I am sure there are many people on this Board that would be proud to be called "professional quilters." Some are, but most are not, me included. I cook because I HAVE to. I quilt because I WANT to.

I second Omaluvs comments.
There are many of us that are just quilting for fun!! Is there any other reason. Please share what you do too.
;)

Hi KSue, I am an average "Jane." I have only been quilting for about 3 years. From the very beginning I dared to share pics of my work knowing I have no where near the expertise of others who post. However, I received a great deal of encouragement, and when I asked for it, excellent suggestions and helpful critique.

When the forum changed its' format my learning curve with posting pics was much steeper than many who "got it" right away. I would like to encourage you "to hang in there" so many of us don't miss your presence and creative ideas.

Picasso, Michelangelo, the painting senior citizen, the teen in art class, the kindergartner finger painting. These are all artist in their own rights. Every one of those have painted or created art for their pleasure and to share with their peers and those around them to admire and celebrate their accomplishment. The same with the quilting forum. We all enjoy each others accomplishments. Don't deprive us of celebrating with you and your inspiring us.

OOOOh girl professional quilters we are not

Not all of us. there are so many first time quilters here. and I am amazed at what the first timers do. I quilt all the time and do not concider my self anywhere near as talented and these people BUT I post mine anyways. wht auntpiggyln said DO NOT SELL YOURSELF SHORT. and if you are having any trouble posting here pls contact someone, anyone on the board will be able to help you.
hope to see you quilt soon.
Dawn

I think you may get that idea because often those who post are promoting their customers' work that they have quilted on their longarms. I personally enjoy seeing all the pictures and don't try to compare mine with anybody else. I love what I do and don't post pictures, but if I did it wouldn't be for anyone to compare me with anyone else. I just encourage you to love what you do and be proud of it because it comes from the ability God gave you. Enjoy the experience.

I've never done an artsy quilt before or a really hard quilt either. Mine are pretty basic. And I won't show mine either. I kind of understand where you are coming from. I don't think there are any snobs here by any means. I think all the gals here are super nice and pat everyone on the back for every quilt they see. But I think my quilts, too, aren't up to par with the others and won't show them. Maybe someday. Part of the problem is I don't quilt my own quilts. I take them to a long armer and I know everyone gushes over everyone's quilting abilities.

As much as I love exquisitely done quilts, I actually PREFER seeing "regular" quilts, and if everyone said they arent going to post theirs, I'd die! Please post your " regular" quilts, the joy and love that you put in them always show thru! The quilt made for the new grandchild by a loving grandmother with mismatched seams, the quilt made for a sick hospital patient by a worried friend with wonky borders, the imperfect charity quilts made from a giving heart speaks to me in ways the works of art do not.

Now, of course these pros make me constantly try harder, and I learn a LOT from them, so I wouldn't want them to stop posting,either. There's nothing like a show quality quilt to take my breath away and inspire me! Also, I assume they all started somewhere, and I appreciate all the hard work it took to get to that level, whether or not I will ever be on that level.

Our differences are the beauty of this place! I believe there's a place for us all here.

Please don't criticize yourself! True, we are our own worst critics but there are so many beginners on the board and they are so excited about learning the skills we can offer. Keep on posting your pics; we learn something here every day by looking at what others do.

If they were giving out awards for Worst Quilter of the Year, I'd be sure to walk away with the trophy so don't worry that your "talents" aren't on a par with others on the Board. We're all a friendly group of folks who support people who need a push in the right direction.

That being said, I'd never post any of my work on the Board. Most have glaring mistakes that only stand out in my eye but would in another quilter's eye as well. Eventually I'll get the hang of this craft, only been at it about 7 years.:-(

My Dad always said, "You'll never learn any younger!" That's what I like about this board. I can learn from every quilt that's posted. All my quilting friends have been at it much longer than I have and some are really, really great and some are average quilters. But...we are all still learning. I get frustrated if I try to compare my quilts to some of theirs but if I don't keep trying, I'll never get any better. Some of my quilts are not anything to be proud of and some of them really make me happy but I learn from each one. Stand tall, be proud, post those quilts! We'd all love to see them.

AMEN sisters! We are all from different skill levels. It's so much fun to share ideas, get questions answered and to see what's been made to inspire me. Come on back!!!!!

