OCD quilting.
 

I am very OCD when it comes to making a quilt. It has to be balanced same on each side. I am finding the new modern quilts where they are different patterns all over. Does anyone else have this problem.?

don't look at it as a problem, just a preference ;-) You'll try something else when you want to.

You think inside the box and like symmetry. There is nothing wrong with that. Usually I am the same way. However, I am willing to try one that has some parts of it sticking out into the border! Have a great day!

I can appreciate, and have made both styles.

My problem is I prefer matchy matchy quilts. I have made quite a lot of scrappy quilts. They really throw me off as I am always trying to get colors to match. I just have to go with totally scrappy and get on with it. I do like symmetry on lots of other things.

I guess I haven't seen that many modern quilts? I'm not sure what that means that they have different patterns all over? I have made quilts with uneven borders so that the quilt ends up a good size, especially if I've used a panel for the middle of the quilt.

I want the quilt itself to be squared up and laying flat with no cut off points in the blocks but other then that I don't care if a quilt is matchy or balanced just right. I like modern quilt patterns but not the art quilts.

Just the opposite here - Symmetry is not all that pleasing to me, so I have to mix it up. I usually do that with color placement, so might be the same block, but rarely will they be alike in fabric composition. I am a big fan of contemporary quilts, not so much traditional.

I think I broke free when I discovered machine applique. Now, I love both.

I love these replies I love applique but I still try to balance. I am doing Deck aid the halls with fat quarters. So far cine with sinle blocks of different sizes just about ready to join them together. No symmetry at all. Help

Sounds like you're doing fine, and when completed you'll love it! That's my favorite set up, different sizes of blocks. Join them with some sashing and you are all set. Are you using a pattern foe the quilt you are making?

Just remember you are probably your own worst critic! There are a lot more things to be concerned about like your health. We can't all be perfect but we can and are all perfectly imperfect.

Yes using a pattern. Google deck-ade the halls. It is in fat quarters site. They have a tutorial and patterns come periodically and make blocks next time it is the putting all together.

Cute pattern!
Visually the picture looks balanced, just not mirror image. I've found it's easier to "see" the balance at a distance or in a picture than when right on top of it. It also helps to think of it as things on a see saw, will one side weight the other down.

I use this process with arranging blocks of different colors, imagining the darker ones as heavier and the pale ones as lighter. I also want them scattered fairly evenly all over the top. Yes, looking random, but still planned.

If you analyze that picture, you can see the planning and organization, you just have to go past the "not exactly alike".

If this remains too far outside your comfort zone, you don't have to do another one!

You can still be proud of yourself for giving it a try and determining that you really didn't care to go that direction.

For myself, I can enjoy many designs that I would most likely never attempt, but I still can appreciate the time and effort involved in creating it.

Some I might wish to someday be able to duplicate, others I have no desire to contemplate making. And still others I've tried one and not cared for the results and reworked it (or planned how to do so) to fit my sense of how it should be.

If you still don't care for this after you do the "final" layout, you can always redesign to fit your taste!

Leave your OCD at the Dior of your sewing room or you will not enjoy the ride........we all have preferences as to what we prefer, but once in awhile we have to "try" something else.....that is part of this hobby....like all others there is always something new being introduced for those who might be interested....for those not, there is always the good traditional things.....don't sweat the small stuff.....widen your horizons.....and whatever other way you want to say it

I think it's quite normal to have personal preferences. I don't care for sampler quilts myself which makes it easy for me to bypass most BoMs. I like some asymmetrical layouts but mostly I choose symmetrical ones. I also don't do mystery quilts because I like to know what I'm getting into... but I love following along and watching others do them.

Hopefully you'll end up enjoying the process even if you don't love the project!

I like both and have done both. However, mostly complete symetrical quilts. I accept both as normal

i am very old fashioned in my tastes...the modern quilts are nice to look at...but, I wouldn't want to do one or live with one. I too like balance.

I agree this is just a preference.

JMHO: You are the one that has to be pleased! I could not personally live with a modern artsy quilt. I did try making one and it just wasn't "me". Fabric costs money and time is precious.......so I don't waste either, I do what I like, what will fit in my home, unless I'm creating something for someone else that has different tastes.

I can appreciate many of the non-traditional quilts at the quilt shows, but I sure couldn't live with them in my home.
There are no quilt police that are going to come into your home and judge what you have or are making.

I don't really see that at OCD . . . unless you go around trying to change others' quilts! :p

I like symmetry . . . and also like asymmetry. It's all about the fabrics playing well together, for me. Sometimes they don't . . . and that really, really bothers me. :eek:

This just shows how different we all are. Always make your quilts to please yourself and you will love them.

Balance///
 

Yes, yes, yes! I am not drawn to these unbalanced patterns used so much these days for quilts. they make me dizzy. Guess that means I am old fashioned....!

I wouldn't call it a problem, just a preference. The wonderful thing about quilting is whatever strikes YOUR fancy is good! I make scrappy quilts often; but they can only be scrappy to a point! There has to be SOME unifying factor for it to work with me; either a unifying color, or perhaps a center of a block that repeats in each block, or border colors that unify the scrappiness -- there HAS to be something!

Hang around, and after visiting many quilt exhibits, seeing the work of others, and reading quilt books and magazines, one day you'll find yourself stepping out of the box! I promise!

We each have preferences, and it is fun now and then to step out of our comfort zone and try something a little different. Why not? You may find you enjoy it

I agree. I expected to click on this thread seeing things about having to have things arranged just so, the machine and work area meticulously clean before starting, having all of the blocks laid out in order by color or size, and rows laid out exactly right so there was no chance of a twisted or misplaced block.

Uh... Not that I'd know anything about that.

Hah - the talk of symmetrical and "the box" makes me think of DH and me in the kitchen - - For him all appliances have to be "square" to the counters and corners - - and I am an "angle" and "balance" person. :-)

Marysrewfun

I am working on my first 'modern' quilt and it is taking time for me to get use to it. But after the first 2 rows matched up perfectly I am hooked! I am sure it is just coincidence but I think I like it.

I think one of the most appealing things about this art we all create is the vast possibilities there are for each of us. Each of us unique- even if we are using a kit- because the combination of fabrics appeals to what we want to make it becomes "our" quilt. I'm not a kit, BOM, really scrappy or modern design person, but I really admire others work in these areas. So great to have so many choices. Another thing to love about this board, the eye candy I can enjoy of projects I wouldn't choose to work on myself, but I can enjoy the choices and creativity of all of you!