I always feel so "inadequate" when I view the quilts at quilt shows. I will never be that good no matter how hard I try.

But, my family thinks I am the world's best quilter and treasure the quilts I have made them - less than perfect seams and all.

SS is a perfectionist for the perfectionist! My DD has the same birthday as Sharon Schamber (day and month) and she is a perfectionist in every thing she does (makes me crazy watching her do something ) If only she would love to quilt she would be an award winning quilter in no time. LOL

I was lucky enough to be near Sharon's quilts when she was there answering questions. It was a mini lecture and quite delightful. She is a very talented artist and gives everything to her craft. I admire her skill and talent but recognize that she is an artist and therefore she thinks differently from me and sees the world in a different way.

I know I could never do what she does and that's ok. Don't be depressed, we are all talented in our own special ways.

There's no denying the talent of someone like Sharon Schamber, but I think no matter how "good" we get, we'll never be able to view our own work with the same awe as someone else because we look at our own work and see all the flaws we KNOW are there. Perfection may not be an achievable goal, but we can always strive for improvement. The closest I come to being "wowed" by my own work is when I look back and see how far my skills have come. If I can constantly learn and improve and still have joy in what I do, then I guess I am doing pretty well.

Amen to that! I wholeheartedly agree.

Many years ago before there were quilt shows, I put a quilt into a sort of "fair" called the Big E. It won a blue ribbon. So years later when they started having quilt shows, I entered one I was very proud of. I went to te show and walked up and down every aisle and never noticed my quilt! It was there but totally overshadowed by the "masterpieces". So the question was did I want to continue to make quilts which I enjoyed and hop from quilt to quilt or did I want to spend a year or more working on one "perfect" show quilt? A no brainer for me. I could not bear to work one just one quilt for a year or more. I would feel like I was missing out on all the others I could be making. So there!

I never look at the quilts. Only if color usage catches my eye. I go for the notions, patterns and fabric. I'd far rather see antique quilts - worn and made with love - than someone trying to win a prize or pander to the quilt police or fashion. I don't care for heavy all over quilting.

As a new quilter, matter of fact, I don't consider myself a quilter, I just sew fabric together, but my family and friends think I know how to quilt, so I continue on this journey. I love every second I'm at the cutting table and sewing machine...I wish I could do it 18 hours a day....but I still work fulltime outside the house and babysit 2 nights a week and most weekends so I don't get to quilt as much as I'd like. I love the anticipation of which project to start next and always seem to want to be in a hurry for some reason. Not sure why that is. Anyway, I love the process making the quilt probably more than the actual finished quilt, mistakes and all!!! Enjoy the journey...

Every time I go to the Pacific International Quilt Fest, I feel the same way. I am amazed by the talent of so many and in the same breath, I wonder what made me think I was a quilter! But then, it strengthens my resolve to ever improve my craft.

I am inspried by the quilts I see at shows. But I accept my limitations and know that I will never be that good. I just do my best and enjoy the process. I wonder if the makers of these beautiful quilts look at their work and see mistakes as I do in mine.