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Put the quilt away for several weeks. Start a new project. Then get out the quilt and you may have a different perspective. By the way,how close is the relative?
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I messed up one of my own quilts and DEQUILTED it. I used a mustache trimmer and lots of time and I took all the stitching out. It looks perfect now
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What a shame! That's almost an advertisement for checking someones work before you hire them. I would suggest to anyone hiring a LA quilter to have them show you lots of samples of quilts they have done. That way you can see the quality of their work and their style. Everyone is different and puts a different twist on things. That's the only way you'll know for sure if their work is of acceptable quality to you.
As for this one - start rippin!!! Good Luck and be sure to post pix when it gets done right. |
I am so sorry this happened to you. Been there with my very first quilt. That's why I ended up getting my own longarm. You won't be happy with this quilt until you rip it out - I wouldn't be happy either! - so check out youtube for videos on skinning a quilt so you can do it quickly, easily and without ripping the quilt.
Also, I know this is hard, but the quilter needs to know that she really messed up on your quilt and that you are so unhappy with the quilting that you are ripping it all out. Unless she knows where she mess up, how can she improve? I know it seams a no-brainer, but some quilters think that tucks are all right (yeah, I know one and she quilts for other folks, but doesn't understand why no one ever gives her a second quilt to do for them). |
Do you have someone close by that can come & help you with taking out the quilting? That will make it more fun & take less time
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Oh so sorry to hear that. I am sure she had the best intentions. Can you possible just rip out stitches with the puckers and smooth it out and do the stitching FMQ on your sewing machine? Iwould do that if the puckers aren't really bad or all over the entire back. Or else I would rip out all the stitching and have it done professionally. Quilty Hugs to you.
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Oh it isn't ruined. It just needs a little TLC. It will take time but rip out a little section a day and in no time you will have it back to the beginning.
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Originally Posted by Jim's Gem
How disappointing!!!!
It is a quilt that you are going to keep for yourself??? I would probably rip it all out. It may take a while but if you don't, every time you look at that quilt you will be unhappy about the quilting done on it. I wouldn't send anything to her again. You may want to eventually mention the puckers to her so she knows why you are not going to have her quilt for you again! |
Originally Posted by waladopa
Since it was my very first quilt top, yes, I wanted to keep it. My hubby wanted me to make it extra big so we could use it as a bedspread.
I am going to try my hand at quilting as I go. |
Wish I lived near you. I kind of enjoy ripping out.
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Originally Posted by Qwiltylady
Buy 3 good seam rippers and take her stitching out. You will lose the first 2 seam rippers so be sure to buy 3.
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I had a similar experience with my first "Stack 'n Whack" king size quilt. This was also the first time I had had a one machine-quilted. The lady who quilted it was referred to me by an acquaintance, and had not had a lot of experience on her new long-arm quilter. (That should have been a red flag for me) When I went to pick up my quilt, the lady told me it did not come out as planned and there are a lot of puckers in it. She took off about 1/3 of the price she had quoted me. I had seen some of her other work, and it was beautiful. She blamed it on the wool batting that I used, saying she had never used that before. I am not ripping mine out, have started binding it and will finish it when I get back from vacation. I would like to compare pictures with you - the puckers on my quilt actually look worse on the back. I think what upset me the most was that this lady said she had ripped it out when she first started quilting as she was having problems with it. I wish she had called me then and I would have taken it to someone else. I guess I'll just call this my "learning experience" quilt.
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OMG, I would have the glass of wine first!
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I remember when I first started LA quilting... I spent a lot of time ripping quilts out due to tucks, bad tension, etc. Any time those situations occur (and they some times just happen, even to the most seasoned of LA'rs). Even now, if I get tucks on the back or the tension goes wonky, I rip & redo (thank God it's not very often any more!)
My advice: When you're ripping, don't rush it and try not to get frustrated. Rip from the back of your quilt. If you were to accidently poke or tear the fabric w/your seam ripper, it would be less heart wrenching to replace the backing fabric than to damage the quilt top. When all is said & done, you'll be pleased you took the time to fix it. PS There are times that a customer's top has really full borders and/or fullness through out their tops that it's impossible not to get tucks/puckers. It isn't always something that is easily evident until it's loaded on to the LA table. I've spent hours on cases like this trying to minimize the fullness on quilt tops, it takes a lot of practice and patience. But, when it's really bad all I can do is the best I can do with what I had to work with. Anyone who's done an extensive amount of LA work can totally relate. (Not to say this is the case w/your quilt - it's just info on some of my experiences.) |
Don't drink & rip!!! lol
Originally Posted by justlooking
OMG, I would have the glass of wine first!
