I so often read posts where people are having a hard time enjoying quilting because they are so critical of their work. I keep wanting to share something, but I fear it's a copyright infringement. I think I have figured out a way to do it without stepping on anyone's toes.

When I learned to quilt two years ago, I took a course at our local community college. My quilting instructor did our class such a tremendous service by first reading an essay to us. It was the first thing she said or did. It's the single most important reason I have been able to be forgiving of my work and quilt for the sheer joy of it, becoming a better quilter in the process. (I still have a LOT to learn.)

It's an essay by Teri Christopherson entitled "The Perfect Quilt," and it's published in one of her books. I don't know which one. If you would like to read it, send me a PM with your email, and I will send it to you. (I don't think I'm infringing on a copyright if I do it this way. I'm not selling it after all.)

Until then, enjoy.

Please send it to me,, I would live to read it!!! Thanks!!!

I know the essay! I'm still very critical of my work. I never think its good enough...and I hate to show it to other quilters, since I consider them so much more talented then I. Oh well...I still enjoy quilting, and I know I get better with each one. Just hope I live long enough to be as talented as some of the ladies in here! lol

My favorite thing to say and it can be applied to anything we do in life, "It's (I'm) perfect, perfectly imperfect!"

I always thing of the Amish, deliberately putting a mistake in the quilt because "Only God makes perfect." I laugh, because I NEVER have to add a mistake- there are always plenty already there.

For me, if it can be used and loved, and it was made the best that I can make it, it's fine. Quilts are love, and they shouldn't be stuck in a closet because the quilter doesn't think they are good enough. trust me, someone else will love it to death and appreciate it.

You are so right. The Navajo intentionally weave mistakes into their beautiful rugs to let the evil spirits out. Definitely no evil spirits in my quilts.

Yes give yourself a break or you will never like to do it. I tell my students practice practice and someday it might be perfect but I haven't got there yet.

Where would be the fun in that? Being perfect, I mean.

The best one can do with what one has and what one knows now -

what more can be asked or done?

If I were perfect, how could I laugh at myself?

This reminds me of a wall-hanging that I have. "Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves, for we shall never cease to be amused."
Love it!

Good one!

Even though I'm now brave enough to let friends see my work, I struggle to not point out all the mistakes as they look. No evil spirits in my quilts, either :) :)

I suppose you could tell them that you know of x number of mistakes and see how long it takes them to find them all.

Bet it would take them a while.

We are our own worst critics. I never fail to point out the mistakes in my quilts. If I would just keep quiet, no one but me would notice.

If your quilting is perfect then it wouldn't be yours..someone once told me that. I find myself getting less critical of my quilting. After 25 years of quilting...I am still making mistakes and I am still learning. Since I have joined this group I have learned more then ever.

I need to read this essay. I am still working on not being so hypercritical of my work. I'm PM'ing you.

Quilting should be fun. In this century, we don't really need handmade quilts to keep us warm. You can poke fun at yourself if you strive for something more, but never let it stall your creativity or fun. Just create, have fun, and learn. If the end result makes you happy, yippee. If it doesn't, it will keep something beautifully warm or hang as a piece of art for someone that loves your vision. It might even serve as of reminder of where you started. If you're looking for perfection, you're going to have to make lots of quilts. Just send me your rejects!

The first quilt I finished was an applique wallhanging. The pattern was called "Girlfriends." Oh my, it had so many flaws. My satin stitch was terrible. I was afraid some of it might come undone. It was not square. The quilting was very basic. The back was kind of rumpled. I gave it to her anyway with the warning that "It has many flaws. But I took great joy in making it for you." She cherishes it completely. She hung it in her hallway where she can see it when she comes out of her bedroom in the morning. What seems to flawed to us may turn out to be someone else's treasure.

I can't wait to see it.

A quilt with chopped off points and mismatched seams will keep you just as warm as a perfect one.

A quilt with mistakes in it will probably keep you warmer than a perfect quilt; because you'll probably use it more.

I look at quilting or piecing like I do anything else...Nobody is perfect. And who would want to be? Being perfect or reaching the perfect level to me is like reaching the end, for what else is there beyond perfection? I don't have to worry about it thank goodness because I really do have fun learning & I sure have lots of learning left to learn! LOL

I would like to read that quote also. It sounds great. I don't know what PM is though so if you can tell me how to do that I will greatly receive it. Thanks

I was doing a block (Prarie Queen) and kept getting it wrong. Ripped 4 times. When DH asked why I was talking to myself I told him what happened. He said "it looks fine to me, you just made a new block. You can call this one Prarie King". That's when I knew I was taking it way to sereously.

