Food For Thought For Quilters on This Board

[bearisgray]

Even when I go to the 'pictures' section of this quilting board, as a new quilter (still calling myself that after 4 years), I REALLY appreciate it when people describe the materials used to get the effect of the quilt they're posting. Such as pattern name, fabric type (cotton, flannel, etc.), thread used to piece, thread used to quilt (what was used on the top and bottom) batting used. I use this site to learn. As a matter of fact ALL I know about quilting is what you ladies/gents have taught me from reading all your posts and the answers you've given when I've run into difficulty. THANKS so much for your patience with we newbies. BUT answers to the above are usually what I wish I knew when I'm looking at your pictures.

Love to all of you and happy quilting,
Dray from SE Oklahoma

I never thought to add all of that information to a picture.

[Sandi]

Even when I go to the 'pictures' section of this quilting board, as a new quilter (still calling myself that after 4 years), I REALLY appreciate it when people describe the materials used to get the effect of the quilt they're posting. Such as pattern name, fabric type (cotton, flannel, etc.), thread used to piece, thread used to quilt (what was used on the top and bottom) batting used. I use this site to learn. As a matter of fact ALL I know about quilting is what you ladies/gents have taught me from reading all your posts and the answers you've given when I've run into difficulty. THANKS so much for your patience with we newbies. BUT answers to the above are usually what I wish I knew when I'm looking at your pictures.

Love to all of you and happy quilting,
Dray from SE Oklahoma

I completely agree with these comments-

[ekuw]

I don't always post because someone else has already commented in almost the exact way I would have.

[meyert]

I have actually posted about this issue.. I was apologizing for not posting on every picture.

My internet is so so so freakin slow it takes forever for the pictures to open. I really love looking at them, but to reply takes even MORE time. If I had better internet I would post on all of the pictures People with fast internet may forget what its like to not have that luxury

[Quilt30]

Ok. Let me ask this question. Lets say a post is made and the quilter says he/she is a new quilter and this is the first quilt and asks for comments. The picture posted clearly shows workmanship that everything is wrong. Not just a mistake here and there.....but really bad work. What kind of comments does one make. Clearly the person needs help. There is no indication in the post of attempting to learn, in fact the poster says he/she is a self learner. Advice of "practice, practice, practice" is clearly not what the person needs. But, there are 150 comments that says, "been there", beautifutiful colors", "no quilt police here, you can do whatever you want", "the person receiving the quilt will appreciate it". Come on......someone who knows nothing about quilting can see mismatched seams. So what should one do......just ignore the post if you can't say something positive. This is the day and age of learning on the internet from many view points. What does one do?



an

I was just looking at the list of pictures that have been posted on the board, going to them and posting comments. Everyone of us, even the more experienced quilters, but mainly the beginners, would love comments about the pictures of our quilt projects. I have noticed on several of the pictures posted, there are around 2,000 views (or more) of the thread but only 20 or less comments posted. I would like to suggest that we take a couple of minutes to make a quick comment on these threads to offer encouragement to each other. Each comment only has to be 10 characters and could result in a "pat on the back" or a "way to go" to someone who really needed it. Just a thought from my heart that I think could make a big difference. GOD Bless

[twinkie]

If it were me, I might say, "Looks like you put a lot of effort into this quilt. If I were you I would look for a quilt guild or LQS in your area where you could find other quilters who could give you a lot of clues and tips to make your quilting easier and a lot more fun. We all have to start somewhere but being with more advanced quilters sure did help me. Also, there are many tutorials on You Tube from MSQC and others on great ways to make quilts. Good luck"

