There are some websites that let you look at how colors look together. There is one that shows you all the colors in a picture. Find a focus fabric and use coordinating fabrics from the little colored circles in the selvage. Ask for help picking colors in your LQS- or here! I hope this helps, keep at it. I had no idea how to choose colors for a quilt when I first started about fifteen years ago. Now I am really into scrappy quilts and buy what pleases me.

How do I make a beautiful quilt? With Love. Of course, that answer popped out before I actually read your post, but I think it still might apply. I saw you made one for your gd, didn't you make that one with love? Thinking about how much you love her and wanting her to feel that love every time she wraps up with it? That is the way I make quilts(and with their tastes in mind, of course!)and I think they can see the love sewn into their quilts so they see the quilt through love colored glasses, they don't really see the mistakes. So, that is the way I try to look at my quilts. They instantly become prettier. Sorry this got so long, sorry for the run on sentence too!

Also, I just finished my second quilt and find using collections of fabric that are already color coordinated is one less thing I can mess up.

I think it depends on how you define beautiful. Not everyone would agree on what is beautiful. Even quilts that take the top prize at quilt shows will be appreciated by everyone; and, some quilts will be absolutely adored by a few that are considered tacky by others. You really need to know what you yourself consider to be a beautiful quilt, what you consider to be very ordinary and what you really wouldn't want to see in your home.

Do what you like. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!!"

i bet your quilts are just as beautiful as anyone elses= we tend to be too critical of our own work!
i have a couple quilts---i do not like- am horribly unhappy with---that other people just *gush* over...one i have been so tempted to just cut up-and do something different with- but everyone that sees it---loves that quilt! i don't get it- but i'm not brave enough to cut it up- they see something i do not.
don't be so hard on yourself-
show us some pictures- if there really is a problem- need a color fix or something we can help you figure that out if it's really there- and if it's not-maybe we can get you past that --mines not as good as yours---thing going on in your head

I wonder if the quilter who made the quilt that we all think is beautiful, and compare our own work to, thinks the work is wonderful. I think we are all our own worse critics. If everyone else thinks our work is beautiful, who are we to argue with them. As for me, when someone is complimenting something I have done, my mind is saying, they are just saying that, I know where all the flaws are.
Sue

I just had a look at your "ugly quilt' and I thought it was beautiful :)

I looked at both quilt tops you posted pics of and do not see ugly quilts at all. When you look at your work are you seeing only what you could have done differently or 'better'? Guess that's something many of us do.

I always feel the same. But I think we might be alittle hard on our selves. Iam sure what you make is every bit as beautiful as what everyone else does.

You have to create what you will enjoy. I see some fantastic and beautiful quilts, but when I ask myself "would I enjoy that pattern?" and the answer is No, then I become the admirer. Also, I know that I have a little trouble with that color wheel thing. You can't compare your quilts and creativity with everyone else because you are unique and an individual. You have to be happy with you create. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all have our own style - the important thing is: Have fun.