Episode 94: Quilting Fails, Overcoming Your Inner Critic, and Progressing as a Quilter 

When I was a novice quilter (but quite experienced dressmaker) I sewed 14 blocks from a 30 block quilt with 5/8" seams instead of instead of 1/4" seams. I was ready to throw in the towel. But my dear friend saved me and we sat together and unpicked all the wrong sized blocks. I forced myself to finish the project and now I use it on my bed every summer......and I love it. Thanks for your podcast.

Love Billy’s gentle suggestion for Chelsea to finish her box of “Quilt Fails”, & using them as soccer quilts! I think that’s a great idea, & one that she would be so happy her brother encouraged her to finish❣️😃

Chelsea should finish all the quilts and donate them! There are so many people who would be so thrilled to have a beautiful quilt!

Chelsi turn your UFOs into UFOs - useful finished objects! I learned someone will still want those quilts because they love the colors, the pattern etc. Finish the worst top, list the mistakes and give it to mom to take when she teaches classes to show students no matter how many mistakes a quilt contains its still useful!

Celebrate your mistakes because they are your learning journey. Get the box of quilt tops finished and open a bottle of sparkling cider. Then say to yourself and your kids look how far I've come! Mistakes happen just don't give up and seek help if you need to.❤🎉❤

Chelsi, those quilt tops deserve to be quilted, used and loved! They would make great car quilts for winter time, beach quilts or picnic quilts. If they are block quilts you can separate them into maybe 4 block quilts, quilt them and your domestic and donate them to your local APL for the kitties to lay on. So many options. Loved the podcast today as always! 💗

Chelsea, as an empty nester mom looking back, I cannot express to you how wonderful it is for your young/tween children to see mom using her not perfect makes. As a knitter, my married daughter still has and wears those first "franken-style" socks I made. I've noticed my acceptance of my less than perfect (which they all are- haha!) projects has really encouraged my adult children to just go for it with whatever they're interested in. I promise you, it will be pure freedom and joy to open that box and show your kids how mom handles her "refrigerator art"--and that's with LOVE❤

Excellent, insightful topic today. I appreciated all three of your comments and will remember that it is a path of continuous improvement that I, personally, am seeking.

Hey Sherry, Chelsi and Billy. I am a little behind on my comment as I keep forgetting but I really want to say this. First, I am such a fan of you all and what you produce. As I have said many times before, it is my favorite podcast, hands down. I love listening to each of you. Not only do you provide lots of educational information, encouragement and beautiful quilts, you also provide lots of laughs. Sometimes that is the best part. Sherry, I love your blog and everything you do. Chelsi, I love how you make me laugh, and also all the beautiful quilts and patterns. Billy, I love how you bring it all together so smoothly and without a hitch. Each one of you is a necessary part of such a wonderful podcast and you work together effortlessly. Billy, congratulations on the Albatross! I am also a golfer and that has to be the most awesome feeling! You have something to be very proud of and to aggravate your brother and brother-in-law with. :) Chelsi, when you were talking about this and Billy was commenting, I was saying the very same thing right along with him. First, you should make your own placemats. They are so simple and you will be glad you did. Another thing I was completely commenting and agreeing with Billy on is, please take the great advice you gave everyone on overcoming the fear of failure. I just want to encourage you to please finish the quilts you spoke of that you're so afraid for anyone to see. A short story here. My bucket list quilt is a DWR quilt. I bought the templates and pattern in 2019 and have pictures all over a cork board in my sewing room. However, I have been scared to death to make it. I started it once and got two arches done and was so afraid the fabrics wouldn''t look good so I put it in a box. I don't feel like I have the skills for choosing and matching fabric and that fear holds me back more than you can know. On Oct 8th, my daughter came home from Illinois where she lives. I don't like saying she visited because when she comes here, she is always coming home. :) Anyway, she helped me design my quilt and pick out all the fabrics for a king size DWR. ( I still can't believe I am going to tackle such a HUGE quilt of this skill level. ) She also pinned a note from a fortune cookie to my cork board. It says, "The greatest mistake a person can make is the fear of making one". This was so encouraging and inspiring to me. She gave me the confidence that I can do this and I have already cut all my fabric and started sewing the pieces together. I say all this to say, be proud of EVERYTHING you make, especially the older ones you made when first starting out. You were still building your confidence and skill and you will be able to look back and see how much you have improved over the years I hope to hear updates soon that you took them to the quilter. Sherry, I love how you seem to have so much patience. I wish I had you for a teacher when I was starting out. I started in 2014 and have learned everything with my daughter via face time. We started together to have something to do to bridge the distance and keep us involved with one another. We learned from the internet and books but mostly trial and error. I feel confident with my skills in everything but fabric selection. I can tell you and Billy both strive for perfection but neither of you have anything to worry about Don't be so hard on yourselves. You are all wonderful and I thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into the podcast to make it educational and enjoyable. I have been listening from the beginning and hope to hear you for years to come!! Keep up the good work and stay safe.