I would be interested in reading this poem, but I doubt it will change the critical eye I have for my own quilts. Considering the amount of time, effort, and money that goes into each of my quilts, I expect the construction to amount to perfection. Oddly enough, I don't expect that level out of anyone else. What I have done is pushed myself to continue to learn until I know I have the skill set to reach the goals I set for myself. I may not be there yet, but I'm working on it. :-D

Honestly, I see nothing wrong with striving to do my best. I don't reject a quilt if it isn't perfect. Usually it's a learning experience and I can still treasure a quilt without it needing to be perfect. Heck, I wouldn't enjoy quilt shows and Show & Tell at my guilds or here in this Forum if I were snobbish. You don't have to be stuck-up or un-fun as some seem to indicate to want to do good work on a quilt. And if I make the perfect quilt, it doesn't mean I am done. There are always areas to learn and improve in. It simply means I am growing as a quilter and that is being reflected in my quilts.

I hope that doesn't sound too defensive. I guess I just believe it is not a bad thing to want to reach a time where the points all come out perfect and everything balances.

[quote=Tiffany]Of course we all strive to do our best. What would be the point otherwise? I doubt anyone sets out and says, "I really want to make this the crappiest quilt yet."

For some people, striving to reach "perfection," which is ultimately an impossible goal, leaves them feeling dissatisfied and unhappy with a hobby that should be fun and fulfilling. None of this is about whether the quilt is good or not--it's about whether we lose sight of the fact that perfection is not the goal. In the end, at least for me, enjoyment is the goal. If it's perfect (and it will never be--not even if you think it is), that's all the better. But perfection shouldn't be an end in itself.

Someone told me once that a "perfectionist" is someone who is always looking for the flaw. I think that it's true.

I often think of the Amish and the Navajo, too. Then I ask myself: If the mistake is intentionally put in, is it really a mistake? I never have to worry about any mistakes having to be included in my quilts -- there are so many of them already there!!! If someone is a reallly critical person who always finds fault in everything, I don't give them a quilt! A quilt should go to a good home; a home that will be accepting of what it is: a symbol of my love for them. They should feel that every time they wrap themselves up in it they are getting a hug from me. ;)

I focus on design and color. I don't mind mistakes that much at all, it's a quilt and that's all it's going to be.

There is an up-side to giving a quilt that is flawed.......

.....we have reason to give another :) :) :) .....and another.....and another.....

I have a couple of quilts from my two grandmothers. All of them are tied. One is made from polyester knits, and everytime I look at it I remember seeing my grandma wearing the dresses and pant suits they came from. Another quilt has red birds appliqued with a blanket stitch. It is tied about every 2 1/2" with thick crochet cotton thread. The sashing, binding and backing are in about three different shades of red -- one even borders on being pink! The third quilt contains pieced diamonds (I know I've seen the pattern, but can't remember the name). The diamonds are a bit crooked and don't quite match up in some spots. It's a difficult pattern to get just right with all those points. Let me tell you....all three of those quilts are treasures to me!! I proudly display two of them in my living room for anyone and everyone to see!! I love each one for what it really means to me: they were made by two very dear women in my life, and I wouldn't trade those quirky quilts for the quilt that wins the biggest prize in the most prestigious quilting competition in the world!! My grandma's polyester monster has kept me warm and cozy when I've been sick and it lays on my bed in the winter months. No fancy quilt in the world could do any better than that!!!! ;)

It is funny you posted this because I was thinking of this topic today. I am a pretty new quilter and I am very hard on myself. I see the quilts my mother and mother in law have made and I think about how I will never be that good.

Lately, I have been looking at their quilts more closely and I am finding mistakes that I didn't see before, as an non-quilter. Things I never would have known was a mistake until I looked more closely or gained quilting knowledge. It was a relief to see mistakes made by people who have been quilting longer than I have been alive.

That is so funny. I gave my first completed and very flawed quilt to my best friend. Several times I've told her that I'll make her a better quilt. She says she loves the one she has, and she won't accept anything else. She is a good friend.

My grandmother was the person who introduced me to quilting when I was a little girl. I didn't learn until adulthood, but hers were the only handmade quilts I ever saw. When I learned I got hers out expecting to see perfection (as I remembered them). I was astounded to see how imperfect they were. Still, I love them. They are priceless treasures.

Quilting is to be fun, not perfect

AMEN

I was recently given the advice of the 'three feet away'
If you cant see the mistake three feet away from the quilt it does not count! lol
I cant say I have achieved that yet but as a new quilter I am be happy when I can apply this rule!

We are our own worst critics. How true that is. I always see the flaws in my own work. And I do strive to do better. I look at others quilts and think I will NEVER be able to do that. I was told by my one and only quilt teacher if you can't see it from a galloping horse it doesn't matter. lol

I love that 3' away advise. I think I will include that with all my quilt instructions!

I quilt for the enjoyment and sense of creativity it brings to my life I hope I continue enjoying it until the very end.

Mine are never perfect, no matter how hard I try. On my pattern or block directions I always try to write in my suggestions for making it better next time. However, I'm usually ready to try a new block etc so haven't tried my corrections,