an ''undercover'' cop??? This is my new description of a silent member of the quilt police....someone who doesn't like another persons quilt but doesn't open their mouth and give their opinion!!

What do you think??

jodi in leavenworth

Probably. Yeah, the more I think about it I don't think I'd ever tell anyone that I didn't like their quilt because I've seen some pretty bad ones. I have said things like, "The colors wouldn't be my choice but the I like the pattern." and also the other way around. But I'd never tell anyone that their creation was hideous even if that was MHO.

Everyone has different tastes, but I do appreciate the work that goes into even simple quilts. I'm sure lots of people don't like my pattern or colour choices either.
If we all like the same thing and made quilts all the same how boring would that be.

I think I'm one that wouldn't say anything negative about anyone's quilts. I know how hard it is to make some of these quilts. I'm not perfect by any means. I do agree that if everyone had the same tastes, that this world would be very boring.

I never say anything negative on the Board.
In person, if I'm asked what I think and there's opportunity to make changes I say what I think.
If it's a finished quilt, I too find something nice to say (with my toes crossed, fingers might be seen LOL).

I try to find something positive to say - bearing in mind not everyone would love my color choices, etc.

I would never say "my word, WHAT was she thinking!"
but I think it! LOL

My mother taught me "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I would never say anything bad about someone's quilt/work. But I always try to find something nice to say...even if it's "good job" or "nice quilt".

unless asked for complete honesty and in able to make changes. I too try to stay positive. But if there is an opportunity to make a changes, I try to positively spin any comments I make about changing their choices. But I see that if someone takes the time to ask for feed back I will give it but I also try to give an idea of how to make it even better. I would rather have someone say that they didn't like my whatever as long as they can tell me why and a why to make it look or be better. that is the whole reason for asking for advise. now I will step off my soap box.

I taught both of my sisters the basics of quilting and then set them out on their own (BTW, I am the younger sister, just for the record) :-) one sister once made a trip around the world as one of her first "on my own" quilt projects. When she showed it to me she asked why she had all of these extra squares. I debated if I should tell her those were not extra blocks, she had forgotten an entire row from top to bottom and from left to right in the quilt. I did tell her and we laughed and laughed.

have another sister who cranks out projects now like there is no tomorrow. matching seams, even rows, wave border - no bother to her, she wants it done and she wants it done now, matching seems be damned! I admire her courage to do what she wants and how she wants it.

I had many great people teach me throughout the years so I've decided there are NO BAD quilters and NO BAD quilts - there are only BAD quilt judges.

Im that way about Bargello and rag quilts. Do not like them,Bargellos give me motion sickness,and the rag quilts dont move me at all. But I still appreciate everyones creativity and ability.So one can say "good job" even if the project isnt their cup of tea...speaking of,I need a cup ..off I go.

I try to find beauty in many things. Arts and creativity are my tops. I just love the creativity someone shows.
I will never say anything bad about someones quilt. It was made with love and a lot of labor. I find the beauty of it. We are not perfect and each of us has a different eye for color.

LOL, I know mine arent perfect! I always tell everyone a quilt is made to love! I just try to see what I do like in every one!

My mom always told me the same thing.

Very well said. I agree with what you said.

We aren't always going to like what someone else has created. My aunt, who passed away several years ago, made a quilt from blue and orange fabrics. When she was constructing it, I thought her color choices were awful. But when it was finished, it was one of the most beautiful quilts. She even won first place on it at a Grange quilt show. Glad I kept my opinion to myself and could only offer compliments when the quilt was finished.

My grandmother was the one that always said, "if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all"!! I try to go by this unless someone really asks for an honest opinion. We put sooooo much work and effort into making our creations and I admire anyone that takes the time to quilt no matter if it's to my liking or not.

Why would anyone want to tell another they don't like a quilt that they made? That would be so rude!! I believe there is always something nice you can say. If a person is asking for ADVICE or suggestions, that is different. Even then you can be gentle in your response.

I try to say something positive, especially if it is done. ie. I like the colors, pattern, fabric -something.
Here is what was said about one of my first quits.
My sister, "Why would you make something so ugly." She is very honest in her opinions. I think she didn't like the colors.
My brother, "Wow, what a great looking quilt."
I gave it to someone who lost everything in a fire. All 6 of her kids wanted the quilt. They loved it.
I took one to show and tell that I didn't like. The ladies in the back of the room said it was beautiful.
So who knows.
If a quilt isn't finished and they want constructive advice I'll give some suggestions.
I have a friend that we feed off each other. We have helped each other make better quilts.

I would never say anything negative about someone's quilt. They may think its lovely and who are we to burst their bubble. Some quilters have "IT" and other dont. As long as they are happy...thats what counts. Merry Christmas All.

I love your beautiful response. Amen!

