Certain folks look at situations only in terms of the Almighty Dollar and no other way. They can never seem to get the big picture, or want to do so.

Perhaps the plan is so brilliantly conceived, it will earn a lot of money, enough so that the trickle-down-economic impact, may actually help the quilters in question. That would be nice. Meanwhile, there are lots of middle-men in between who have to get their “cut.” Just sayin’ …

In the private e-mails we have exchanged, I am convinced that the sole motivation is money. What else would it be? The figure you gave me for the amount of royalty check already given to the quilters seems astronomical, considering that the kits were just produced, and reflects only a percentage.

I am happy the quilters are benefiting from the project.

Please re-read what I said. I think you missed the point.

In these hard times, and with such a glut of products and fabrics on the market, I imagine that fabric companies, as well as everyone else, have trouble making ends meet.

My remarks were observational, not derogatory. Sorry you totally misunderstood my intent.

Seems that people only want to see things from their own point of view. Thanks for sharing yours, but I am not going to accept the attack, nor take it personally.

Money is money. Too bad it doesn’t grow on trees, and I agree – why isn’t the government doing more to help the “poorest County” of America, as you describe Gee’s Bend. I would add, what about all of the homeless veterans, the Katrina victims who are still un-housed, etc.

The poor of our own society often have no voice, or so it seems. And, sometimes, they are just pawns in the game.

In addition, the Gee’s Bend Solid Fabrics generate royalties for the Gee’s Bend Foundation and the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective. The Quilters are proud of the quilt kits and we are working on four new designs now.

We receive lots of requests from people who wish to study with the quilters and inquiries about technique and so forth – given the sell-out of the first set of kits there are apparently many people who want to create a quilt in the style of Gee’s Bend.

Judy, Windham is not pandering or disrespectful. They have been an outstanding partner in this project. Every step of the way is approved by the Quilters and the Foundation. Yes, Windham is making money but they are giving back a substantial sum to the quilters.

There are a wide range of quilts at various price points at the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective in Gee’s Bend. The prices are considerably higher than that of the quilt kit. Instead of selling a silly knick-knack to people who want a little bit of Gee’s Bend why not a quilt kit that they will enjoy making and have for years to come?

Just because the kit comes with certain fabric and instructions doesn’t mean that a quilter cannot inject their own style into the quilt to make it truly theirs – in fact we hope that this happens and encourage people to explore their own creativity.

Wish you didn’t feel the way you do about the kits as you have always been a wonderful champion of Gee’s Bend.