I try to point out the good things on the quilt..and if I see a problem...say the tips of a star point are cut off...I will say something like, "I used to struggle with points some, until I read somewhere that when stitching seams where they will meet a point, to always stitch as close to where the points are, but never over them...even if I have to fudge the 1/4" seam a thread or two. I then press & check the block, triming if needed to get the correct size."
It's not a criticism, but a lesson on how to improve the outcome of their next project.
If I don't like the color, I rarely comment on that..we all percieve color differently..what looks like bright red to me, may look deep pink to you..so for color choices, I rarely make a comment. If the person asks...I'll mention value and how to use a red or green piece of plastic to look through and see if the values work...but I never mention color choice...only values.
Originally Posted by JanieW
I read the quilt police thread and some of the comments made me think about the issue of giving false praise.
When someone has made a quilt that is poorly put together or there isn't enough contrast with colour choices, or it just plain doesn't look right, are we being fair by complimenting them?
I don't believe in embarrassing a person by pointing out mistakes or telling them that they have to do it the "right" way. I don't believe in telling someone their work is lovely when it isn't. Being positive and encouraging is essential, but damning with faint praise is harmful.
Where is the line between trying to help someone improve their skills and being the dreaded hated quilt police?