OK, I decided to make a baby quilt for one of my best friend's grandbaby. Born in August. Got the top done (love it) and made the sandwich, but I just cannot get the quilting. I have ripped it out more than six times. I HATE QUILTING!!!!! I HATE IT, I HATE IT, I HATE IT! I swear I would rather re-marry my ex than every quilt anything again! (And that is SO not going to happen) So, I am not going to finish it. I may take it up to my LQS and see if I can pay someone there to do it. It's just a baby quilt, so it's way too small to send to my LAQ'r. Otherwise, I'm gonna sew a big X from corner to corner and use it for a dog bed, or a bath mat or a cleaning rag. Note to self: NO MORE SMALL QUILTS!!

I understand....the "quilting part" scares me. I have managed to sew my name and a few doodles but that's it.

Lynn

How about tying it with yarn, like they did in the old days. I have done a few of my baby quilts like that, and people really thought it was cute.
You can match the yarn to the colors in your quilt. And it will save you some money.

OH DEAR, sounds like you have had a really bad day.
put it away and look at it another time when you are more in control of you frustrations.
Hope you do finish it or get someone else to. lots of time and effort go into our quilts it would be a shame to let it beat you.

Thanks for the suggestion, but it really isn't a tie kind of quilt. It's a pretty, lacy girl quilt. I could just SITD in straight rows, but I really wanted something more. Oh well, it's my own fault. I know that I hate quilting, but I persisted against my better judgement. I don't like it, and I don't WANT to like it. So I just need to give up.

If it bothers you that much then getting rid of it is a sensible solution. I've had things like that and every time I see them I get irritated all over again. Best to get it out of your sight and system and get on with what gives you pleasure and serenity.

Perhaps someone on the Board would offer to do it for you. Wouldn't that be nice? There are lots of members that do quilting and seem to love it.

June in Cincinnati

Can you post a picture?????

quilting takes practice...everyone has a 'learning curve' instead of giving up and not finishing it maybe just do some straight line quilting, perhaps in the ditch to hold it together, or depending on the batting you chose maybe it would work out to just tie it. being a small quilt it probably does not need alot of (heirloom/custom) quilting and if you used warm & natural you have up to 10" of space between quilting requirements. and then put together some placemats or pot holders and do some more practicing so when the next baby quilt need arises you will be more comfortable finishing up :thumbup: we all have to make practice pieces...and some are total failures! but we still stick to it...and try again when something does not work

Hold on to it until you have a large quilt going to your LAQ and just add it to the box...

I have had my share of projects that decorated the trash bin. Sometimes I just need to get it out of my sight , and sewing room so I can move onto something I like.
I beleive there is no sence in finishing a project that I hate. Sewing and quilting should be fun! If there is anything that can be learned ... I no longer keep going when its just BAD!
Long Arm professionals can be a piecers best friend!

I would tye it quick and painless I've also used decorative stitches on my machine to quilt my baby quilts . Post a pic and maybe we can give you a few ideas.Hope this helps I know how frustrating it is to rip things out.

I guess the issue is that I don't LIKE to quilt. I've done it, and successfully, but in the past. I like piecing, but if quilting were a mandatory part of this hobby, I would not be doing it. And while I have some cherished tied quilts from Gramma, (sorry y'all) I really don't care for the tied look, plus it definitely wouldn't go well with this quilt. Sigh, I guess I should have kept my meltdown to myself and not rained all over here. Sorry y'all, I'm better now. I'll see if the LQS can find someone to do it for me.

No, no, no! Friends are there to cheer you on and pick you up as needed. :D If you can't have a meltdown among friends, where can you?? ;)

I'm sure someone at the quilt shop will love doing it. I've always felt my quilting was my relaxing time so if I really hate doing something I don't do it. As for letting off steam, we are here to listen.

I totally understand you hate the quilting part. I do to!!!. That is why I call myself a Topper. I love making quilt tops large or small.. It's fine to hate the quilting.. ANy one that tells u it's not ok , just tell them to quilt it and then give it back. That will quiet them down. LOL :lol:

There's your answer. SITD and be done with it. No more stress, no more frustration, then no more baby quilts!!

