Sue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,240 
Location: SE of Portland, Oregon
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Post by Sue on Apr 30, 2016 18:12:43 GMT
I have a set of embroidered pillow cases that my best friend's grandmother made for us as a wedding gift 48 years ago. She was a part of my childhood and I treasured her and even though I don't use these pillowcases I've loved them all these years because of her.
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Apr 30, 2016 18:19:02 GMT
One of my dear friends made the most beautiful blanket for my son. It is incredibly soft and such a lovely color. We used it a lot during his first fall and winter. It is now carefully stored in the hope that my son will someday use it to keep his children warm.
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Post by myboysnme on Apr 30, 2016 18:22:07 GMT
On the other hand I have a friend who quilts and as much as I love her, colours and attention to detail aren't her strong suit, I don't know how I'd handle it if I got a quilt from her. Your mother's quilt is AMAZING!!!!! However the quoted comment reminded me immediately of Christmas about 3 years ago. My cousin quilts and makes lovely quilts. She has made me a very small wall hanging that I love. I adore hand pieced quilts and old quilts, especially federalist period, and I have collected a number of books picturing antique quilts. We were getting ready to exchange gifts and she and her husband carry out a huge wall hanging. At first glance I thought it was an actual pieced quilt and I was dumbstruck. The colors and pattern were perfect for my house. But...It was one of those preprinted quilts where the blocks are not pieced. She just ran her machine over it to machine quilt it. Yes, she put some work into it but I would never want to display a large piece of fabric with printed on blocks that simulate a quilt. Am I a snob? A little bit. I love actual pieced and quilted quilts. If my non existent DIL or one of my sons made it for me, probably a different story. Secondly, she knows my house and taste very well. i have art work on every wall. To accommodate her wall hanging I had to take down a piece of art I really like, move things around and make it a focal point of the room because of the size. I hung it for 2 years. Then my mother gave me a lovely painting of the beach and I hung that instead. First thing my cousin says when she comes in the house: Where is the wall hanging? I think you have to REALLY know your recipient. I thought she knows me, but if she did she would know I don't care for quilts with preprinted blocks unless she had cut them apart, pieced them by machine or hand, and hand quilted it AND she knows my walls are packed with art work, so expecting me to hang this huge wall hanging I think was a burden. You can't just give someone a huge wall hanging unless you were with them when they saw it and they said, "Oh I would love this for my wall!" Because of the dark colors, in the winter I folded it and threw it over the chair to use as a lap robe. |
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Apr 30, 2016 18:26:31 GMT
My Aunie use to crochet things for me all the time when I was growing up and I've kept them all. She had skills so her work wasn't crap but it wasn't always my style, like the doilies she made me. The blanket though is something I used all the time. She also made me a purse but it's not something I would use either. I plan to just keep everything because I could never get rid of anything she's made me. Maybe one day I'll find a place to display things. You can join the doilies together into a shawl or small coverlet. I never even thought of that. Thank you! |
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Apr 30, 2016 18:29:41 GMT
I love it when people make stuff for me. I think of it as this person really cares about me because they took the time to make this for me. I love most stuff that people have made for me. especially my children. When they make me something I really love it.
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Post by newfcathy on Apr 30, 2016 18:42:02 GMT
Homemade gifts are treasured in my family. When my oldest niece got married I cross stitched her an intricate sampler on linen, took me 13 months. For the most part I have enjoyed and valued every gift made for me.
For my wedding we received: a lovely white wool afghan from an aunt, an embroidered sampler of Australian wild flowers by one of my Mom's friends (a fellow Aussie war bride), a beautiful garter belt from a college roomie - kept this one)
For ds: same aunt knit him a Cmas stocking, mom knit him a blanket, SIL (the one I never could warm up to, she has since div Bil) crocheted an stiff afghan that I didn't use, she also did up some plastic grid that you cover with yarn that I wasn't thrilled with , a sweater from my mom when he was a toddler, a neighbor also knit an adorable baby sweater, my other lovely SIL quilted him a baby quilt that has been well loved.
I was only 9 when my first niece was born, so I made lots of gifts for them over the years, Cmas ornaments that I embroidered, made from felt, decopagued (can't remember how this was spelled), or salt dough.
