Were you reading my mind? I was thinking the exact same thing Sunday evening. EVERY TIME I try to any quilt exactly something doesn't match. I have come to the conclusion that I am the world's worst cutter, have doubts about my reading comprehension (patterns), and forget piecing tops. Pretty much got that 1/4" seam thing right though. What really helps is this quilting board. In addition to learning techniques, etc. I also I learned that there are no quilt police. The best thing is when I finish a quilt for my family and friends. OMG, they think I am so creative and talented. Ha, Ha - they don't see the mistakes and nor do they care. All of this is to just tell you DON'T stop. Even though quilting can be frustrating, I find it to be so relaxing. Doesn't make sense but yet it does. EVERYONE on this board will tell you that. By the way, when I first started, I did sell my supplies,stash, etc. because I couldn't get it right. WELL, found out that I missed it and had to go buy everything else again. Don't walk in my footsteps cuz it is an expensive trip. Take care - you will be fine.

Oh Brenda, don't give up. It is not a contest to see who can do the most the fastest. If you truly enjoy the process try this. Really concentrate on accuracy. If you do a sampler and 1 block a week that is ok. Starch your fabric before you cut it and it will cut and sew easier. Take your time and quit when you are tired. Measure after every segment and see what is happening. I have been in your shoes many times. I always go back to basics and slow down. Good luck and remember this is supposed to be fun.

Maybe it is spring fever. It should be spring and it is still dreary here. Can't even plant yet. Frost night before last. If I don't see the sun for at least three days in a row I think I will scream!

Brenda,
when you feel so discouraged look at these...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-100416-1.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-100830-1.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-102416-1.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-103215-1.htm

Breathe in, breathe out. Let some of the stress go. Don't be so hard on yourself. We all go through this phase although some have it more difficult than others. Just let everything sit for a spell. If you are in the quilt slump maybe it's a good time to relax and read about quilting. There are several good books about quilting - Like Marie Bostwicks books. Sit for awhile and admire your fabrics, pet them occasionally. Maybe making simpler quilts like stacked bricks or the coin quilts where matching seams is not an issue. When it comes to cutting --I often have issues like I see one measurement and then somehow my hand cuts something different. Like I need a 2 1/2" strip and I cut a 2". Don't give up. Re-purpose those wrong cuts into something else. After all the years I've been quilting I still look at each quilt as a new adventure. You never know what new masterpiece (and I say that term loosely) might come to you. Whatever you do -- DON'T give up. Don't sell or give away anything because just as soon as you've done all that you'll find your mojo again. So if you have to, close the door for awhile--just don't lock it. Good luck and remember you always have friends here on the board to vent to.

Ok, first of all you are somewhat new at this and so I will tell you one of the things that are the most important when it comes to quilting or anything. Most are not happy no matter what they make. We always let others tell us what is good and not. So take your time and start over but limit yourself to a hour or two at a time and then, you will start to see the difference. If it is classes you want then go for the beginners and if there are places around you to visit then go look and enjoy. In the meantime, know that some way around the time we started to where we are now is time.........Enjoy...

Ok, just wrote to you but here is an idea, the strips you cut wrong, make a strip quilt. Always works there. Enjoy.

don't give up, sorry to hear this is so frustrating, do you have a friend that you could ask to help, or maybe take some basic quilting classes, I have been quilting for 30 years and I still get frustrated, I have never taken a class that I did not learn something new, also there are lots of great tutorials on this site. never feel bad about asking a quilter to help you out or give you suggestions, we love to help, and never want to see a fellow quilter give up. We all have problems, I think you must b too hard on yourself

Relax, rest, breathe deeply. Don't give up. When you are ready to quilt again, when you see something to inspire a desire to do so ... pick something that looks FUN and easy, not challenging and frustrating.

Maybe check out Gwen Marston's Liberated Quilting books at your local library. She likes to quilt 'wonky' in shapes, styles, design and colors. FUN fun fun.

I'm frustrated myself with actual finishing and quilting my projects BUT I am having fun making lots of different blocks, pinwheels, stars, 4 patches etc. Putting them aside to use in a quilt when I want to get back to making tops out of them. I just want to have a good time with my fabrics and piecing.

I hope that you will have a refreshed attitude toward your creative juices and quilting.

my best ... good luck ...

Noooo....don't give up. Take a break. This happened to me once and I backed away and didn't even go into my sewing room for around 4 months. Then I walked in and it was like everything was new again and I was excited! I chose a simple pattern and began the process of quilting again..and loving it again.