QUOTE=Quilt30;7306499]Ok. Let me ask this question. Lets say a post is made and the quilter says he/she is a new quilter and this is the first quilt and asks for comments. The picture posted clearly shows workmanship that everything is wrong. Not just a mistake here and there.....but really bad work. What kind of comments does one make. Clearly the person needs help. There is no indication in the post of attempting to learn, in fact the poster says he/she is a self learner. Advice of "practice, practice, practice" is clearly not what the person needs. But, there are 150 comments that says, "been there", beautifutiful colors", "no quilt police here, you can do whatever you want", "the person receiving the quilt will appreciate it". Come on......someone who knows nothing about quilting can see mismatched seams. So what should one do......just ignore the post if you can't say something positive. This is the day and age of learning on the internet from many view points. What does one do?



an[/QUOTE]

[maviskw]

Ok. Let me ask this question. Lets say a post is made and the quilter says he/she is a new quilter and this is the first quilt and asks for comments. The picture posted clearly shows workmanship that everything is wrong. Not just a mistake here and there.....but really bad work. What kind of comments does one make. Clearly the person needs help. There is no indication in the post of attempting to learn, in fact the poster says he/she is a self learner. Advice of "practice, practice, practice" is clearly not what the person needs. But, there are 150 comments that says, "been there", beautifutiful colors", "no quilt police here, you can do whatever you want", "the person receiving the quilt will appreciate it". Come on......someone who knows nothing about quilting can see mismatched seams. So what should one do......just ignore the post if you can't say something positive. This is the day and age of learning on the internet from many view points. What does one do?

I agree with this. I cringe when people say it's beautiful, just leave it, no one will notice, etc, when it is obvious something really needs to be fixed. How will you feel 20 years from now if you let it go like that? There was one quilt posted a few years back that was just beautiful, except for one edge. I think the quilt was quilted but not yet bound. This was one you could see from the back of a galloping horse! Literally! And yet there were those that said leave it, no one else will notice. At that point I would get help to fix it if I couldn't fix it myself.

[joe'smom]

I assume that if a person is seeking a critical viewpoint, they will have said something to indicate that. Something like, 'What do you think about . . .', 'is this border color okay . . .', 'need input on such and such . . .', 'please let me know if you see something out of place . . .', 'how can I match seams better . . .', etc. If someone hasn't indicated they want critical feedback, I wouldn't volunteer it.

If I'm really struck by a quilt, I'll comment that I think it's beautiful, etc. Thankfully, tastes vary widely, and every quilt is going to be found beautiful by some of us!

[Pennyhal]

I assume that if a person is seeking a critical viewpoint, they will have said something to indicate that. Something like, 'What do you think about . . .', 'is this border color okay . . .', 'need input on such and such . . .', 'please let me know if you see something out of place . . .', 'how can I match seams better . . .', etc. If someone hasn't indicated they want critical feedback, I wouldn't volunteer it.

If I'm really struck by a quilt, I'll comment that I think it's beautiful, etc. Thankfully, tastes vary widely, and every quilt is going to be found beautiful by some of us!

I think we were all taught the adage: If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all. So unless someone asks for advice giving advice is not usually welcomed. If something I want to say has been said a zillion times, I know I don't post the same thing. But if a post doesn't have very many responses, I do leave a response to help encourage people.

[DresiArnaz]

I don't always comment. Most of the time, previous posters have already said what I would have said.

I post pictures of mine because I don't really know too many people who would really appreciate quilting. Those of us on this board know the time and care that goes into these things.

It's nice to hear you did a good job. My quilts aren't outstanding but people like them and I have fun putting them together. Quilting is supposed to be fun, right?

Sometimes I don't post because there are things I don't like like the pattern or color scheme.

But most quilts are beautiful even if they aren't perfect.

That color scheme I hate might really speak to someone else and inspire them.

Isn't that what these picture threads are about? To share our creativity, and be inspired by the creativity of others?

I'm not going to worry if people aren't commenting enough.

A lot of people are kind of reserved even on a sort of anonymous forum and will only lurk without posting.

Doesn't mean they don't like our work.

The important thing is do we have fun doing this? Do our creations make ourselves and others happy? If so, then our work is good and we don't need anyone else's approval.