A young friend who has just started quilting called to see if she and her cousin could come visit, so the cousin could see some of my quilts. I invited them with pleasure. As soon as they arrived, the cousin begin telling me what I had done wrong on one quilt after another. The colors didn't go together. The pattern wasn't right for the fabrics. The binding should have been a different fabric. The poor young quilter was dying in front of my face. She had wanted her cousin to see that there wasn't a specific "correct" way to make a quilt. Instead we were getting a lesson on all the "incorrect" things I was doing.
I am 62 years old and made my first quilt with my grandmother when I was 10. I stood and listened to this 20 something non quilter tell me what I was doing wrong.
When she finished, I very politely asked her how many quilts she had made. NONE, she just knew what was wrong with mine. She then made a comment that I probably didn't know how to design. That is when I opened the door to the store room and begin pulling out the evening and performance gowns I had made for my daughter when she was in pageants and completions. All of which I designed and made, hand beading and all.
That didn't stop her. She made some smart comment that I had probably used a pattern or bought them and removed the labels.
At this point my young friend grabbed her cousin by the arm and tried to drag her out of the house!
I told my friend she was welcome back at any time.
Then I turned to the cousin and politely told her that:
1. I started making my own clothes at the age of 5
2. I had a degree in costume design
3. I have been designing and sewing more that three times as long as she is old.
4. Rudeness is not a sign of intelligence, it is a sign of ignorance. 5. While her cousin was welcome to return to my home at any time, I hoped that I never had the opportunity to see her again!
I then gave my friend a hug and opened the door for the cousin, who left in a huff... I laughed and cried as they went to the car! I hope my friend comes back soon. I called her later and told her I didn't hold the cousin against her. We can't help to whom we happen to be related.

I can't believe the nerve of some people. Reminds me of some of our educators who have never had children telling us how to raise them, cause they are so "educated"

oh wow. I have no idea how I would have handled that, but it sounds like you did it with grace.

The NERVE of some people! I probably couldn't have kept my mouth shut as long as you did, lol!! I guess it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round.

LMAO. I need some of your patience and tact. I hope your friend sees that you are her friend, and her cousin is NOT!

I am afraid you handled it with much more grace than I ever could have. Well done!

Wow! What a nasty person, but you handled it with such grace! I am afraid, I would not be able to do so, probably would have physically thrown her out!

So sorry some people are so rude and unintelligent. Your friend I imagine was mortified. I hope she does come back and learns how to quilt from you, because you have a good heart and will be a great teacher. She couldn't learn from anyone better. Have a good night and don't take it to heart that she is so ignorant. Amy

wish i had the retort and the nerve to say it. good for you

Boy, you handled that well!

This very bad and I am sorry you listened to all that. Some people are very rude and very stupid.

Thanks, Amy. I learned a long time ago that people like that don't have the brains to understand how bad they are. I just realize that I need to be nice to them any way.

It makes for a great story!!!

Some people just need to think they know something,
and others really know everything about a subject in
this case sewing, life, and how to treat people with respect.
Your a kind person indeed, have a blesses day!

"DITTO" I would NOT have been as polite. I would have shown her the door as soon as soon as she made her first comment. ANY quilt is beautiful, especially if it is made with LOVE !!!

You are a person of restraint. I probably would have opened the door and booted her out! Tell your friend this is a branch of her family tree she might want to lop off!

Have you noticed that those that really know a lot about something - know that they don't know EVERYTHING about the subject -

And sometimes those that know little or nothing about a topic, seem to have the most and loudest opinions?

Bravo! Well done.

Wow! What a little spoiled brat ... not to mention rude, crude and uncouth! Geeeeezzzzzzzz ...

I know exactly what I would have done. After the first few rude remarks I would have said I've heard of the quilt police but didn't know there was a quilt b__ch. You must be the queen of that group. She could leave in a huff or apologize.

What a horrid young woman! You handled it beautifully...much better than I would have. Bless you and I hope that your young quilting friend will learn lots from you, including how to handle idiots. :thumbup:

Bravo, well done!

I 2nd that and high 5! :thumbup:

Well now we know that in addition to quilt police there are quilt b__tches out there. Lock your doors.

wow..and to have never done a quilt...she is NOT the quilt police..they DO make quilts and no what they are talking about...she was just an ARSE.....

You handled that situation really well, I hope I will have as much tact and grace someday. There is always a critic unfortunately, and there are no rules to quilting, just creating what you enjoy.

You handled that very well. When I meet someone like that I always wonder how they raised. I find most fruit does not fall far from the tree.

This is very similar to a recent story heard here. I cannot believe how rude (and should I say, CLUELESS) some people can be.

Well if that don't beat all! Some people got a lot of nerve. I guess her momma never taught her respect for others. What's that saying "if you can't something nice then don't say nothin at all!"

You handled it beautifully ... I'm not sure how I would have handled it ... I guess damaging her is out of the question?

Couldn't have said it better!

[quote=EdieClay]You handled it beautifully ... I'm not sure how I would have handled it ... I guess damaging her is out of the question?[/quote

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

That sounds like quite possibly the most obnoxious person EVER!!! You handled it beautifully - I am quite sure the urge to slap her would have totally overwhelmed me and I would not have been half as gracious as you.

I can only imagine how mortified your friend must have been. I would have DIED if my cousin did that.

Some peop[le really have a lot of nerve

Can you imagine having to live with a person like that?

That's unbelievable! I probably wouldn't have said anything but sure would have stewed about it!

Wonder how she rationalized her rude behavior to your friend on the drive home!

You are a pillar of graciousness and a loving friend. You at no point allowed your friend to be shamed and embarrassed by her unthinking relative. Such grace in the face of adversity is commendable. She is blessed to have you for her friend. Thank you for sharing.

Wonder if she was trying to make herself look important in her cousins eyes. Jealous of her friendship with you.

Bravo to you. That was very tactful.