Should you tell someone if you see a mistake?
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rochester,NY
Posts: 363

A group of us entered quilts in a small quilt show recently. A few of us noted a large mistake in a wall hanging of one of our friends. As far as I know no one has mentioned it to her. We haven't seen her because of an illness, but no one wants to be the one to bring it up. She would have to have seen it when she went to the show. It was so obvious.
#62
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222

I can't usually find the mistakes that are made even when they are mentioned in the posting, and I quilted one of my first, used it, hung it in a small show and discovered a big mistake only when I took a picture of it. I had "known" something was wrong with one of the corners when I put it together but could not actually "see" it. Boy do I wish someone had looked at it for me. Now I consider it the little difference that makes it special.
I saw a quilt top here with a pretty big mistake and wondered if I should private message the person before it gets layered and quilted.
What do you all think? If I am polite in pointing it out privately?
Soon?
Thanks for your advice.
I saw a quilt top here with a pretty big mistake and wondered if I should private message the person before it gets layered and quilted.
What do you all think? If I am polite in pointing it out privately?
Soon?
Thanks for your advice.
When I post a quilt here, I have usually just completed it and excited to share. That doesn't mean that after it is posted, I don't check it. Before I gift it, I give it another close look. The person may find the mistake on their own or at the quilter's after it is posted.
Serita
Last edited by slbram17; 09-30-2015 at 04:51 AM.
#63
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369

My thinking, too. I've discovered through experience that it's sometimes very difficult to see your own errors -- as in a block or piece turned wrong -- and I'd want someone to point it out to me. But "errors" through skills that are just not quite there yet, as in cut off points, etc., are another matter entirely, and I'd never mention those. I have a few not quite matched seams and cut off points myself, in early efforts; I know they are there. They serve to make me vow to do better next time!
#65
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,447

If it wasn't quilted I'd say something like, that's interesting how one blah blah is going in the opposite direction than the rest of them, or if it's an off color I'd say that's a nice shade of yellow. I've actually used a light yellow scrap and thought it was a beige. I now have better lighting in my room.
#66

I hand quilt, so "under-quilting" can be in the eye of the beholder. To me, many machine-quiltings are overdone to the point of looking stiff. So I would never mention either.
#69
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391

The Amish do not put mistakes in their quilts on purpose. Ask them. They say they make enough mistakes, they don't need to make one on purpose.
I made a quilt with squares put in wonky, turned one way and then the other. In one row, there were three turned the same way. I had it on my bed for two years before I noticed it. I have given it to my granddaughter now but I'm not telling her. Her grandchildren can point it out if they wish. "Look what great-great grandma did!"
I have seen too many examples of people gushing over a quilt saying it just beautiful, leave it as is, when the mistake is huge and glaring, and even one that could be seen from the back of a galloping horse; literally. Be honest!
I made a quilt with squares put in wonky, turned one way and then the other. In one row, there were three turned the same way. I had it on my bed for two years before I noticed it. I have given it to my granddaughter now but I'm not telling her. Her grandchildren can point it out if they wish. "Look what great-great grandma did!"
I have seen too many examples of people gushing over a quilt saying it just beautiful, leave it as is, when the mistake is huge and glaring, and even one that could be seen from the back of a galloping horse; literally. Be honest!
Last edited by maviskw; 09-30-2015 at 08:02 AM.
#70

I would appreciate being told if a piece is put together wrong, but please ignore "points" that don't line up lol. I am not a perfectionist regarding points, oh I try to make them perfect but it does not bother me if they aren't, because hand quilting helps them a whole lot.
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