The Ugly Scrap Quilt
Edited to add: I hope this post doesn't come off in the wrong way. I made much more traditional looking quilts for my son's teachers and, since this is a small school, they will likely see the quilts I made for each other and I am worried she is going to wonder why I made this crazy quilt for her. I do like the quilt, it is just much louder than I expected so I wasn't sure what to do. Thank you for all of your words of support!
Have you ever finished a quilt top and thought, "Wow, that is kind of ugly!"? I posted this question on Instagram the other day when I finished the quilt top. I had some very sympathetic, helpful responses, and while it does usually help to quilt and bind the project, I felt a little like I was putting lipstick on a pig. This one is a little crazy.
Have you ever finished a quilt top and thought, "Wow, that is kind of ugly!"? I posted this question on Instagram the other day when I finished the quilt top. I had some very sympathetic, helpful responses, and while it does usually help to quilt and bind the project, I felt a little like I was putting lipstick on a pig. This one is a little crazy.
Normally when I make a scrap quilt I spend some time evaluating how the scraps will work together. This time my only criteria was that the scrap was large enough to cut a 3.5" square from it. The hard thing about this quilt for me is that I love of the fabrics that I used. A lot! I just don't love them together.
I do think that adding a pretty backing and binding helped to temper the crazy. And quilting always makes everything better. My original plan was to give this quilt to my daughter's 2nd grade teacher as an end of year gift.
So now the question is, do I give her this ugly scrap quilt or give her an unused quilt from my stash? (actually the better question is why did I make a new quilt when I have unused quilts in my stash, ha ha) 
I don't totally hate it, I'm just not sure if I want to gift it to someone. What would you do?
Finished size: 60" x 66"
Backing: Palm Springs in Navy from Hatbox
Binding: Dime Store Dot Navy
Batting: Quilter's Dream Cotton Select
I think it's a lovely fresh colored quilt. I am an advanced quilter and I would love to receive it as a gift. It has spontaneity, just like a 2nd grader.
ReplyDeleteI think it really depends on the style of the person you're thinking of giving it to. Personally, I love this quilt!! But what about the teacher--does she wear bland clothing or electric colours? How does she decorate the classroom--with classic clean lines or crazy imaginative ideas? Well, she's probably not that obvious, that would make it too easy! What is your sense of her, though?
ReplyDeleteYou can always accompany the quilt with a lovely letter explaining/fake explaining that you wanted to bring some colour into her life as she has done for your child, or that you thought you'd make it colourful so that if she used it with the students it wouldn't show stains as much, or whatever. Not to over-explain but to give it some context.
I would LOVE to be gifted a quilt like this! I think that teacher would consider herself extremely lucky if she got this from you. A scrappy quilt is made with love and each piece comes from the heart. Don't think too hard about it. Just give it in love and it will be received the same way. I think it's fabulous, and you are, too, for making such a lovely scrap quilt!!
ReplyDeleteIt really does depend on the personality of the person you are giving it to, will she like it? I love it and would b more than happy to receive it. I am sure she will be thrilled to have such wonderful gift that took time and effort to make, in England teacher so frequently get chocolates form everyone that this quilt would be the envy of all the teachers. x
ReplyDeleteI think it's beautiful and would love to receive it as a gift!
ReplyDeleteI actually really love it! But if you think the teacher won't then use the other one from your stash :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome. But if you don't love it, and feel weird giving it, don't! Give the gift you feel good about so you can give it with a whole heart. My son's teacher? She's getting a Target gift card! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome. But if you don't love it, and feel weird giving it, don't! Give the gift you feel good about so you can give it with a whole heart. My son's teacher? She's getting a Target gift card! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like this quilt and would love to get one as a present. I do not think there is anything ugly about it.
ReplyDeletePersonally I love this quilt! The different pieces should remind this teacher that she has all sorts of kids that she comes in contact with, with all sorts of personalties and she loves each and every one of them because of their uniqueness. Give her the quilt. She will treasure it.
