Are You Generous With Giving Quilts Away?

[Longstocking]

I have three kids and they each have a quilt. My husband has a quilt, I have a few other quilts around the house. In general I'll gladly make as many quilts as my immediate family needs. I made a quilt for a SIL and her husband when they got married. I didn't make any quilts for my 7 siblings when their babies were born. But I have now made I believe 6 quilts for various friends who had babies. I am in the process of making two more for some friends who are (just had) babies. I'm not quite sure how or why friends end up with quilts but I don't make them for my brothers or sisters (now up to 20 nieces or nephews so maybe that's my excuse)
I just emailed a friend, Holly, asking her opinion on which quilt she thought another friend would like better (she's slightly closer in friendship since we moved away). Just before I sent this email I realized, I never made a quilt for Holly's baby who was born 3 months ago ... so now I feel obligated to not only make these two baby quilts but to make a third one as well since Holly is close friends with the two recipients I'm making quilts for. I'm glad I realized this snafu before I sent the email! To add to this; one of the quilts is for a friend who just adopted a baby and also realized she's due in Jan. I didn't know she was expecting until after I told her I wanted to make a quilt so now I feel obligated to make her 2 baby quilts. It's never ending!
Do you freely give away quilts to everyone for every event? Maybe I'd be more generous if I had a long arm machine and could whip them out faster.
Does any of this yadda yadda make sense?

[rebeccas-sewing]

There's very little I keep. I mostly keep home decorating things. Sometimes I'll make something just for us. Recently that would be holiday table toppers/runners. I know what you mean. It's like you don't want to leave anyone out.

[Pattycake]

I either give away or keep every quilt I make, but I'm selective in who I give them to. I've learned through the years who will actually use them and appreciate them and those who won't use them or never thank me for them. I love giving them, but want the recipient to like quilts. I found that not everyone does.

[Bubby]

I have given away the majority of the quilts I've made. Like Rebecca I tend to keep home dec items...runners, placemats, pillows etc. I regularly make and donate quilts for benefits for local people having difficulties. I have been keeping a few quilts for us this year. DH and I have been married 4 1/2 years and he wants us to have some quilts I've made while married to him so he can see the whole process. I still make quilts for babies and immediate family and an occasional quilt for very special friends, but that's it. This year I quit taking special orders for quilts....yes, girls I'm slowing down some due in part to my Doctor pressuring me to slow down from a sprint to a jog!

[Cathy F]

I love giving handmade gifts to my family and friends however, I have learned the hard way to make sure my gifts go to friends, who will appreciate the time and love that went into them. I hope that doesn't sound selfish of me but I made an ocean waves quilt for a friend's birthday that took alot of time not to mention all the piecing that went in to it. While visitng her one day I found the quilt tossed in the corner on the floor with her dog using it as a bed. Lesson learned the hard way. I realize once a gift is given it's theirs to do with as they want but I must tell you i was very upset. I managed not to speak up and make an issue of it, but she is now on my store bought list only.

[Pattycake]

Well said, Cathy F! I don't think you're being selfish at all, just being sensible.

[Jean Sewing Machine]

I would like to be thanked, and would like the recipients to enjoy the quilts. I've made a bunch of baby quilts that I never heard a word about, never saw them in use, and wondered if they were just stuffed in the closet. That is not why I would go to all the trouble and expense to make a quilt and give it away. I gave one to a lady down the street who had a baby at the same time two others had them. I finally heard this past Halloween that it was the kid's favorite blankie, he had been carrying it around for over 4 years, his mother finally acknowledged that it was important to them. I know new moms are busy, but a little thank you would be nice. I am making them for the hospital and I know they will be used, and made them for the foster kids, and heard that they were appreciated and loved. I see my own grandkid using theirs now.

I have given a lot away because I am practicing my quilting skills to improve so I can get to the point where my work could be sold. I am about to the end of the donation phase of my quilting life, and am ready to move on to becoming a vendor. How exactly that will happen, I'm not sure yet, but I'm going to give it a shot!

[Hulamoon]

I'm in the process of making four for each grand child. I've only made nap pads before but never a pieced one. I'm actually going down to my quilt shop today to get some advice. I wanted to ask if any of you sell your quilts?

Lorie

[Carolyn23]

I've given away all the quilts I've made. I've never made one for myself because there is always someone I want to bless with a quit. Right now I'm busy making quilts for my six grandkids for Christmas. After these I might just make one for me!

I go back and forth between making quilts and making pillowcases and pillowcase dresses for charity. So far this year I've sent about 80-90 dresses to Africa and India. The nice thing about dresses is that you can knock out 2 or 3 in a day. ( even more if you sew like Jean!).

[bakermom]

I've been making quilts since I was 12-13.I didn't make quilts for my nieces and nephews as I was busy with my own family. Most of what I have made is put away for my kids babies as they have them(although I hope i can still make special ones for each baby) you just don't know.
I make them for gifts occasionally, and sometimes donate to charity auctions. I'm not into the whole"quilt worthy" thing some have going on, although I do like my gifts acknowledged. I also am not the type that feels I have to make a quilt for " my neighbor's Gd's best friend's sister". I have made quilts for some of my kids' friends as they have had babies and not others. can't really tell you why, just sometimes I am moved to make one for a particular person.