Monday, September 26, 2005

Finn's Challenge


I'm afraid I'm not really up to the challenge of posting star quilts that I've done because I've only done a part of one. It's a batik star quilt which was a block of the month at the quilt shop I once worked in. My top is together, but without a final border...I just can't seem to decide what I want there. Okay, I really haven't looked too hard. :o)

I do have this Christmas quilt which has stars scattered through it...does that count? I received the 9 patch blocks in a swap about 8 years ago, and made the top at that time. The little pictures are all cookie cutter or hand drawn designs, fused on and buttonhole stitched in black thread. The quilt "fermented" for a few or 6 years until the borders were decided upon (this is the second set...the first set looked horrible!) and I finally quilted and bound it in January of this year. I love it...it's one of the few I've kept for myself and it's been living on the back of a rocking chair in my husband's little office all year...I just can't bear to put it away!

I was very disappointed yesterday...I found out that my other Christmas quilt, which was auctioned off on Saturday night, only went for $100. It cost me much more than that to make it! I am glad they made some money, I just wish it had been more.

And that's it from my little corner of the world,

Carolyn

5 comments:

Quilts And Pieces said...

I love this little cookie cutter quilt! It is such a perfect xmas quilt!

That is just too sad about your auction quilt. I have done several for our school auctions, and luckily they made more than that, but I always worry.

The important thing is your heart was in the right place.

Jen said...

I think a lot of people often don't know how much work and $$ go into making a quilt. Another problem is how it is presented by the charity...it has to be advertised better, emphasizing how it is one of a kind, handmade, how many hours to make it and so on.

When they import cheap quilts from China and sell them at department stores for small prices, people get the wrong idea. We all know that our quilts are so much better than these, but the average person just doesn't understand the value of hand made quilts.

Anyway, love your "star" quilt. Jen

Carolyn said...

Thanks for your comments! I also believe that consumers just don't understand what goes into a quilt, not only the investment of time and money, but of yourself. I've often thought of making quilts to sell, but I'm not sure that there would be much demand at the prices I'd have to charge. I guess that's a thought for another blog entry!

Quiltgranny said...

I used to handquilt for people, until I started hearing the comments about the imported quilts prices. No more hand quilting for anyone but me, now!

And whenever I donate a quilt for charity - I always let them know what the value of the quilt is, and what the minimum price should be for it to be sold. That way if it isn't sold, it can be returned to me. Most of the time, they really appreciate the help in pricing.

And I LOVE this quilt. The colors just sparkle!

Holly said...

I love this quilt, Carolyn, so much that I MUST make one for myself one of these days :)