Another Bunny One more chocolate bunny done!
Ponderings
I’ve been thinking a lot about my piles of “flimsies”. Yesterday Patti and I had a discussion, via e-mail, about whether or not I should quilt all of those “flimsies”. We pondered whether or not I still like them all; should I consider weeding through them and donating some? This discussion has caused me to do some thinking about this dilemma. I believe that I do like all of my quilts and quilt tops – I only make something if I truly love the pattern or fabric. I have a tendency to bond with my quilts when I’m sewing. All of my quilts and quilt tops have some sort of memory – maybe it was a trip I took and bought the little bundle of fabrics; maybe it was sewing with friends; maybe it was a special pattern; maybe it was a purchase I made at a quilt store that I may or may not get to visit again; maybe it was that I saw a sample in a quilt store, on the web, in a book, in a magazine, etc; maybe it was a class; lots and lots of maybes. I know that all of my quilts are not superstars but like the fabrics they all can’t be superstars – I do need a few to be supporting cast members. Some don’t look pretty when they are spread out however they will look wonderful folded in a cabinet or piled on a table or draped on the back of a chair.
So, will I quilt and keep them all? I truly don’t know at this point as there are still a lot to be quilted – I’ll make that decision as I go through them but I don’t believe I can part with any them.
Final thought!!! I don't believe I've ever met a quilt I didn't like! :-)
24 comments:
Chocolate bunnies -- it will be chocolate bunny time before we know it. Yummy *s*
You've probably shared this before but I have to ask, what pattern are you using for your bunnies? I just love the whimsical look of them and think it would be a nice carry around project.
On keeping/giving away tops. I must admit I give a lot of mine away. NOT because I don't still love them but because I know I'll never finish them all and would rather send them to someone who can and then will make sure they get to homes where they'll be needed and loved.
BUT that's no reason you should give yours away. Keep all that you want and never feel guilty about it. Even if you never finish them. They gave you pleasure to make and give you pleasure to look at the stack. And that's all that matters. :-)
And that's absolutely great! I can certainly relate to what you are saying when it comes to all the quilts I chose to make for myself.
The only tops I gave away are the ones I made for classes - patterns I'd made so many times I was sick to death of them. Fabrics I didn't like because the store wanted me to use a particular line. That sort of thing.
But I would never part with one of my own creations that wasn't a class sample - except to give it as a gift when it's finished.
I know exactly what you mean!
You took that right out of my head! I bond with my quilts too! (I name dropped you on my blog today...)
I only have 10 UFOs and have thought about who the recipients will be. I know one is destined for my mother but the rest I plan to keep. I can't help wonder if I need that many quilts! This will definitely impact my future projects!
Another wonderful bunny...I've had thqt same discussion and I just can't seem to part with them unless that is what I made them for. And you know...that is just fine. We enjoy the process and we love the memories that each quilt holds.
Girl, you can bet that if I had even half of the 'flimsies' that you have I would already have them (unquilted) out on display--folded and stacked on chairs, benches, sofa, etc. And you know what else, I wouldn't be able to let go of mine either. :P So enjoy them--even as they are--and if you get them quilted some day, well, even better! :P Oh girlfriend, I do truly love those chocolate bunnies!
If they bring you joy and make you smile, then they're yours to keep forever! Well, except for #8, #71 ..... lol
When I started quilting, every quilt I made was for someone. It was a couple of years before I felt it was okay to make them for me. Some of those have been given to family, but I now have a nice pile of finished quilts. But finishing a quilt is always anti-climatic for me. Like you, it's the process that I enjoy!
Hugs
I love your final thought!!!!
oh my - so many quilt tops. What wonderful times you must have had making them. I call them toppers. I enjoy the process much more than the finish too.
I couldn't part with my 'flimsies' either. The fabric and pattern were chosen in love. At least you will have enough to keep you busy for a very long time. I have projects and ideas lined up for years to come.
They are your quilts - and just like should be no one telling you how to make your quilts, there shouldn't be anyone telling you what to do with them either.
If you finish them they will take up more space - with the backing, etc. You can't take them with you, so I recommend that you get a special cabinet to display your best folded quilts, display your flimsies all around your house - might as well enjoy the beauty while you can - and find people you think will properly honor them for the rest so you can give as gifts.
I would find it very difficult to part with them myself as well. I agree with Shelina - a nice wood cabinet with glass doors and have them lovingly folded and on display. And get round to finishing the ones you want to finish as time goes by.
You are really going to town on those bunnies. At this rate you will finish it for Easter! It is so cute! Good luck with those flimsies. I will look forward to seeing them on your blog.
I really like those chocolate bunnies - you are wearing me down and I may just have to get that pattern.
I also bond with all of my quilt tops. If I give one to a family member, I tell them that I want it back if they decide they no longer want it and I will come back to haunt them if it ever ended up in a tag sale or Goodwill.
You make me feel so much better about my own stack of flimsies. Now I can say to myself, 'At least I don't have as many as Darlene....'
They take up far less room unquilted, and it's a big investment of batting to quilt them. I favour letting them sit and mature until needed.
another cute bunny block. Your quilt is going to look lovely Darlene.
You do have many flimsys and if you are happy to keep them that way than that's okay. They are still all lovely whether completed or not.
Darcie,
I am in awe! 97! I feel guilty if I don't finish but I agree with Judy, it's anticlimatic.
People have asked why we make so many quilts. I tell them because we can. Thanks to this ring, I'm beginning to enjoy the process again.
Keep 'em, and enjoy 'em.
Quilts are always beautiful on a bed.
I'm like you they become my children and I really have a hard time giving them away, except to my own children. The thing is, they are still home, once they move away and take the quilts, I might not feel the same. Once I gave my mom a Love Apple quilt and I see it now on her wall and I almost regret giving it to her-except that she really likes it so I guess it's alright...maybe...smile...
you look like you are almost done with that bunny quilt. Is it a block of the month? Great applique work.
Your bunnies look great. I agree with you about the ufo/quilt top and keeping them. I have learned for myself that when I finish one that I thought I did not like I realize I did. There are a lot of memories in my stack of tops.
Your bunnies really are multiplying..
As to the quilt dilema...... I am not sure I can give a quilt away yet. Not unless it was made as a gift. I agree with you. It is hard to let them go. I do bond with them while they are being made. Only time will tell.
If all quilts has their history that to count, since we chose fabrics until we finished them. Greetings. Pilar from Spain.
I think you have a great stack of flimsies! I hope you are making labels to go on your finished quilts? My great-aunt had no children, but my Dad ended up with one of her quilts (well, more than 1 actually) and it was that one quilt that truly inspired me to start quilting. I don't think my parents ever realized what an "old" quilt was, so they let me use it on my bed. I remember stacks of blocks too - but I don't know whatever happened to them, but I do still have the beautiful old log cabin quilt - which was finished - so I could use it - years and years after my great-aunt finished it... because she died many years before I was born. So, there is something to be said in finishing a quilt to the very end because years down the road - you don't know who you will inspire. Oh - but, I must say... it sure is FUN to start new projects too!!!
Cheers!
Evelyn
Post a Comment