I feel that way sometimes too. I still haven't shared any photo of my works because I see I'm not good enough like other Quilt Board members. But I keep watching photos of other people's works and spend lot of time watching tutorials and trying to improve my quilting. I hope I'll make it one day. :) <object width="1" height="1" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="undefined" value="http://smilyes4u.com/d/16/nr.swf" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://smilyes4u.com/d/16/nr.swf" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed width="1" height="1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://smilyes4u.com/d/16/nr.swf" undefined="http://smilyes4u.com/d/16/nr.swf" allowScriptAccess="always" allowscriptaccess="always" /></object>

master piece
 

mercy mercy you should't feel this way at all I am new also and I learn a lot from here all the ladies are so helpful in each way. If they have made something interesting they are more then helpful here, I wish you would give this all a throught myself look forward to seeing everyone things becasue belive me mine arent the best so lets get it togethere with that smiling face and show and tell we all love everything thanks

I already replied here, but feel it important to tell a little story here. I have sewed since I was 5 years old, am not almost 71. But I have been quilting about 4 years, thanks to a DN who encouraged me to start making placemats and table runners. She has since passed on, but left me with a legacy I will never forget. She showed me that you don't have to be the best at what you do, just LOVE what you do. Anyhow, last winter I got involved with watching Marestare.com. Many of you know about it. We watch horses and other animals that are about to give birth, so the owners can sleep, catch a school play or whatever. Anyhow, I got my heart yanked out by an organization called Operation Horse Rescue. The name says it all. I decided that since I didn't have money to help them out, I would donate a quilt for them to auction off. Many of you may have seen my "Mountain Sunset" bargello I made a couple weeks ago. It was my 2nd bargello, and I felt it was not perfect by any means, but my heart was in every thread in that quilt. Ann received the quilt last week, and it has been put up for a silent auction. The first bid is $250 already. Someone saw the quilt and valued it at $600-$1200, by only looking at the pictures. What?????? My quilt?????? I am still in shock and in awe!!!! So, ladies, don't take anything for granted. You, too, can do it. I would never have ever, and still don't, consider my work worthy of a juried quilt show. But who knows, you too, may find yourself on the receiving end of some serious gratitude from someone in need of your artistic talent. Please, EVERYONE! Keep posting your work (or play)! We all learn from it. I never would have tried a bargello if I hadn't seen some posted here.

I think some of the most appealing quilts are the ones that look 'user-friendly'

HI I know how you feel But I still post my pictures allthough it has been a while, and I am far far from being a pro at this I quilt for my kids and grand kids And for me I do it for love of quilting

Well, I guess I will chime in with the rest and say I am definitely not a professional!! I quilt because I enjoy it, because it gives me a wonderful sense of accomplishment, because my grown children and grandchildren and now my great grandson all love my quilts, because it gives me an outlet for expressing my creativity. I'm sure there are a lot of other "becauses" but these are the ones that pop into my head. I do all my own FMQ, even though my stitches are not even, I buy clothing at the thrift shops and reuse the fabrics, I buy most of my fabric at a fabric outlet where the most expensive quilting cotton is $3.50 a yd, I only buy sale fabrics at Hancocks and JoAnns. I have seen work on the Board that is so beautiful you have to call it a Masterpiece and I go back to look at them many times for inspiration, but try not to compare myself to those quilters. I have looked at your work and greatly admire what you have posted, don't be so hard on yourself. I am in my 70's and it took me a while to learn how to post photos, but seem to have finally gotten it down. PM me and we can work together on the phone until you feel comfortable. By the way I don't have a camera, I use my phone. I think it does fine. Happy Quilting, Polly

I did the same thing as AZJane above. I retired from teaching and was just lost and bored to death. A friend suggested quilting classes, and I went along just to have something to do. Although I've always had a sewing machine, I hated to sew. Hated making clothing or anything that had to fit because they never did!

Quilting was totally different though. I love it, and I'm a beginner too. I make lots of mistakes because I'm always rushing to get something done. I should slow down and be more careful. I've gradually improved over time, but there's so much room to improve lots and lots more.

I enjoy seeing the average quilts because it encourages me to keep on trying. I enjoy the simplicity of an easier pattern since they inspire me to try something new. I enjoy the gorgeous ones that are shared here, but I know I'll never be that good. I just want to make quilts for the people I love and as gifts to others.