This was a great topic today. I would love to see Chelsi's earlier quilts and maybe her explain what the problem was and how she would fix it now with more experience under her belt. I love watching your episodes because I always can take something away to use in my quilting or daily life. Thank you for all you do!

I’m listening to this video covered up with my very first quilt I made in my 20’s, now 70. It’s a drunkers path quilt full of mishaps, but it’s used all the time in cooler temps. Thanks for sharing a very enjoyable video. 👍❤️😊

Wonderful podcast! I bought a longarm recently and have had to learn soooo much. I am so happy to say that I have made 2 table runners, one pillow and one throw quilt! Did I have to unpick, yep! Did I want to return it, you bet I did! But, getting that first quilt off the machine made me so incredibly happy. This week I am going to tackle my very first large quilt. I really needed this podcast today! Thanks!

Excellent show! Love the new quilts! Wonderful topics! Love this quilting community thank you!

It's so validating to hear your own stories from your quilt origins. I too have folded up quilt tops I thought I would never look at again when I began quilting. For those who are absolute sewing novices, I was a very experienced sewist when I started quilting, and it took time. Literally today, as I listen to your podcast, I am hand quilting one of those tops I thought were awful. It's NOT awful, and I am investing this time to hand quilt with the Baptist fan. I hope that the perfection we see on FB and IG doesn't discourge new quilters to keep going. It gets so much better, and there is joy ahead for you!

Chelsi, I am sure your first quilts are better than you think and have helped you be where you are today. You could finish those and donate them to those in need. You have amazing talents and encourage us to keep going. Love your enthusiasm and excitement for quilting. Thank you.

I love Billy's funny comment about "the negative vibe coming from the box"

I jumped into applique without any instructions and with the help of videos I have grown to love it! I like the depth of the creations you can accomplish with applique

Fail is to fall short-it’s an instance in time not a person. As humans, we aren’t always hitting the mark 100%. If we could see each instance of falling short as a learning opportunity we could be proud of our journey. I love seeing my progress.

Chelsea could get her ufo’s quilted and donate them to a charity quilt group. The quilts will be loved and it will warm Chelsea’s heart as well.❤️

When I was very new to quilting (1988), but an experienced sewist, I had my first quilt under my belt-even hand-quilted it. A free pattern came out from The Cotton Club. I purchased some muslin and a yard of green solid and from my meager cotton scrap bag hand pieced 20 blocks. I then purchased sashing and border material and put the top together. I started to hand quilt it. It remained partially quilted for years. In 2014 I took out all the quilting and at first thought I would just throw it away. My fabric choices for the flowers were poor. It was before I had a good understanding of value and texture. Upon careful thought, I put it on my longarm and quilted away. When it was really finished I was surprised how good it looked. Would it win any ribbons, of course not, but the quilting made it a beautiful quilt. Your recent podcast inspired me to get out another set of early blocks, pick the 12 best of the 18 blocks. I’ll add sashing to get them all to be the same size and pick a setting design and work towards another finish. As the fabrics from these blocks are all from the early 1990’s the quilt will be a walk down memory lane.

