I am almost done with my first quilt. But as I stitch in the ditch, I see how my measurements are a little off, my basting (is that the right term? Or am I just thinking turkeys?) is not very good at all, and of course my flannal back does not line up the way I wanted.

The back I can deal with as lesson learned. The top is much better than the other tops I have started and never finished. The thing that gets me is that even though I pined the layers together, they are not very flat at all once I quilt it.

But when I look at it - almost finished and only the binding needing to be done, I realize that I kind of like it that way. I want my "quilts" to be comfy and useable. I don't want to spend so much time working on it trying to make it perfect that I end up not wanting to actually use it in fear of ruining it. I want my quilts to be used by my whole family, including my dogs and cats.

Is that crazy? I think the fact that it is not completly flat makes it a little more coushey. If I am a blanket maker . . .can I still play with all you quilters? :)

Pictures to come this weekend. It is very traditional in the front made with aquired FQ's and some misc fabric I had. The back is more like a party. Kind of like a mullet! Business in the front, party in the back!

looking forward to the pictures, and I LOVE cuddly quilts too.

No one is going to tell you that it didn't turn out right but yourself. If you are happy with it, then it is just fine.

I'm with you! I have never made a perfect quilt, and never will. But my little quirks in each quilt are what makes them mine.

I find I like my quilts after it is washed. A lot of the inperfections are not noticed at all.

LOL @ the mullet quilt!! It's nice to have a little suprise on the back. Remember, no one will see the mistakes as much as you do.

Of course you can still play with us LOL There are no quilt police here :wink: If there was I would have been given the boot years ago :shock: LOL I don't make perfect quilts either, I would rather they be used then just looked at :thumbup:

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Ditter

I would just focus on the fact that this quilt will be well used and loved for many years to come!!! :D:D:D

The important thing to me is to enjoy the process. I want my quilts to be loved and used. I'd rather see one being used for sunbathing than hanging on a wall with a ribbon. I have friends who enjoy the acclaims and awards and that is great if that is what they want, but I was never in a beauty contest and my quilts won't be either.

I have yet to see a perfect quilt anywhere. You can always find something wrong with any of them (more than one something with mine). I feel quilts are made to be used, not just admired. Keep up the good work!

LOL, mine will never be good enough for quilt show, they are barely good enough for general use, but I sure do enjoy the process. Saves my sanity.

Lol, mine are never perfect either, but i sure enjoy working on them!

On one of the first quilts I made, I was off just a touch on my cutting and just a touch on my sewing which made some of my block off a inch when I sewed them together. My niece still loved her quilt. I have gotten better at my cutting and sewing, but I don't really care if the blocks are off some. I just trim them down and sew it together anyway. I'm not perfect, so none of my quilts will be either.

I also want my quilts to be used and loved. What I have noticed is that every quilt I make is a good exercise in learning something. Keep going and you may find that you taste changes over time like I did. I still like scrap quilts though and simple patterns really please me with lots and lots of different fabrics. One of the things I love about this craft is it's diversity so everyone can find some aspect that they enjoy be it the maker or the observer.

I love your feelings about quilts. That's the way I feel. I have one quilt I made for my daughter and she packed it away. It was a T shirt quilt and she wants to save it. All my other quilts are used and loved and that's the way I want it.

As far as I'am concerned you can join the rest of us anytime. Not one person on this board can claim an absolutely perfect quilt. Don't ever think your work is not worthy. I have never put a quilt in a show and I'am always breaking the rules when it comes to quilting. Only one person needs to be happy with what you are doing, that is YOU! Can't wait to see your pictures.

I'm with you blanket maker! I love sewing the tops, but they always have flaws and the backs are never tight. No one else seems to care so neither do I :). I usually make all mine with someone in mind so I say a little prayer for them while I'm stitching. I think I enjoy them more than the recipients.

Love your ideas about your blankies. Welcome to the site.

I have a lot of blankets. :lol: But I think if the top is more than one whole fabric piece--it's a quilt. It's not a perfection thing--it's a fabric thing.

Your post was so cute. Thanks for the giggle. :lol:

Here is is! All done. I learned a lot. Including that I am a blanket maker, I love flannel backs, and I will probably always pull the front to the back, or the back to the front for binding.

It is pretty wrinkley on the first couple, the quilt inspectors Lincoln (in photo) and Truman had spent some time on it before I got a chance to take pictures :D

Thanks for all the insperation and advice!!!!

I am thrilled that you are working. Hope you are enjoying the mags.