My mom was also a talented seamstress, she made my prom gowns, wool & linen Blazers, she also made nice pinecone wreaths. She made one for dh, but not for me!!!
My Mil handbraided excellent heavy coatweight wool rugs. All three of us have one.
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Post by scrappysurfer on Apr 30, 2016 18:47:48 GMT
This was one of my big concerns just this week. I have a cousin whose wife is pregnant and the family had a shower for her. I couldn't make it (which I hated-but car problems and a five hour drive don't mix well) and I sent a gift with my mom. I made something similar to below (just different fabrics more suited to her style) and I am worried that she won't like them because they are homemade.   and another one with a similar pattern:  These are adorable!! I'd love a whole wardrobe of these for a baby. |
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Post by lucyg on Apr 30, 2016 18:55:12 GMT
To me, it seems normal to treasure handmade gifts. I feel kind of sorry for the people who don't appreciate them or who think it's "cheaping out." I do love getting them, even if I don't totally love the item itself. If that's the case, I use it/keep it out for awhile, then put it away. Eventually it might go to a new loving home. But mostly, I have a house full of wonderful things made by people I love, like, or, even in a few cases, barely know.  I still have the baby afghans made for my now-adult children by (1) my sister-in-law and (2) a woman I met once who worked at a bank on my husband's beat the year my DD was born (I kid you not). I don't know if all the recipients of my handmade gifts truly love them, but I'm pretty picky about who I give them to, because I'm not all that prolific. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 2:24:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 19:11:22 GMT
You can join the doilies together into a shawl or small coverlet. I never even thought of that. Thank you! You are welcome. If you do, please post your finished piece! |
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Post by canadianscrappergirl on Apr 30, 2016 19:16:21 GMT
My aunt gave us a crocheted afghan for our wedding I loved it and used it for a long time we have been married 26 yrs and had to finally let it go it was beyond repair.
She gave my boys baby blankets she crocheted as well and I used them all the time with them. They are in their saved memento box. Hubby's aunt made them each a quilt and I used those as well and are saved.
His other aunt made one of our sons a beautiful quilt with embroidered storybook characters on it. I was too afraid to use it but I did save it for him.
MIL made use some place mats Christmas ones I don't care for them they are really old fashioned. She made use each a fleece jacket with our last name embroidered on the back in huge letters cringe.
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
Posts: 2,606
Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Apr 30, 2016 19:19:53 GMT
I am in the camp of loving handmade treasures.
My sister and mom were/are both creative geniuses. I love the baby quilts my sister made for DD as well as the clothing she sewed. DD has a few dresses passed over from her cousin and I don't know that I can ever give those away, especially since my sister passed away. I also have the stuffed muslin rabbit she made for DD, boxes she decoupaged, and other assorted treasures. My mom knitted, sewed, and cross-stitched several items that I will never give away. They were all used and treasured, and now saved.
My boss' mom gave my daughter a set of crocheted pigs and they are keepers. So cute, and her mom, for whatever reason, loved making things for my DD. I think since her daughter (my boss) never had kids, she was enjoying being a grandma-in-kind (seriously, she met the baby once! She lived across the country!) and I just felt so honored that she would take the time to make such lovely things.
My ex-MIL cross-stitched dishcloths and pillowcases that we loved and used.
My BFF is very crafty and I am always thrilled with the personal things she makes and gives. She knows me so well.
On the more challenging side, my stepmom went through a period where she thought she was crafty. Her ceramic period? Yikes. But I still have the ceramic piece she painted for me. It's a gift from the heart. Now that she has passed on, I will let it go. After all, I finally ditched the ceramic pieces painted by DD when she was a kid. I decided a photo of that art was fine!
I rarely give handmade unless I truly know and love the potential recipient, and know they "get it". I don't have the time or interest to make something for someone unless I am absolutely sure about them. Much easier to go retail.
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Post by lucyg on Apr 30, 2016 19:20:11 GMT
I forgot to say, my mom still has a (slightly moth-eaten) afghan crocheted by my great-grandmother in the '50s. It's ugly but we love it. |
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Post by rst on Apr 30, 2016 19:22:15 GMT
I get the issue with a beautifully made quilt that is just not your style or color scheme. I actually have a hand pieced quilt that I started almost 25 years ago that I'm debating -- I did some great piecing on it, but the colors and fabric choices are not me at all anymore. It seems a shame to toss what was many hours of work, but at the same time, I'm not thrilled about spending many more hours to finish it up.