I was wondering why we weren’t hearing from Billy at all in the beginning! Lol Glad y’all had things to give him. I really enjoy the family banter that shows up in your podcasts!

I look for failed quilts and buy them to sit and quilt in the evening. I call it my quilt rescue program and they are very endearing to me.

Besides you two I enjoy Lori Holt. You are my three favorite. When watching her she will say often, (and we know she has made hundreds and hundreds of quilts) When you are making a quilt don't look for perfect. Enjoy the journey (making the blocks) many times good enough is GOOD ENOUGH. Do your best, don't stress out, have fun.

There are no mistakes, just lessons to be learned😊

Billy, oh my goodness….. I have always thought that this podcast sounds wonderful! The sound as well as the speech is spot on to me! You do a fantastic job…. Don’t be so hard on yourself!

Great job everyone!!!! Sounded great!!! Chelsie - I agree dug those quilts out and finish them!!!!

I'm too stubborn to let my many mistakes stop me from making quilts, so I guess that has been to my benefit! Not to say that I haven't had discouraging moments but I see it as a personal challenge most times. Your encouraging comments are uplifting as well as your honesty about your own journeys so thank you for this podcast!

Chelsea: remember that quilting is a historic craft. In the beginning…it was unusual to have everything perfect!!! And that being said…finish those quilts. In 2020 I finished all of my half done quilts. I promised myself to finish my projects no matter what before I started the next one. I had 11 projects, tops and blocks that were started and hauled around for 35 YEARS. I have memories of starting my journey, I have quilts I started and finished when my grown children were still young. They helped me pick the fabrics way back when and they LOVE these memories and use them alongside the more recent ones. Their children also love them!! So finish that box!! You are so creative, you now have some ideas you could incorporate into the ones you aren’t happy with. Go Girl!!

Love Billy’s smile! He really liked that❤

Billy, the sound is great! I'm using a tablet while sewing. I can only turn it up so high. Some channels are so faint, I cannot hear while sewing. Yours is Perfect, Crisp, Clear, Great Job!

I started out garment sewing back in 1976. My first quilt was a one patch made up of 6" squares and I used a 5/8" seam allowance. I started it on 1980 from clothing scraps and used a manila folder for a template. Suffice it to say, that template didn't stay very square, I was discouraged at how much the seam allowance made the blocks so much smaller, and my rows were not even at all. I used an old blanket and an old flat sheet to finish it. Ended up giving it to my brother after it sat in a closet for a few years. Yes, several of my first quilts were an embarrassment, but I'm glad I didn't give up. Eventually I came across Debbie Mumm's from Mumm's the Word, first quilt book and I learned so much and I was hooked. I still learn even though I've never taken a class, because there are usually new notions and techniques that make some aspects easier or more enjoyable. Currently I have come full circle, once again making quilts from as many scraps as possible. If I find I have trouble finishing a quilt, I will usually make it smaller and give it to somebody who likes it. I still make mistakes, but I don't beat myself up the way I used to over them, and I don't fret about completing every single quilt top by quilting it, because I have 19 grandkids and you never know if they might be thrilled to complete a quilt I didn't finish.

I love your honesty about your quilting growth. Have you ever considered quilting one of the tops that doesn’t bring you joy and cutting it up for an quilted jacket?

I think “stumbles” is a good term to replace fails. We stumble but get bak up and try again. Thanks for sharing everything.

I taught myself to quilt by following RU-vidrs. My first quilt does not have matching intersections, points are cut off, the binding selection was awful, etc. It is on my bed and I use it every night. It gets softer and softer with use and I love it more and more.

Loved the show! I can’t wait to see a trunk show of the quilts in the box. Let’s go Mariners (next year)!

I use to paint decoratively and took classes, when I looked at the instructors I could see my mistakes. When I got home I would put it away, a week later I would get it out an was excited how great it looked. I was comparing mine to a professional.

I agree with Billy! I was thinking Chelsi, you started with hard quilts. Most of us started with Quilt In A Day, or some now start with 3 yard quilts or FQS super simple - you jumped in with both feet with harder patterns!! Finish them and use them at games! You are such an example to others!!

