Monday, May 21, 2012

Manly Advice

Something happened this weekend that is... well shocking! Let me fill you in...

Over the weekend I had a friend ask me to make a quilt for her husband for father's day. As we all know, making a quilt for men is challenging. I told my hubby about it, then promptly assumed that he wasn't really paying attention anyway and went on with some planning.

Saturday morning, after my hub's bike ride, out of the blue, he said, "Hon, I was thinking about you man quilt project and I have some input."

WHAT?!?!? Hold on while I pinch myself, then grab a notebook. Or voice recorder. Or video camera.

I know that this information is rare and precious, so I will share with you exactly what he told me. It wasn't much, but it was in fact helpful! Here it is...

1. Men don't really notice the pattern on front, so don't worry too much. Although, simple and geometric is probably better than more complicated designs.

2. Neutral and calming colors, unless you're doing a sports team related idea.

3. Soft, snuggley fabric for the back (yes, he used the word "snuggley" and was referring to what's on the back of his quilt - minky)

4. My hubby's absolute favorite feature on the quilt that I made for him is the stripe on the back.


That blue one. You know, the one I added just to make the back big enough... He said that while he couldn't even tell me what the pattern on the front looks like, he loves the stripe for one reason: it helps him orient the quilt correctly. Every time he pulls the quilt over him, he checks to make sure the stripe is in the right direction. Who knew that would be the winning detail. lol!

So, there  you have it. Some real life input about quilting from a man. Weird day. :)

8 comments:

Melinda said...

Okay, I am SO LOL!!! That sounds just like my hubby. He went through a phase of "helping" me with designs and he was very obsessed with things being geometric and mathematical. Uh, yeah, that doesn't always work for me because I occasionally like things that are not symmetrical. He would love the stripe because he used to have rally stripes on his camaro!

JuliePickles said...

I am laughing so hard right now about the stripe, that is SO funny! I actually do that too! That's some great advice, it is so hard to settle on a quilt for a man. Tell him thanks!

Katie B said...

Brilliant! I imagine he represents about 95% of the husbands out there too!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

Lmao!! Men are definitely from mars. Thank you for this glimpse into their thought process. My next manly quilt will be über simple!

The Thompsons said...

This post makes me laugh - I love it!

Pat Merkle said...

Cherish the comments! If he's like my hubby, it will be the last one for the next year or better! LOL great post!

tiffany said...

i must think like a man i love love love simple patterns for quilts and that is great advie

Larry and Cindy said...

Mike is a very manly man but he has great advice on just about everything, from quilts to home decor to climbing mountains and boys camp and the list is endless!!