Melinda in Tulsa

Amen Sister!!! I have several old quilts my granny made, and believe me, they aren't perfect, but oh, so treasured. If I make a minor mistake, points not lining up, etc. I don't worry about it. I hate ripping anything out so, if it's not a total disaster, I let it go. Life's too short! :thumbup:

Bluphrog

I learned from performing in public that if you make a mistake, just keep on going. Many times, the only one who heard the mistake was me, because I knew what the song was supposed to sound like. When I was complimented on my performance, I said "Thank you.", not "But didn't you hear the flat note?"

With quilting, it is the same. I don't point out my mistakes. I say "Thank you" to every compliment I'm given. And if someone point out a mistake, I just tell them it's my humility block -- as the Amish say, only God creates perfection.

arpdesigns28

As a young architect, I learned over time that self-criticism sometimes tends to bring out the best in what we do. And, it also tends to bring out the worst in what we do. Finding that balance between the two brings out an imperfect product that tends to reveal the very heart of who we are and what we are capable of. Thanks for the post, and I will be sure to do that, especially being a very young quilter. Best wishes, always.

catrancher

This person is no friend.

I gave the first applique quilt I made to my best friend. It was absolutely awful. Full of mistakes and just plain poor technique. I was learning, after all. She loves it and hung it in the hallway across from her bedroom so that she sees it first when she comes out of her bedroom in the morning. I told her once that someday I'd make her a better quilt. She said she wouldn't take it because she loves the one she has.

Now that is a good friend.

catrancher

If you think about it, it's sort of insulting to answer someone's compliment about your quilt by showing them the flaws. It's like telling them they have poor taste or that they don't know what they're talking about.

Bluphrog

[quote=catrancherIf you think about it, it's sort of insulting to answer someone's compliment about your quilt by showing them the flaws. It's like telling them they have poor taste or that they don't know what they're talking about.[/quote]


Very insightful.

kwiltkrazy

You guys are so good for one's ego.

quilterken

No matter how you look at it we can do ourselves more harm than good. We'll all get together to form the Quilter's Oath and all swear by it.

No on the other side of the coin, I teach classes and quilt for Atlantic Fabrics, so I sometimes need to point out flaws. I remember on one occasion finding two variable stars in a quilt that had one side reversed during a quilt check in. The customer said well "no one's perfect so leave them" I so wanted to flip them around, but my hands were tied. nuff said. Another time in class I carefully pointed out that have of the student's background pieces were underside down. Her reply was 'well I don't like the person I'm giving the quilt to anyways" I know these are the exceptions, but it is funny how everyone looks at things. I usually get the "oh my gosh i didn't see that and I have been working on this quilt forever"

damaquilts

I am repairing a quilt for a friend that her grandmother made , it was the last quilt she made. I find quite a few mistakes in it. Seams crooked tucks sewn it etc. My friend sees none of that. All she sees is the love her grandmother put into piecing it and her mother put into tying it.The only thing I am "fixing" is the binding which is the back folded to the front and only because the sewing machine her mother used wasn't stitching properly and it was coming apart. I am hand sewing where the seams are coming apart.

eye2quilt

I have finally learned to say to myself "IT IS WHAT IT IS''........my mistakes are my "signatures"!!!!