A very dear friend of mine, who is an outstanding quilter,
was showing me some of her earlier quilts. The colors and patterns made it easy to see the different eras of her work. I soon began to notice a pattern of progressive difficulty in her completed works. She has many original designs all enhanced by her superb handquilting.
Although I have been quilting for more years than I want to recall, I mentioned that I hope to be as skilled as she when I grow up. She thanked me modestly and then gently said, "I still haven't created my masterpiece yet".
Those 7 words stuck with me. As gifted as she is, and as exquisite as her work is, she is still striving to improve.
She continues to crank out enviable quilts and then gives them away.
I certainly haven't created any "masterpieces" but my friend inspired me to do better with each attempt.
Have you created your Masterpiece yet?

I have my "Masterpiece" in my head. It started as just a simple idea and I happened to mention it to my DH. He went wild with my idea and inspired me to something bigger and better than my original idea. So now I am learning the different techniques that I will need to make "OUR Masterpiece".

I'm learning as I go along so as I finish each one I consider it my current masterpiece. Still have a long way to go though. :)

Nope I have not made my masterpiece yet and am not sure what it will even be. I guess when I make it I will know.

A queen sized cathedral window quilt is my current master piece :) I have a 3 ft square so far! My goal is to have it done by the first of June. I started first of Feb! So 4 months. This is for my bed! Then onto a new master piece :) Master piece sounds like it is your best ever work of art! I want every piece to be a bit better than the last. There is always room to improve somehow!

No masterpieces yet...I keep dreaming for one>...

everytime i create my masterpiece there is another one coming up...ever quilt, no matter how simple is a masterpiece!
in all seriousness, i have made quilts that at the time i considered just the most beautiful...best crafted...most 'take your breath away quilt ever' and at the time it was, but skills improved, creativity grew, and another one would happen....so, no probably not, but at the time they were :D

I have the fabric, now I am looking for the pattern. It's been in my head for a while, but alas, not concrete yet.

Not yet. I hope someday to be able to say YES!! :D

Most artist don't realize they did their masterpiece already. We are our worse judges. Sometimes we hide our best pieces. I want to say yes. I have. It is yet to be recognized as a masterpiece and I hope it happens while I am still alive.

Great point! :thumbup:

Aren't they all masterpieces?

To the eye of the beholder. To me they all are, but it is only my opinion.

Still striving for it! It's the journey that lites my heart. every quilt I make has a piece of me, I remember every single one, after 40+ years. In my heart every quilt was a masterpiece!

I am working on making one very special quilt for each of my children and grandchildren, with a special message personalized to the recipient, that will be my legacy to each. Each quilt is hand appliqued, one I have been working on for over 10 years, it's almost finished, ready to be sandwiched and hand quilted.

I don't know for sure if this is my "masterpiece" yet, but I would say so far it is...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-27384-1.htm

I also made a double wedding ring quilt, all pieced and quilted by hand that took me years to make. It was my "masterpiece" for a while, but as I have progressed in my skills, I can see that it is not all that good. I still love it, and it was the first quilt that I made for myself.

I have lots left to learn, and hopefully, I have a few "masterpieces" still in there... :D

Not yet... But as someone else has said, each quilt seems to be a little better than the last. Maybe there is hope for me yet.

Maybe we create them as we go along? I know when I have done what I thought I wasn't capable of, & it is a nice feeling. Like your friend, I keep trying to find new ways & techniques, of doing my quilting. I love changing patterns too, making them your creation. It is so much fun to quilt that, versus totally following a pattern. Just work on one masterpiece at a time, then move up a step, to the next one! So many quilts are masterpieces, but I doubt if the maker thinks so, so have faith in yourself, & just keep quilting, & enjoying it!...

I feel the same way. To me, quilting is a process and an artistic, creative expression of me, I don't feel that I have to make a quilt or need to make a quilt...I get inspired and it leads to the process to create a quilt, during which I am pouring my creative energy and own expression. It is a masterpiece being born, some are more mastered than others, lol, but while I am making a quilt, I am giving it my best effort and loving it.

I think that what keeps many of us making more... the ultimate masterpiece is always at least one more quilt away!

I'm working on it. LOL

That IS a masterpiece. Beautiful!

From time to time I make a quilt that is something special - that pushes me creatively in some way, with a new technique or concept. At that time, it is the pinnacle of what I've achieved in quilting, and I consider it my masterpiece - until I do another one that stretches my abilities, or have a bigger, better idea.

Yes, my masterpiece quilt was made for my husband, and this past week, as he was buried, he was covered with it. It had many mountain scenes, trees/lake/pinecones edges/ in it with flying eagles. Jerry is now higher than the flying eagles in heaven. I do not say this to make people feel badly - it is to have them know that sometimes the quilt may not be absolutely perfect, but it IS 'perfect' for the person that you love with all your heart - it meant a lot to him & nothing else mattered wxcept for my love for him.

Every quilt I finish is my masterpiece!!! The next one will be my new masterpiece, hopefully better than my last masterpiece in some ways.
What each "Masterpiece" lacks in ability and talent, is more than made up for by the love and creative energy I put into it!!
This way, whether you get one of my first or my 30th quilt, it will be one of my masterpieces made just for you!!

How touching! Sounds like it was a beautiful quilt! Good for you, & I am sorry for your loss!

Bless your heart, that was wonderful to read.

So sorry for your profound loss. THere just aren't the words that would have sufficient meaning to give you the needed comfort. Sending you a really big hug.

A..I am so sorry for your loss, may Jerry rest in peace. Thanks for sharing this touching thought with us.

Your post brought tears to my eyes, so glad you and he had time to enjoy your masterpiece together

No, no masterpiece yet...not even close. :roll:

Haven't made it yet, but it might be the Cathedral Window which I'm just getting started on or it might be the Bali Wedding Star quilt I have on my list of things to do.

I think I am learning lots of things before I make a crazy quilt masterpiece where I can use velvet and silk and beading and embrodiery......not yet but almost ready to just jump in.

Thank you! :-D