Some time ago I was in a small block exchange and inadvertantly made one of the blocks wrong. When the recipient posted a picture, she had left the block as I made it. I found it disappointing since it was such an obvious mistake. Do you think she should have corrected it? I would have, since this only pointed out to the rest of the group that it was done wrong.

I would have left it as is myself. My feeling about exchanges is that the blocks are all made with love and consideration and to the best ability of each and as such should be cherished.

If you live close to each other, I think she should have contacted you and given you the opportunity to change it.

Did she notice the error? If you didn't, maybe she didn't either.

Well you could always look at it this way, perhaps yours was right and the rest were wrong. I would not have corrected it either. Honestly who is to say what is right or wrong ... I always thought that quilts were done with each persons imagination. Mine may not be like yours or yours like mine, but thats ok, cause we are all different. That is what makes quilting so special!!

In my opinion we are all responsible for our own work, not someone else's. I doubt very much that she posted the picture, with your block different, with any negative intent.

There is a tacit agreement to accept what you get when doing these trades. It seems to me it would be up to you to PM her and let her know you have caught the mistake and wish to rectify it. Or not.

Jan in VA

I think that this is just another design element. Don't be so hard on yourself or the other quilter:) Just smile and move on to your next project.

It is the one humuility block, the one with personality. Maybe she liked it. I would have left it. We are all unique too.

"There is a tacit agreement to accept what you get when doing these trades. It seems to me it would be up to you to PM her and let her know you have caught the mistake and wish to rectify it. Or not.

Jan in VA"

I agree with Jan in VA.

i would have left it that way. goodness knows that i have made so many quilts with so many mistakes that i hardly qualify to correct any mistakes made by others :)

This thread has been helpful to me, as I have been very reluctant to participate in a block exchange because I am afraid my block won't measure up to the others. Perhaps I'll pick one and just go for it.

I actually like inadvertent mistakes like that. Makes the quilt more charming. Always gives the "finder" a thrill too, although many people who look at a quilt will not spot it. If it had been me, I would have left the block as is too and it would not have been any kind of put-down for the maker.

I love all my exchange blocks and would never change one. It's fun to see all the different interpretations of the same pattern. Exchange quilts are like the ultimate sampler platter.

i would never correct some ones work in a block exchange.

i think that would insulting to the person who made it - its like saying your work isn't good enough and i had to take it apart and make it again.

if you want perfection do not do a swap.

swaps are open to all skill levels and various quality of fabrics from walmart to LQS.

This is difficult, because she may have felt that it would hurt your feelings if she changed your block. Just a thought....

what a great way to put it. thank you for saying it. I know this is how I feel about quilting.

Thank you for saying this.

Amen to that!!

I would also leave it the way it was made.

After reading responses, I'd like to add. If I received this block, I'd let the maker know since it was obviously an error. By not knowing and seeing it posted on the club page, I really felt bad about it. I wish she'd either contacted me or changed it. I would never have known if she did.

that would be a very risky action. no matter how well you meant the gesture, there can be no way to predict how it would be interpreted. some people might thanks you. some might dissolve in humiliation. others might cuss you out.

she was proudly displaying your block exactly as you sent it. if she had seen anything wrong with it, or felt is was in any way substandard she would have simply "forgotten" to include it in the photo.

chillaaaaaaax. it's all good. ;-)

Don't stress over it! If you would like to make her another, do so...but thats your choice. I would never presume to change something that someone else sent to me. I'm sure she is happy with it or she wouldn't have included it in the pic.

Perhaps she didn't change it in case you were sensitive about it.

a long time ago i read that when old time quilters made a quilt, they always put in a block that was "off"...I cannot remember what the reason was........

I would have left it, I feel any block in an swap is a gift and I love gifts just as they are given :)

Think of this as a design variation (I did the same thing putting the neckline lace on a bridesmaid gown--my dress was different from all the rest--mitred, not folded and there were LOTS of photos!) and your friend will always be able to remember which block is yours. If she didn't love it, she wouldn't have used it.

Amen to that!

I would have left it alone.

I would have left it the way it was also. As mentioned she may not have noticed the mistake. Or on the other hand, maybe she liked it the way you made it.

I make lots of mistakes on my quilts - gives them character and a storyline! I would not have changed the block either.

I would never "fix" someone elses block. I think everyone does things their way or the way they were taught, it would still be prized by me because "you" made it.

we had a quilt club for a few years-family& a few friends. Everyone joined knowing that ability ranged from "kindergarten to college" 2 people resewed almost evry block they got, from other members! SIghting poor seams, non-matched seams, that they couldn't be sewed together! AND WE TOLD EVERYONE!! how depressing, took the joy out of it! Never once did these 2 call a "kindergartener" & say would you like to come over, I see you're having a little trouble! If you need to fix something fix it! I take on the challenge of making your block(s) work-I sewed mine & I'm not resewing yours! Yes I thought you'd inspected them before the exchange. If she did it to shame you- she would've added "note CLARA sewed this all wrong & oh well it doesn't really match, ect.... LET IT GO & do a better job next time!