I once made a quilt - small blocks on the diagonal - then a wide gathered inner border - real girly. That's all I knew to do and it came out fine.

Oh for crying out loud. Send it to me and I will quilt it for you. Quit yer bitchin!!!!!

LoL, I was going to say this same thing, though a little more diplomatically. :D

Now that's a true friend!! :shock:

I'll trade you for scraps! LOL

That IS diplomatic for kwhite!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

GaiGai, you are too hard on yourself. I love to piece and this is why I hand quilt. I can control everything. Bring it to retreat but whatever you do, don't stop trying. It's a challenge. Put is aside and do something else. If you want, bring it to retreat. I have a good "reverser", this is what I call my seam ripper. The Reverser. LOL Sending you hugs. I may have to make you a Dammit doll and send it to you. It works well. ROFL

Thanks Deb, but y'all just don't understand. I don't WANT to quilt. Period. I'd rather take up smoking. Or have weekly colonoscopys. I HATE to quilt. So why spend time doing something you dislike so much?

ROFLMBO. YOu bring that attitude to the retreat, I will love you for it. SO funny. ONLy between friends can we get by with it.

I hear ya. I don't like piecing. I mean REALLY don't like piecing. I have mostly made quilts like log cabins or Ohio Stars or Wickedly Easy - really fast and easy piecing so that I can get to the quilting part faster.

I made all the pieces for a 30's repro Drunkard's Path, I don't even know how long ago. All I have to do is sew them together, but there they sit in a tub. It gives me the same feeling as a giant pile of homework did in school. Ugh!

Too bad we aren't closer together. I would definitely trade tasks.

Gaigai - I understand, so don't quilt. Leave that to those who wanna. And do send it to Kwhite. LOL. I am still laughing, not at you but with you. YOu sound so upset. HOw about a glass of Desarona on the rocks? SO calming.

It's a deal. I'll piece for you and you quilt for me! Win/Win!!!

post a pic-

Just do what you enjoy... the piecing. Then pay someone else to finish for you, or work out a trade agreement with someone-- you piece their tops, they quilt your quilts... Or pay with fabric or something.

No sense trying to pound a square peg into a round hole. You do not HAVE to quilt your own tops.

Hi Gai, I used to like handquilting...Now I have arthritis and too many grandkids to quilt all the quilts by hand...I do longarm quilting and many ladies send small quilts to me...So just find a nice longarmer nearby and you can have fun piecing lots of quilts!
Karen in la.

Well, you are probably the closest! LOL. The LAQ'rs I've seen here in Houston have exorbitant rates, so I use someone from the board here, Candlequilter. I've never asked her if she does small stuff.

The decision is yours to make. If you want to put it away for a while and take another look at it later or if you want to just throw it out and get it out of your sight. Giving it to someone who would enjoy quilting it might be an option. I used to insist that I finish anything I had started. I have since decided that only I expected that of me and so now I do what brings me joy and if it doesn't, I don't. So give yourself a break and do what brings you joy.

PMSL! I was about to offer as well but the postage here would be more and I know kwhite will do an excellent job. Anyhow, if ever you want something small doing and it would enjoy a trip to England, I'd be more than willing. You pay this way and I'll pay back - would probably only be about $8 each way for something the size of a baby quilt. And I'd be happy to do it for you mon amie. :-D :-D :-D

Heck, I'll throw in some money to cover your Poise Pads. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ok I'm not familiar with the brand but I'm guessing it DEPENDS if you think I really need them while quilting? Still PMSL!

As a longarmer, send it to a quilter whose work you like. My minimum is $25 plus postage for reference. I got my longarm because I hated quilting on a standard machine but I love my Gammil with a computer (Statler Stitcher). Another option to tying your quilt: little bows tacked through all layers (instead of buttons) or lacey flowers?

I hate quilting by hand, too. I take my baby quilts to the quilt arm lady...pricey, but worth it.

That's why I bpught an inexpesive Long Arm. The actaul quilting kept me away for long long time.
MK

describe how you are trying to quilt it.

LOL she is quite right!!. Seriously Gai. Send it on. I will finish it for you and either bring it with me in May or send it back. No prob!!!