Loving the Bountiful Blooms fabric!🧡🧵

We call those wonky quilts, quilts with “personality”. Be proud of your early learnings. Any charity would adore your homemade quilt. Your long-armer sounds very gifted and your wonky quilt would give her a joyful challenge.

Billy, you are so good, you are teaching also, I do pay attention what you say and how nice you said it.

Chelsi bring those quilts that you did when you first started and talk about what you did wrong and how you could of fixed them.. i think it would help a lot of beginner quilters!😊

Billy - the other bowl cozy is for your girl friend. You can also use them when you eat ice cream or cereal to keep hands from getting to cold. You’ll love them!!!

I love the family banter. Im an only child and your conversations fill a void! Also give the quilt blocks to a guild anonymously and let them turn them Into charity quilts!! Love you guys!

Hi all! I'm only about 1/2 way thru this video & getting to the part of the "fails". Oh my, I'm finally taking the time to go thru projects, fabrics, etc to organize, finish up things. Years ago I was in a Thimbleberries Club. You could do the projects or not. Make the quilt or just the sometimes smaller projects offered. I did make several of the quilts, but at that time decided I wanted to make some smaller things. Got out one of my tubs & oh my gosh, one of the blocks even had almost a 1/2" seam at one part, points cut off 🤣 I showed it to my husband saying "what was I doing back then??" I took part of it apart, resewed to a 1/4" seam & make it into a pillow covering for the couch. I realized I have learned so much over the years & honed my skills. That being said, Chelsi you've mentioned that box before & I still say-get them quilted even if you don't like them. Give them to a charity, children's home or someplace like that. They would just be thrilled to have something like that. We have a place in our town for abused women, children to be able to go to & stay till they can get back on their feet.

I love the podcast! Thank you for sharing your fails and words of encouragement. I am looking forward to listening to the book Sherri mentioned. Chelsea get those quilts quilted! You wont regret it!

I betcha this video is a particularly encouraging conversations.

It took me 2 years to even open my new sewing machine that I had asked for one Christmas. Then I took a class at my local JoAnn Fabric store on how to even sew. In the first quilt class I took, we made 1 block. It looked okay but later fell apart. I learned that I had put the bobbin in backward or upside down. I did redo the block after I learned what was wrong. 4 years and 20+ quilt tops later, I know to check the bobbin direction 😂. However, I still make mistakes. Recently, I had a quilt top that wasn't "looking" even on one side, so I just kept adding fabric to the end of the row until it looked even. After putting the border on, I realized how out-of-square it was, and I ended up cutting off most of what I added in. I was maybe 1/4" off but in the end had added nearly 3" on the last row. If I had just measured before adding fabric.... 😆

I can definitely say this was my favorite episode of A Quilting Life! ❤ The inner critic is something we all struggle with as human beings. I have learned if you can distinguish the voice in your head this can help. Im in the middle of downsizing and my friend suggested i put on rubber gloves this way the memories don't come up with them. Hope this makes sense lol. It worked well as I learn so much from touch! I challenge Chelsie to try this with your ufo box as ive got several projects I need to put my hands on to help make a decision about! 🩷🤞☘️🌺

Sherri, When you were talking about the blocks with hundreds of pieces, you began saying "When I finished a block...." I was thinking you were going to say you would sit down and cry. hahaha

As I was sitting and listening to all of you speak about "quilt fails" I was busy ripping out 3 rows of a 7 row quilt I was making as a gift for my best friend. Those 3 rows were at least 1.5 inches longer than the other ones, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what the dickens happened!! Suffice it to say, I had to rate myself as a "9" in terms being critical of myself . But your discussion really brought home to bear that it really does bring home the lesson -- it is in the agency of digging into the problem to figure out why this happened that the learning happens. I know now that I really need to tackle the consistent 1/4" seam allowance "nemisis" once and for all! Wonderful discussion. Insightful and encouraging! Thanks you so much! Just had to share :)

One more comment. Put a note of encouragement on the back of the beginner quilts to encourage future generations to keep moving forward and not give up when you do not start out as an expert. Even the golfers may only get one hole in one. Love you guys❤❤❤

I loved this video. Now on to making my first quilt, come out how ever it may come out.