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Originally Posted by thequilteddove
I remember when I first started LA quilting... I spent a lot of time ripping quilts out due to tucks, bad tension, etc. Any time those situations occur (and they some times just happen, even to the most seasoned of LA'rs). Even now, if I get tucks on the back or the tension goes wonky, I rip & redo (thank God it's not very often any more!)
My advice: When you're ripping, don't rush it and try not to get frustrated. Rip from the back of your quilt. If you were to accidentally poke or tear the fabric w/your seam ripper, it would be less heart wrenching to replace the backing fabric than to damage the quilt top. When all is said & done, you'll be pleased you took the time to fix it. PS There are times that a customer's top has really full borders and/or fullness through out their tops that it's impossible not to get tucks/puckers. It isn't always something that is easily evident until it's loaded on to the LA table. I've spent hours on cases like this trying to minimize the fullness on quilt tops, it takes a lot of practice and patience. But, when it's really bad all I can do is the best I can do with what I had to work with. Anyone who's done an extensive amount of LA work can totally relate. (Not to say this is the case w/your quilt - it's just info on some of my experiences.) Having many says it's an 'experience' issue, to me. Otherwise, there would have been at least a phone call to discuss options. Professional LA'ers do call when they see issues. I'm sorry this happened to you. Good luck with your ripping. Debbie in Austin P.S. A long time ago I made a utube video on 'How to Skin a Quilt'. It was made for some online LA friends, when I was just beginning to teach LAing. The method wasn't common knowledge then, as it is today. But, it may be helpful for you, or not. In utube, search for DebbieHQ and it's the 'How to Skin a Quilt' video. I am not able to get on there and copy a link since I'm not at home. It's sure a faster method, if it would work for you. |
If it were me, I would begin 'unsewing' all the stitches. You've put sooooo many hours into creating the masterpiece, it would be a shame to not be able to enjoy it!!! When you have it quilted the proper way, you can then look at it with pride!!!!! Best to you!
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SEW sorry this happened.
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am so very sorry ,do rip but be very careful you don't rip fabric ,don't do it when you are tired. best of luck.
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am so very sorry ,do rip but be very careful you don't rip fabric ,don't do it when you are tired. best of luck.
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oh dear double entry ,was SO slow going thro' said ERROR!!!
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[/quote]
I'd have to go have good cry then sit down with a cup of tea (or glass of wine) and a seam ripper.[/quote] Forget the glass of wine...take the bottle! |
Originally Posted by quiltyfeelings
I'd have to go have good cry then sit down with a cup of tea (or glass of wine) and a seam ripper.
Forget the glass of wine...take the bottle! |
oh dear had this same thing happen to me, I hid it for a year then took out all the quilting, took off the really cheapo batting and back, then sent it to my sister who machine quilted it on her long arm, soooooooooooo much better! finally can have it on a bed and not hidden away! I know just how you feel, so sorry this happened to you.
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I too would take the careful time to rip it out and start over. You've put so much time into building it, it makes sense not to give up. I would also let her know in a nice way how disappointed you were in the quality of her work and help her to know the mistakes she made if she wants continued referrals. Is there anyway she would let you use her long arm to do the quilting yourself? Might be worth asking.
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I don't know if I could rip out a King size one...that is so heartbreaking. I think I would try washing it first and see if the dryer will take up the slack in the puckers.
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Sounds like you're set on ripping it out, so have at it and I bow to your perseverence.
I personally would not rip it out, which makes me clearly in the minority here. I would rather spend my time figuring out a way to make what is already there appealing than picking at stitches and then having to re-quilt the whole darn thing. Are you sure that your efforts to hand quilt a king log cabin are going to be significantly better? Or done in this lifetime? Depending on the design, what I would do is figure out how to applique something interesting over the log cabin blocks, covering up the most objectionable puckers. I could imagine a floral and vine pattern working, or maybe even a favorite animal silhouette -- birds of various types are very popular right now, and would lend themselves to that approach. RST |
Personally, unless it is really bad I wouldn't rip it out... just me, chalk it up to a lesson learned...
Also, I wouldn't say anything to her unless you don't care about her friendship.. just don't send her anymore. Some things are not worth the hurt feelings.. |
I am so sorry you had this problem. Lesson learned for all of us.
