I Felt Very Judged: Quilt tops vs Finished quilts
07-17-2011, 09:36 AM
#101
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: northern ontario
Posts: 3,648
Well you`ve just encouraged me to keep going.....not that i don`t like the quilting part, it is just i just can`t do the quiting on my regular machine....so i`ve been piecing till i can i afford a real quilting machine...i do hand quilting but will never be able to do all my tops....so , yes, i`ll keep piecing....i had stopped because i felt overwhelmed but now i know i`m not the only one...hmmm i might even hang a quilt top ....good idea....i really love them!!! why not???
Originally Posted by Jazzz
I have always had a creative outlet in my life: piano playing, oil painting, photography, scrapbooking, etc. What got me hooked into quilting was the beautiful fabric prints and what could be created by putting different ones together. What got me to DO quilting was the prospect of "A Quilt in a Day." So, my first few quilts were log cabins. After getting 5 other women in my office to take a sampler class with me, a whole new world opened up. My favorite pattern turned out to be the Mariner's Compass.
Fast forward to today and 3 kids later. In my house, you will mostly find just quilt tops hanging on my walls. I do have finished quilts that my family uses also but my true passion is in the designing and the challenge of the pattern. Maybe if I had a long-arm, I might follow thru with them more, but I find large quilts cumbersome to quilt. Added to that, my limited time was so precious that I didn't want to spend it wrestling!!!
Life took it's tole and quilting took a (way) back-burner till I got on this website. Needing money and not just giving my fabric away, I put what I could part with out at a recent garage sale. This one quilter came up and we started chatting. When I mentioned my quilt tops that were hanging, she looked at me with outright disdain and I knew whe was trying to invision the unfinished edges she asked about.
Maybe it's just because I've been through so much in the past few years, but I was really shocked at her reaction. I don't remember any other time in my quilting career when I've had such a feeling of judgment in that area. Maybe because I've lost all my quilting friends gradually over time. That's why I'm so grateful for this site.
I know many of you may agree with this lady. I do understand the "other side." My belief is to each his own. Thanks for letting me vent and for the help to work this through and be able to let it go.
Fast forward to today and 3 kids later. In my house, you will mostly find just quilt tops hanging on my walls. I do have finished quilts that my family uses also but my true passion is in the designing and the challenge of the pattern. Maybe if I had a long-arm, I might follow thru with them more, but I find large quilts cumbersome to quilt. Added to that, my limited time was so precious that I didn't want to spend it wrestling!!!
Life took it's tole and quilting took a (way) back-burner till I got on this website. Needing money and not just giving my fabric away, I put what I could part with out at a recent garage sale. This one quilter came up and we started chatting. When I mentioned my quilt tops that were hanging, she looked at me with outright disdain and I knew whe was trying to invision the unfinished edges she asked about.
Maybe it's just because I've been through so much in the past few years, but I was really shocked at her reaction. I don't remember any other time in my quilting career when I've had such a feeling of judgment in that area. Maybe because I've lost all my quilting friends gradually over time. That's why I'm so grateful for this site.
I know many of you may agree with this lady. I do understand the "other side." My belief is to each his own. Thanks for letting me vent and for the help to work this through and be able to let it go.
07-17-2011, 09:44 AM
#102
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,509
I am so sorry to hear of your hard times. I was there at one too. I found it very difficult to maintain my self-esteem that I nearly lost me. I venture to share that if you were in a more secure place in your life, you'd have let this woman's reaction roll off like water on a a duck's back.
Good luck to you and I pray your life situation turns for your best.
Good luck to you and I pray your life situation turns for your best.
07-17-2011, 11:49 AM
#106
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Denver area
Posts: 255
Wow!!! You all are so incredible!!! Thanks so much for the support. I've only found the fortitude to read the first 1 and a half pages of this post but I will!! It's conforting to know I can go to this post when I need a little sunshine in my day.
Just to let you know, before my quilting went by the wayside, I did find a business that rented their long-arm to customers that first paid for a lesson. Not cheap but was a good alternative. Since that was a least 5 years ago, I'd have to see if they're still around or if any additional similar businesses have opened since.
Besides being your typical fabric snob, I just remembered I was also a...well you tell me what kinda snob I was...I felt that if the quilt was "from" me, it had to be "totally made" by me. Needless to say, I've grown(???)& matured (ha) and may not feel this way anymore... I'll have to discuss that with my therapist!!!!!!!
Anyway, thanks again for all your kind thoughts xoxoxo
Just to let you know, before my quilting went by the wayside, I did find a business that rented their long-arm to customers that first paid for a lesson. Not cheap but was a good alternative. Since that was a least 5 years ago, I'd have to see if they're still around or if any additional similar businesses have opened since.