@aquiltinglife this was so inspirational! I have only been piecing for a couple years, and like you I see a lot of progression. I decided to take my first 3 tops to a quilter and have them finished. I explained to her these were my first ones and she just encouraged me to keep going. A journey indeed!

Billy I feel your pain and I don't even have a channel or a podcast! But I exclusively watch RU-vid vids, no paid streaming tv, and now I'm at the point that I involuntarily critique every. single. vid. I feel like the Siskel and Ebert of videos in my head. On a personal level I have learned to give myself some perspective when quilting by using the same level of harshness on my own work as I do on others. I also learned to have perspective on picking out stitches, realizing that the few seconds or minutes of repair will be an investment toward not making the same mistake again ( or as often anyway LOL) Thanks for a good podcast show folks, very informative and enjoyable!!

I’m in agreement with the advice for Chelsi to get your beginner UFOs quilted and enjoy them! I tend to be a perfectionist. I recently got a couple of what I saw as my failures from years ago out and got them quilted and they’re not as bad as I thought and I don’t worry about them being used by pets and people. I loved taking classes at a local quilt shop. If I got one little tip from a class it was worth the time and money. It was also enlightening to see other people’s process. I started hearing people talk about Quilt Retreats or Conferences. I asked one of the quilters that I’d taken classes from for advice on what I needed to learn to be able to attend a conference and she said sign up! That got me hooked! A few years ago I was telling a friend that was getting back into quilting that there was a quilt conference I wanted to attend and she said someday I want to go with you. She was so anxious about attending because she didn’t feel confident. We packed our sewing machines and class supplies for 3 classes and flew to Portland. She was concerned that she would be too slow. I kept telling her that everyone works at their own speed and it was okay. She was doing great! That part of it was to just have fun. In the first of the classes we took the teacher noticed that she was stressed and came over and spent a little time showing her some helpful tips and techniques that were a game changer for her. One of the benefits of having an experienced teacher who was observant and loves to teach. She did some reverse sewing for someone else that day as well! Sometimes what starts out feeling like a failure can turn into a blessing!

This is a great podcast about "quilt fails." I constantly tell my kids when it comes to their school but it can be applied to quilting. It is okay to get it wrong it is not okay to give up. A great reminder that striving to do better is the goal.

I believe getting to hear about your life outside of quilting give us a better insight that you guys worked hard to get where you are and letting us hear the stories are very nice and to watch you all laugh, very enjoyable. Keep up the good work and keep designing the lovely fabrics and patterns!!!! I recently went to a quilt retreat in temple Tx and guess what. The main fabrics used at retreat was …… Bountiful blooms!!!!!

Fabulous topics today! Life is truly a journey, no matter what we do. Thank you for your honesty, joy, and for helping us not to be to harsh on ourselves.

Great topics and inspirational quilts !

I took a quilt to my quilter. As she was measuring it "we..she and I.. noticed how "unsquare" it was. I took it back; removed one side and squared it up. Was much happier.😊

I love your advice Billy, great ideas. Wonderful podcast.

Hi... i started back in 2016 .. I have several started tops not done yet as got lost in pattern reading...then watch tutorials on simple patterns & did make about 5 total... hasn't stopped me from buying fabric/watching RU-vid program like yours... just need to dive in soon as I'm running out of space ... thanks for your program

Chelsea, I love the quilts you shared. Thank you. I really adore you three. I love the relationship between you three. Plus the respect and love you all three demonstrate is so impressive. ❤❤❤

I loved the Stanley Cup story. I have 3 of those cups at home because i loved the colors but didn't realize they are so popular. 😊

I am doing Happy Fall with Bountiful Bloom and loving it!❤

This was a really good podcast focused on an area a lot of us can grow in. We can be our worst critics. But it’s really helpful to have that kind, constructive criticism from someone we trust. Billy’s perfectionism is part of what has taken your podcast to the next level. Just like your quilter’s input has helped you grow as a quilter, Billy’s has helped your videos.

