I hope to finish the binding tonite on a quilt for my dh, it it a pattern that I made up due to the material design itself. I am just not thrilled with quality of my work. It won't ever win any award, but my dh says it doesn't have to be perfect for him! Bless his heart. I had hoped to finish it for his birthday in November, then my goal was Christmas, now my goal is New Year's. Ever glad to be done with a project? Sometimes I think I am just no good at this stuff. Then I look at it and think it is not that bad. Then I think I am just not cut out for this stuff. Then, like a nut I turn around and start again......

I am always glad to be done with something - some more than most. My main problem is getting started on something I know I won't enjoy!

If we had to be good at quilting, many of us would be barred from all projects. There are no quilt police! Just enjoy the process...and the results!

Just think of all the Sweet Memories you will have in your loving Quilt:) Sounds like your hubby already loves it:) That is very special to have someone want and love your quilt:) You must be doing something right:) Happy New Year to you and your husband:)

Many times I have thought that. But I do see myself getting better with each quilt. I seem to enjoy cutting and making the tops more then the rest of the process.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Projects don't meet our expectations because we're our own worst critics. Just because you see all the little imperfections doesn't mean anyone else will. For me the important thing is to enjoy the process and learn something from my disappointments.

I must admit I don't. There's some patterns/fabrics/blocks that I've started and found out that I don't like the colors, or the pattern and laid them aside, there's projects that I couldn't wait to finish, and I've never made a "show" quilt yet but to think that it's something I'm just not good at? Nope, it's never entered my mind. Sometimes I just think it's an age thing---the older we get the more we realize perfection just doesn't matter.

Thanks everyone! I have quilted this full size quilt on my little janome jem. If I am going to continue I may have to invest in a longer throat,that is what I tell myself anyway. That is a lot to wrestle under a little machine. Like I don't have others..off to work. Happy New Year!

Isn't that the truth? Another thought...do we have a perfect house,perfect life,perfect meals? Then why do so many of us use perfect as a benchmark for quilts? Nothing I do is perfect,but it's sure a lot of fun... works for me.

Don't give up. Especially if you love the craft. Let me suggest that instead of just quitting that you slow down and anlayze what is going wrong that makes you dissatisfied.
If you keep making the same errors/mistakes you will never improve. I found this out by analyzing problems with my binding. When I discovered what was going wrong I could correct them. Most quilters find out what works best for them. You can as well.

We are our own worst critics.
I've been quilting for 11 years and have taught teenagers and classes at my guild. I have also designed some quilts. This year was the first time I put any of my quilting in the county fair and much to my surprise both won a ribbon. A first for a paper pieced miniature, a third for a sampler.
So don't be so hard on yourself. You're probably better than you think.

I've just started sewing and quilting 3 months ago, so I frequently think I'm not good at this! I also know that the only way to get good is keep on keeping on. It will probably be YEARS before I'm good....but I enjoy it so that's ok.

I agree with the comments here I too get REAL discouraged,frustrated and want to give up.

BUT I will not give up!!!

I have been quilting for 6 years and still have not gotten off of the basic quilt designs. I am learning!!

Use the Videos on YouTuve and you will learn LOTS!!! I know I have

Chris

I am a new quilter, so mess up often. Have found out how to use seam ripper to well, when I made silly mistakes. My biggest dream/hope is to be able to use the colors/ hues that I see on posted this board. So many beutiful combos. Just takes a lady's breath away. As for the skills, it will be what it will be.....

I'm never thrilled with the quality of my work either, but that's a good reason to keep practicing.

I've oftentimes thought that, but that's when I remind myself why I do this - I ENJOY IT. Unless you're going for prize winners, perfection doesn't matter at all. It's the love and thought and creativity that go into quilts that matter. I bet your quilts are lovely!

just keep at it...I pieced yesterday, and ripped twice...you only have to please yourself

No...I don't think that. A professional or expert, I am not. But I'm learning new lessons with each quilt. I'm seeing progressive improvement with each one. And most of all, I enjoy doing it! Some, I have enjoyed more than others. Some have turned out better than others. I do not expect perfection from myself. Close is good enough for me. Practice might not make perfect, and I call mistakes "character" :D

I don't really think like that. Now, sometimes I feel like I have a long way to go, but I see myself improving and making little steps forward! I try to choose realistic/achievable projects but with elements that stretch my abilities, because I love learning something new!

Plain Pat, I hear you!!!!!!! I'm not very fussy about anything except when it comes to my sewing and quilting skills! Still don't know why...
But nothing will keep me away from it even though I don't think I'll have be as good as I want to be :D:D
My greatest skill seems to be BUYING FABRIC lol

I agree with the others that we are our own worst critics. The problem is that we see each stitch as it happens and worry about each step. But when the project is finished, most people only see, and appreciate, the overall effect. Don't give up!

Hey, me too!

I feel that way when I go to the big quilt shows (Paducah and Houston) I am trying to compare myself to people who have been doing this a LONG time. I'm hoping to be half that good in 5-10 years. If not, I sure have enjoyed the process. I see improvement with each quilt I make. I don't make quilts for show, probably never will. I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Dont be so hard on yourself. If you enjoy doing this, then thats all that counts. Just take your time and enjoy...

