Because of the "keep it positive" understanding I have here on the board, if I point out an issue on my own quilt, I am asking for suggestions for that project, or for next time, so I become better with each project, not just kudos for getting it done. Having said that if I get a comment on the OK-ness, I am flattered by that, and sometimes the encouragement is just as important as the suggestions, because someone felt the need to improve my day. If you take the time to comment on my post, my only response is. "Thank you for taking the time to write".

I would always want a helpful honest response, with out being hurtful /put down statements. I am sure we all have to learn at one point in our quilting /sewing projects. Even though we think we know, I always learn something new or a new way of doing what I already do or think I know . For the most part, I have read very friendly positive remarks and find some very nice ladies/gents on here .

Best response is an honest response - if a person is setting their selves up asking the questions, they are looking for advice. We all know how to gently provide advice without bias....

An excellent answer / comment. Thank you for taking the time to think this out for our perusal.

If I ask a question I'm looking for help from experienced quilters, like the ones on this board. If a do over is the answer I already know that. If I made a big mistake and it can't be remedied I already know that. So if I encounter a situation with which I have no clue I will turn to this board of terrific folks for an honest answer. If I'm totally wrong then I want to be told that I've messed up.

Like other posters, I do not have any quilters around me to give me honest feedback. Yes, it's great to hear nice and encouraging things, but I am also very happy for constructive criticism that helps me learn and improve my work!

I lately posted some PP stars, and one board member (and only one) pointed out that I obviously missed to add one piece of fabric in one of the stars. I wasn't even expecting something to be wrong with them, but when going back over them all, I discovered two more such mistakes in another star! It gave me the chance to fix the mistakes before I put the blocks together, and I guess I learned to watch more carefully for something like this :o (in fact, with the latter star, I had two pieces of fabric left over when finished piecing but thought that I miscounted and cut too many...). I know I would have pulled my hair if I would only have discovered it on the finished quilt!

Ditto here!! If I don't know of a fix, sometimes I'll post anxious to see other members suggestions.

Truthfully, when we make a mistake we all know we've done it. It seems to me you have a choice...leave it or redo it...period. I have learned far more in my life by ripping it out and redoing it until I get it right than by leaving it and having someone "okay" my mistake by telling me, "Oh, no one will ever notice."

I always think that the "Oh, no one will ever notice." statement should be modified to -

"Most people probably will not notice." And they probably won't - however -

the person that pointed it out noticed - and I think that person considered herself/himself a "someone" or "somebody"!

I think it is okay (and perhaps even respectful) to acknowledge a mistake/glitch/anomaly in one's own or someone else's work - most of them are not life-threatening - - and definitely a good thing to point out what is "right" about a project. (This is when the maker has done the pointing out.)

Some people notice if a huge picture is only 1/16 inch off of level. Others might not notice if it's hanging at a 45 degree angle - and then, if they did notice, will assume that it is intentional and a new way of displaying art.

I agree with Lynnie. Not everyone wants an honest response. I've seen people become offended IRL when they show something and ask for comments and get some that aren't what they are looking for (praise) even though they are honest remarks.

It's a fine line between encouraging and newbie and just enabling them to do lousy work. I don't often know how to t walk that line successfully so will often not say anything at all.