Will you make me a quilt?

[Jean H.]

Katzzz
I could not have said it better, only the deserving and for those who appreciate it. I love making quilts for the people I love, Puts a smile in my heart........Jean

[Diana L.]

I have made over 50 quilts. I really didn't keep count and I didn't take photos of them all, I only own two of them. It's so funny to hear the stories here.

Well out of no where really out of the clear blue sky,someone's DH told me they were having a quilt raffle at a camp ground party and says to me "why" were they having one because they don't need any more quilts. LOL! Guess I can mark you off my list! Thats how I feel. Tell me how someone like that could appreciate a quilt gift. They had already gotten theirs,never ever again! Too bad Too sad ""I've improved my workmenship in quilting since then"". HAHAHA................................

I just gave a quilt to a Uncle and Aunt and they sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. That was a nice surprise. They did appreciate the gift. They offered to pay me for making them one ((but It was a gift)).
I have found that "most" of my recipients appreciate their quilts.
Though I'm really really picky to whom I will give one to now as a gift.
If someone asked me for a quilt now its depending on who that person is.

I had another Uncle that told me that I could make good money selling my quilts "no duh ya think" then ayear later he added; So are you getting up there with the pros doing all the fancy stuff! He wasn't really interested by the way he spoke to me about it. He was Compare-ing my workmenship was all. Knowing I'm not a pro, I responded and said I could give them a run for their money!!!LOL! The look on his face was so worth it. Like he was in dis-belief. How ya like me now! No quilt for you unless you pay me my worth. To you that will be $500.00 bucks! That look would be worth it too.You may examine my quilts at the family re-union next year, No touching because I will have a guard watching over them. It's funny I gave My DB/DS one at the last family re-union and she told DH to go lock it up in the car so noone steals it! She's so Cute!

I could sell my quilts yes like many others but haven't yet. I'm really thinking about it. Who would better appreciate them. I have no problem saying no if anyone ask for a quilt. Too busy doing my own thing. I don't take hints very well either!! So unless I find I want to make someone special a quilt. Know you're not on my list because I have no list!!!

Quilting is a Labor of Love and it should be equally shared. ((I Love my Quilts))

[Diana L.]

I'm glad I read this thread. I, too, have a demanding job and a family and limited time to quilt. There are quilts that I make for myself because I like the pattern or a certain fabric. I'm not going to reproduce it for someone else. That's too much like work. Then there are quilts that I make knowing that it's intended for a certain person. I don't have a problem letting them go. I encourage recipients to use the quilt but, as others have said, a gift is a gift. My worst experience was when I started making a quilt for myself and my youngest stepdaughter commented that a close friend of ours would love it. I couldn't believe it when I said that I would give it to this friend. :shock: I loved that pattern and fabric so much that I had to buy more fabric to make another one for myself. My consolation was my friend's reaction. She loved it and appreciated all of the work that went into it. I don't feel guilty saying no when asked to make a quilt on commission. I'm glad I'm normal, as normal as a quilting addict can be.

Peachykeen

[Gloria H.]

Mandy, I love your QA speech :!:

[Eileen K.]

When someone asks me to make them a quilt, I tell them that if they go to the fabric shop and buy the fabric and thread, pick the pattern, and pay my hourly wage, I'll be happy to do it. That usually backs them right off.
Otherwise, I'll tell them it'll cost them between $500 and $1000. You know that "deer in the headlights look"? hehe :twisted:

[Gloria H.]

Here's my welcome speech for Quilter's Annonymous

Hello, I'm Mandy and I am a quilter. It has been one week since I last sewed a stitch, but I will probably leave this and start sewing right away - I'm in withdrawl I am known to spend hours... ops: ok days... ops: ops: ok really weeks at a time in front of my sewing machine. My family has threatened to report me missing sometimes because they won't see me for so long. I confess that I horde fabric in strange places so my husband doesn't know just how much I have at any one time. Worse, I include my young children by asking them to not tell him when we have been shopping ops: ops: I also confess that I have put the quilts I am making for family members in order from those who would appreciate them least to those who would appreciate them most - I don't feel as bad making learning mistakes on a quilt I know probably won't see much use :? And worst of all I spend way too much time reading stuff on this website :lol: :lol:

Ok, that was fun, now where is the nearest quilt shop??? :lol: :lol:

[Gloria H.]

Hey Ann, I like the gene pool saying. I'll have to remember that one. Yes, we may be addicted, however, some of us are less anonymous than others! But what better addiction than quilting? We can constantly learn new things, make new friends, share our talents with others, either by giving a quilted item or teaching, we're job security for lots of people from cotton farmers to cotton mills, to quilt/fabric shops, sewing machine factories! You know, when you really think about it, we're a pretty good bunch of people!!

Sharon in TN staying in the shallow end of my gene pool with my floaties on!

[Gloria H.]

I love making quilts to give away, but they are my quilts. I chose the fabric, decided what I wanted to do for each recipient. I'm afraid it would take away the joy if I was given fabric and a pattern and asked to make a quilt. I have sewn things for others. I did a wedding dress one time and almost had a nervous breakdown. I made Madrigal costumes for several years while my daughter was in choir in high school. I know I could never do that kind of sewing for any lenth of time. Sooooo don't ask me to make you a quilt :!: :!:

[Annette R.]

quiltnlady you were not misunderstood in your last post I keep trying to think of what I would say if it truly were convergences anonymous maybe Hi, my name is Ann and one day I bought a book---------

Not quite as cute or creative as yours but oh well I deal with my own cards I guess or as my daughter often says when gdau does something like I do "well what can you expect, she swims in the wrong gene pool"

But you know what we may be addicted and anonymous and sometimes a little crazy but don't we have fun!!!!!!

