I was driving along the road, and passed a yard sale/flea market type place and there was a booth set up with quilts. Needless to say, I did a u-turn and went back. One of the quilts was outstanding from the road, it was an appliqued nine patch with coal miners on it. Done in all white and black. This is the coal capital so, anything with coal mining is huge.

Lots of people were buying her quilts anywhere from $150-400. She had several that were panels with borders added, one was the footprints panel I'm working on.

Once I got to looking at them close, the machine applique wasn't very good at all. They looked about like mine! I've been very aggravated over my machine applique, feeling like it's terrible, etc.

None of the people noticed any imperfections at all. They were going crazy over them, and I overheard several people make comments like "hand made quilts are the best, thats all I ever buy, etc" .

So, maybe , I've been being too hard on myself? Maybe it IS ok that my quilts aren't perfect? If people are happy to pay money for quilts that are about the same skill level as mine, then I must not be too bad, huh?

It really made me think. I don't think any of those people would have cared if the seller HAD pointed out the imperfections. I think they would have loved the quilts, just the same. It was the "handmade-ness" that was so special to them, not whether the seams matched or the stitches were off.

well I'm planning to take a few of mine to a very big flea market next month, I hope I have such luck!

Too often on here, I hear quite a few people, especially newer quilters, being far too hard on themselves and their work. This is a great place for encouragement and a more unbiased opinion. It's so helpful here!

They must have been "non-quilters" to not know machine from hand applique. Maybe you should think about setting up a booth and selling your own. I guess only you would know the imperfections. I was amazed yesterday when I went to my LQS and was looking at the quilts hung up as examples for upcoming classes. On one the SID was "off" in a lot of places and it made me feel better about my own quilting :)

I have a tendency to be hard on myself, too. Went to a quilt show last summer and was shocked what people put up for display!!!! I'm going to display mine NEXT summer AND put some up for sale!!!!

I use the 10 foot rule for all my quilts!!

I hope you are not disappointed at the flea market. People are always looking for a good deal and don't understand what you are selling. I wish you the best of luck. I wish I could see what you are selling ;-)

I think most of us are way too hard on ourselves. A few years ago, a wonderful (experienced) quilter whom I thought was perfect explained to me that she was the only one who knew where the mistakes were and I should keep in mind that "finished is better than perfect". It has stuck with me and I am working on "letting go"!

I think we all do out best effort. Depending on experience the results may be different. As long as you enjoy what you are doing that is what counts. Hopefully we will learn and improve along the way.

I use the galloping horse rule!

what is that? Hold on and enjoy the ride?