I'm 63, still learning, I quilt because I love to. It makes me feel good. I will never enter a contest, don't care what the "Quilt Police" say. I'm open to constructive critism, but in the end, if I like it, that's all that matters. Just remember that no matter what you do, there is always someone who can do it better, but you can do it better than someone else. So just have fun!

What a wonderful post! Thank you!

As in most things, people are people. There will always be ones who can only feel good about themselves by putting down others. If you are happy with your project, that is what counts. You know your skill level, you know what obstacles you faced to complete that project. Be proud of what you did and what you learned from each project!

You are right on Pumpkinpatchquilter!

You have shared what is on the heart of many a quilter - I never plan to show a quilt in a show, only give quilts to folks I expect will appreciate them for the quilt's sake, not for the difficulty level or how fancy the free-motion quilting is.
I DO appreciate seeing the gorgeous precise quilts others make, but it is no longer an obcession of mine to duplicate their skills.
I'll keep learning and growing, I hope, but do not beat myself up over small errors. When someone criticizes anothers efforts, I think it is rude. I can take absorb constructive criticism IF it will help my process, but not just for the individual to play one-upmanship with me.
Fortunately most of my quilting friends are just plain nice folks who like to quilt for others. Our bunch has no quilt police among the members.

I agree, I have a friend who constantly pushes me to take classes and "better myself" I finally told I had no interest in being an "artist" and that creating my variations on patterns was plenty fulfilling for me. Stick to your gun and to what gives you pleasure!

Amen!

I quilt for me. If I give it away it is because I want to and I feel it is good. If it is bad; you will never see it. I do a lot for me but I like to share.

I could not agree with you more.
I like most of my quilts

Amen sister!