Quilters newsletter letter

[Jill B.]

The December/January issue of the Quilters Newsletter was just delivered and I ran across a very unpleasant letter in the letters to the editor. It was a woman venting that she had bought an earlier magazine so she could get the pattern of a quilt that was on the cover. She was in "complete shock and disappointment" that a pattern was not included and wanted it sent. She says "shame on you for deceiving customers". She says she immediately bought several yards of the background fabric.
Now that would be sad but she goes on to say that she has an extensive group of blog readers and several online groups that she manages that would be notified of of the "deceiving cover effects" and "false advertising tactics" and she plans to get in touch with the Better Business Bureau.

Quilters - is this what we have become? Are we now a group of people who can not accept responsibility when you make a personal mistake and then threaten organizations with her connections? This is all over a $6.00 purchase.

I am sorry to introduce myself in this way but I have read this letter several times and each time I just get so depressed that people are like this. I had to share this with someone.
Thank you
Sybil

[Paula D.]

You can't let stuff like that get to you - she's obviously got a serious case of distorted entitlement. Just let it roll off, and treasure the good people you know and will meet in life. I got a good one for y'all. Years ago I was in a quilting class, and one of the ladies got a needle stuck in her finger. The owner of the shop rushed her to the ER, while the rest of us remained behind and continued sewing. Later, when they returned, it was discovered that someone had pilfered her sewing box and stolen some Bernina machine feet. So it was someone in the room! (not me, I swear!) :shock: :shock: :shock:

[Robin G.]

I read that letter to the editor, too, and you're right, it was depressing. Who would possibly buy yardage without looking at the pattern for fabric requirements? That's crazy on the surface of it. But, you're also right, her whole attitude was depressing. I hope that all the people that she complains to respond with a big "you're crazy!"!!! And someone stealing Bernina feet -- what a sad person that person must be. Did you also read about the quilt that was stolen from one of the vendor booths in Houston? Very sad.

[Robin G.]

I saw that letter also. I've always loved to see what QNL would have on its cover and alway understood that it wouldn't have a pattern in the magazine. Yes it's sad that some people don't stop to see the whole picture and understand that not all magazines, (and everything else in our lives), operate in the same way. I think that even if she posts her complaints, that most people in the quilting world are familiar with the different magazines and will sort it out for themselves.

BTW, I loved the Dec/Jan issue of QNL!

Cindy

[Robin G.]

I really enjoyed this issue as well and I really appreciate your feedback. I calmed down after I wrote my email - I think I just had to express myself utloud.

I went and found the story about the antique quilt that was stolen at the Houston show. This behavior has become so ormal and sad. We have large quilt shows in the Denver area and I have thought that people could easily walk away with products and quilts.
I used to participate in horse shows and now show my dogs. I never used to worry about leaving my things around until someone stole my backpack that had the house keys; money credit cards and most important -my dog grooming tools. Luckily they only got to use the credit card for a taxi ride to and from a supermarket before the card was cutoff. I always hoped they bought healthy food.

[Robin G.]

I, too, read the letter and was really taken aback by the writer's negative attitude. Really, get a life. She, unfortunately, sounds like a person who spends her days believing that the world owes her something. That's not the way I, or the people I hang around with, choose to live our lives. I would rather spend my time building people up rather than tearing them down, finding the beauty in as much as I can, and thinking the best of people (while maintaining some healthy skepticism). It was interesting that QNL chose to print the letter or that the writer acquiesced - seems to me, she ought to be embarrassed. Maybe she was just having a really bad day.

[Marion D.]

I didn't like the letter either...I was ready to look for blogs with her name and city on it to tell her off, the realized that 1)I might get the wrong person and 2)I would be acting just like her! So I hope she sees that and apologizes!

[Marion D.]

It sounds to me like she may have been a new quilter because none of us who are experienced would go out and buy fabric without looking at the pattern first. Although on a positive note, she is showing tenacity. Most of the quilts on the front of QNL are spectacular and wanting to recreate one of those shows serious initiative. :lol:

[Marion D.]

Those are wonderful quilts on the front of the Quilter's Newsletter and I have seen some of them in their offices - they are even better in person.

I do not think that this woman is a new quilter. The letter states that she has various blogs with "an extensive group of blog readers and seveal (online) groups that I manage". That does not sound like a new quilter.

I wonder what conversations when on in the QN headquarters as they tried to decide if they were going to publish this letter. It must have been interesting.

[Marion D.]

WELL ... anyone of us could write a letter in responce... I kind of wonder what ROCK she has been hiding under.... I have never had a subscription to Quilter's Newsletter and even I know most of those quilt shown on the cover are antique quilts.

My c/o with QNL is that they have beautiful traditional quilts on the cover then they have mostly art quilts on the inside... It seems like a diacotomy to me.

[Barbara L.]

Personally, I thought that the writer had lots of gall. Her attitude said it all. If anyone of us saw a quilt that we liked why would we expect the maker would give us the pattern. Creativity is the spice of life. I have many friends who love to make quilts from kits & that brings them joy. I appreciate their workmanship & use of colour. These women buzz together like a well oiled machine!

I lean toward the art quilt side these days. My friends appreciate my ability to walk on the path less taken & encourage me in my endeavours. Process & product do a laborious dance at times but the rewards for me are most satisfying when the piece is completed.

QNL has lots of set patterns inside it's magazine & has articles about the art scene too. Art is in the eye of the beholder. We all paint with fabric, it is a matter of how we use, manipulate & create with the tools.

[Eileen K.]

I read that letter also, and I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at the editorial meeting. I give QN a LOT of credit for publishing it at all. They must receive hundreds of letters; to pick a negative one told me that they're not afraid of a very bitter person who was probably looking for a free subscription.

[debra a.]

what is funny is most times Quilters Newsletter will post in the mag where the coverquilt came from, who made it and most times the contact on where to get the pattern. Long ago there was a feature quilt they had on the back of the mag you know the one the last page they love to feature. I always turn to that page first!! Anyways there was a gorgeous quilt called Something Wicked this way come and it had all the information and I was fortunate enough to get the pattern from the designers of the quilt.

People should investigate before they fly off the handle we should be able to do some research and find where we could get the pattern. I am sure she would have found what she was looking for...

too bad that it left a bad taste in your mouth reading this article but remember it is only one out of how many wonderful quilters.. let it ride off your shoulders like water off oil...and enjoy the rest of us.