How can I make so many mistakes with one small table runner?

1) Making a back that somehow didn't exactly match the front, so when I FMQ the strips on the front, it didn't stay in the corresponding strips on the back. I used the same ruler, same machine, etc. So why was it different?
2) Using birthing method instead of using binding. So you can see a little of the back on the front and vice versa.
3) Bad FMQ. Probably should have just tried to stipple, which doesn't show when you wobble as much.

At least I used leftovers from my stash, so it didn't cost me anything.

I think maybe you are being too hard on yourself. I love your table runner. I admire your FMQ. I could only dream of doing so well. Your colors are wonderful. The pattern you chose is so fun to do! Job Well Done:)

I think it is very pretty. The only table runner I've ever made was so awful I threw it away.

Your table runner looks very nice.
FMQ only gets better with practice. The more you do, the better it will look.
When you practice FMQ, you might find the results more pleasing if you use a thread colour that blends more with your fabric. Once you are happy with the results, you can try threads with more contrast.
I personally like to use varigated thread, especially King Tut. That way, I get some that blends and some that contrasts more.

I think it's very pretty

It looks great, love the pattern

I think it is very pretty.

I think you are being too hard on yourself as we all are sometimes. It looks great so enjoy it!

Looks fine to me or to quote my loved nanna "a blind man on a galloping horse wouldn't see it". I think you are maybe judging yourself too harshly. Stand back and look at it then you'll see what we see in the photo. As for FMQ, at least you are having a go. Good for you. Wish mine was half as good. As for the back and the front not matching it's back to that scant 1/4 inch. To match up something with that many seams you have to be spot on. Even being out by 1/16" would add up over all those seams.
All that being said I still like your runner but perversely I like the back best. Not much of a floral girl. Love real flowers.

You are too hard on yourself! I love it!

I think it's beautiful! You are being to hard on yourself, like someone else said!

I don’t see anything wrong with it and I even squinted LOL! :-D It is lovely!! You did a nice job. :thumbup:

EDIT: P.S. Love your avatar!

I don't see anything wrong with your table runner. Looks great. I have not been able to FMQ. I guess I just like to tie my stuff. I did make one to see in the middle of the talbe for Christmas but was not such a great deal.

If you think it so bad then I can help; it would go so great in my living room. You did a great job with the color selection and the quilting. I look at things that are learning tools. Even when I make mistakes then I learn what not or what to do the next time. My one teacher says we make more mistakes the more we learn because we don't pay as much attention to some things. So if you made as many mistakes as you think you did (I couldn't see them, but that is just me) then you must be really learning alot.

I think your table runner is very nice. The "birthing method" sounds easy but it's not. You think that it will be done and you won't have to put binding on but I am never satisfied with the result. No matter how carefully you pin and quilt it, there always seems to be some fabric along the edge that doesn't match up. Maybe it's just me but I like binding better.

If you never practice, you will never get better. That being said, just looking at the photo, it looks great! And since it was free, so much the better. Enjoy it, use it, don't be afraid something awful will happen to it, and try another one!

You are your own worst critic. It is fine!!!!!!

Looks good enough to me !! I like it!!

When I was complaining about my mistakes & pointing them out, my mentor told me to lay the project down and look at it from 10ft. It did help me to see that I did not do such a bad job after all and that I could learn from my mistakes...your pic looks great!! Love the colors!!

We are our worst critics, its looks fine.

Definitely being to hard on yourself, your runner is lovely~

I don't see anything wrong! I think it's lovely and congrats on the fmq - I've yet to get the courage to try it :)

It looks great! Quit being so hard on yourself!

I think it is a great runner, beautiful color choices and the FMQ is fine!

Seriously, it's way better then I would do. I look like a drunk on Saturday after closing time.

Your runner is great!

I agree - you have done a wonderful job

My mother-in-law used to say that such and so (like slightly mismatched wall paper) would not be noticed "when running for a bus". Even on close inspection as offered in the photos of the table runner, I think it looks great!

oh hon, fabrics shift. spray basting or pinning isn't full proof. i love your runner, front and back!!

Give yourself a pat on the back instead of criticising yourself. Lovely colours. Love the design. and you finished it! :lol: :lol:

You're human! We all make mistakes -- all of us. I agree, the runner looks great. Love the colors and fabric choices.

Beautiful

I think it is very pretty.

Very pretty tablerunner! Don't look at it as *so many mistakes*.......but as *a great learning experience*~! :D

you got it done. looks good. be happy or make another and send that pretty one to a friend. a friend is never as hard on our quilting skills as we are on ourselves! seriously, I would proudly put it on my kitchen table

Don't be so hard on yourself. Looks great.

I agree. My boss wants to see everything I sew; rather its the BOM or a quilt; she loves looking at it. I just brought in a quilt that I call my educational quilt; it was from a techiques class where I learned how to do so many things on my little machine. I can point out every lesson I learned on it but when she saw it she said it was perfect. None of my friends quilt or sew so no matter what I make they love it. Christmas is going to be so great for them this year.

I think it is great.

Thanks everyone for your support. After the comments, I was able to stand back and see how pretty it was instead of all the mistakes.

And I did learn a lot from making it. Glad I made the mistakes on something small rather than something big and/or important.

Thanks again for all your support.

Think it looks nice!! Don't be so hard on yourself!!