ReplyDeleteLet the teacher decide! You could send her pictures of two different options, telling her you couldn't decide.
ReplyDeleteI also would LOVE to receive this quilt! Probably more so than one with a pattern and carefully chosen colors. It's a liberated and carefree quilt. Love the backing/binding too!
ReplyDeleteI also would LOVE to receive this quilt! Probably more so than one with a pattern and carefully chosen colors. It's a liberated and carefree quilt. Love the backing/binding too!
ReplyDeleteI would give it to her. I think it has its own charm and beauty. Maybe you could include a cute card/quote to go with it expressing how a teacher is like a quilt - bringing together many unique personalities into a cohesive whole. Something like that is probably out there on Pinterest. The great thing about scrap quilts is that they are charming forever. Quilts from coordinating fabrics or in a specific color palette will become dated over time, but scrap quilts have a timeless quality. Great job on this quilt! I love it!
ReplyDeleteGift it ! Your end result is scrappy, not ugly ! Each piece of fabric that went into this quilt is beautiful and unique, much like each child that enters a teacher's classroom. If you are giving the quilt to show true appreciation of the teacher's dedicated work, the pattern should not matter. This is a gift, not a entry hoping to receive 1st place in a juried competition.
ReplyDeleteI love it but if you don't, you won't be comfortable gifting it. Make a cute, quick,red white,and blue table runner instead.
ReplyDeleteI love it (but then I love all crazy scrappy quilts!). You could let your kid decide - they probably know the teacher better than you.
ReplyDeleteAnyway you do it, though, I think most people are thrilled to get a quilt as a gift!
I think it is a beautiful happy quilt. I'd tell her it represents the chaos she wrangles every day...that there is beauty in each child and together they make a patchwork quilt. I believe when you make something and out time into it and focus and love and energy, THAT is the gift. People who don't craft are amazed at the work it takes and are usually beyond grateful. I don't think for one second that you should second guess giving a teacher this beautiful creation.
ReplyDeleteErica, I love this quilt! It reminds me of the many quilts your great-grandmother made! Remember that, originally, people made quilts out of necessity -- for warmth -- and they didn't have fabric stores or an online store to purchase fabric from -- so they used the scraps from the family's no longer usable clothing!
ReplyDeleteI think it's beautiful -- it is the perfect gift!
I have a quilt that I feel the same way about. I have had multiple friends tell me it's just fine and I'm nuts, but it didn't turn out like I had envisioned and I think that's why I can't love it. The thing I'm finally telling myself is...they like it. No one knows what my vision was so I think they're able to appreciate what it is better than I am. So, I honestly think despite the fact that you may never love this quilt...the teacher will. :)
ReplyDeleteTo me, it is a happy coloorful quilt. Give it to her.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely would gift it! It's not ugly to me, it's bright and cheerful, and I think it would be well-loved!
ReplyDeleteI love scrappy quilts and I don't think this is ugly. I think the teacher will love it. and she won't be nearly as critical of the colours as you fear.
ReplyDeleteThey is terrific and perfect for a gift! My daughter is a teacher and she has several quilts in her room that her students are allowed to snuggle up with and read as a reward when they finish their seat work. Your daughter's teacher will surely love it! You do have to share what you decide to do and what the teacher says, please.
ReplyDeleteI think this quilt is really lovely, and an excellent gift. Your conundrum is definitely understandable, however, especially as I once made and gifted a scrap quilt that quite surprised me with its ugliness. I felt slightly embarrassed about it for a long time and then one day I saw it at her house and realized it really wasn't so awful after all. There is hope!
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt but also LOVE all the responses. It's so helpful to hear all these good thoughts and ideas to help you decide. (or swim in indecision) Still waiting to hear why you DID make a new quilt when you had others in the stash. Maybe you thought this teacher would like something scrappier/brighter?
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is bright and cheerful, fun to look at. Some of the "homely" quilts that I have gifted have been the most loved, two in particular that years later the recipients mentioned to me that they were being loved to pieces.
ReplyDelete