Besides being your typical fabric snob, I just remembered I was also a...well you tell me what kinda snob I was...I felt that if the quilt was "from" me, it had to be "totally made" by me. Needless to say, I've grown(???)& matured (ha) and may not feel this way anymore... I'll have to discuss that with my therapist!!!!!!!
Anyway, thanks again for all your kind thoughts xoxoxo
07-17-2011, 11:55 AM
#107
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
I wonder what she would have thought of me if she found out more then not I'll get bored with a quilt top and never finish putting it together. It goes right to the my guild's sale table or my scrap bin. I get lots of comments at guild about wasting my fabric. I just laugh and say I paid for it I can do what I want with it.
07-17-2011, 12:50 PM
#108
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 697
never feel judged for being creative. Just keep creating! I collected up a bunch of things I'd designed and sewn as 'tops" and never got around to finishing. I managed to find a quilt group and the ladies had more ambition and talent than money, so I took most of my tops and 2 laundry baskets of fabrics and large scraps to them and said: heres enough to go around for all, just finish things and do what you want to them -
I had the enjoyment of creating things and setting them free, and they had the enjoyment of the quilting and giving as gifts or using. sharet
I had the enjoyment of creating things and setting them free, and they had the enjoyment of the quilting and giving as gifts or using. sharet
07-17-2011, 01:30 PM
#109
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern New Hampshire
Posts: 1,936
If this woman feels qualified to judge others what do you think she'd say if she enterd my home to find it devoid of any quilts! All the quilts I have made have gone to others and to Quilts4Kids. Am I any less a quilter I think not. Don't let her reaction make you question yourself or what you do. :D {{{HUGS}}}
07-17-2011, 01:56 PM
#110
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
I think we spend way too much time worrying about what others might think of us.... You have your quilts, and you love to display them...yay for you! I do the same.
I also use quilts on my sofas/chairs to protect them from critter hair...If others don't like that...then don't sit on my furniture.
I stopped worring about what others think a log time ago. Do what makes you happy.
Marge
I also use quilts on my sofas/chairs to protect them from critter hair...If others don't like that...then don't sit on my furniture.
I stopped worring about what others think a log time ago. Do what makes you happy.
Marge
Originally Posted by Jazzz
I have always had a creative outlet in my life: piano playing, oil painting, photography, scrapbooking, etc. What got me hooked into quilting was the beautiful fabric prints and what could be created by putting different ones together. What got me to DO quilting was the prospect of "A Quilt in a Day." So, my first few quilts were log cabins. After getting 5 other women in my office to take a sampler class with me, a whole new world opened up. My favorite pattern turned out to be the Mariner's Compass.
Fast forward to today and 3 kids later. In my house, you will mostly find just quilt tops hanging on my walls. I do have finished quilts that my family uses also but my true passion is in the designing and the challenge of the pattern. Maybe if I had a long-arm, I might follow thru with them more, but I find large quilts cumbersome to quilt. Added to that, my limited time was so precious that I didn't want to spend it wrestling!!!
Life took it's tole and quilting took a (way) back-burner till I got on this website. Needing money and not just giving my fabric away, I put what I could part with out at a recent garage sale. This one quilter came up and we started chatting. When I mentioned my quilt tops that were hanging, she looked at me with outright disdain and I knew whe was trying to invision the unfinished edges she asked about.
Maybe it's just because I've been through so much in the past few years, but I was really shocked at her reaction. I don't remember any other time in my quilting career when I've had such a feeling of judgment in that area. Maybe because I've lost all my quilting friends gradually over time. That's why I'm so grateful for this site.
I know many of you may agree with this lady. I do understand the "other side." My belief is to each his own. Thanks for letting me vent and for the help to work this through and be able to let it go.
Fast forward to today and 3 kids later. In my house, you will mostly find just quilt tops hanging on my walls. I do have finished quilts that my family uses also but my true passion is in the designing and the challenge of the pattern. Maybe if I had a long-arm, I might follow thru with them more, but I find large quilts cumbersome to quilt. Added to that, my limited time was so precious that I didn't want to spend it wrestling!!!
Life took it's tole and quilting took a (way) back-burner till I got on this website. Needing money and not just giving my fabric away, I put what I could part with out at a recent garage sale. This one quilter came up and we started chatting. When I mentioned my quilt tops that were hanging, she looked at me with outright disdain and I knew whe was trying to invision the unfinished edges she asked about.
Maybe it's just because I've been through so much in the past few years, but I was really shocked at her reaction. I don't remember any other time in my quilting career when I've had such a feeling of judgment in that area. Maybe because I've lost all my quilting friends gradually over time. That's why I'm so grateful for this site.
I know many of you may agree with this lady. I do understand the "other side." My belief is to each his own. Thanks for letting me vent and for the help to work this through and be able to let it go.
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