I have just about decided that I am no longer going to do custom quilts, if I happen to have a quilt made up...then yes, I will sell it but for some reason....
when I go to do a custom quilt for someone something is always wrong, doesn't turn out right.
Like when I have company over, I make the most delicious rolls but if I make them special (made some for my sister when I was at her house) they just don't turn out. What is up with that? If I go to make brownies for others....pooey.
It is like.....I really can cook, I really can quilt......RIGHT????
I think this happens to all of us. It is like you are press to make something great, and it just does not turn out right, but if you are doing it for yourself, taken your own good time in doing it, it just comes out great.
ReplyDeleteI hear you with the cooking. I don't have an answer for the going wrong thing.
ReplyDeleteLove your tree. Can't wait to see where this is going!!
It's a Murphy's Law thing. Love how your tree is turning out.
ReplyDeleteLOL I am that way with tests.. I know the subject front and back but if you are testing me on it I am lucky if I remember how to spell my name. I think we are the type of people that put too much pressure on ourselves to be perfect... just my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteOh I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. With service work (what we do) it's the ones taht are the furthest away or the people you know the best that you can't get it right the first time. I dont' know what you are aiming at with this tree but it looks interesting lol
ReplyDeleteYES, you can quilt Barb - we see it all the time here on your blog. You are a very talented quilter and designer. Years ago, I was selling/doing custom baby quilts. It was miserable! Either it wasn't perfect enough for me or the customer didn't really like the colors or had ideas that couldn't work. People that don't sew don't understand all that is involved. AND you can never make enough money to cover your time. Sew.........I think it is a good decision for you not to do custom work. Sell your quilts as they are and forget the rest! My new mantra lately is go with the flow!! Love ya and don't stress out about it too much. Close your eyes and imagine yourself back in Samoa with those beautiful surroundings and weather and you will be calm before you know it :)
ReplyDeleteRIGHT, Life is short, make your own calls. :)
ReplyDeleteBarb the pressure is on when we makr things for others
ReplyDeleteOf course you can! Right!
ReplyDeleteOur posts today are very similar...I really do not like quilting for others! I'm happy to make a quilt and give it as a gift, but no more commissioned work!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I "DO" brownies. ROFLOL
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how that always happens, isn't it? I know you will be happier with your decision.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, I went through that a few years ago when a friend and I started a business and after a few years we gave it up we were spending more then we made. I think sometimes it is discouraging when people don't see all the work we do but only another quilter can appreciate it, that goes for all art work .
ReplyDeleteSo we just have to Learn to pat ourselves on the back and you do beautiful work.
Relax Barb. I know you can do it. And you know it too. Just be peaceful and let the work speak to you and follow the path. it will be excellent.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's because you're being hyper-critical when you're doing something for someone else, whereas if you're doing it for yourself you can overlook any flaws and just accept that next time will be better?
ReplyDeleteIt's more fun to design and make what you are feeling, than it is to make it by their specifications sometimes. Seems too much like work!
ReplyDeleteI remember feeling the same way when I made a quilt for someone. It does put pressure on us all. Cake mix brownies never fail...lol.
ReplyDeleteI love making a quilt as a gift, my own design for that person. But if I do something at their request, I feel stressed and do not enjoy the process as much. It's like a new level is introduced, not only am I quilting because I enjoy it, now I am trying to please someone else which adds stress to the project. Oh the things we learn about ourselves while we quilt!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate!!
ReplyDeleteI can relate relate, Barb. I'm working on my last custom quilt as we speak! It's stressful not being able to quilt from the heart or just for the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteI finished a custom quilt just before Christmas... a horrible ugly quilt that was commissioned and reproduced exactly to the customer's specifications (even did a digital mock-up in EQ-7 before I started which she approved of). Now I'm stuck with it and I still don't know what to do with it! (And of course there is quite a bit of time and $ tied up in it)
Maybe I'll have a raffle ;)