pumpkinpatchquilter

This is the lesson I am slowly learning. I have been quilting for 6 years, and as a new quilter I surrounded myself with some of THE most knowledgeable, and intimidating quilters in the area. I was 24 years old, green and new to the quilting world when I began. As I progressed I felt like I had to do BIGGER, BETTER, and GREATER to be taken even a little bit seriously by these women who were much older than me and knew what seemed to be SO very much more than me about quilting. If I wasn't getting snubbed for my age I was getting snubbed for my skill level. I am an artist at heart, all I wanted for years when I was young was to go to art school. That unfortunately never happened for me as I started a family early, and many of you know just how hard it is to go back to school with small children. But it was a blessing, truly, because my family is my world, and making a quilt for my daughter was what brought me to find my life's passion in quilting. All of this combined with a really awful experience with a quilt shop owner who hired me to teach a class but then treated me so rudely as if I didn't know a darn thing I was talking about has left me with this need to prove myself artistically and I feel like for the past several years I've been on this personal MISSION to prove to anybody and EVERYBODY that I am capapble, I am skilled, and gosh darnit, I'm artistic!!!

You know what? I refuse to live with that insecurity any longer, I know who I am and what I can do. Here I am. I am 30 years old, I'm a Mother first and foremost, second a wife, and third I'm a dedicated quilter. I have finally learned that FOR ME, every quilt doesn't need to be a masterpiece. Every quilt that I create does not have to knock everybody's socks off, and it doesn't have to encase all the techniques I have learned in the past 6 years to PROVE that I am a capable quilter. That is not to say I don't do the best I can with every quilt, but a corner that doesn't match perfectly doesn't always need to be ripped and resewn. Every project doesn't need to be the hardest and most complicated project I've ever done. I adore challenging projects but a simple nine patch quilt can be just as satisfying to complete as the most complicated paper pieced mariners compass.

Thanks for the vent. Just thought I'd share that little revelation, because I know I'm not the only one who feels like they need to prove themselves to the local quilting veterans. ;)

grendelskin

Ayyy-MEN! As long as you're happy sewing, and keep up learning and mastering your skills as you go, you're right on track.

I've yet to see the recipient of a gifted quilt turn their nose up at it; even with all of their lumps and bumps, the quilts I've given are all loved and appreciated.

VaNella

I agree with you. I always have an array of projects going, some simple and some more complicated. I do it more for the process than the result anyway. When it is finished it can go to a loved one, to myself, to a raffle, or to line a doggy cage at the pound. I enjoyed doing it, so so there!

mshollysd

Pumpkin Patch, I have been quilting for over 35 years and I am just like you. One day I figured out that the quilting police is not coming over to arrest me because one of my corners isn't perfect. Even on my avatar, that quilt was painted with fabric paint, not embroidered. You would have thought I had committed a crime. So I salute you!!!! You figured out something that I didn't for 30 years. Go for it and I am proud of you!!!

PegD

I agree. I see all the wonderful longarm quilting on here, and think I should be able to do that on mine, but all I can really do is stippling. It holds the quilt together, so I guess that is the point.

Sewfine

I agree. I am learning as I make something also.

LyndaOH

Very well said, PPQ! I've been quilting for four years and finished a Sylvia's Bridal Sampler last year. It was a real learning process for me and I was disappointed by some of the points and seams that didn't match until I realized that the overall wowiness (yes, I just made up that word) of the quilt made up for any non-perfection.

I too have an art background but didn't pursue it in college. The most common question about my quilts I get is how I knew to put together the colors and where I got the pattern. I don't think twice about colors and I generally design my own patterns. I need to appreciate that about myself.

Go forward and quilt!

jeank

I love your declaration, it is my attitude too, there is no quilt police and you have to please yourself only.

As for longarm, I have one too and only know how to meander, I dont do it as small to call it stippling. It looks nice when done and I am happy.

Jean

mizkyp

congrats on learning who and what are important in your life.

pumpkinpatchquilter

Thank you for the encouragement! I have an in progress SBS quilt - guess how long it's been in progress? Since WAYYYY back when the patterns were online and FREE! LOL* I have about 14 blocks done, but it for me too has been a huge learning experience. You make me want to get back at it. That was the quilt that motivated me to learn paper piecing, and the first mariners compass I'd ever done was the one in that quilt - and it is AWFUL. But I am not going to rip it, because in many ways it is a memory book of sorts of my progression. Now I just need to finish the other bazillion blocks in the quilt! ;)