The Qult Police is ..... me????
 

I teach in an elementary school. One of the other ladies there crochets beautifully and has just branched out into quilting. She brought a table runner for me to see - it was basically a 10-minute runner, but she had strip pieced the focus fabric from a variety of Christmas fabrics - really cute idea. She wanted to know if she could put a $20 price tag on it for a benefit for our deaf children. I asked how many yds of fabric were in it - maybe 1 - 1 1/2. I told her to double the cost of materials so she could ask $20 - $25 and that I'd put $25 because it was for a good cause.

Okay - here's the quilt police part ... she had basted it very loosely evidently cause instead of being tight it was very loose and puffy. I didn't say a word, but ... wonder if later I should ... say something? As a mentor rather than a policeman? Except that presumes that I think I'm right and she's wrong ... maybe she likes it puffy? What do ya'll think?

i would make a new quilt friend and try to find out if she meant it :)

if not, i would tell her how i avoid such issues.

maybe you guys could have a quilt and coffee hang out!

aileen

Oooo, a toughy. Stillclock has a good idea about having a hangout time and bringing up such issues as a "general" topic of discussion, among other things. Share some of your items at the time.

Jan in VA

Hmmm. I can see both sides of that fence. :) It might be that the puffy look was what she wanted. Or it might be she did not know better.

As a still very-new-to-quilting person, if I'm screwing something up (frequent occurrence), I would appreciate the head's up IF it came from a friend and was nicely framed. Something to the effect of I love the colors, blah blah blah, but you know how you could really improve the next one you make? Try to do thus and such and see how you like the method I use.

If you have a lovable quilt group, invite her to test the waters. If not, be a mentor & quilting buddy.

As I have been told, non-quilters generally think things are lovely even when the points don't match and the stitching is less than perfect. I know in painting, I may do something that looks like it's destined for the dumpster only to have a non-painter think it's totally awesome. She did the best she knew how and it came from the heart. If it doesn't fall apart in the wash, it's a winner. :D

Too funny!

I probably wouldn't give her advice unless she asked. Except that as a table runner, is it possible that someone will want to put something on it like a vase, etc? and it might be too puffy?

However...I think like you...a nonsewer/quilter will probably LOVE it.

Wouldn't that be something for the buyer to decide?
Maybe they like puffy?
Maybe they want it as a centrepiece with nothing on it?




JanTX ... I'm not sure what you mean when you say
"...she had basted it very loosely evidently cause instead of being tight it was very loose and puffy..."
Are you saying?
* the stitching of the runner is basted?
* the quilting is done with long running stitches instead of tiny quilting stithces?
* or what?

As for the selling of the item ... it's really a matter of "buyer beware" and not a concern. Those considering purchasing will make their own decision.

As for the makers skills ... you haven't labelled this person as a "friend", so I am thinking you are acquaintances, not more. In that case, I would think you might be better to keep your comments to yourself, unless she asks for advice and mentoring. She may already have a mentor/teacher to coach her along the way and it's not for you to jump in.
Are

Why did she show it to you? Was it a "show and tell" situation, or was she seeking your advice? There is nothing more defeating for a new quilter then being made to feel like something was not done correctly, when you were very proud of your final project. Let it go, unless she asked for help on there very thing. Praise her, and encourage her to feel free to share and ask for help anytime she needs it.

Best way to go.

I always say something positive..My friend complemented me on my "nice choice of thread"! LOL! As she does.more quilting she'll figure it out on her own.