Readers Respond: Can you help fix these "ugly" quilts?

How about some feedback? What would have improved a specific quilt? Or do you see a quilt you think needs no improvement whatsoever (judging from my emails, I know that's true for many). Your feedback can be a big help to beginning quilters who view the gallery, so take a few minutes to tell us what you think. Help "Fix" These Quilts

"ugly" quilts

I had to chuckle with each quilt I looked at, as it made me recall my first few--wish I still had them, they were good for a laugh ;) Poor color choices, mismatched seams, unrecognizable patterns, it really took me back, and also very glad for the improvements to my skills over the years!

—xphile3000

Don't Let Others Bring You Down!

I first started making quilts only a few months ago. I admit, my first was a disaster, but, I learned from my mistakes, and I now know how to fix them. And I'm also still learning! All quilts are beautiful in their own way, and if they're made with love, then that's all that matters. For example, I have this new project, and I need to machine quilt. Problem is, I have no idea how.

—Guest Riley

These eyes behold beauty...

To all of you who have posted your quilts here; each and every one of these creations has it's own kind of beauty, in it's own measure and in its own space. The people who are lucky enough to receive any of these quilts will only add to the beauty of them as they are comforted by the love that they feel radiating from them. These are just the kinds of quilts that become the "favorite blankie" and nothing else will or can take its place. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - perhaps you may want to blink a few times and look again, the rest of us sure like what we see

—Pat.P

finished loved

I agree with ermother, all quilts should be finished and loved....its upbeat and cheerful, and I hope you've continued on to make more!

—GwenBreen

All the Ugly Quilts

I believe we are all related!!...I ALWAYS think my quilts are UGLY![and I've made many, many, many]..but ...my family always say they are WONDERFUL...so I keep making them...with more to come...hopefully..Lets not be so hard on ourselves!! I promise to try!!

—marymz

Inge

Pick out good border. I'm thinking: several layers of medium tones with a thick black. I think it is really great. Love the cowboy.

—Guest Sewqt

Patience and time...

Quilts take time and patience to put together with lots and love, no quilt can be ugly, someone will appreciate them and love them for the crazy combinations and colours. I am still trying to get to do one for my bed. Send them to me if you don't want them. :-)

—Guest Lesley

Reality Check Time, Cindy!

As as an artist who has studied Interior Design professionally, I would like to kindly ask you, what are you thinking NOW?!! This is a be-a-utiful quilt! The colors are lively (even a bit daring) and --artistically speaking--use contrast, color and balance each very well. Interior Design-wise, I wonder if you can spend just a few hours painting the bottom 1/3 of your daughter's room a pale version of the periwinkle from the center, the top 2/3 of her room a pale version of the butter yellow from the middle, her ceiling, woodwork and a band of inexpensive moulding between the two colors white? Buy fabric to aproximate the periwinkle paint (or just buy) a dust ruffle, pillow shams and white curtains tied back with wide, burgundy ties. Add some thrift store (seriously!) frames, painted burgundy with some pictures she likes. Stitch your name and date in the center of the now newly- renamed black & white "signature square" and be as proud of your self as your daughter is of you!

—Guest Lyndi

So what if it's not a winner

For 35+ years I've been making ugly quilts. Some of us aren't artists nor precision seamstresses. But it's such a fun hobby. Here are several suggestions: if you really don't like the quilt and don't know anyone who can use it 1. Donate it to any number of worthy causes 2. cut it up and repurpose it (pillows, placemats, doll blanket,) 3. over dye it - this might help to unite crazy colors 4. throw it away and move on 5. put it in the trunk of your car 6. hang it in your dark, dingy garage 7. gift it to someone you don't like :-) 8. pet beds at home or at a shelter 9. sell it on E-Bay - - - there's no end. The best thing is to take a picture and then get the ugly thing out of your life and start something new. Hey, even ugly people are loved; why not an ugly quilt?

—chensue

Ugly Quilts

Some of these are really not ugly! I'm not sure how to fix any, but for those who don't want to use their ugly quilt, donating to Goodwill or Homeless Shelters would provide a wonderful life for the quilt and much warmth, heart and body, for the receiver.

—Guest Donna L

Ugliest quilt

Afra, I really like this quilt. If you don't like it, I'll take it off your hands.

—Guest Judymay

Dott's Scrap Closet - 1987

Dott's Scrap Closet - 1987 Quilt by Michele Murphy Michele ... what you fail to remember is in 1987 you probably did not have a lot of choice in quilting fabrics... at least not like today... there were calicoes and then there were calicoes... did I remind you there were calicoes.... I think you did a great job... the first quilts always have learning adventures in them... Main point is you came away loving QUILTING. I am sure you went on to do better, beautiful quilts.... I still think you did a good job. Lady RAgs .

—Guest LADYRAGS 88

Fixing the beautiful 'ugly' quilts

I'm a beginner at quilting, joined a group making quilts for Project Linus. I'm smart enough to know that I don't know enough about color combinations, which seems to be one of the ugly quilt makers' primary concerns. I have a delightful, 82 yr. old gentleman as a new neighbor, whose hobby is painting. Sooo, since I'm making my first quilt for a teenage boy, and I'm a grandmother, thus was never a boy, and was having trouble making one pattern work in the layout, I asked him for his help. He was delighted to be asked, told me to ditch the offending pattern, and that did it! He said that he, as a teen, would have been very comfortable with the quilt! So, ASK FOR HELP BEFORE CUTTING! Two heads are better than one! :)

—Guest ermother

Beauty is warm! Ugly is cold.

If your quilts aren't being used, or are unfinished, please finish them. If you really can't stand them, I'm sure a cold, homeless person would love them! Came across this site yesterday. Gave me some ideas! I'd be warmed to my heart, though, if someone I loved, tried so hard for me!

—Guest ermother

Autumn fell on its Face.

I LIKE IT! I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AT ALL.

—Guest Janice