Great episode! I am a solid 9 when it comes to being critical of my work. A friend always tells me that I am my worst critic. 🙂

Really liked todays episode & love the Miss Magnolia quilt pattern. But two things came to mind re the main topic of fails. First, re guilds, I found when trying two of them here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that members behaved the very opposite of supportive. I chalk this up to the majority of members not having other areas of interest or sources of accolades, but first, there was a "clique" atmosphere of long-time members and second, that they were more than a little judgmental of technique. I didn't bring any quilts to the meetings personally, but I noticed and heard a lot of unsupportive statements among the women towards quilts being featured outside of their "cliques". I described it to my friends as sucking the joy out of quilting so I did not re-up my membership the following year. I'm what I call a "Monet quilter" at heart. Though I like things lined up, I'm not so interested in the minutiae as much as the final overall effect. And secondly, I heard a psychologist once say any time a person says "that's just the way I am", it's a sure fire area that area needs addressing... ha! Good show and the sound, as always, was great! I'm dying to see the box of quilt tops!

You should have a show that demonstrates how to fix or redo the blocks or quilts that have booboos. It would be extremely helpful to us that have the same problem blocks. Those neglected blocks long to come to life and becone a quilt.

Thanks for the great podcast. Such a great topic. It made me think back to my first quilt and how it is still unfinished. I might have to dig it out and send to be quilted.

I like the off the cuff banter. You guys are great.

Chelsea, there will come a time when you ready to deal with that box. A time when you are mentally ready. Not grieving of the dream you had for the piece. Rather, to accept where it is and make the best of it or say goodbye. Its like life isnt it. Dont rush it. One day you will be in the right mental space to do it. When i was a beginner quilter, I did Farmers Daughter blocks. Ah hem, what was I thinking? They sat for the longest time, looking all mishap... like 7 or 9 years. Finally, I pieced them together for better or worse. When I look at that quilt, t makes me chuckle and also feel happy that there was a day when i was just beginning and now i can see how I have progressed.

There are people who would enjoy those box quilts no matter if there are mistakes..most would never know.

I really like your imput, Billie. I can tell you are critical of yourself, but you hv added to my enjoyment of The Quilting Life podcast. Thank you, all 3, for all you do. Love these podcasts.

I have to bring up… what about ones last quilt. I have a quilt made by a family friend that lived to be 100. In her late 90s she made quilts from all fabric types..cotton, polyester, etc… made from squares and rectangles. Completely scrappy. (Some fabric colors really don’t go together ). She quilted her entire life. Made many Beautiful hand quilted quilts and machine quilted quilts. Family members have those. I met her late in her life when people brought her fabric scraps and she sewed them together when she could hardly see, just because she loved it and it filled her days. This was one of the last quilts she made. It’s beautiful and very cherished by me. I also have some old cardboard templates etc.

As an avid baseball fan (and avid quilter) these gifts for Billy are so great!!! How kind!!! Absolutely love your show!!!

Thank you for this! My first quilt class nearly brought me to tears. I put the blocks together wrong. My instructor said it looked great and it was my own design. The quilt is really pretty in Shabby Chic fabric and it really did turn out well. I put a quilt into time out last year. I was getting frustrated. I pulled it out in September, finished the blocks that caused me such trouble and proceeded to finish the rest of the blocks with no issues. I did have a lot of spare pieces from my problem blocks!!! 😂 I feel that I could remake this same quilt now and be so much more relaxed.

I had to drop a podcast from my list recently. She giggled all the time!

Sheri, as you were talking about your block of the month quilt that didn’t measure correctly I was literally shaking my head YES….I have one from 2021 that once finished with the top I couldn’t get my custom ornate borders to fit. I’m really new and probably bit off more than I could chew with the BOM, but the fabric was just so tempting I tried. In my case I just bought another border fabric and will just not use the one I made. Maybe I will use it on the backing….but because it didn’t come out “perfect” to my standards I’m having a hard time desiring to finish it. We all have been there I am sure….it’s all a learning experience. And I often need to remind myself that practice makes perfect. 😊

Chelsie- donate those guilts to good will - they will be purchased and finished by someone who doesn’t have a lot of money and would love to get a quilt top to work on!! They will fix the mistakes.

