Quilting Stash – Program #23

Lisa Staley says:

Once again, I totally love all your podcasts.And besides just hearing about the quilting side of it I totally adore hearing about your family.It brings so much demension to the podcasts.
I recieved my Prize the other day of the Handmade Quilt Journal and I have to say WOW! so beautiful.
I am using it to go along with a Round Robin I have joined.I took a picture of me with my center and swatches of the fabrics I am using and I am pasting it all in the journal with my thoughts and hopes and plans for the finished quilt and am requesting that each lady in the round robin do the same. So when its all done. I will have this lovely journal to show any one and everyone and it will help me get to know these ladies better especially if they like me take a picture of themselves with the center with the border they added.

Thank you so much for the wonderful prize

Happy Quilting
Lisa

Lisa says:

I agree with so many of your comments on the quality of
imported quilts being inferior to the quilts produced by many quilt artists in the US.

But as you yourself pointed out, there is a time and place for these “cheap” quilts- sometimes we just need something to cover a bed because the guest is coming. In these cases, what difference does it make if one buys a $20 quilt, or a $20 comforter? Both are likely made unders the same conditions, and imported.

These $20 quilts are so different in quality that they do not, and will never, compete directly with the fine quilts sewn by so many quilt artists world wide. But,
they are not meant to be heirlooms- just to cover a bed or look pretty for a bit.

I have to differ with your assesment of slave conditions where the imports are produced. I’ve been to the third world, and seen it first hand. The women who are lucky enough to have the jobs are thrilled with the opportunity. No, it’s not pleasant work. But
the alternatives are much nastier (if there even
are other alternatives available- often there
are not).

Also, it is unfair to judge what is a fair wage in a 3rd world country based on US standards. Pennies per hour
buys food and shelter in a lot of areas, although it doesn’t even buy a gumball these days in the U.S.

As for the starving families in Appalachia, yes, it’s all tragic- whether it’s in Appalachi, the pacific rim, or anywhere in the world. It is tragic that all human beings do not have access to the basic food, shelter, and medical necessities needed by all.

However, shutting down the $20/hour quilt factories in the Pacific rim is _not_ going to solve the problems of the people in Appalachi (or anywhere else, for that matter) in the US. In the US, workers cannot be offered these jobs by the same company for the same wage because of our minimum wage job rules in the US. Simply put, the economic model of $20 quilts doesn’t work if you have to pay the workers US minimum wages.

So, rather than begrudge these poor women in 3rd countries their pennies on the hour, realize that those pennies buy them a life and opportunity. Think of it as sharing the wealth that we are so fortunate to have in our country.

Spending time in a 3rd world country and seeing these things first hand changed my life forever, and I challenge all of you to do the same.