Quilt or Blanket?
#71
As a follow-on to my earlier thread, latley I've ben making wall hanging quilts as gifts for friends. Well, I showed one today at church and had the ladies oohing and aahing all over it and several asked me how much one would cost. I'll probably give them as a gift. The reason I had in church was that I'd amde one for a departing pastor for his next office but his wife hiojacked it for her house b/c it was too good for his office.
#72
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Fargo, North Dakota
Posts: 286
It's been very interesting reading all about how the quilts are used & not used. I have made memory quilts for all my nieces & nephews when they've graduated from high school & I know just about all of them are being used. The last of my niece's to graduate wasn't sure if she wanted a memory quilt so I was going to make a different one. Her sister told her you have to have a memory quilt they are so neat so she did get one. I have made many quilts for weddings, anniversaries, babies, friendships etc. & have heard that they just love them & use them all the time. When I give the person a quilt I tell them that it isn't perfect but it was made with a lot of love & I want them to use it. Some are getting worn out but at least I know they are enjoying them. Now when any of them are getting married or having babies they know they will be getting a quilt & look forward to it. I also let our dog sleep with us & if the quilt gets dirty I figure it's washable. I do protect it though when the muddy season is around. I'm pretty selective when I make a quilt for someone & a few of my cousins have been recipients but they are the ones that I know will appreciate a quilt. Now if only I could catch up on all the ones I have to do!
#73
My first quilt was a small end-of-the-bed runner, made without any formal instruction on how to make a quilt (and it turned out pretty well, all things considered). I made it for my sister who as soon as I said I wanted to quilt said "I want a quilt!!!" x 1,000,000. So I gave it to her, and she was all excited, until she realized it wasn't a "real" quilt. Then it went on her floor (and everything she owns seems to live on her floor... her bathroom is a room full of crumpled clothes ... every so often we find a sink).
Anyway, so she gets back to complaining about wanting a quilt. So I make a fast quilt of 2.5" strips for her, since I know this is going to end up on the floor, since this is what she does.
A few days later, it ends up on her floor. A few weeks later, it's ROLLED UP BEHIND HER BEDROOM DOOR! So I finally took it back to my house to wash and re-iron, and I ended up keeping it. So it's been living at my house with my other quilts for the last 6 months, and ya know what, I don't feel bad.
Anyway, so she gets back to complaining about wanting a quilt. So I make a fast quilt of 2.5" strips for her, since I know this is going to end up on the floor, since this is what she does.
A few days later, it ends up on her floor. A few weeks later, it's ROLLED UP BEHIND HER BEDROOM DOOR! So I finally took it back to my house to wash and re-iron, and I ended up keeping it. So it's been living at my house with my other quilts for the last 6 months, and ya know what, I don't feel bad.
#74
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Clay Springs AZ
Posts: 3,229
When you can buy a slave labor quilt for 29 dollars, its no wonder that people dont understand the work and cost of making a quilt.
I have a few myself that I bought before I started quilting and the piecework is good but the quilting is not.
It amazes me that they can make them so cheap even with slave labor.
It was a shock for me when I started quilting and saw how much it cost to make one.
I gave up sewing clothing years ago because it was cheaper to buy but quilting is so addictive I cant give it up even though it costs a fortune.
I have a few myself that I bought before I started quilting and the piecework is good but the quilting is not.
It amazes me that they can make them so cheap even with slave labor.
It was a shock for me when I started quilting and saw how much it cost to make one.
I gave up sewing clothing years ago because it was cheaper to buy but quilting is so addictive I cant give it up even though it costs a fortune.
#75
I am wondering when we are thinking of making a quilt for someone, should we contact them first? First asking if they would like a quilt. Then ask if they would like a more utilitorian quilt, to use, use, use... Or would they prefer a pretty "for show" quilt that will be gently loved/used? Or a pretty wall hanging, with a lot of detail work, that is purely for show. This might help eliminate hurt feelings on down the road...
#76
You may have a great concept there with this suggestion!! What I think someone would want may not be what someone else really had in mind. It could be worth finding out first, unless you wanted them to be completely surprised!
#78
Originally Posted by amma
I am wondering when we are thinking of making a quilt for someone, should we contact them first? First asking if they would like a quilt. Then ask if they would like a more utilitorian quilt, to use, use, use... Or would they prefer a pretty "for show" quilt that will be gently loved/used? Or a pretty wall hanging, with a lot of detail work, that is purely for show. This might help eliminate hurt feelings on down the road...
#79
Here are my rules:
I make utility quilts for other people. Beautiful/Special/Hard quilts I keep in my home to be willed to the recipient of my choice when the time comes. My daughter's have their favorites picked out already...I've had to hide a few for my sons. LOL
I only give quilts as gifts when I am with that person, therefore I always receive a thank you. If I won't "see" someone in person - I figure our relationship isn't close enough to gift them with a quilt - I write those people a check or purchase an item from the department stores.
I know my rules are a little harsh .... I've learned my lessons the hard way and now everyone plays by my rules.
I make utility quilts for other people. Beautiful/Special/Hard quilts I keep in my home to be willed to the recipient of my choice when the time comes. My daughter's have their favorites picked out already...I've had to hide a few for my sons. LOL
I only give quilts as gifts when I am with that person, therefore I always receive a thank you. If I won't "see" someone in person - I figure our relationship isn't close enough to gift them with a quilt - I write those people a check or purchase an item from the department stores.
I know my rules are a little harsh .... I've learned my lessons the hard way and now everyone plays by my rules.
#80
I make my quilts to be used (though not abused). Everything is machine wash/dryable. I want the person to use it, take it upstairs, and downstairs, and all that. I just assume they'll take care of it, since otherwise I'll drive myself nuts. Plus I give quilts to people I know/care about, and even if they don't 100% appreciate the time and work and money put into this (and I like the idea of recording the hours spent on each quilt), I know they'll appreciate it enough to keep it in a safer spot than, say, on the floor with the dogs. Or for my mom whose dogs sleep on her bed, I'm making a stronger quilt so the dogs can lay on it and she can wash it a lot :D It's a know your audience thing
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