What not to do next time!
 

I spent several hours quilting this quilt on my DSM, even though it is a lesson in what not to do. This was my second quilt, not counting a small flannel rag quilt, so I made it awhile ago (as I've said I'm finishing all the tops I've made before letting myself piece news ones). I'm not sure how I got so many things wrong on this quilt....or worse, why I left it that way. The mistakes don't show at a glance and it was only when I was quilting it -- and past the point of no return -- that I noticed that the sashing does not always line up, and some of the orange pieces are not the same size. That has to be a seaming problem but also, I can only assume that I didn't square up my blocks before putting them together. And how I got the sashing so out of line and left it that way, I have no idea. I think we sometimes develop blind spots when working on something and just can't see our goofs. At least that's what I'm telling myself about this one.

To make matters worse I got the back on crooked. I tried a new method of sandwiching and thought I had the top and back lined up but, guess what? I didn't! Didn't know that either until the thing was halfway quilted and I just was not going to rip out and start over, especially since by that time I'd realized the top was kind of a mess, too. Next time, though, I'm going to worry less about that 2 or 3 inches of batting and back extending beyond the top and more about making sure the top and back absolutely line up.

I loved the fabrics in this quilt, too, while I was making it, so needless to say I'm disappointed. But I'll keep it around to remind me to be more observant and more careful when putting a quilt together, both top and sandwich.

I'm posting these photos anyway because my errors may help someone else. I'm not that proud. I have other things I've done well so this "failure" won't ruin my life or keep me from making others.

Thanks for looking.....and being kind! :rolleyes:
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Well I looked, but I don't see the problems you see. I love those fabrics too, and your quilting is lovely. Just be happy that you finished and don't stress the small stuff.

Well, hey! I don't see a thing wrong. Maybe I'd better take another look at my stuff. LOL. I really like your quilt. It looks just fine to me.

It's a beautiful quilt. The imperfections are not as noticeable as you think. Enjoy the quilt as is and stop fretting about mistakes. Anytime you make a mistake and learn from it, you have been successful.

If I didn't believe that, I'd never be able to even try to do anything!

Looks like you managed to hide any imperfections quite nicely!

Boy! I had to look twice to see what you were referring to, and then wasn't sure. And when I looked again, I couldn't find it again. Relax and enjoy!! It's beautiful!

I think it's so pretty, and cannot see any of those 'errors' you thought were there!

that's how we learn ;-) looks great.

I don't see a thing wrong with it..I think it's lovely.

I like it. When I think I've done a bad job my daughter will hold it up and shake it. "Can you see it now, mom?" She then tells me that I need to hang it on a fence and drive by at 20 mph and see if I can see the mistakes. If I can then redo it, if not forget it. The answer is always no, I can't see the mistake(s). So hang it on a fence and drive by 20 mph and then look. Stop being so hard on yourself, it is a beautiful quilt and a great job.

My mother always told me I was my own worst critic and she was right.
D

I think it's beautiful - and hey! It's finished! Finished is better than perfect!

i love the colors

Just finish it up and enjoy. Very pretty quilt.

It is a great quilt. Tilted backing... Artistic license. I actually like it tilted. It is a great quilt

your pictures don't show your issues

some timed we are hardest on our selves

l guess the question is did you learn anything from making this quilt.

OK, first I don't think you pictured the quilt you are talking about. I studied and studied the pics and did not see different size orange squares or sashing that didn't line up.
Second, even if I could spot these things it was your SECOND quilt. SECOND, as in you hand ONE whole other quilt under your belt. I think on a second quilt if your only problems are a crooked sashing and not perfectly aligned back you are doing pretty darn good!

I think it's beautiful in the pics. Guess I am missing it to.
I like it!
Penny

Exactly what I was going to say, except ride by on a horse!!

It's unanimous! The quilt looks wonderful! :D

It's still very pretty and I know it's hard sometimes when things don't turn out the way they look in our heads! I'm working on one now that I should name - Should Have Done This Differently! I have been working on it for 3 years and trying to have it completed by the end of the month.
I wouldn't agonize over this quilt either, but it is pretty.

I have no idea what you are talking about...looks great to me...we are our worst critics...you done good!

I think your quilt is great, we are our own worst critics, I don't see anything wrong you did a great job.

I really like both front and back! In a quilt there are so many processes, it is so easy to go wrong. You did a great job, this quilt will be used and loved. As others have said, "Finished is perfect."

It looks great as is! We all see our own mistakes much more than others.

You are all more than kind! Thanks for all the positive comments! The mistakes are there--I spared myself closeups which would show them more clearly--but I very much appreciate the belief that they aren't fatal, lol.

I'm most aggravated at myself about the back being crooked. That was a stupid mistake, entirely preventable if I'd been minding my p's and q's. But it's okay. We learn by doing. On to the next one!

Thanks, everyone!

It looks perfect to me. The back isn't 'crooked'... in quilting we call that "wonky set". We go to great pains to get wonky blocks. You got lucky and did it by mistake!

My galloping horse was evidently going too fast for me to see any imperfections. lol. Seriously, don't worry about it. Probably n one else will even notice, unless you point it out.
I made a quilt a while back that I absolutely loved, and took it to my LA'er for quilting. When I picked it up, she asked me if I was trying to be Amish, with a humility block. I said "of course not, why?" She said she had found a place where I had made a mistake, but we both looked for about 10 minutes, and couldn't find it. (We both have been quilting for several years) I took the quilt home, and while I was binding it, I found the mistake, and I thought it was a glaring mistake then. However, once I finished it and put it on my bed, that mistake just magically disappeared again. I know that it is there, but even now, 2 years later, I really have to look hard to find it, and no one else has even noticed :)

like the quilt, see no problems

You need the advice my friend gave to me, "don't tell anyone or show anyone your errors", they won't see them. Beautiful quilt and quilting, love it.

I think you are being too hard on yourself. We are our own worst critics. It looks great,

I think it is a great job for just beginning. Trust me, my first quilt is a disaster because the blocks weren't squared, one end of the quilt was bigger than the other end. Be proud, you deserve it. I would never post a picture of my first quilt, even though it sits on our bed, I will be making a new one.

I do notice the back is a bit crooked. The front looks great though. I'm guessing you had to do more fussing with it than you wanted to. If this is your second quilt. You did an amazing job. I can not wait to see your fifth and sixth quilt. OMG - your tenth will be to die for. It really isn't bad at all. I like it and you do have an eye for color. Keep going!

Every quilter I have ever know is her own worst critic. Try not mentioning your mistakes, and talk about how much fun you had putting it together, Remember the 5 foot rule and just move on. I see no mistakes; even those you pointed out. I think its a beautiful quitl

I think you did a nice job and unless it is a quilt as you go, I never understand how someone can get a perfectly straight backing on a DSM--it is a huge task and quite a challenge.

I think it is nice, though. I don't see the mistakes you talk about except the crooked back (a little). Probably no one would notice if you put it on the bed so the material is straight, unless you told someone about it. (assuming you want a reversible quilt). Otherwise, the front is quite pretty...and I don't see the mess you see.

Gosh, I've looked and looked and don't see anything wrong! I think your quilt looks lovely and if there are any imperfections like you say, they are so small so as to be completely unnoticeable!

I think it looks fine. None of us are perfect. You did a good job. I can't see the mistakes.

looks beautiful to me. even god doesn't make everything perfect.

I think you did a beautiful job. Wish I was as talented.