tell me what I have done wrong please. I am trying to quilt this but not sure how to make it look better.
it is all bumpy, and the quilting looks like a 2 year old did it. plus i couldn't make up my mind what pattern to do or how to do it.

After just reading all the posts about quilt police, I'm almost afraid to answer, but since you asked... I think it's the quilting that is throwing this off. I know it would really be a pain, but have you considered taking it out and trying again?

it takes a LOT of practice to be able to do a pattern, especially on a domestic machine, I think that's why most stick to meandering, it's not supposed to look like "something". It doesn't look like you've got too much in there to take it out and try again. Make a small practice piece and work on it till you get your rythm and then get back on the real thing.
when I'm meandering I think of jig saw puzzle pieces.
good luck

I also think taking it out would be the way to go. You might be thinking that it's a lot of work to take it out, but I had a large lapquilt completely finished.....and like you felt it didn't look right. I put it aside for awhile and one day while watching TV just sat and used the seam ripper. It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would...I then just re-sandwiched....and it turned out great.

I agree. Although the thought of taking it out makes me want to cry on your behalf. On the gift to myself quilt I just quilted, I had to take out a whole row of roses because I didn't pay attention to the fact that the tension was wrong. I did cry. And make my husband help.

I am also a beginning quilter- I think if you draw the designs on first, with an invisible pen or chalk, it's a whole lot easier to follow them, than free hand them. The quilt is really pretty- it's worth sucking it up and trying again.

I plan on taking every single quilt stitch out tonight and for the next bunch of nights. it will be a pain but in the end will make a better quilt. I wasn't trying to make a picture just trying to make something pretty, after the first one i got mad and kept going. my own fault. figured that I would just take it out anyway. talk about biting off my own nose right? I think that I will see about heading to a local quilt shop and asking them if one of them could help me quilt it together because if i have someone sitting with me for a few min looking over my shoulder telling me what i am doing wrong It will be better. The more comments the better right? in quilting you can never have too much help in making it right. well at least to me.

I agree with Kathy. If you must finish this quilt right away, try using more straight lines, either in the ditch or near the seams (on either side). Also using a thread that is closer in value to the underlying fabric will "hide" any "mistakes" a lot better.

Wow, that looks like one of mine! Here's what I learned that I was doing:

1. I want to go too fast. I really have to concentrate on moving steadily and consistently

2. Stippling shouldn't cross over itself. That's what keeps it from looking "messy"

3. I use my walking foot, rather than FMQ for all lines and even gentle curves like the ones you did. It makes them smoother.

4. Mark your quilt tops and try to follow the lines.

5. It takes practice, practice and more practice. I still have practice sandwiches that I use to help me "set the motion memory" before I start on the real quilt.

Good luck.

I've also heard that the key to meandering is a glass of wine. :)

[quote=sahm4605 i got mad and kept going. my own fault. [/quote]

This made me laugh out loud. It's EXACTLY what I did with the roses. And later cursed myself for. I agree with a couple other of the suggestions too. If you quilt the solid border parts with a walking foot first, you will have lots of stability and quilting done, so you can make a design in the squares more easily. Even if you don't have a "picture" in mind, it helps to draw at least partially, what you want there. For instance, I drew vague shapes that I knew would be roses, but the drawn shapes allowed me to free-hand in them and keep the size consistent. For me, a huge help.

Also, if it makes it easier for you to face the tearing out- you can tear out a bit, do some SID and straight line quilting- tear out a little more, like that. Maybe it would make it less painful to break it up?

We're all behind you. I for one, have been there very recently.