I see so many posts here where people post pictures of beautiful quilts and then say 'it's not perfect'. I feel people are too hard on themselves, if it was perfect it would not look handmade. If you want a perfect quilt, buy one at Walmart that is made in China. If your quilt is as beautiful as is looks in the picture, then it is perfect in my book. Give yourself the credit you deserve.

I always want to ask the maker "what is not perfect". There may be a lesson to learn or something just in the eyes of the maker

GEEZE!!! You think Wal Mart quilts are perfect?? YUCK!!

X2!!! lol

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I agree!

I get what he means by "perfect wal-mart quilt" as in perfect...because it's done in production.

There is no such thing as perfect. The most beautiful things have some flaw. We just have to do our best and take pride in what we do.

That is exactly what I meant. All done on a production line.

Of course the quilts are not perfect...what is? Unless made by God there are faults.

Even though Walmart quilts are done on a production line they're still made by women sitting at sewing machines. They're about as imperfect as you can get.

i do not think all people are being too hard when they say "its not perfect".

many people want to improve their skills with each quilt so they study it and find the weak points so they know where they need work and more practice.

not everyone is negative when they say these things - it could just be a learning critique of their work.

My definition of a perfect quilt - FINISHED.

I strive for excellence, not perfection. I don't think perfection is attainable for there is always room for improvement.

AMEN

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That's not true either. Nothing in nature is perfect either. Everything has flaws of one kind or another.

what is funny about this is, i think often, "i made it and i am focusing on the flaws", you make it and i am focusing in the beauty, i do think there is some truth in that, in a way it is like cooking, it doesn't look exactly like the picture in the cookbook, so a person feels they have failed, when it tastes darn good, and thats what matters, lol

jan

WELL SAID!!!

Good definition! :P

And all this time I've been thinking that most humans have faults AND they were created by God.

Theres always room for improvement and if start to think theres no way I could improve then I see a problem. Because nothing is perfect me nor the quilt. But I do understand what your saying (i think). We all human, we're all quilters, so it doesn't need to be said, because as adults we understand its a given "its not perfect" I think what some of us really mean to say is " I wish it were a little better and I can show you every flaw but I took this picture so you couldn't see the really big mistakes, so dont look to hard, but I would love it if you told me I did good!" Its not perfect is just so much easier.

Didn't know god is a quilter too. Maybe she does the quilting between cheering on the NASCAR racers and protecting the soldiers, ey?

To quote my Mom - again:

"Perfection is impossible.
Excellence is attainable."

Absolutely! Quilts are like anything else. If you make it, you are your worst critic. I have done a little cake decorating. I don't sell anything b/c I never thought they were good enough. I then really looked at the bakery cakes--even those expensive wedding cakes--and realized what could be sold as fine or even very expensive wasn't any better than some of what I have done.

The same is true of quilts. They are made from the heart. They are gifts of Love. Perhaps b/c they are gifts of love we wish they were perfect. We just need to accept that perfection is not a reality. Just enjoy the hobby and learn as you go....

Mad!!

I can't say that I think Walmart quilts are beautiful. I bought a beautiful quilt at Penney's a couple years ago before I started quilting. It's only washed a few times each year (not used too much). But it's already falling apart and it wasn't cheap!

Well said! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I was told when I started quilting to not criticize my work. I DON"T! And I am happier for not doing it.

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Thank you for your comment because that is exactly how I feel. I am a fairly new quilter and do only crib or lap quilts. My skills have gotten better because after each finished quilt I look at it and see where the "mistakes" are and try to figure out how to do better. And I have gotten better.

I think it is just a way of being modest about their achievements.

Remember what the Amish say: only God is perfect! There should be at least one mistake in every quilt.

I agree the picture of a quilt may look "perfect" but if I cut a hole in his nose while trimming the back or missed stitching down a section before quilting, it has issues. Then to find a solution that is workable!

I know for me, having entered quilts into juried shows and having them come back with little notes pinned to then where they are not perfect, was very upsetting.
MK

Ok....hold on a second....ever take a close look at those "Walmart, made in China" quilts??? I bought several and cut them up and made drapes for my room, my living room and my girls room from them. Without exception, they had mistakes in them....points that didn't match, squares cut unevenly, and etc. You cannot purchase a "perfect" quilt even from Walmart.

But that aside, I agree with you....we are all too hard on ourselves, and give ourselves far too little credit for the "masterpieces" we create.....and every quilt we make, IMHO, is a masterpiece...because it is an expression of ourselves....and we are all masterpieces!! Just MHO

Agreed that we are too hard on ourselves. We forget how we view other people's quilts. We look the overall effect not each individual seam. It is that basic light medium and dark that is the most important "color" and the overall design that is pleasing to the eye.

Sure we try hard to do the best we can. One of the most beautiful quilts I have seen is by a friend who was an absolute beginner. The quilt was not square, the borders were not straight, but it was stunning. I didn't notice the unsquare or the crooked borders, she had to point them out. I was so taken by her fussy cut patterns in the tea cups and the beauty of the colors. I must have seen it 10 times before I saw it with her there and she pointed out it's quirks. I never saw anything but beauty. Even now my mind knows it isn't perfect, but I have to purposely look to see it. I am so taken by the quilt's beauty.

Sorry for the double posts...but I love this thought!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

I'm going to tattoo this on my forehead. I am cursed with perfectionism, and I can't pull it off. *sigh*

Nothing in life is perfect.

I agree. We call Wal Mart quilts, toe catchers. because the qulting is so big you catch your toe (big) in them and tear them. the quality is not good.

LOL. My imperfect life has lot's of room for imperfect quilts. I just enjoy the piecing and seeing how it looks. Mine will never be perfect, but will be enjoyed by me or my family forever! I do get when someone says "it's not perfect", because everyone wants to reach that goal. It wouldn't be fun without always trying to do better!