tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post7999236119499994481..comments2024-03-25T23:42:12.771-05:00Comments on crazy mom quilts: a question for discussionAmanda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-66378911354242871112014-12-19T00:14:46.051-06:002014-12-19T00:14:46.051-06:00I just stumbled onto your blog, but this question ...I just stumbled onto your blog, but this question spoke to me so much I had to chime in! I have serious gift giving anxiety. I do love giving gifts, but I ALWAYS feel like I've bought/made the complete wrong thing!<br /><br />I think handmade gifts are actually easier for me. I think when we are making the gift we forget just how impressive handmade is. Anyone who deserves the gift will appreciate its value even if it doesn't quite match their tastes. (And I tend to not make friends with people who undervalue work, time and care). <br /><br />Despite this I still try to get as close as possible to what the receiver likes. I love seeing how crazy happy people will get about receiving something that absolutely no one else in the world could love (like a blanket with star wars, cat, and puke green fabrics). <br /><br />My real fear for homemade gifts revolves around quality. I'm young and fickle so I find new hobbies every few years. And once I find a hobby I realize just how perfect of a gift could be made with it, but I don't know that I have enough skill to make gift-worthy items. I've been quilting for less than a year so I almost just trashed the first quilts I made. Fortunately I showed them to my mom and explained that I was considering giving them to my grandmothers. She assured me that from a non-quilters perspective, they were amazing. She also reminded me that their vision isn't good enough to pick up on the mistakes anyways!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03527548127161891010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-72914630970634906812014-12-14T15:40:11.613-06:002014-12-14T15:40:11.613-06:00I don't worry too much about deeply personaliz...I don't worry too much about deeply personalizing hand made gifts too much. If it is something smallish, I wouldn't worry at all. If its nice, and I like it, I'm happy. If it's a quilt, I may consider the recipients taste a little more. Just a little, though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14089450956117845427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-53218119327286598842014-12-13T21:40:27.295-06:002014-12-13T21:40:27.295-06:00I don't have colors in my stash that I don'...I don't have colors in my stash that I don't like. Blue's for one.adahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15617216214123151036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-58010132999531988492014-12-13T21:07:33.453-06:002014-12-13T21:07:33.453-06:00These are very interesting comments! For me, I LO...These are very interesting comments! For me, I LOVE going with what the person I'm making the gift for would like, because I get to play with things I wouldn't normally make, and then give them away, and I'm ok with it, because it's not "me" even though I love how it turned out. It is so satisfying to me being stretched by colors someone else would choose, or a style they would like that I wouldn't. That said, I need to be the one to decide what to do and how to do it, the initiator, not the contracted worker. That's why gift giving works where as I'm not sure commissions would for me. Very interesting to think about! sarah@forrussia.orgSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17483384474529466482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-76361696441374092282014-12-13T20:43:55.557-06:002014-12-13T20:43:55.557-06:00I try my best to make what they would like, usuall...I try my best to make what they would like, usually colors but the style is generally how I see them. Simple, complex, modern, traditional, etc. I live far from my family so making something for them, to me, is like getting to spend that time with them.IdleHandsinAlabamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04674421777228113868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-9011806778853537212014-12-13T15:30:30.849-06:002014-12-13T15:30:30.849-06:00I am impressed. Fabric stored in colored baskets t...I am impressed. Fabric stored in colored baskets that match. I would just need larger baskets! lolEllsie320https://www.blogger.com/profile/12420050043953063717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-53240444389390752622014-12-13T11:00:26.643-06:002014-12-13T11:00:26.643-06:00Hi AmandaJean! I love to make Christmas gifts and ...Hi AmandaJean! I love to make Christmas gifts and I want to make something for everyone I know...such an unrealistic wish. Sometimes I just make things I enjoy making and hope later on that I will have someone to give it to. Sometimes,I make things just for one certain person. For those gifts, when the person is so different than me and I have to go out and find fabric to make the gift, it is so hard to get it underway. I have to keep reminding myself how that friend will feel when she opens it up and it is just the perfect thing. I didn't make any quilts for Christmas this year because I did it last year and I wanted to be a little different. I have lots of things I have made that I love, but I am not sure if those I love will love them too. I guess I must hope they will understand it is given with a loving heart. I have two quotes I have kept up all year. <br />"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love." Mother Theresa.