So -- my solution is that I will finish it, then I will overdye the whole thing -- repeatedly if necessary, until I find it at least interesting. This may not be a solution for pieces that were made by someone who is living or will see them in your home (they may still love seafoam green and peach combos) but it could be a way to keep and enjoy a handmade piece that just isn't fitting in to your home.
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Post by M~ on Apr 30, 2016 19:31:55 GMT
My grandmother crochets with thread. Her stuff is amazingly gorgeous. When I was admitted to LS, the first thing I did after I showed her my admission letter was to ask her to make a full, dining-room table sized tablecloth. I told her that's what I wanted for my LS graduation. I bought the thread myself-which is no longer manufactured- even when I didn't have very much money, I invested in the best thread I could find. She and I chose the design together-it's an unusual design, and she LITERALLY spent 3 years crocheting it. She used to take it with her on trips. She finished it right before my LS graduation. It's the most gorgeous example of crocheting that I've seen. Everyone who sees it wants it. I'm storing it until such time that I live on my own.
My sister crochets-but in yarn. She had made me beautiful afghans and full-sized blankets over the years. I love them all.
I really do appreciate the time, love, and attention it takes to make something like a crocheted tablecloth or afghan.
BTW, my sister has a nice little side business of baby blankets.
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Post by librarylady on Apr 30, 2016 19:40:34 GMT
I knit baby blankets as gifts. I do hope they are well received....It takes a lot of time to make one,not to mention the yarn.
I have received gushing thank you notes, so I guess they were liked.
I would never make another item for someone for all the reasons mentioned above.
When my son was born, several family members made blankets or quilts for him. They were used, but treated as "special." I was able to give them to son and DIL when they began to have children.
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 30, 2016 19:40:42 GMT
I don't know when I haven't been given a handmade item. My family tied 2 quilts when I got married and they've been used to death! I've been thinking I need a new one. My grandma did a lot of embroidery. Kind of weird to explain, but my aunt took one of her pieces and sewed it in the shape of a butterfly on top of a pillow. The same aunt made an apron for me when I was little that had pockets for crayons and other ones as well. My daughter used it! She also made me an apron out of old jeans.
I think you need to know the person. Is it something they would want or are you making it because it's something you enjoy?
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Post by melanell on Apr 30, 2016 19:45:16 GMT
Yes, I have been given large items, and yes, I have used them. Inf act, my family now has 6 different quilts from my aunt because we love them so much. She just made me one to replace one she gave me 20 years ago that i just literally used to death. The poor thing is falling apart. I also used baby blankets and such. I find there is always a way to use them. We kept one in the diaper bag, one in the car, one at grandma's house, etc. |
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Post by librarylady on Apr 30, 2016 19:49:50 GMT
Currently my rude, rude, rude nephews have caused my husband to have his feelings hurt...and I think his hurt is justified, but can't fix it.
Situation: Husband has a hobby of making pen and pencil sets from wood. He was a precision machinist prior to retirement and he gives a great deal of attention to detail and that things must be "just so."
He kept some wood from a pecan tree that grew in my mother's yard. A storm had killed the tree. After it aged for several years, he made a pen/pencil set for 3 nephews. A note was included that said the wood was from Granny's tree. (IMO, the pens have "double" sentimental value.)
Not one man (they are all over age 40) said a word about even receiving the pen sets let alone a thank you. After 3 weeks I contacted each nephew and said, "It would be nice if you acknowledged the gift." One nephew immediately sent a nice thank you as well as "I am sorry this is late, I just let time go by." It has been 9 months and the other two have not said a word.
Per the post office the packages were delivered.
I'm angry with them--but I can not demand a thank you for an unsolicited gift. You can be sure it was the last gift headed their way. I really want to say, "Since you obviously didn't care for the gift, go ahead and return it and we will give it to someone who cares."
