Has anyone else ever had this issue and how did you handle it? She is my only daughter.
Friday, July 17, 2009
What would you do?
I just remembered this quilt I made five years ago after I posted the photo of my daughter's dog. I gave my daughter this quilt and last year her dog ate a six inch hole in of the middle of it. It was a gift and I did not get upset with her as she is an adult, but I am having a difficult time of ever giving her another quilt.
Has anyone else ever had this issue and how did you handle it? She is my only daughter.
Has anyone else ever had this issue and how did you handle it? She is my only daughter.
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19 readers left a comment:
How sad, she probably fells sick about it herself. One morning when we were all busy leaving for the day, one of my daughters was worried about her hamster being cold so she wrapped my Irish chain quilt that I'd hand quilted around the hamsters cage. let me tell you by the time we all got back home that little critter had made a beautiful nest for herself. I folded up the quilt, put it away for several years. I've made my daughters all many quilts since then. Yours would probably really appreciate another too.
I'm going to assume the dog was a puppy. Perhaps enjoy making your daughter quilts but hang onto them until the puppy has outgrown the chewing. It's a beautiful quilt.
I agree with Stephanie Mary. I am sure she too feels bad. Is there any way to mend ir so that it can still be used or displayed?
I bet she does feel bad as well. I think Stephanie is right in saying that maybe making quilts that will hang is a good idea for now.
Stuff happens...it is unfortunate. I bet she wasn't pleased herself. It could have been far worse....destroyed in a fire or what have ya. If you feel strongly about not wanting to give her another at moment...continue on making them for her to have "someday."
It does hurt when something we have made isn't treasured by the person we have given it to, but I try to think that it is theirs now- their responsibility to take care of etc. I have to emotionally detach.
The dog is 5 years older now -maybe it is less inclined to chew so a new quilt would be safe. Your daughter probably felt so bad about it too. Maybe a new quilt would be a way of putting the past behind you both and healing any bad feelings? Also what about making a simple square one for the dog bed from fabrics you wouldn't otherwise use? A hand sewn wool bed hanging designed by Williamn Morris and sewn by his wife and daughter only survived because it had been used as a dog blanket, so not all dogs like to chew.
Follow your heart Mary hun.
I bet she does feel bad. I have a hard time giving my quilts and creations away. I ponder and think about it forever, wondering if they'll cherish it like I do and would. It's tough. I've gave my mom quilt after quilt and she cherises them all. She displays them all. I know how you feel. Can it be fixed?
I'm sure everyone was upset when the hole was discovered and something tells me that poochie was probably hiding under the bed for awhile too! Patch the old quilt the best you can and then make another quilt (maybe not as elaborate as the last), but do make her another one. Quilts are supposed to be used and loved, not stored safely away in a cedar chest. Things can happen when they are in use, but the fact that it was being used means that it was loved.
I am sure that she feels badly about it, but as she was using it, it was truly loved.
Hope it can be fixed, as it was a lovely quilt.
Micki
I have it, Mary....make one for your daughter and one for the dog!!
Cheers!
Before I even read Candace's comment that was what I was going to say... one for the daughter and one for the dog. My 3 year old absolutely must have a piece of fabric to carry around when I'm working on a quilt... Just be sure to make them different so they are easily distinquishable! I agree with the hanging quilt... there are so many mini quilts that you could give one and add to it to eventually make a grouping or a baby/crib size that could be hung. Good luck!
I learned from Billie Lauder to make "starter quilts" for suspect people. After awhile you can tell how they are going to treat them, either gently or throw them under the car to catch oil! She advised just making a rail fence type quilt to begin with. This is what I now do. Needless to say, I have lots of quilts that I haven't given away!
I have a hard time with one. My grandmother died when I was 7 and my sister was 4. My mother gave my sister one of my grandmothers quilts. My sister was an adult in her 30s. She absolutely ruined it with makeup or nail polish. I'm not sure she even kept it.
I don't make things for people who don't appreciate them. She is, however, your daughter and I think that the day will come that she'll have regrets.
I'd make her another quilt and not give it to her. Give it to her when you feel she is ready. If you don't feel like she's ready, then just keep holding on to it.
P.S. When we evacuated because of the hurricane's 10yrs ago, the first thing I packed was my grandmothers quilt.
These things happen. I made a quilt that was left somewhere and lost, I was a bit upset because of the amount of time and handquilting. It came back but was filthy. I washed it and it came up good. The second one is really grubby too and when I suggested a wash, I was told it was her quilt. The third one, onre of the girls cut a hole in with a pair os scissors. Now they are quick machine quilted jobs for now.
it all goes along with the story of a quilt. it's been loved not just by your daughter but by the dog too! life happens. mend. or not. ;-)
same with me, its hard to see a beloved gift be mishandled in whatever way it is. My daughter-in-law probable washed the wedding quilt Imade for them a zillion times and it just started falling apart. I know that she didn't realize what would eventually would happen, so I had to chuck it up to "Thats life" They did kindly tell me that they retired the quilt so they could hold on to it. OH Well!
I am sure your daughter was upset with the dog too. I guess some things we just need to 'bury' as if they never happened and go on. Fix it and give it back, not worth a rift between you and your daughter. It is a beautiful quilt.
I don't know your daughter, but I have three little yappers, two of them pups, and something like that could happen here, for sure. It wouldn't mean that I didn't treasure the quilt, it would just mean that the pups might have been unsupervised briefly, maybe unexpectedly. Mine locked me out of the bedroom the other night and tore up toilet paper all over the room, and I am ordinarily very vigilant. Stuff happens.
Oh my! Bad dog! I'm sure there is some expert out there who could mend the quilt or tell you how. I know I've read articles on how to mend antique quilts that have holes. But I dont' really remember any of it. Don't be too hard on the doggies. After all, dogs will be dogs--unfortunately.
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