quarter inch squares
October 26, 2009
The left side looks pretty good but it all goes downhill from there as far as matching points…and yet, I still like it because of the parts I like. (sorry, the brain is still tired, but you know what I mean!) Overlooking the imperfection to see the good (the colors and they’re so tiny!) as opposed to being stuck on the imperfection and not seeing the good. I choose the former for my life. I’d miss so much if I didn’t.
Thought about this at Quilt Festival. It’s a juried show, perfection is required, the quilts are amazing. A friend talked about a quilt she saw that was perfect, each and every point matched, nothing cut off. But it was as ordinary in pattern and color as anyone would make. Then there’s my favorite quilt of all time, imperfections galore, applique stitches easily seen, blocks not straight. The exact same pattern, done the exact same way, in new fabrics would not have made it into the show. Why can they acknowledge the beauty when it’s old, in spite of the imperfections, but not if it’s new? Why the double standard? I don’t know.
Have a nice quiet and peaceful Monday.
October 26, 2009 at 11:37 am
I like the totally appliqued quilt. I would never make it, but it was fun to look at. I’ve thought about your miniature blocks that you make ever since I met you at Marilee’s said then “WAY TOO TINY”. I’m still saying that. Oh my goodness 1/4″ squares!
October 26, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Well, I can’t imagine making quilts in the 1800s. Look at us now! We have every modern convenience to make our quilts “perfect”. what I love about this old quilt is the charm of it all. She made ‘art’ with what she had. She made something so beautiful to make her bedroom pretty. Yet, she had to make it practical — it had to keep them warm and she had to use the fabric pieces she had on hand. I applaud this unknown quiltmaker. This quilt is true folk art. (my quilts will never be referred to as made by “unknown” — I am signing all of my work! HA!)
October 30, 2009 at 8:47 am
That’s a good thing! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to find the diary of this gal during the time she worked on this quilt?
October 26, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I think of the beauty in the old quilts to keep myself from getting too stressed out about making things too perfect now.
October 26, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I like your philosophy of not looking at the imperfections…You are right never go back, just move on..exciting things await us…
October 26, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I have worked with a lot of old quilts and blocks, a lot of their charm is their “imperfections”. If the quilter ran out of fabric they found something close and went on with the project. They did the best they could and it was good enough. That is what makes them special. We are way too judgmental and we stress too much over our projects-it is for fun and enjoyment! My projects are not perfect but I am working on something that I enjoy and most of the time I love the result-because I do it for me for enjoyment! Absolutely love your postings and projects!
October 26, 2009 at 9:22 pm
I so appreciate your attitude….
Thanks for sharing “HOUSTON”…..
October 26, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I feel we are judging new quilts far too much on how well they are made, and not enough attention is paid to how well they are designed.
Thank you for showing the old beauty!
Judy B
October 27, 2009 at 3:50 am
Oh I so agree about perfection… Quilts and other things have so much more character with ‘imperfections’ Took me a long time to realize that but now is the time to make, adjust when run out of fabrics/other supplies and one gets a beautiful ‘one of a kind’ piece of art.
And I hope you self publish your next book
October 27, 2009 at 10:13 am
I totally agree with your perspective!
October 27, 2009 at 11:51 am
They have “personality” instead of “perfection” — just like your work does (g)
October 29, 2009 at 10:30 am
Ahh, I so agree with you, and isn’t that what we as a society have come to expect with people? I think the imperfections make us real and our quilts more interesting. If a quilt can get my attention and make me ask a few questions, it’s a winner in my book! I love your blog, and will one day, hopefully soon, attempt some tiny projects. Thanks for the inspiration!