Ann still in Minneapolis and needing to finish her fabric bowls by next week to save postage at Christmas

[Annette R.]

Hey Ann, I think a lot of quilters are misunderstood, as are most creative people!

Maybe we can start an MQA "Misunderstood Quilters Anonymous".

Hello, my name is Sharon, and I'm a misunderstood quilter. It all started before I was born. My mother was scared by a sewing machine........!

How's that for starters?!!!!

Ann, I'm not making fun of your message, really. I just thought of that as I read your post and usually what I think comes out my mouth, or in this case fingers!!!

Have a great day, stay cool. Sharon in NE TN where it's very hot and dry

[Annette R.]

There have been times when I have realized that the recipient didn't have the same regard for made with love things that I have. At first my feelings were hurt and then I realized that I had given the item with love and I must accept that they are entitled to use it as they wish.

But having said all that I still quilt and will continue to do it because I must. and certain people will get my creations because I think they will love them like I do. so all in all I am selfish I do it for me but someday you might be the recipient you won't know when and may not know why just know I do it with love.

Ann the sometimes misunderstood quilter currently in Minnesota, Ann

thank you ann, my sentiments exactly.

lori, in REALLY hot, dead, dry, starting to get depressing w. ky.

[Annette R.]

my first quilt was a gift for a couple of friends who were getting married -- the quilt was appreciated I know because when they got divorced it was the only material possession they fought over. He won -pulling the I knew them longer-- I offered to remove the personalization embroidery to make it more generic -- he said no and married another woman with the same first name and now only the wedding date is wrong!!! how about that for irony!

then I started quilting in earnest and for the first two or three years each project I started and finished was for someone special in my life and for a special occasion for them.
Now I have made bed quilts for my daughter, a neice, a nephew, a grand nephew, two grand nieces and my brother. My brother got his last and his wife said oh my I didn't think we would ever get one. Well his was the first one I designed completely myself but I have never said that I just said I had to find the right fabric and design before I could make you one. (I painted twenty plus tractors that were in the fabric as red with fabric paints in John Deere yellow and green--- talk about dedication above and beyond) Now for what we call Keepsake Quilts I am down to the Grand daughter. In the meantime I have made jackets, wall hangings. table runners and hot pads for gifts for the family. This year I am working on fabric bowls and purses and bags.
I have also started making small wall hanging or table scape qults for friends that we visit each year as we travel in our motorhome.

I love to quilt and I love to design so each quilt I design for a friend or family member is a work of love and what is put into it is a lot of thought about what the person likes or what has been there history and try to incorporate that into the project. There have been times when I have realized that the recipient didn't have the same the same regard for made with love things that I have. At first my feelings were hurt and then I realized that I had given the item with love and I must accept that they are entitled to use it as they wish.

But having said all that I still quilt and will continue to do it because I must. and certain people will get my creations because I think they will love them like I do. so all in all I am selfish I do it for me but someday you might be the recipient you won't know when and may not know why just know I do it with love.

Ann the sometimes misunderstood quilter currently in Minnesota, Ann

[Carla G.]

I have found that if I start by noting that the fabric require for a twin sized quilt WITHOUT LABOR will run them between $150 and $200, I can quickly weed out the ones who thought I would supply them with a bargain. If they are still standing, looking me in the eye and saying okay, so how much would labor cost, then we can start talking about real numbers.

and sadly, I have learned to ask at least for the cost for fabric to be supplied up front. I'm amazed that people I know and see every day at work could take something that is completed and then be slow to pay. I figure if I at least cover the cost of fabric, then if they realize they can't pay, I'm not out the investment in the fabric as well.

Amen! People are amazed at how much it costs to make a quality quilt.

[Beth A.]

I, too, often get requests that I make the person a quilt, usually followed quickly by "I'll pay you!" My stock response is that I already have a job, thank you, and a very demanding one, at that. I don't need another one.

I work hard at my job. I have many chores within my home and family. But I quilt for enjoyment and for ME. I choose my quilt patterns and fabric for ME based on my whims of the moment and my own interests. I work on my own schedule and I decide whether I'll keep a quilt or give it away. Quilts take a long time to make. One quilt could consume all of my disposable leisure hours for several months. If I made quilts for all my friends and coworkers who asked, I would never have time to do what I wanted. In effect, I would have a second job -- and in the process, I would have spoiled for me the creative hobby I love so much.

So, NO! I don't take requests and I refuse to feel guilty about that!

BethMI

[Ricky T.]

You know the most wonderful people!!

I don't know. It bothers me when people refuse gifts. Refusing gifts seems selfish to me -- you are denying someone the joy of giving.

I'm a giver -- there are never any strings attached to my gifts and I don't expect the recipient to reciprocate. Where we live now people refuse gifts, invitations to dinner, extra produce from the garden, etc. It hurts my feelings and also makes life here very difficult for me. I love to entertain and I haven't had a dinner party since we've lived here -- can't get anyone to come. It's even hard to find charities to volunteer with -- they always seem to have enough volunteers. I used to work for non-profits and the idea that you ever have enough volunteers is foreign to me.

But I'm from a different state. It never ceases to amaze me how different people are in the various regions of the U.S.

The local Project Linus coordinator will accept my quilts and I give many through them. Our coordinator once showed me some of the letters she receives from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, even nurses. The letters are very gracious and even sweet. They are all overwhelmed that someone would give something that takes so much time to make to a total stranger.

It's just the way I was brought up -- you give, even if you don't have a lot yourself -- there is always someone who has less. You just give.