Have you ever thought about doing something, planned for it, dreamed of it, wanted it...only to be REALLY disappointed with the outcome when you finally did it?

Ever wonder why I haven't yet posted pictures of the finished, bound and washed whole-cloth quilt even though it's been done for a few weeks now??? Well...I'm just really disappointed in what it looks like.

Since washing out the blue markings basically, it looks like one big blob of white. :( The center medallion doesn't show up AT ALL! :( I'm really disappointed in it. I really should have done the quilting in a colored or variegated thread so the design would show up better.

I've been so disappointed in this quilt, that I haven't even put it on our bed to use. I've had it folded up on a quilt rack with the BACK side showing.

At least the back has something interesting to look at. I really love the black and white toile fabric.

I spent 9 months hand quilting it only to be disappointed in the outcome. However, I did learn a valuable lesson...I actually LIKE to see the stitching in my quilts! In the past I have done everything I could to make my stitches virtually invisible. But no more! I want to see the stitching and the design!

For what it's worth, I do see the beautiful quilting - and I think it looks amazing.

*Edited to add* If you're really that disappointed, I'd be happy to take it off your hands. :) :lol:

so much work !! enjoy !! love it !

I think it is gorgeous and you can see the quilting. Wonderful job!!

Perhaps a pillow with a little color might help you!

Ah, live and learn.

I, too, think it's beautiful. I can't believe that you hand quilted all of that! I doubt I will ever hand quilt anything, at least anything big!

Ohhh, I'm sorry you're disappointed in it! It really is lovely. And I agree- the backing fabric is gorgeous.

Hey, if you don't like it I'll be glad to take it off your hands ;0). I think it's beautiful!

I think it looks beautiful. If you're really unhappy with it, I'll be happy to send you my address! ;-)

Beautiful

It's beautiful and I CAN see the stitching!

I love it!!!!!

Classic beauty. I love it.

It is stunning. I can't imagine being able to do something like that!

Ditto!! I think its beautiful. Did you throw it in the dryer? Ive noticed that after Ive had mine on the frame and rolled up, it flatens the batting some. I mist it with a bit of water, throw it in the dryer (low heat) and it puffs back up.

I think that it is stunning

double post

It's absolutely gorgeous. What a beautiful heirloom. Be proud, that was alot of work!!! I recently finished an english paper pieced Grandmother's Flower Garden. Worked off and on for eight years. In eight more years I'll take it out and hand quilt it.

wow, i'm sorry your disappointed. I can see the stitching also. you did a beautiful job. it is a beautiful quilt. i hope it grows on you. :D

Ilove it quilting is beautiful.

I think it's beautiful. Maybe it's just the lighting that isn't allowing the quilting to show up, but it's there, I can see it

From what I can see, it looks great. Just curious. What kind of batting did you use? I understand wool batting really helps bring out the definition of the quilting, where as cotton not so much so.

Lorreta this is an absolutely fabulous quilt!!!! A real heirloom!! Perhaps you are just tired of it after all the time spent on it?? Perhaps if you put it away for a time....then get it out again you will come to see the special quilt we can see!! Just a suggestion!! You should give yourself a big pat on the back!!

I do see the medallion and the beautiful quilting.It may not be what you had pictured in your minds eye,but it is gorgeous. Maybe try washing and drying it again,it might fluff up and be a little more noticeable. I would love to have a quilt of that beauty and wonderful workmanship on any of my beds. :thumbup: Try taking a pic of it outside, at different times of the day .When you view it from a distance and under different lighting ,I think you will see the medallion in all it beauty.

I have to agree. After 9 months of looking at it you may need to just have a break from it then take it out and look at it. Perhaps because you were so used to seeing the blue marks that now they are gone the design isn't as prominent. Angle of light also makes a difference in how much you see the texture.

This quilt deserves to be used. Maybe after you put it away and then get it out again in a few month you will have a whole new appreciation for it.

I love it. Your quilting is beautiful

Sorry you are disappointed....it is beautiful and loves the camera

I think it is a work of art and endurance. It is totally lovely and deserves it's place on your bed.

Loretta, I think it is gorgeous...both front and back.
You could make a colorful bed runner for at the bottom of it. Maybe you just need some color to enhance it. I'm sorry you are not happy with it after spending so much time on it! I even explored whole-cloth quilts after seeing yours! So you are an inspiration. Maybe you've just been looking at it too long. Put is away for a year! After the year is over, you will see the beauty in it! {{{hugs!!}}}

I think it is gorgeous! Just because it does not have color does not mean the design is not spectacular. Yes, I love the back side too but the the front is so elegant!

Well what's it worth, I like it and would take it off your hands.

Oh no, don't be disappointed it's beautiful, you have done an amazing job on this quilt. Just put some colour around the room and you will see how it will shine in your eyes too. I think you have been working on it for such a long time that you just don't see the beauty!!

Gorgeous :thumbup: :thumbup: :D

When I first read your post I was disheartened because I am about three or four weeks from finishing one of my own - but I can see the quilting in your pic and it's lovely.

If you really still hate it and never want it on your bed after a few weeks of living with it, why not consider colouring some of it in (pencils or crayola?) Is that sacrilege? I don't think so if you really won't use it otherwise.

I know what you mean about using contrasting thread. A few years back I spent a lot of time hand quilting some quilt-as-you-go blocks, then put them away. Recently I decided it was time to assemble the quilt. Now that I look at them I can't even see the stitching. I'm hoping it will show up a little better when they're washed and dried.

Maybe you need to wash and dry your quilt a few more times to give it that scrunchy look. From what I can see the quilting looks great.

I think it is just beautiful and I can see the quilted medalions and the border quilting. Wow, the quilting is amazing and that is what a wholecloth quilt is about, your quilting. Can you keep it as a family heirloom that will oneday be given to someone special in your family? Be proud of it and show if off, not everyone is lucky enough to have such a treasure.

Loretta, I hear what you're screamin!!! But I can see the quilting and it is truly stunning! I bet it looks even better up close. You did a great job....

I can see the beautiful quilting and am amazed that you did it by hand. If you are really unhappy with the top, but love the back, flip it over. It is your quilt and you can use it any way you want to use it. I love the back, too. :)

To answer your question, Yes, I have done it. I pout for a short while and then try to find a way I can be happy with it. :) Most of my things are given as gifts, and I can always find someone who loves what I make. :)

You can pack it up, and I will make sure you never have to endure the pain to see it again. In the man time, I will enjoy it, because is absolutely beautiful. I love whole cloth!

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and suggestions.

I think I either need to put it away for a while or use it and let it "grow" on me.

For now, I have refolded it, right side OUT this time, and have it hanging on the quilt rack.

It is in a place where I will see it every day and I'll see how I feel after seeing it on the quilt rack.

I used an Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting. I wish I would have used a loftier batting...maybe that would have helped set out the quilting more.

I'm surprised you can see the quilting in the picture. Even in person, I can't make out the medallion, which was so beautiful. I can see the braids on the sides and I do like them. :)

When I first started quilting this and blogged about it, my daughter saw it and laid "dibs" to it when I die! LOL So I know where I can send it if it never grows on me! LOL

Thanks again for all your comments and suggestions.

What's funny is years ago I heard the same complaint from someone that had done a pre-printed whole-cloth quilt...she said she missed the blue lines after it was washed. I didn't understand at the time...but I do now! :)

Thanks for letting me vent!