Have you ever been asked “don’t you think you have enough quilts?” Have you wondered if perhaps you do have too many?
Yesterday I posted about my journey of refolding my personal quilts on the diagonal in preparation for storing them around the house and studio…today as I continued the project it was like a walk down memory lane, however after hours of refolding I had to ask myself, do I have too many quilts?
I guess that’s a personal question…whether someone has too many quilts or not is subjective and depends on individual circumstances and personal preferences.
For some people, having a large collection of quilts may be a source of joy and comfort. Quilts can be sentimental items that hold emotional value, and having multiple quilts may provide them with a sense of security and nostalgia.
For example, this quilt was made for my high school graduation by my Ma-Ma (pronounced maw-maw) from clothing scraps my mom, sister, and I wore in the 60’s and 70’s made by either my mother or my grandmother – I still remember a lot of the individual fabrics! My sister & I had matching tops with the “partridge in the flower tree” (grin). Even though the quilt is now tattered and torn in some places, it’s a prominent part of my quilting history…
This quilt was my first “quilt shop fabric purchase” as well as my first “quilt shop formal class”. I even hand quilted it! I learned one major thing on this quilt – hand quilting was not for me! I loved the apple fabric so much that I made kitchen curtains and accessories for our first home in Tennessee. Yes, this little wallhanging is dripping with sentiment!
On the other hand, some people may feel overwhelmed by having too many quilts, or they may not have enough space to store them. In these cases, they may feel that they have too many quilts and could benefit from decluttering and downsizing their collection.
If this is your camp, then check with local agencies and quilt guilds for “rehoming” your quilts – there are so many worthy recipients from Crisis Pregnancy Centers, Foster Care, Senior Care, and more that would love to have donated quilts!
I guess you could say I fit into the nostalgia category of quilters! I finished refolding my vast collection this afternoon — not counting placemats, quilted notebook covers, quilted bags, etc, I have 161 personal quilts all neatly folded, hung on the wall, being used on the bed and/or couch, a couple in the car (always ready for an impromptu picnic) with the majority on quilt racks and shelving. In addition, I have 23 antique family quilts from the 1930’s/1950’s era perched on shelves above the windows in my studio and bed room.
It’s a good thing I ended up with some room left on my built in wall shelf (86 on there in case you are wondering – some are very small) as I have so many quilt tops waiting to be quilted and so many more WIPs (work in progress) quilts yet to be made. It’s a nice addiction or as I like to say, “this is part of my retirement plan” – I will never be bored or without something to do that’s for sure!
I actually have no idea how many quilts I have made and given away, but not that many as I think I really am one of those quilters who can’t seem to have enough quilts and keep more than I share. (Maybe that’s why I love teaching, I will teach you to make a quilt so I can keep mine – grin!)
So CAN YOU have too many quilts? Ultimately, whether someone has too many quilts is a personal decision based on their individual circumstances and preferences. No judgement from this quilter!
I’d love to hear your thoughts – do you gift more than you keep? do you have a huge collection? any family heirlooms? Or are you balanced in the number you keep and the number you give away?
I love that there will be a million different responses – yet one thing I think will be a consistent – if you are reading this ramble I betcha’ are a quilt lover!
Your shelves look so fun! My family thinks there might be too many, but they’re always wrapped up in a quilt.
Yep, that’s the sign of true love – they tease you about too many yet they wouldn’t give up the quilt while watching TV 😉
In the beginning I didn’t keep any quilts. I gifted them all away. In the last 5 years I am keeping most of what I make. Love the view of the folded quilts on the shelves and above the windows. I’ve vowed no more King Size quilts and will stick to snuggle size from here on out.
I always wanted an antique pie cabinet with a glass door, thinking that folded quilts look so inviting! I’m with you on the king size quilts – they take too long. I generally stick to lapsize for the car or couch. However, I do have 2 kings as WIPs and hope to finish soon
I’ve given away more than I’ve kept, BUT!!! I’m beginning to make some for me now. 😊
You are a generous soul! Bet your next one will be a keeper!
Very early in my quilting journey I viewed a museum exhibit of 120 quilts kept by a rural rancher/quilter who gave most of her work away. I aspired. Sample, examples and personal projects later, my new rule is … you stay at my house, you go home with a quilt … your choice of the chosen.
On heirlooms – ours is so ordinary and so precious, not even a quilt. A tied comforter, cotton Peter Max twill with yellow poly back and poly batting. A gift of love and comfort to a very young man out on his own, his young children and then, a courting couple. I became a quilter because we were wearing it out.
Lo, these years later, I am sad it sits on the shelf. We will never use it as it is. Gosh! I have the skills! Why I read your posts – they make me think. We are kindred souls.
I like your mantra – you stay at my house you go home with a quilt! In my early days as a teacher and long arm quilter for hire, my justification was that folks needed to see my samples to know my work. And then there was the emotional attachment to some of the fabric … I could go on and on… my family knows to donate my quilts to charity when I’m gone. A few have already been donated. For now, after refolding, I have ones I don’t mind using on the lower shelves and ones that are “special” on the higher ones. I do rotate usable ones on the bed & couch. PS – thanks for reading my blog! I love knowing I have kindred spirits out there 😇
I make quilt’s to share. I do have one that is very special and it is for look only do not touch, it took 3 years to make the top, and then this special lady Karen quilted it for me. But I started making quilt’s for our children and their spouses. Then the grandchildren when they graduate. Then baby blankets. Many charity Texans quilts for the SunShine kids. I love table runners for gifts for Christmas and my friends. I will never forget my first small quilt. It has been over 20 years, but it was for my Scamper, my fur baby. It was very simple but he loved it. He would take his nose and flip it up over himself until he was covered. That little quilt has had 4 fur baby’s sleep under it and it belongs to Molly girl now. Each quilt is made with love and starts with a story and only God knows all the stories that the quilt could tell.
You truly have the gift of generosity and sharing. I know your family cherished their quilts and I hope they realize the heirlooms that they are. Love you my friend 🙃🥰😇