I have two daughters who is very new at quilting. ( they never wanted to learn how to sew when they were younger now they want to quilt) So i am having them both watch this podcast to show them your first quilt doesn't have to be perfect. Thanks so much for this podcast. Vickie

Billy I enjoy the quality of the Pod Cast. I have always enjoyed watching and listening. Great Job to all of you. I think that the three of you have a good vibe together, very entertaining.

Great episode! I loved when Chelsi turned it around on Billy and asked him how self-critical he is. Chelsi - get your beginning quilts quilted, they can be loved and used by somebody (even if you don't want to be the person who uses them). Give them to charities.

Mistakes should be looked at as “opportunities”! Opportunity to learn and improve 😁

What a great topic! We can all learn from our mistakes. Learning from each other is important too. So often we are so consumed with what's wrong that we don't see what's right! ❤ Great job Sherri, Chelsea and Billy 🎉

I just had a ah moment. I never heard move the needle to help get a quarter inch seam. Thank you so much for talking about your progression.

CHELSI, quilt the quilts. There are many antique quilts being adored in museums across the country that have worse piecing than yours. Honor yourself and your creative journey. Quilt the quilts, let your children enjoy the quilts. I'd love to see them, not for the mistakes, but to see your color and fabric choices. I have a quilt with the right side 2 inches longer than the left side and yet still hung it on my wall.❤❤❤

Thanks for this episode! We find so much fault in what we make! When you see it in others, we think they are silly, but critical to our own works! I gave my SIL a quilt with cardinals on it (her favorite) and told her some of the beaks and the crests didn't match up but she didn't agree with me as she was so delighted that I had made her a quilt of her own!!! I also like to hear from Chelsi that the positive talk is helping her kids. Sometimes our grandkids are critical of themselves at an earlier age than I think they should be. Ours are 10-2 year old range. Thanks for everything you talk about. You talk so easily with each other, that is something we all need more of in our lives!

Billy the sound is really good. Great job!

I always enjoy the banter between the 3 of you! Thanks for a great podcast!

Chelsi - conquer that box! You are stronger, smarter, and more fabulous than that! Take it out, fix it and move on!!!😊

Get one of those quilts over here!! I’ll quilt it with my eyes closed if you want😂 By the way, my greatest longarm quilting fail was doing one of Sherri’s small projects. I don’t even like to think about how it turned out🤦🏼‍♀️

Chelsea, you should celebrate those quilts in the fail box and complete them! If it weren't for those learning quilts, you wouldn't be where you are today. We are more critical of our craft than others. Non quilters do not see mistakes. They see a handmade creation

I ALWAYS love your videos! Thanks for all your work.

My first quilt class teacher instructed us that we WILL make MISTAKES and you will keep one at least to remind yourself that we are NOT PERFECT

Great podcast! My word for this year is Grace. Not only toward others but for myself too. When I realize I've made a mistake, I shrug my shoulders and tell myself everyone will know this quilt wasn't mass produced!! I do try to determine why I did it so I don't keep repeating it.

Thanks for sharing your “fails” - maybe get your beginning quilts finished, and donate them. There are so many people who would love and appreciate a hand made item. Foster care, homeless, cancer patients…….. they would warm hearts and bodies.

Billy those bowl cozies are good for ice cream too! Keeps your hands warm

Great podcast. I'm sure very relevant to many. Thank you for the positivity and encouragement. We all need to give ourselves grace. ❤❤😊

Oh im loving the journey part of quilting. I got back the quilt i made for my moms 50th bday (after she passed away) and was my 2nd one i had made..oh my it was a hot mess but at the time i was new and learning. I think we need to do a quilt show with the first year of our journey to appreciate where we are now. I hope you share the quilt you told the story about to let us know we all started somewhere.. Chelsi also needs to do a trunk show to show those new quilters it only gets better as you keep trying. Total encouragement to new quilters 💚💚