Why do I prefer other people's work !

[Judy M.]

Why is it that when I see other people's work I always prefer it to my own? ! Does anybody else find this as well? Only joking really - but I do sometimes feel like throwing mine in the corner after seeing other work. I will be going to The Quilt Show at Birmingham UK in August - that'll be interesting - I love looking at other people's quilts - can't wait for the show !

[Frances L.]

I think that is because when you look at a quilt hanging in a show, you see the overall effect. Unless you look really closely at it, you don't see the small mistakes. Since you made your quilt, you know that there's that one corner that doesn't quite match and that one point that is cut off. So you know the flaws in your quilt and don't see the flaws in the others. Be happy with your own art and appreciate others' art.
Frances

[Frances L.]

I have often wished that I could see my own work "for the first time" as a complete work. Each piece has personal baggage for me. The "maybe I should"s and the "What if I"s still run through my head each time I look at my work. I would just like to know how it effects a first time viewer. I like to lurk at a quilt show and watch people view my work. You can learn a lot that way. Betty Ann In Stormy Florida

[Debbie L.]

I think that is because when you look at a quilt hanging in a show, you see the overall effect. Unless you look really closely at it, you don't see the small mistakes. Since you made your quilt, you know that there's that one corner that doesn't quite match and that one point that is cut off. So you know the flaws in your quilt and don't see the flaws in the others. Be happy with your own art and appreciate others' art.
Frances

I could not have said that any better :? Although there are a few I refuse to see the flaws in. deb

[Beth A.]

When you see something for the first time, you are struck with the overall look of it -- the design, the patterns, the values, the colors, etc.

When you look at your quilt, that stuff doesn't stand out so much because you have evaluated all that already and and moved on.

BethMI

[Hannelore N.]

I'll be over-dosing on quilts in Birmingham too. I'm going to make sure that I wear my 'Quilt Show' pin, so if you see me, please, say 'hello'!

[Hannelore N.]

Jacky, I think like Betty Ann was talking, we see our projects as we go along on them, from the first thought and fabric piece to the last stitch, with lots of life happening in the process. I have been working on a piece for seven weeks that I drew at the La Veta quilt retreat, and I finished it yesterday.....I always sew with bright lights and music and usually other noises in the house....so I woke up at 4:00 this morning and came into the sewing room with only a small lamp on. The piece had a glow on it from the lamp......It was very quiet in the house and I sat in the chair for a long time and just looked at it. The imperfections did not show and it warmed my heart to think back on the weeks of making it, all that it means, and the wonderful memories I have of retreat. I saw it in a very different way than when I was making it. I had never really thought about it this way before, but I think I will from now on.

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

[Mary H.]

Dana - can't wait for you to post your latest quilt. I'm sure it's great. Mary

[Mary H.]

Yes, I think you are all right - and looking at my work in daylight it looks quite different to the way it looks under the very strong light that I am sewing under in the evenings. Looking forward to Birmingham and will look out for anybody wearing 'the badge' X

[Mary H.]

I personally love all of my quilts... flaws and all. I love them for the fact that they are finished. I do not get to see the results of my work that often in my job. So I revel in a completed project. It is the UFOs, especially the one I may never finish that haunt me. I find I dislike them for numerous reasons....ie :[list]
Working on a project I did not want to do in the first place... My Baltimore Album... I took the classes to learn how to applique... not because I like the block patterns. I have changed all the blocks I had made and have them in a block carrier but I do not know if I will ever make the rest of the blocks. I did enjoy the lessons and the learning process but I want to work on the blocks I pick. I will probably have to join an applique society group to continue growth.

Working with fabrics I did not pick in the first place... a friend gave me a kit for a present. She is not a quilter she just want to give me a gift for past kindnesses. I will make the kit but not with the pattern she had in the kit. I will use the fabrics to honor her, but they are not my colors. I am finding I love bright true colors as they lift my spirits, I do not like the muted, grayed colors in some of the fabrics. I think these are an older line of ThimbleBerries (not sure) but I will try to lighten up the colors with some of the newer fabrics ( ThimbleBerries or what ever will lighten this fabric. )

I did not know what I was doing... when I first started quilting I started many projects but did not finish many because I knew they were wrong. I have one I am going to finish because it has special fabric in it. It will make a nice lap / nap robe at the size it is but the thought of finishing it killing me. All the rest of the projects in this category is going to a charity quilting group... orphan blocks look lovely in a charity quilt and I can then have my closet back to put finished projects in.
[/list:u]

Do not be so critical of your work.. look for the good points and realize we are all on a journey of self discovery... figure out why you do not like the project and see what you can do to "fix the problem" maybe it is just finishing it so you can enjoy the completion.

If you were to talk to the quilters you admire they too will complain about what they do not like in their work. And as my friend Loosie says... " If they can't see the mistakes riding by on a horse, then it can stay in the quilt."

[Mary H.]

We stretch that a bit farther, Elaine; "If you can't see it from the back of a galloping horse at midnight in a storm, it's fine."

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Mary H.]

Thanks everyone for the comments and kind words! I will make an effort not to be so picky - x

[Margo C.]

I posted this on another thread, but think it bears repeating here.
It is a quote from Nelson Mandela, from his 1994 inaugural speech.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to manifest the glory of God within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

[Margo C.]

Thanks for that quote, Margo. I, too, have been quite discouraged as of late. I'm having trouble finding the joy again. (Although I do really enjoy the BOMs, come to think of it!) I have been working on a quilt that I think was doomed from the start, there have been so many problems with it. It, too, was a project I was coaxed into doing, and not really one of my own. :roll: Perhaps that's an important key here. I'm glad you started this thread! I think we probably have lots of company.

[Margo C.]

I also find many times I'm way too critical of my own work. I give most of my pieces away, but would like to sell some too. When I get excited about doing a piece I lose interest in selling it. I begin to question "who would want this? esp. in this down market...
I guess the answer is just do the best I can do & be happy I'm able to create & have others admire the quilt mistakes or not.