My Worst Quilt Ever! And the quilting lessons I've learned from it...

This week I am sharing one of my quilting mistakes. I pushed myself to finish a quilt that I should have folded up and put away for another day. It was meant to be a quick Orphan Block Quilt using old jeans and leftover quilt blocks. What it turned into was my worst quilt ever!

In this video I talk about some of the beginner quilting lessons I am still learning, including when not to quilt something, when improv no plan quilting works and when it doesn’t, and re-learning that quilting should be fun and not stressful!

I’d love to hear your quilting horror stories - if only to make me feel better about mine! So tell me about your worst quilt ever in the comments!

— Timestamps —
00:00 My Worst Quilt Ever!
02:37 Starting an Orphan Block quilt
04:07 The 80/20 rule of quilting
06:15 Quilting Mistakes
09:20 When not to quilt
09:54 Why we have WIPs and UFOs
13:50 WIPs and UFOs updates

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[Old_Scot]

Since it's a tough (part-demin) quilt, I think you should let your wee ones play with it. They'll make tents in the garden, have picnics on it, and you won't care what kind of a mess it gets into. And maybe one day you'll love it for the memories you've made with it? But even if you don't, you won't care if it gets messy! ;)

[moirae.anderson]

This video made me laugh. I absolutely love your honesty. We’ve all been there at some point or other and it’s great to be reminded we’re “human” and real life stuff happens. The rest of us maybe aren’t so keen to admit it. Thank you for such a candid, brave post - it’s brilliant! Your kids will just love this quilt I’m sure and you’ll never forget the story behind it.

[NolaTheAlamoChiliQueen]

Thanks for showing your worst. Those are the quilts we learn from.

[mambakind]

This is the school of experience. You've learned a lot, and even 'ugly' quilts have a charm. Mine have become my children's favorites. Like the doll named 'messy face' (ink on her face - don't ask!) or the green paisley bear named Grendel. And letting go is a lesson we all have to learn, too. I am glad you shared this experience. I have a lot of fellow-feeling.

[coreygilles]

My mom always said (when commenting on design) “ once is a mistake, twice is a design choice” so when I am trying to make my chaos seems intentional I just try to make sure there are two of everything even if I don’t like it. And honestly, once you bind it…all that fades away. However, you didn’t waste the time. You have all of that practice! As for my worst quilt…I attempted to do half square triangles…but I didn’t know how and I didn’t understand bias edges on fabric…it stretched into a Star shape…only I didn’t realize that (this was my second quilt) and I didn’t know how to baste…and I decided to free motion quilt (for the first time) and honestly…so many tears when I realized that I had all of this extra fabric and I didn’t know where it came from…and I just ended up folding it and just quilted it to death. And my niece asked for it and she LOVES it…and…now, 10 years later I feel much better about my mistakes and she still loves it

[reneetoll]

I absolutely love the fact that you allow us to see that you are "real" like us.

[lisam]

My worst ever was a birthday quilt for my daughter that looks like the pink panther went through a blender. Just kept going because ' no I'm going to fix this'. I learned- no honey, you're not, not today, stop. I have to relearn that lesson often. But now I see it sooner. This may be one of your most valuable quilts- for all that it taught you. Great idea sending the other one to be someone else's treasure. Bless all the Mommas everywhere!

[conqueringmountscrapmorewi]

I have been in my sewing room all day. I just got to sit down with my hand quilting and watch you! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead! Thanks for sharing!

[VAHelix]

You have created a perfect picnic quilt! If it gets stained who cares, 1000 washes, and may get used till those jeans wear out and fought over for a college take along due to memories. Quilts have a life of their own and it often is out of our control. 🤣😍🤣 Ugly quilts so often rule.

[pamelaarbour]

I can see so many lessons in this quilt as I heard your video. It is filled with teaching moments for your children in the years to come. Don't get rid of it. I am pretty sure that it will become a household favorite. The kids can drag it all over the house and maybe even take it camping and in case someone tries to steal it, it will be very easy to spot! Thanks for sharing.

[lindaprice]

Oh my goodness you crack me up! LOL I was sitting here laughing thinking you were so human and honest I just loved it. I can see you sitting at your sewing machine just pedal to the metal on that quilting and you know what that will probably be your most loved quilt. Don't ever get rid of it!

[elizabethcollins]

It’s so nice to know I’m not alone in my quilting journey 🌹🧵🪡✂️ I love my hobby of piecing quilt tops and bottoms (I do not do the quilting) It’s when I mess up too many times that I get frustrated 🤪

[ShadowMoonFarms]

I found your channel recently and am really enjoying your videos. Please don't be hard on yourself. Your youngest has already claimed the quilt, so it already has value. I tend to not allow myself to start another quilt until I have finished the one I'm currently working on. Sort of how I used to not allow myself to sew until my housework was done. I try not to do that to myself now, but it is sometimes a struggle. 80% JOY is a great goal. I'll try to remember that and thank you for sharing with us.

[chrislittebrant]

No worries Kristen, I have picked out an entire quilt because I didn’t like it and then I drew out my design with chalk and quilted it again. I do not regret it as I am so happy with the second results that turned out beautifully. Whew all have those moments and lessons to learn or re-learn. 🤣 Yes, that will be fun to see what she does with the quilt. 🥰 Have a good week, Chris Raleigh NC

[Stoffmonster]

Eleanor Burns made a video "from block to quilt". That is great and very helpful. You can use any test block you made and turn all of them into a nice quilt. So just stop if your actual project seems endless and boring.

[mlatham]

This makes me feel so much better about all of the abandoned projects in my life. I finish a lot of things but sometimes I get sick of them for whatever reason and just can't make myself finish them. I am better able to finish things then I was when I met my husband, he is a good influence on me sticking things out because he almost always finishes his projects. I always just felt guilty about them. This made me realize I can be intentional about abandoning them.

[karenraabis]

I think it looks like a fun art quilt. What a great quilt to use outside with the kids.

[mostlyquilts]

Weird quilts are the BEST! This is a weird quilt and I LOVE it! You talk about ways you could have made it “better” but that equates to boring. I would bind it and love it proudly.

[jennjenn]

Your quilting looks like cracked glass to me, modern and interesting. It's given me an idea on how to quilt one of my quilts. I agree with you - don't spend precious time on something you don't enjoy. I've gone down that road and regret it every time. Love your videos!

[dakin]

The 80/20 rule sounds like a good idea. I hate it when I have to keep in picking seams. Your blocks are so pretty.