Billie Lauder was a guest speaker at our guild meeting a few years back and she said she 'loved' ugly fabric and that sometimes it is essential to make a great quilt .... that she purposely looks for ugly fabric much to her mom's dismay (I think it was her mom...remember this was a few years ago)

So I guess it depends how it is used ...

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

redrummy: Thanks for a good laugh: your comment about being honest when something is not at all your taste "...just in case they're thinking of make ME something" -- made me literally LOL! Good defense strategy cuz once they've made you something ugly, it's too late, especially when you then have to display it!
Still laughing...

Our quilt guild recently had an ugly quilt project. We each gathered our ugliest material and or stuff we were tired of and put them in a lunch sized sack. At one of our meetings we each got a sack by the number method. As they came in, they got a number and then we picked a number and matched the sack. The idea was to take it home and we had about 6 months to make something with it. 4 weeks ago at our regular meeting we brought them back and auctioned them off. We had small quilts, purses, tote bags, table runners and done lady made a yo-yo doll. We raised almost $300. 00 for our guild. We had a blast doing it. It stretched our creative juices and made some really nice things. I forgot to add that you could add to your collection of uglies if you wished to. I personally put the ones that didn't really fit on the back. I'm sorry I was so long winded.

I give my opinion, but then they do as they want - as it should be. I remember one quilt a friend made - we both sat there and picked out the 'ugly' fabrics!! :) The quilt was probably one of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen...

I do one step better...when a friend of mine are shopping and she says she hates a fabric...I buy it and make her an apron and then she loves it!!!
Anne

Quilting fabric isn't something you buy like you'd buy clothing. Sometimes that hideous fabric combines with the rest of the fabrics just right to make a stunning quilt. The skill of the quilter is the key.

Personally I have a habit of telling it like I feel but then I have changed my mind when I've seen the fabric done in something nice.Course I always make it plain that that's just my opinion.I have been know to stick my foot in my mouth a few times, though. Well let's be honest maybe more than a few time.LOL

I only shop with my oldest Daughter and we both have different taste. She doesn't ask me and I don't ask her.
It works very well for us. Like my Son always says 'opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one and they all stink'

It's usu me asking my DGD her opinion if we shop for fabric. She is almost 18 & has very good taste as for as fabric & fashion. If I want to know what's in vogue, she's my source to go to. However, she has learned a few tricks when she hangs around me. It's funny to watch her when she comes over, she'll go through my stacks of projects I have going. If she puts her finger to her mouth I've done good.

I try to be honest. If I don't like something I tell them I don't like it. Sometimes it is not because the fabric is ugly but it is just not my taste.