While enjoying my coffee this morning, I came across this video on the Internet:
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This got me thinking about the question that I am often asked by others, “Do you sell your quilts?” I then started looking at other bloggers’ posts regarding this subject. I came across this post from another blogger:
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The author was discussing the selling of quilts. Usually when the subject of selling a quilt comes up in a conversation, the person asking me if I sell my quilts doesn’t have the faintest idea how much the materials to make a quilt cost, let alone the value of my time and skill in making a one of kind quilt. Once you educate the person as to what the materials to make a quilt cost, the next comment you usually get is, “Wow, you should sell your quilts!” Remember, this comment is coming from the same person that had no idea what a quilt was worth and quite likely was not prepared to give me what a quilt is worth let alone enough to cover the cost of the materials to make the quilt. What makes this person think that someone else would give me the kind of money that they aren’t prepared to give me? So you see, I can totally agree with the author of the article, “I would rather give a quilt away than sell it for a price that offends me.”
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I then came across another post:
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This blog writer has calculated the cost of a quilt–up to $19,260. Now obviously no one will pay you that kind of money for one of your quilts. Does this mean that the quilts we make as quilters do not have worth? On the contrary. The author states that, “We who quilt all have worth. When we are motivated by showing love, concern and comfort to others, what does it cost? Our talents are gifts and we make treasures. Made with love and consideration…. OUR QUILTS ARE PRICELESS!! Not enough money in the entire world can buy a quilt of THAT kind. QUILTERS DO HAVE WORTH!”
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So why do I quilt? It obviously isn’t for the money because I am not selling my quilts. I quilt for the pleasure and relaxation it brings me personally and the opportunity to explore and develop my creative side, but also for those special moments when my quilts can touch and impact the lives of others that I love and care for. This year, my brother-in-law was diagnosed with inoperable cancer on June 27. He was given 2 weeks to a couple of months to live. When I heard the news, I immediately went to my stack of finished quilts and with the assistance of my husband, we picked out a quilt that we tought would be suitable for sharing with my brother-in-law. After delivering the quilt to my brother-in-law, I received this e-mail from my sister-in-law:
Rick wants to say ‘Thank You’ for the quilt. His exact words were, “That was nice of her to do.” It hasn’t left the couch since you gave it to him but he did have to fold it down for a while because he was actually warm, and that hasn’t happened in a long time.
It is words like this that bring tears to my eyes and remind me of why I truly continue to make quilts. I make quilts to touch lives.
Rick passed away September 2, 2012. Rest in peace, Rick. You were loved and will be missed.
Made with love
And blessed with prayer
Especially for you
From someone who cares.