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Originally Posted by hcarpanini
Ask your relative what type of batting she used. Some battings when washed will give the "puckered" antique look. You may be able to wash and dry your quilt and achieve that look. Good luck!
One thing you have to decide before using this method: you have to be willing to (as I call it), "sacrafice the backing" and replace it. It may have some places that can be reused for piecing, but will be useless for reusing it as the backing. You can reuse the batting. I take a rotary cutter and FROM THE BACK, between the backing and the batting, I very carefully cut the backing off. (Always keep the batting next to the quilt top, to help protect the top, and only cut between the backing and the batting. By pulling (tension) on the backing, you expose the qulting threads and are able to very carefully "cut" them, a few at a time. Then move your hands closer to the quilted area and repeat adding tension and cutting until finished. **You still have to be very careful (1) not to cut yourself and (2) not to cut through the batting to the quilt top. Did I say VERY CAREFUL? I have done this a couple of times and have been happy with re-quilting the top. Ellen |
Oh I'm so sorry this happened to you. I suppose if it were me, then I would start ripping out those stitches. Since the quilt is so large, can you make it a Seam Ripper Party with some women friends??? Just a thought to try to make the best of a bad thing. {{{hugs}}}
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Don't mention it to her. If she ever visits and sees it she will think she did an amazing job quilting it.[/quote]
I sort of like this comment - wouldn't want to hurt her feelings, & if I redid the quilt, I'd probably never say anything to the relative to spare her the embarrassment or maybe chagrin she'd feel. |
We live and learn - and you called it : you got what you paid for. Grab the 'unsewer' and proceed with hope for the future /// it's your first and it's a labor of love. It was suggested you get a friend or 2 to help - even kids can be helpful .. don't give up your quilt. If you cannot afford to have it quilted again, do a VERY LIGHT spray basting and then some pinning - and Stitch In The Ditch yourself. If the thing is just too thick and heavy to get through your machine throat .. maybe you can do a good job of tying your quilt. But keep it, it has a life in your life.
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No matter if the price is small or large, the quilter siad she could do the job and didn't. Take it back and tell her your very unhappy but Do Not Let Her take out the stitches. You should charge her for this labor and go to the BBB. If this is a business she should be hung to dry. I would be very angry too. You should log the hours it took to take the quilting out. I hate to hear of these things and hope you can at least get a refund. (If you paid by check, cancel the check).If this is a friend, all the better as I am sure she should understand how devestated you are. I will tell my friends in a nice way about something that bothers me. If you don't, it will burn a hole in you.
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Originally Posted by dgmoby
Originally Posted by thequilteddove
There are times that a customer's top has really full borders and/or fullness through out their tops that it's impossible not to get tucks/puckers. It isn't always something that is easily evident until it's loaded on to the LA table.
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LEARNED THE HARD WAY: if you have bias edges, STAY-STITCH them, but with your longest stitch, just like you learned to do in Home Ec working on wool or linen ... a simple pull here and there on that thread (here and there) will prevent that waffley business ... also be sure to tell your L/Aer that you have a bias border and ask her/his opinion on whether there is special handling ... if there is be prepared to either take it home and fix it ----or to pay for the extra work.
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i think you will be very sick of this quilt by the time you finish it.
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I'm so sorry to hear that. I took my very first quilt to have it quilted and had bad results. It is a pioneer sampler. I took out what stitching I couldn't live with and hand quilted it. Now I have machine quilting and hand quilting in one quilt. I use it on the back of the couch and don't worry about it getting used. After that I only use a quilter who is recommended or one whose work I can see. I cried over my first quilt so I sure know how you feel.:(
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I'm chuckling ... guess which quilt the family and friends will be fighting over some day!! ... They see it and associate it with love and friendly atmosphere ...probobly huggable/snuggable.
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If the LA was a quilter, they would have seen if there was bias. Unless they don't know, then they are not a quilter.
Originally Posted by City
LEARNED THE HARD WAY: if you have bias edges, STAY-STITCH them, but with your longest stitch, just like you learned to do in Home Ec working on wool or linen ... a simple pull here and there on that thread (here and there) will prevent that waffley business ... also be sure to tell your L/Aer that you have a bias border and ask her/his opinion on whether there is special handling ... if there is be prepared to either take it home and fix it ----or to pay for the extra work.
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