<br />"Ring the bells that still can ring.<br />Forget your perfect offering.<br />There is a crack in everything,<br />That's how the light gets in." Leonard Cohen<br />Merry Christmas friend...Mary Pat Callihanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16888629437863652513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-3041100935451586592014-12-13T09:01:53.939-06:002014-12-13T09:01:53.939-06:00I love your cabinet, would you mind sharing where ...I love your cabinet, would you mind sharing where you purchased?<br /><br />ThanksWP in VAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14875546325281622625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-55667205826655614512014-12-13T09:01:34.258-06:002014-12-13T09:01:34.258-06:00I to suffer gift giving anxiety. I've tried to...I to suffer gift giving anxiety. I've tried to remember that I did my best work on the gifts so there's that. For this year, I made jelly roll race quilts for each of my sisters. One is getting her blues (her and my fav so easy to work with), the other wouldn't commit to a color scheme, so I used Moda's Through the Winter Woods for a Christmas theme. The third likes greys/blacks. Black is really not in my palate, but I used the Road 15 line by Sweetwater for Moda. Enough black for her, enough other colors for me. Still it's hard to gauge, and I won't really know unless I see it worn to pieces in a few years. :)KathyinMNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10953321303757307975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-28627887502188113022014-12-12T20:09:43.143-06:002014-12-12T20:09:43.143-06:00I always try to make something tailored to a speci...I always try to make something tailored to a specific person. But that doesn't mean I share photos of everything on my blog. I've been known to make quite a few table runners with photorealistic vegetables and coffee themed fabric. Those fabrics nearly give me hives and don't fit my aesthetic, so I leave them out of social media. I like modernish things, so that's all I share.✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾https://www.blogger.com/profile/07208832897656210176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-34609023437745263052014-12-12T16:29:25.516-06:002014-12-12T16:29:25.516-06:00I really share your uncertainty. I try to tailor ...I really share your uncertainty. I try to tailor gifts, but also to stay within my own aesthetic. That's not always easy, but the final results are better. <br />Generally, if it's a quilt I'm making I ask the recipient to choose ten fabrics from my stash that they really like. That at least gives me some common ground. greeneggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796416048408258311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-1479755050649166282014-12-12T16:29:23.606-06:002014-12-12T16:29:23.606-06:00I really share your uncertainty. I try to tailor ...I really share your uncertainty. I try to tailor gifts, but also to stay within my own aesthetic. That's not always easy, but the final results are better. <br />Generally, if it's a quilt I'm making I ask the recipient to choose ten fabrics from my stash that they really like. That at least gives me some common ground. greeneggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796416048408258311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-45228021081920660962014-12-12T12:12:59.362-06:002014-12-12T12:12:59.362-06:00Generally I make what I like if it's a surpris...Generally I make what I like if it's a surprise gift. If it's for a special occasion I'll ask but I am carefull in my phrasing of the question. The first time I asked someone for their opionion it was my oldest niece who was getting married. I asked if she wanted a quilt and if she had any ideas about it. Big mistake she wanted a King size Double Wedding Ring in scrappy pastels. It did turn out wonderfully and I can say that I made one but the rest of the nieces were only asked about color range.tink's momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446955920191946432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-78184206747913945112014-12-12T11:41:15.993-06:002014-12-12T11:41:15.993-06:00Unless I have been asked by a fellow crafter, or h...Unless I have been asked by a fellow crafter, or have a request made specifically, I have stopped giving hand made gifts. This is for a few reasons. I once watched two people I had made gifts for, in their favourite colours and everything, look at eachother and basically roll their eyes. Also, I never get photos of babies with their quilts or anything, but I see the same people make sure to show people photos with the onesie that they bought the child. As well, I find the appreciation for the time and thought and love put into the item just isn't there. I hate to be negative about it but I do find it to be so. Whereas if I give a gift to someone else who makes things, they are more than appreciative and it is just a joy to