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Post by refugeepea on Apr 30, 2016 19:58:48 GMT
I wanted to add I received a lot of flannel baby blankets with a crocheted edge. I liked those better than an entire crocheted baby blanket. My daughter loved one flannel blanket to death! It was from a lady in our church I was not close with so she didn't know my tastes. I even asked her if I she had any more of the same fabric and I would buy some from her when I couldn't find it anywhere else!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 30, 2016 20:08:44 GMT
I can appreciate handmade things and generally I like them. I agree that you have to know your audience and know their tastes because it's really easy to swing and miss with handmade just like it is with store bought. Someone I only knew casually made DD a beautiful pink baby sweater when she was an infant. I was floored by her thoughtfulness, and stored the sweater after DD outgrew it. MIL made DD two sweaters that were way too big when she was an infant, and by the time they would have fit her it was summertime and she was two years old! So that one didn't work out. Another time she made DD a hand knit penguin toy and it scared the beejeesus out of DD so we had to hide it! One of my BFFs made DD about six large, simple flannel receiving blankets. They were one of my favorite gifts and they were used constantly for swaddling when DD was small. She still uses them sometimes to make forts out of, for her dolls or in her bed. My all time BFF makes gorgeous lamp work glass beads. I'm still waiting on a bracelet she supposedly started for me oh, maybe EIGHT years ago? LOL. If she ever finishes it, I will absolutely love it!  |
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 30, 2016 20:11:20 GMT
I have been given handmade items I love and treasure and some that were donated long ago. As others have said, it really is about knowing the style of the person. Some treasure include a gorgeous, modern quilt wall hanging, a folk art Christmas angel & Santa, and an architectural style drawing my BIL did of my parent's home. I have dibs on two framed pieces my dad has: one is a painting by an aunt and the other an embroidered piece from another aunt.
I will make gifts for people I know will appreciate them and sometimes that even means they pick the pattern, fabric or yarn and I create.
I made a double cable sweater for my dad 30+ years ago that he didn't wear until about 10 years ago. He loved the color & style, but it was too warm for him at the time and now it is what he wears almost daily. It makes me happy everytime I see him wearing it.
My inlaws grew up dirt poor in Greece and equate homemade with not having the choice to buy something nice and usually ornate. MIL makes stunning tatted lace and has pieces all over her house but would be embarrassed (her words) to give it as a gift.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 2:24:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 20:33:36 GMT
He kept some wood from a pecan tree that grew in my mother's yard. A storm had killed the tree. After it aged for several years, he made a pen/pencil set for 3 nephews. A note was included that said the wood was from Granny's tree. (IMO, the pens have "double" sentimental value.) I think they sound fabulous and I'd be over the moon to receive something like that. I'd love to see pictures of some he's made. |
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 2:24:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 21:00:55 GMT
Currently my rude, rude, rude nephews have caused my husband to have his feelings hurt...and I think his hurt is justified, but can't fix it. Situation: Husband has a hobby of making pen and pencil sets from wood. He was a precision machinist prior to retirement and he gives a great deal of attention to detail and that things must be "just so." He kept some wood from a pecan tree that grew in my mother's yard. A storm had killed the tree. After it aged for several years, he made a pen/pencil set for 3 nephews. A note was included that said the wood was from Granny's tree. (IMO, the pens have "double" sentimental value.) Not one man (they are all over age 40) said a word about even receiving the pen sets let alone a thank you. After 3 weeks I contacted each nephew and said, "It would be nice if you acknowledged the gift." One nephew immediately sent a nice thank you as well as "I am sorry this is late, I just let time go by." It has been 9 months and the other two have not said a word. Per the post office the packages were delivered. I'm angry with them--but I can not demand a thank you for an unsolicited gift. You can be sure it was the last gift headed their way. I really want to say, "Since you obviously didn't care for the gift, go ahead and return it and we will give it to someone who cares." |
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Post by librarylady on Apr 30, 2016 21:32:53 GMT
Knot........
He has had several people ask him to let them pay him to make some that they could give as gifts.
His reply is that doing it for money would take the joy away as he would be so afraid that the person would not like what they had paid for.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 2:24:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 21:43:23 GMT
Yes, my one grandmother made crocheted sweaters for my DD's 20+ years ago and I still have them. And my other grandma made them each a crocheted blanket. I have them too. I love handmade things!