Knowing the hard work and personal love that goes into a quilt I would never say anything bad about one. mho
David

Most of the time when I don't like a quilt, it's because I don't like the fabric choice or color choice, but that's why we all have different tastes. So I give a compliment on the pattern (or whatever I do like about the quilt) and keep the rest to myself.

No matter what a quilt looks like, I can appreciate the time and effort that was put into it by the maker. We all are proud of our work and like to hear the positive things about it. I may not like it but I won't tell the maker that.

I would consider the "quilt police" the ones that say something negative, even if they are just expressing their opinion. I don't like every quilt, but I am sure the maker don't care to know that.

I always try to say something positive. That's particularly because my tastes seem to be the opposite of what most people like, so I'm pretty sure that most people usually hate my quilts. I don't want them bashing mine (although they do somewhat frequently), so I don't bash theirs.

I've had a few projects turn out to be less than I expected. But I was proud of them cause I did it and I learned something in the process. It would hurt me if someone said, "Your seams don't match. . .Your points are cut off. . . That's a bad color choice." I try to focus on the positive rather than the negative cause I realize how much of ourselves goes into every project.

I am personally amazed at the talent on this board. As many have said, something may not be my taste or "my cup of tea", but I can still appreciate and applaud the love and effort that another has put in their creation. To all on here I say "keep it up, love what you do and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!"

I have never seen a quilt yet, that did not have atleast one beautiful aspect to it :D:D:D

Apparently I listened to your mother as well. However, I also believe that if you ask the question, you should be prepared to hear the answer.

There may be a degree of undercover cop lurking within me. However, as an undercover, I say nothing, but learn from others, be it perfection, a happy little misfortune, or major misalignment. If I find something, which, in my mind, is disagreeable, I ask myself what I might have done differently.

Colors are definitely individual choices and often depend on fabric availability, so is often a non issue. However, I see things which would not have been my choice, but in someone else's quilt - the choices and combinations work. I make mental note not to dismiss that as a possibility in my future.

Pattern will showcase a technique. Mental note to self: gotta get that one; or, good one to keep in mind; or, I'm not ready for that one; or, GOOD GRIEF! Makes me dizzy, Good for that quilter who spent the time and effort. Are they still sane?; or, nice pattern, but I think I may have modified that by adding cornerstones or stashing or ... to break up that concentration of color.

Technique: Poor alignment - note to self, remember to pin or glue; wobbly seams - been there, done that, remember to slow down; block upside down or wrong side out - Oops, no need to unsew the entire row, here's how to recover. (ask me how I know).

Multiple problems on an experienced quilters project: We are our own judges, and are more critical of our work than anyone else. They have probably already kicked themselves, and are looking for a ray of sunshine before donating the quilt to the animal shelter. So I think, "Was the quilter in a big hurry? Why didn't the seams get pressed?; Wow, look at all those puckers! Was this a failure to pre-wash?; Adam 12, where are you?

I was the same way about rag quilts. I couldn't see why anyone would waste their time making something so uninteresting (ugly). I have now made four of them, first for my hubby, then two for my granddaughters and the last for my SIL. They are quick to make and soft and cuddly for them. I don't worry about wear and tear on them like I would on a quilt. My husband thanks me often for his and the grands are always talking about Nanny making something for them, can't beat that.

My four year old granddaughter said the cutest thing the other day. I took my embroidery machine and extra sewing machine to her mom on my last trip so she could make some things for the girls. My granddaughter was standing what my daughter considered too close to Nanny's machines and ask her what was she doing. My granddaugher said she was smelling, they smell just like Nanny. Apparently my perfume smell got on the machines as I carried them. Just too cute, does a Nanny's heart good!

I have also found that what I didn't like when I first started quilting, colors or design, I am starting to like now.

My grandmother would show us the quilts she would be working on when we would go for a visit. I thought those were the ugliest quilts I had ever seen, (all of ten years old). I now think back and would love to see or even own some of those quilts. I continue over time to look at quilts with different eyes. I have expanded what I like with different colors and designs.

I like them all! :D

Everyone has different tastes and talent. But, love goes into each and every quilt. So why would anyone say something negative. Most of the time, I just cannot find the words to express how impressed I am with some of the quilts on this board.

Ditto. I would never say anything to demean or discourage another person's taste or ability. If asked, I would offer constructive criticism. Remember what mother always said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

I'd revert back to what my Mom told me. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" If pressed I would find something positive to say about the quilt. Maybe gently offer a hint on how to make points match or whatever I could think of quickly not to hurt feelings.

That just seems like what my mother always said "If you can't say anything nice..." you know the rest!

I would never give negative feedback even if I thought it. It might be the best work they are capable of due to unknown reasons. - J

I haven't seen one that isn't pretty, reflecting the color and pattern choice and and all the love and time that went into the quilt -- some, however, would not have been my choice to display in my house (I am a bad cow)