I think there are a lot of us "quilting challenged" doing our quilts....I know I'm far from being good enough to do so many of the quilts I see on this board, but I love seeing what others have done. So far I stick to the "easy" stuff, ie, DP9, rail fence, pinwheels, four patch, and two or three of the ones I have seen on Missouri Quilt Co with pre-cuts. I will once in a while do some machine quilting with the decorative stitches on my machine. Usually baby quilts as they are easy to handle on the machine. I haven't tried the FMQ as yet. Maybe I'll get brave enough one of these days. Most of the quilts I make are tied. I have learned a lot from the wonderful ladies and gents on this board and so appreciate all their tips and help. So don't feel alone and just keep on quilting

I disagree with your statement. I've only been quilting since January and my work is definitely not up to the standards of some of the work I've seen posted here. I feel that the more I look and read and post the more great advice I'll get!

I've seen some incredibly beautiful work, and then I've seen some not-so-incredible work, but we're all enjoying doing what we love to do and that's the fun of it!
Think positive! :)

"Perfect" or not, I love seeing all the quilts here on the QB. Not only are they the poster's pride and joy, they are very inspirational to me. I love seeing the different way blocks are joined, and the joy of discovery when those two blocks create another design. We are our own worst critics...so post those pictures and give us a chance to see your masterpieces of art!

KSue if you need help getting your pics loaded I will try for you. I have PhotoShop 9 and Paint that I use to re-size and color-correct. Just send me a PM and we'll go from there.

I feel for you having trouble with the QB. If you PM one of the moderators they will be helpful in teaching you to post pictures and there really are all sort of quilters on the QB. I am a self taught quilter. I really enjoy not knowing everything that others do cause it doesn't matter if I make a 'mistake' or not cause I don't know better. I enjoy quilting and I am far from what most people would consider perfect. Keep on playing with the QB. It took me a long time to learn the little I do know about how it all works but I get by!
peace

The photos posted here give me courage and inspiration to keep trying. And I hope you will post yours. You may not feel like a professional, but many of us are rank beginners and we learn a lot from each quilt we see. So keep in mind that you are helping us and that this is not a competion, but a fun hobby we share. I haven't posted a photo yet because I haven't completed a peaced quilt. But when I do, I'll post it because I have no friends or family who is the least bit interested. You all are my only "friends" who will let me show off my work no matter how amaturish. And it will certainly be that. Keep up the good work and share you fun and quilts with us.

I've discovered that the pictures of my quilts often make them look much better than I think they look in person! And besides, with the camera I don't have to focus in on the boo-boo's like I do automatically when I look at it in person.
So share your pictures with us, we promise not to tell you anything derogatory, even if you ask for a critique. I've found that the people here can tell you ever so nicely what you need to do to improve without making you feel like a blithering idiot for making whatever mistake you are trying to correct.
I love this board!!!

just as your signature states: Only God is perfect, our quilts don't have to be, live by this motto and your quilts will come alive and everyone will enjoy them!!

I have to agree here, I am by no means a pro nor want to be ... and have so much to learn..I quilt for the enjoyment of it.. seeing what others have accomplished gives me ideas of what I might want to try...
This board has helped me so very much... Thanks to all for the inspiration and ideas that are submitted..
And yes I have had some trouble posting pics with this new site... but have to admit I have not taken the time to find out what I am doing wrong... one of these days I will.
I have no other connections to quilters but thru this board and love to see all the different trials, errors and accomplishments of those here.
So, what I am saying is don't give up the ship... all are here to help..

I agree with May in NJ--I am having fun with the board and quilting. I used to make my clothes and quilting is much different. I look at all the beautiful items and sigh because while I was a fairly good seamstress I am a lousy quilter. I love to switch and swatch out patterns and colour. I may start with one idea and end up with another.

My BFF says I quilt like I drive-all over the place!!! with no real idea where I am going. Quilt for yourself and don't judge your quilts or life by anyone else.

Just enjoy the board and listen to all the people here who share ideas and advice. There is a lot to learn and while we all can't be brain surgeons, we can all take out a splinter!!

Please don't stop....this is a wonderful place to see all levels of performance and skill. I know my attempts are far from masterpieces but I get positive re-enforcement and good advice for what is wrong. I understand I see some superb and breathtaking items on here; but anything made by hand filled with love and time is just as worthy for display!

KSue must be having a bad day. Go ahead and post photos of your quilts. How else can we tell you how good they look.I have never seen a bad revue on the quilts on this site....not ever....