UFO's
#11
I would square them up the same size, sew them up, and donate, use on a picnic, put in your RV...lots of used for a not so perfect quilt. If you have a dog, it would do great for a doggie bed as well. I saved the monstrosity of my first quilt made in 1987. It's lovingly stored with my heirloom quilts. It's a great reminder of how much I've grown in the craft.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,563
This is exactly where I land. Assemble it, finish it, and keep it as a proud memento of how far you come and how much you've learned! Use it to celebrate yourself.
Ricky Tims does a wonderful and generous thing - he displays his first quilts right along with his "show" quilts. I think this is fabulous for a couple of different reasons:
1. It shows the rest of us that everyone has promise, and if we allow ourselves to make mistakes, explore new concepts and techniques, and say "what if" to ourselves, we too can make some fabulous pieces!
2. It shows us that we don't need to be ashamed of how awful we were when we started. If Ricky is proud, we can be proud.
Ricky Tims does a wonderful and generous thing - he displays his first quilts right along with his "show" quilts. I think this is fabulous for a couple of different reasons:
1. It shows the rest of us that everyone has promise, and if we allow ourselves to make mistakes, explore new concepts and techniques, and say "what if" to ourselves, we too can make some fabulous pieces!
2. It shows us that we don't need to be ashamed of how awful we were when we started. If Ricky is proud, we can be proud.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NY Adirondacks in Summer and goes "South" to WNY in the winter!
Posts: 480
No! No! Don't donate it. It is your first quilt . Finish it. I like the bordering idea, maybe even setting them wonky. Save it and use it so you can see how far you have come. I have been at presentations where quilters show their first quilts....how fun. Wish I had saved mine. I think it was one made of bandannas and cotton batting. Didn't tie closely enough and when I washed it (it was for my first born), all the batting sunk to one end.....wish I still had it to help me see progress (and remind me of when my babies were babies , 47 and 45 now!)
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
just keep those blocks as is! I have several of those that I tell my beginner class are not "blocks of shame" but instead "blocks of progress"--cause I've gotten much better. But they are a tangible reminder of how I have come in my piecing abilities. So, yes--embrace them!
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Heart of Colorado's majestic mountains!
Posts: 6,026
I would do one of two things. I would keep them 'as is' just as a reminder of your quilting journey and enjoy them for that reason alone. Or, if I did not find pleasure in that memory, I would take them apart and redo them and enjoy them for the progress you have made since you started to quilt. If you do the later, maybe you could set aside 30 minutes a day to take them apart so it isn't a huge burden. And, like mentioned above snip the line of stitching every few stitches and gently separate the layers so you don't distort the fabric dimensions. Then, re-do them.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: West Coast
Posts: 9,267
I usually end up finishing the assembly as best I can and then use it for practice on the long arm. If I’m still unhappy with it, I turn the quilted top into some great looking tote bags. I get so many positive comments when I go grocery shopping. They make great gifts or gift wrapping for other quilts as well.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hamburg,Western New York State
Posts: 4,856
I would square up the blocks and add sashing. Sometime you may teach a friend or loved one to quilt and showing them your first attempt might be just the 'boost' to keep them trying. Your quilt is full of your memories.
Recently I was given a 'gawd awful' quilt. First thought...pitch it. No......I squared up the blocks, added sashing and some scrappy strips and it didn't turn out bad at all. You know that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. The quilt will go to a homeless person.
Recently I was given a 'gawd awful' quilt. First thought...pitch it. No......I squared up the blocks, added sashing and some scrappy strips and it didn't turn out bad at all. You know that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. The quilt will go to a homeless person.
Last edited by trolleystation; 03-01-2018 at 11:04 AM. Reason: added info
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