10 yrs. later & it still looks great!
 

Who says ya have to do it the "right" way all the time?
This was the 3rd quilt I made, 10 yrs. ago, when I started this obsession with quilting. I had only the knowledge gained through the internet and even less experience using that knowledge. All fabrics were from Wal-Mart and only the jungle print was a 100% "Quilters Cotton", the rest were poly-cotton blends and the batting was whatever was cheapest at Wal-Mart too. It was even pieced with the 2 for $1 spools of thread, and quilted with the same thread using just the regular old foot on that ancient White machine my MIL gave me (because it would only sew straight stitches as the other functions did not work on it). LoL! I washed it the other day for my son, for what seemed like the millionth time I swear, and noticed that it has held up just beautifully. It is so soft and cuddly, a real favorite of his and my grandson. None of the seams are 1/4", I'd bet money on it, and the quilting is minimal. But, not one seam has popped in all these years, nor has this one ever needed any mending. Some of my more recent ones that have been "made the way they should be" can't claim any of these things. Beginners Luck, maybe? Or just maybe doing it your own way IS the way to go?

Nice quilt. My kind of quilt.

I've made lots of quilts not in the" right" way! Over the years I've also learned that there is no right way but your own way!!!! NICE QUILT!

You know, I have always thought this myself. Then I checked out the "Why Quilts Matter" dvd at my library last week. I was getting just a bit miffed while watching this series, as she keeps saying how "machine piecing will de-value your quilt", or that "machine quilting will de-value your quilt".. This series was recommended by many on the sites I go to but so far, I am not liking it. I thought it would be informative regarding the history of quilting and the whys and whos, not directed at collectors and dealers. This just got me thinking about all the Quilt Police out there, none come to the shack I promise ya, and just who do they think they are to tell the makers .. "this is wrong" or "that is wrong"?
I just wanted to put this one up so others can see that there is no wrong way to do anything, if it's what works for ya.
To encourage others to do it their way and enjoy the process, for it all comes together in the end.

Very nice quilt. When I started making quilts about 45-46 years ago I worked with what I had. The poly-cottons hold up very well, better than the cottons - most times. Machine sewing is the best in my book and machine quilting also. I can sure make lots more quilts since I started machine quilting about 10 or so years ago. I like the modern ways best.

My take on quilting is this: in centuries past, most women made quilts from what they had to serve a need. They weren't concerned with posterity, just functionality. I'm sure there were artists then, too, who had time and energy to create art. So, if your goal is to create something that will hang in a museum and last for eons, it makes sense to follow the "rules" and do it right. But the majority of us don't have that goal. I just gave my first-ever quilt to my nephew, and I told his mom in no uncertain terms that I expected it to be ruined. Picnics, forts, sleepovers, whatever a little boy can imagine to do with a quilt is fine by me. While I hope he doesn't decide to take a match to it, I can make more.

It's a shame that some quilters take the joy of creating away from others with their rules. Do what makes you happy, it's a blanket, for Pete's sake. AS much as I would love to be able to create some of the works of art I see, I don't have that kind of talent. So I just make what I can with what I can afford, and enjoy learning as I go.

I love quilts that look like they are meant to be used - and can take the use that they get!

thanks for sharing your experience with a different way of doing things. looks like it is a family treasure.

Boy it still looks really good!!!!

I too, do not believe in quilt police. I want to make a quilt and have it be used as one, not folded away and put on a shelf. So if the sewing is not perfect, it will not matter because it will still be warm. I do strive to do my best but if a seam has a wobble, I just say it was planned that way! So glad yours is a family treasure.