do!LethargicLasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08959531120975981672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-24773463369132144452014-12-12T11:06:17.735-06:002014-12-12T11:06:17.735-06:00My mom loves to quilt and got me into it. I've...My mom loves to quilt and got me into it. I've had four kids and she's made a beautiful baby quilt for each of them. However. Almost every time I have gone with her I have helped her choose fabrics "now, show me what you like. Help me pick out some fabrics for the baby quilt I am going to make for you." Once we even looked at photos in a book and I told her what I like. Every time I choose muted similar colors. Every time I get a quilt it has some bright red area or a fabric with hello kitty on it or something else that I think is kind of tacky and not at all what we had discussed. <br />I love that she wants to quilt for her grandkids and every time I see those corny pieces I just think of her and how much she loves us. It doesn't match our home decor or my ideal for the kids rooms, but I still display it with pride. Maybe some day I will have things all matchy and cute but in the meantime, we have a home filled with love--which is way better.Blogfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06339107295901354359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-65837876107808062242014-12-12T10:55:16.298-06:002014-12-12T10:55:16.298-06:00I made a basket quilt for my sister - she selected...I made a basket quilt for my sister - she selected the fabrics - very muted colors (pink, green, blue, gold) in Lecien's Antique Rose collection. When I finally got around to finishing I did not have enough of the green to do one of the borders (her preference).. ugh. Fabric line out of stock - I could not find a suitable green replacement, but did find a blue. Muted colors very difficult to find. I think the blue I found gave the quilt more depth.. it was driving me crazy because the quilt was so "flat looking" before that. I think a quilt needs a variety of print - scale and depth of colors to make it sing. <br /><br />I would have picked even more variations if I had been able to guide her more. I think most people who do not quilt are hesitant to do this. I tell my sisters get a variety of colors you like/use in your home in the quilt -- and then we can add to it (complimentary colors) and it will all work.. I guarantee it !! You don't like a certain print -- don't worry - you'll probably never notice it - it's such a tiny piece of fabric. It will all blend. <br /><br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/hereslucy/sets/72157639178186865.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15621873176169748071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-59603585216515577382014-12-12T10:51:09.226-06:002014-12-12T10:51:09.226-06:00I think any crafter of handmade items has a bit of...I think any crafter of handmade items has a bit of anxiety about their gifts being "good enough". I simply do my best to put myself in their shoes and make something that I think they'll like. Unfortunately, there isn't a formula to use to guarantee that you'll be spot on with your choices. The best advice that I have is do your best and simply let be what it will be. Chances are, we're worrying over being "perfect" with our gift/color choices far more then the recipient even thinks about it. <br /><br />The good news is: if their tastes are really different from yours and you don't like the color combos you've pulled for them, then you're right on target! *wink* Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04811005362513667448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-3433945511772974352014-12-12T10:46:37.208-06:002014-12-12T10:46:37.208-06:00As a shop owner that specializes in custom fabric ...As a shop owner that specializes in custom fabric choices, I often have to put my own likes/tastes aside to make what they want. It's not been rough, however I have a rather serious dislike for most things batik, I've yet to have someone request that. My perspective is answering the question "what do I really want?" When gift giving, the answer at the top is "a gift they will love and use" behind that is my own desire for a creative outlet. I can make myself goodies all day exactly how I want, and plenty of people aren't so picky, they are truly delighted with handmade whatever. So, I figure putting their happiness above my own for a project or two...it won't hurt me to stretch beyond my creative comfort zone...often I'm surprised that I do end up liking their choice...might not be favorite, but pleasing none the less! Tracybug Creativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02515262179190947014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-51388255214751617242014-12-12T10:11:40.497-06:002014-12-12T10:11:40.497-06:00Oh how I struggle with this!!! I do try to make wh...Oh how I struggle with this!!! I do try to make what I think the person will enjoy. I have learned though if someone has completely different taste than me this can get expensive. Buying new fabrics rather than using my stash for an entire quilt is costly. I know if I give something not to taste they will not appreciate it no matter how much time and thought I put in to it. I have basically decided I will now make scarfs, small pillows and small bags etc. for adults. Now my favorite people to make for are kids!! I enjoy making those quilts and the kids seem to really appreciate and love the homemade gift!!!!Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07514979840989105609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-56412193262569476312014-12-12T09:46:30.323-06:002014-12-12T09:46:30.323-06:00I am with you on the anxiety about gift giving and...I am with you on the anxiety about gift giving and choice of fabric, color, and the thing I've made (is it good enough, will they notice that the top stitching wavers just a tiny bit!). I am sending my cousin a couple small zipper pouches/bags I made and I can't believe how hard it is to just choose which ones to send! <br /><br />The other thing I want to say/ask is: how do you keep your scraps so unwrinkled?! Even my neatly folded fabric comes out of the closet wrinkled and pressing it doesn't always work. I really am interested in any clues/hints you have.<br />Thanks!Laurie Broderick-Burrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15389599046125597789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-69790889514278942342014-12-12T09:39:36.380-06:002014-12-12T09:39:36.380-06:00I have a difficult time working with fabrics or de...I have a difficult time working with fabrics or designs I don't like. It will stop me in my tracks. I've been excited about a project for my daughter before and we start talking designs and fabrics and I can't get my creative mind around what she wants. So the project never gets done. I would love to break past that. <br /><br />good luck on your projects and Merry Christmas. Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02771292854292606156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-2831672508636452082014-12-12T09:36:22.062-06:002014-12-12T09:36:22.062-06:00I think you tailor the handmade gift exactly like ...I think you tailor the handmade gift exactly like you would a store-bought gift. I am known far and wide as a great gift giver (LOL) and I am amazed that people cannot figure this out. It's all a matter of going what the person likes. It's just a matter of becoming attuned to what they say, wear, read, etc. Don't give gifts that YOU like, give what the RECIPIENT likes. I've received many a crappy gift and it was always a gift the giver liked, but not me. I remember the year I got opera CDs. I hate opera, the giver loved it. So to answer your question, you make the gift out of colors the recipient likes, and I think your twist will always come through. If you dislike the colors I think you need to remind yourself that this is a "gift", an object given willingly with affection and/or admiration behind it.Mariannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07299547549826884460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-35185074205134900192014-12-12T09:32:13.638-06:002014-12-12T09:32:13.638-06:00I think when working on a gift it is about the per...I think when working on a gift it is about the person the gift is for not yourself. You should enjoy making what they like. If it is not your style just know you do not have to see it everyday they do. I have people I know tell me they still have a baby quilt I made 17yrs ago and I do not remember making it, but they love and enjoy it.<br />Quilt Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16727380047903929923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-55725394198614590532014-12-12T09:31:30.179-06:002014-12-12T09:31:30.179-06:00I think when working on a gift it is about the per...I think when working on a gift it is about the person the gift is for not yourself. You should enjoy making what they like. If it is not your style just know you do not have to see it everyday they do. I have people I know tell me they still have a baby quilt I made 17yrs ago and I do not remember making it, but they love and enjoy it.<br />Quilt Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16727380047903929923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-30544924612253371392014-12-12T09:22:41.448-06:002014-12-12T09:22:41.448-06:00Fascinating discussion. I give away almost everyth...Fascinating discussion. I give away almost everything I make. I make for others to the extent that it is hard to say of any of my quilts, "this is my style," unless I am doing a crazy quilt. I enjoy meditating on the recipient as I quilt. The materials I start with do dictate a lot of the choices. I have "inherited" a lot of my stash so I don't have choice from the beginning. However, I am wondering whether I need to break free and start quilting for myself so that I can find out what my style really is. I prefer to send my quilt by mail than to watch them receive it. <br /><br />Just started a project with my 8 year old niece. "Her" Christmas present to me is an order of Kona cotton in colors that she likes and think go well together. One of my Xmas presents to her is the promise to make a quilt with those colors/fabrics. As she seems to have some of the artist genes (artist-nana's job is to help with the selection), I hope it will be a memorable learning experience.Greta https://www.blogger.com/profile/04253301889379618401noreply@blogger.com