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 2:24:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 21:55:13 GMT
My sister made us a quilt. We love it and use it. She made lap blankets for all of us. Those are folded up and put away for various reasons. Beyond that, I haven't gotten anything handmade FOR me. DH's aunt decided she'd get a bunch of christmas gifts at a craft show in her area and gave a bunch of us knitted dishcloths, hand made soaps, and a towel that has the crocheted hoop. Honestly, I think the knitted dishcloths and crocheted loop on towels are the cheesiest, most thoughtless things anyone can buy as a gift for anyone. I don't even like using them.
Because it seems like no one in DH's family puts any real thought into these stocking gifts they do as a family gift exchange, I'm knitting up a bunch of dishcloths from Red Heart's new Scrubby yarn.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 2:24:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 22:03:17 GMT
Currently my rude, rude, rude nephews have caused my husband to have his feelings hurt...and I think his hurt is justified, but can't fix it. Situation: Husband has a hobby of making pen and pencil sets from wood. He was a precision machinist prior to retirement and he gives a great deal of attention to detail and that things must be "just so." He kept some wood from a pecan tree that grew in my mother's yard. A storm had killed the tree. After it aged for several years, he made a pen/pencil set for 3 nephews. A note was included that said the wood was from Granny's tree. (IMO, the pens have "double" sentimental value.) Not one man (they are all over age 40) said a word about even receiving the pen sets let alone a thank you. After 3 weeks I contacted each nephew and said, "It would be nice if you acknowledged the gift." One nephew immediately sent a nice thank you as well as "I am sorry this is late, I just let time go by." It has been 9 months and the other two have not said a word. Per the post office the packages were delivered. I'm angry with them--but I can not demand a thank you for an unsolicited gift. You can be sure it was the last gift headed their way. I really want to say, "Since you obviously didn't care for the gift, go ahead and return it and we will give it to someone who cares." Before my grandma passed away, she (or rather my uncle) had a couple trees that were causing damage to the sidewalk removed. Nothing special but those trees had been planted when the house was built by my grandpa, so they were 60 years old. While my Dad does woodworking, he doesn't make stuff like the pen/pencils mentioned. I would've loved if he had been able to keep some of that wood to build something with. I have a couple wooden bowls my grandpa made on his lathe and love them. I have a couple birdhouses my Dad made. Not for me, just ones he made because he was bored. He lets me and my sister and anyone else who wants one to go through them and pick one or two every now and then. The birds love them. I sell my knitted stuff - socks, hats, etc. I hope the people who received them liked them. My kids seem to love the hats I've made them. One is waiting for another pair of socks. |
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Post by Crazyhare on Apr 30, 2016 22:48:28 GMT
I have a blanket in my closet that is almost finished that a friend was making for us when she died. I love that she was making it for us. Our daughter's middle name is in her honor.
And one of the best gifts I was given at my baby shower was a knitted baby sweater and bonnet. I have it packed up if my daughter happens to have a girl of her own.
And of course my mom crocheted a ton of stuff for my daughter.
I enjoy all the handmade stuff.
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Post by Lori McMud on Apr 30, 2016 23:35:03 GMT
I have received handmade things and I love them. I have a knitted and lined kitty cat hat that I wear all the time during chemo and around the house when my noggin gets cold. I have received a few quilts from very dear friends that I take with me to infusion. They are treasured possessions. I can't say I've ever received something handmade I hated. Since I sew and quilt myself I know the work and love that goes into each piece. But I also know not everyone appreciates that. There are people I love that I'd never make a quilt for because they wouldn't get it. If they'd be just as happy with a velour throw from kohls, they get a velour throw from kohls. I've heard of handmade quilts getting used as dog blankets. Um, fuck you if you do that. Such a person is not quilt worthy. That happened to my mom. She made a beautiful quilt for my brother's best friend and wife when they got married. My parents we visiting and my mom saw the quilt in the dog house. She was very hurt and has never err given another quilt for a gift. I have gotten several hand made items for gifts and love all of them. |
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Post by gmcwife1 on Apr 30, 2016 23:42:43 GMT
We tend to like, appreciate and use/enjoy handmade items. We have a couple of afgans my MIL made for us that we use. One is pink and doesn't go with anything, but we still like it and use it. My mom had her friend make a Seahawk blanket for me for Christmas and I love it.
I wish we knew someone that would give us a handmade quilt!
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