Having UFOs makes you a bonafide quilter!

thanks for sharing the picture of your quilt

So after showing the pictures, I'm wondering what is wrong with the quilt? If you like it and if you don't "save" it for special occasions, then, in my mind you are a WINNER :lol: :lol:

A couple of things to keep in mind ... when you wash it, some of the wrinkles will go away because of shrinkage <g> ... but, it will still be comfy and cozy and loved very much.
I think you are a quilt maker, and a darned good craftsman if you enjoy the process and see room for improvement, with an appetite whetted for the next quilt you make.
The process is almost more important than the product for most of us, I think. The fact that we can produce something comforting and useful is a bonus.
When you are doing a stitch in the ditch, a walking foot will be helpful, and the other thing is to take note of the size of your stitching when you get to the quilting process ... when we are piecing, most of the time, we work with a 2 or 2.5 stitch length.
However, when you begin to quilt the top, batting, and backing, you need to lengthen the stitches to 3.5 or 4 to accomodate the added thickness of the layers.
Between the walking foot and the lengthened stitches, you will not see so many "wrinkles" - - I am thinking. <wave>
Did I tell you that you did good for your first quilt and that we welcome your joining us? We get very excited when we have another join our forces ;-) :thumbup:

Thanks Omak. Ironically, I quilted most of this on Thursdy and Friday after work. Friday night I watched one of the Eleanor Burns shows that mentioned making the stitches longer. . .lesson learned :) A walking foot is on my wish list - and will soon be ordered - I just have not gotten around to it just yet.

I do really like the process. I was really happy with the way the binding worked out even thought it was not a traditional binding. Looks good either way.

I spend a ton of time on the board - and it really does keep me motivated. My husband told me a few months ago that if I ever finsihed a project . . then we could turn the extra bedroom into a sewing room. PROJECT FINISHED!!!!

I can't wait until I don't have to pull all my stuff out from one room to the dining room table.

I think once I got started, I was on a roll. It just took some time for me to realize that as my first or second attempt I don't have to try so hard to mirror some of what I see on the board. Now I know, I will get better at it, I do really enjoy it, and some day down the line, maybe . .just maybe . .people will look at what I create and get motivated the way I did by looking at others work.

Thanks so much for all the nice comments!! :)

Your quilt is beautiful you should be proud I know I would be.

I think you did a wonderful job! :thumbup:

im scared to wash my quilts i have made about 5 aND I HAVNT WASHED ONE YET I CAN JUST VISUALIZE THEM ALL WRINKELED UP HA/ I HOPE IM WRONG

In one class, the instructor suggested that quilts be washed in Downy or a soap that is very gentle like maybe one of the detergents for baby clothes or a special soap for fine linens, even. Use cold water, don't agitate, just soak then drain the water...if using your machine, use the delicate cycle but don't wash for very long at all. She said that the detergent left in the fabric is what causes a quilt to collect soil. She dried her quilts for a very short time then spread them out to dry on a table or bed, etc. Lots of people like the vintage, old fashioned cotton quilts with the puckered look. By washing them this way, you don't get much shrinkage or puckering. Leaving them in the dryer longer will shrink them more if that's what you want.
Some people believe that quilt is a work of art and should not be used or washed. In my house it would really collect a lot of dust and be yucky dirty if not washed.

Hate to dash your illusions of being a "blanket maker" you are so a QUILTER....love your pics and your helpers. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

I never wanted to see what would happen to any of my quilts after they were washed, but a recent community project made washing the quilts necessary.
I have a front loading washing machine, so that is almost as gentle as it can get. When you consider that most of my quilts go to veterans in hospitals -- it is a good idea that we pre-wash before sending the quilts into an institution setting.
Anyway, I used color magnet sheets in the wash, using cold water wash and rinse.
When I put it in the dryer, I put it on the longest, hottest dry setting I could get.
I have been so pleased with the results, that I will be washing all of my quilts from now on (as soon as they are finished) ... they weren't all crinkled up as I thought they might be, but then ... I don't do a lot of quilting ... the purpose of quilting, after all is to anchor the three layers (top, batting, and backing) together so that the quilt will stay a quilt once it is washed.
The fact that quilting can be beautiful is a side-benefit. It's primary purpose is practical <wave>

Melinda in Tulsa, and anyone else that will listen, I too have trouble making a everyday quilt let alone one I would want anyone to look at closely. But as Melinda said its not the quilt, its the process and my sanity. I love it all, and so what if they don't look perfect, they are yours. So good luck with them all, it does get a little better with time. Hang in there and have fun with what you do.

Rita

I really like it too, It looks very cozy and I love that more than anything. I will have to buy some flannel that makes it so soft.

Yes...keep playing! Who would allow the quilt police to come over and look anyway???? NOT me!!!! I love them no matter how wonky!

I love it ... I think it's very pretty :D

If I waited for "perfectness" in my quilts I would not have half the tops I do and certainly would not be in the boomerang swap. We all need time to learn and that's what you are doing learning. I too prefer flannel backing.

I agree - look forward to pics

The main purpose to quilt to me is that they can wrap around you and make you feel warm and cuddled. You have made a real quilt!