For any of you who are wondering...
There are only three rules in quilting.
- Make sure it is structurally sound. (This can one can fly out the window if you are doing a wall hanging or art quilt.)
- Done is warmer than perfect.
- If you can't see it from the back of a galloping horse, it isn't there.
Any other RULE anyone tells you is just noise and can either be learned from or ignored.
Yeah, I might have an attitude. I respect and appreciate competition quilters. I admire the quilters who are able to match every corner, keep every point and make tiny perfect stitches. I aspire to their level of quality. I learn from them.
However, it makes me sad to see quilters apologize for their work and point out tiny mistakes that no one else can see. Everyone should be able to enjoy the process and celebrate their successes and finishes. Few of us are actually doing this because it is essential to keeping our families warm.
And it hurts my heart to see self-appointed quilt police shut down the enthusiasm of other quilters. I was fortunate enough to have my first experience with an expert turn out to be incredibly supportive. I took my first effort to a quilt shop where the kind lady ever so politely explained to me how to match up corners. I was so green, I didn't even know that was a thing. When I asked if I needed to rip it all apart and start over, she said, "finish is up and move on, dearie. Learn what you can from this one and the next on will be even better." Had she treated me as I have seen some treat others, I would probably have trashed my first effort and never done another one. But she was kind. She was helpful. She encouraged me. And almost thirty years later whenever I am discouraged by a project, I hear her voice in my head saying " finish it up and move one, dearie." And so I do.
Bravo, Charlene! I always only made wall hangings because of all the “rules” I would read about for making a quilt. I didn’t start quilting until 12 years ago. Damn them! Those junk rules insured that I would never have a quilt made by me. I finally decided to defy them and just see what happens. NOTHING bad happened. I even quilted that quilt starting at the outside edges working my way into the center. No bubbles, no tucks. It all came out great. It was then I learned there are no rules! I would say even your 3 rules are not rules, but suggestions and guides for making a satisfying quilt finish. No rules, period. I hate when someone says “you can’t do it that way”. I say, watch me! You can see this is a passionate topic with me. And it doesn’t just apply to quilting.
ReplyDelete