We're all in trouble if Dunster isn't satified with her gorgeous work!!!

I goofed repeatedly on my first D9P last night. I kept thinking, "This is supposed to be an 'easy' one. What would I do with a difficult one?" I finally did a block the way I wanted and pinned it to the drapes in front of my machine so the next eleven go better. My machine sews too well to rip out easily.

We're all in trouble if Dunster isn't satified with her gorgeous work!!!

I was thinking the exact thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D

This post has me thinking about my great aunt Edith. She passed at 93, having been a Quilter all her life. She done everything by hand til she stopped quilting the year she died because of arthritis. She must have given me and my daughter 10 or so quilts, I purchased several additional ones as she needed money later in life. From her Estate, I was given 4 quilts that no one wanted, remember the Bonded Knits lol. I do not know how many quilts she made in her life time, some simple, many elaborate but it must have been hundreds. The thing is , every quilt she gave me thru those years was always the beautifulest, the prettiest, I thought she made the most beautiful quilts in the world.Aunt Edith died the year I started to learn to piece. When I brought home the quilts they had given me, I set down and really looked at each one. Guess what?! she had some points that did not line up. Yup, and some of her blocks were kinda crooked. The point of all this being, I still think my Aunt Edith was the best quilter in the world. She could take a rummage bag of old clothes and make the most beautiful creations. and that is what I will always remember and cherish. I have a Wedding Ring that she gave me in 1977 on my quest bed. Lots of the little pieces are gone, but I think of her everyday and my wonderful treasures.She loved me and I sure loved her back.

Guess I was afraid that I would have a quilter see my work and do the q police! I have one person who had done this to me so I am somewhat on edge! On the other hand, as long as my hubby loves it that is all that matters really! I will try to post a pic later this week!

Whenever I see a "perfect" quilt, I know it's not it's NOT one of mine! Nope, ya just can't buy my brand of imperfection! :lol: The important thing to me is the thought, time, effort, & love that I put into a quilt. With each one, I get alittle bit better at something. And in my book, any completed quilt is an heirloom to be treasured!

Never say you are not good at this-----I started an applique train quilt for my grandson when he was about 2 years old. I kept getting so discouraged with some of the details and would put it away and forget it. I finally decided enough was enough and finished it for his 11th birthday. He was so happy as he had been waiting on it a long time. It is not exactly like the original pattern but it is mine and I am proud of how it turned out. Then I turned around and made one for his sister and finished it in just a few months. Both grandchildren display them proudly on their bedroom walls. Hope this makes you feel better.

DH will be very happy to have/use this quilt that you made just for him. It will be perfect in his eyes :D:D:D

I agree. Sometimes I feel really good about it and then it's one step forward and two back. Just look at the trend and gradually you are bound to be improving. We're so critical of ourselves at times. Have a Happy New Year.
Annie

"Perfect" is waaaaaaay overrated. Sometimes "finished" is soooo much better. I do understand what you are saying though. I just finished a small quilt-as-you-go project and am less than pleased with my work. I have to remind myself that it was my first attempt, and for that - it ain't that bad. We have to give ourselves permission to try new things and be proud for seeing them through to the end. So good for you and good for DH.

I haven't ever thought that I am just no good at this until I got my longarm. Piecing comes easily to me - I am precise by nature. But I stand in front of the LA and know that I am not the least bit artistic and that I cannot do it "good enough". I trying to get past it and remember it's just a quilt, not open-heart surgery.

So to answer your question =- yes. :?

I feel as though I love quilting so much that it's more fun to try than not try.
A different matter though, is clothing. I tried to make my first skirt (EVER)last night. The workmanship was OK and I would have worn it, except that it was 3 sizes too big and the hip curves didn't seem natural. Oh well.

Now I'm working on a quilt again. Give me triangles and points any day before a skirt!

I'm not good yet, but I've only made 3. I'm hoping my skills improve with each one.

I made cloths 40 years before I made a quilt. I still make cloths for my girls - one is very busty the other is 6 feet tall. Both have trouble finding cloths that fit.
The first year I made cloths I wore out 2 seam rippers.
Now that I quilt I have more trouble with points than I do with curves.
My free-motion quilting is getting better.

Everyone probably feels that way at some point unless they are a sewing prodigy. I had so many disasters when I first started out that I felt like giving up sometimes. I recently went through some VERY old projects (like 20 years old) and I threw them away. I didn't even want to try and fix them.

It gets better, hang in there.

Every project I do goes through 6 phases:
1- Oooh, I like this. I can do it, easily (even really tough stuff)
2-What a ridiculous job I'm making of this. I can't do this. I don't have the skills or the tools. I've just wasted a lot of time and a lt of money for junk.
3- I need to finish this anyway. Too much invested in it now.
4-Now that its finished, still a piece of junk. I have to stop wasting money. Why do I think I can do anything?
5-MMM, not too bad for an amateur.
6-You know, I really really like this! I did something waay cool!!
Sometimes I get stuck in 2, 3 or 4. I hate that! And I never remember 5 or 6 when I'm in the middle of stuff. I really hate the angst!

I guess your right, some projects are smoother than others, I shouldn't let one project cloud my thinking! Thanks everyone! Have a great New Year's weekend.