' with a smile on my face! Don't have to say a negative word to them; let them come to their own conclusion that they probably are not even close to 'worthy', LOL!
LOVE IT!
Jan in VA
09-20-2010, 05:19 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,474
I enjoy just making quilts. I enjoy the cutting, piecing, playing with colors (at which I am not very good, but DH helps), quilting, binding (not so much). I do it because I love it. I'm not overly good at it, I would say I'm an average sewer. My quilts are not perfect, but I have loved making each and every one of the. A large number of my quilts go to people (mostly where I work) who are facing hard times in their lives. Someone will say "did you hear so & so's house burned, or he/she has cancer, etc. Or the chaplain will mention someone with a particular need. So I make a quilt to go to dialysis, chemo, or where ever. I also get boxes of fabric from people at work, some of it can be used, some cannot, but the intention is good. I have always gotten thank-you notes, but rarely know the fate of the quilt itself. I'm not sure how I would feel if I knew one of my quilts were being abused.
Now, that said. One of my favorite quilts is one my mother made when she was 16. It was made by hand from feed and flour sacks. It has been used for picnics, naps, tents, sleep overs and just about anything else you can imagine. Some one who were to walk into my house and see this quilt would think "how could she possibly treat this quilt like that". It has holes worn in it and the binding is practically thread bare, but it is so full of good memories they seem to ooze out when I see it. I hope all my quilts are abused in such a manner.
Now, that said. One of my favorite quilts is one my mother made when she was 16. It was made by hand from feed and flour sacks. It has been used for picnics, naps, tents, sleep overs and just about anything else you can imagine. Some one who were to walk into my house and see this quilt would think "how could she possibly treat this quilt like that". It has holes worn in it and the binding is practically thread bare, but it is so full of good memories they seem to ooze out when I see it. I hope all my quilts are abused in such a manner.
09-20-2010, 06:42 AM
#16
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Posts: 4,783
This thread is too funny! Thursday, I picked up my very first quilt from the long armer. She too used the phase quilt worthy!! I laughed, because I feel the same way. I agonize over each and every stitch, the fabric, the color choice, the sewing. It's truly made with blood, sweat and tears. I love making them, but some people truly do not understand that you put a piece of yourself in your projects. I'm making quilts for my granddaughters for Christmas this year, one done, one started and two more after that. I know they will love and cherish them. I want them to be used, and loved.
09-20-2010, 07:10 AM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Boonsboro, MD
Posts: 2,670
I give my quilts to many people. I don't check up on them because the quilting is my therapy.Making it has helped me. What they do with it after I give it to them is their problem.When I give I let go. It is now theirs. I have my rewards from the making. Maybe this doesn't make sense but its a whole lot cheaper than going to a psychiatrist.
09-20-2010, 07:26 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 1,157
When I give a quilt away, I always hope that they will have a great appreciation for them, but I have to admit, I like the idea of questioning them to see if they are "quilt worthy" first. If not, I feel obligated to educate them in the best way I can about the work and time that goes into them... why they should care about taking care of them, etc. Then I just hope for the best! My dogs, though, get to sleep on old blankets....and an old couch cushion... check my avatar. lol.
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