I would square them up the same size, sew them up, and donate, use on a picnic, put in your RV...lots of used for a not so perfect quilt. If you have a dog, it would do great for a doggie bed as well. I saved the monstrosity of my first quilt made in 1987. It's lovingly stored with my heirloom quilts. It's a great reminder of how much I've grown in the craft.

This is exactly where I land. Assemble it, finish it, and keep it as a proud memento of how far you come and how much you've learned! Use it to celebrate yourself.

Ricky Tims does a wonderful and generous thing - he displays his first quilts right along with his "show" quilts. I think this is fabulous for a couple of different reasons:

1. It shows the rest of us that everyone has promise, and if we allow ourselves to make mistakes, explore new concepts and techniques, and say "what if" to ourselves, we too can make some fabulous pieces!

2. It shows us that we don't need to be ashamed of how awful we were when we started. If Ricky is proud, we can be proud. :thumbup:

No! No! Don't donate it. It is your first quilt . Finish it. I like the bordering idea, maybe even setting them wonky. Save it and use it so you can see how far you have come. I have been at presentations where quilters show their first quilts....how fun. Wish I had saved mine. I think it was one made of bandannas and cotton batting. Didn't tie closely enough and when I washed it (it was for my first born), all the batting sunk to one end.....wish I still had it to help me see progress (and remind me of when my babies were babies , 47 and 45 now!)

I would trim all to the same size, either sash each block or just sew them all together. Put a border or two on and finish it up.

just keep those blocks as is! I have several of those that I tell my beginner class are not "blocks of shame" but instead "blocks of progress"--cause I've gotten much better. But they are a tangible reminder of how I have come in my piecing abilities. So, yes--embrace them!

I would do one of two things. I would keep them 'as is' just as a reminder of your quilting journey and enjoy them for that reason alone. Or, if I did not find pleasure in that memory, I would take them apart and redo them and enjoy them for the progress you have made since you started to quilt. If you do the later, maybe you could set aside 30 minutes a day to take them apart so it isn't a huge burden. And, like mentioned above snip the line of stitching every few stitches and gently separate the layers so you don't distort the fabric dimensions. Then, re-do them.

I usually end up finishing the assembly as best I can and then use it for practice on the long arm. If I’m still unhappy with it, I turn the quilted top into some great looking tote bags. I get so many positive comments when I go grocery shopping. They make great gifts or gift wrapping for other quilts as well.

Finish them! If you really don't care for them give them away. We often see our problems where others don't. Someone will love to have them.

If you DO decide to tear it apart, take pictures of it as is!! Then you will always have the "memory" of how far you have come!

I have several saved blocks that show me just that!

I would square up the blocks and add sashing. Sometime you may teach a friend or loved one to quilt and showing them your first attempt might be just the 'boost' to keep them trying. Your quilt is full of your memories.


Recently I was given a 'gawd awful' quilt. First thought...pitch it. No......I squared up the blocks, added sashing and some scrappy strips and it didn't turn out bad at all. You know that 'one man's trash is another man's treasure'. The quilt will go to a homeless person.