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An Ugly Quilt

Yes, Virginia, there are such things as ugly quilts! Here’s proof.

Ugly Quilt

Ugly Quilt

We found this while digging through boxes this weekend. The blocks are beautiful. The borders . . horrible! I’m guessing I was in one of those “finish it and get it done” moods when I added the light blue border that blends into the background and the dark green border that stands out like a sore thumb.

My choices at this point are:

  1. Fold it up and stick it back on a shelf, with a possible plan to take those two borders off and do something more attractive . . some day . . which day may never come.
  2. Go ahead and quilt it and donate it and hope someone loves it.

I’m thinking I had made a bunch of test blocks and decided to sew them together for a donation quilt and for the border, added whatever strips I found that were already cut.

It’s difficult to finish an ugly quilt but I could add the numbers to my stash report if I finish it and maybe get it to someone who might need a little warmth this winter.

What would you do? If you say take off the border and re-do it, there’s a chance it will never get finished. Knowing that, I say put it on the longarm, quilt it, bind it, donate it and forever wonder . . what was I thinking!  🙂

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Quilt it and donate, our of your house and mind too. But I really think the center is great and it’s only the inner blue border that might be the problem child. Outer green looks fine to me. Love those bright colors too!!!!!!!!!!
    Hugs!!!!!!!!

  3. Quilt it and then trim off the ugly borders before binding it.It gets it out of the house and to someone else. If you trim off the borders, then you won’t be bothered about giving someone an ugly quilt. And you also won’t be bothered by the lack of the borders.

    • I like this idea. Then do a bright, slightly wider binding. You could probably use the green border fabric for the binding. It is definitely the blue inner border that is causing the problem.

  4. I would quilt and donate. You will feel good and perhaps the person who gets it and needs it will never care what color the binding it. They will love it and keep warm under it. I am learning those one day I will projects never get their time.

  8. Quilt it and donate it. I don’t think it’s ugly at all. The green border goes well with the center and I can hardly tell what the inner border is. I think you’re right about the borders being slapped on. Your borders are usually much more intricate. It’s a bright, cheerful quilt, but not your usual style, so give it to someone who needs cheering up. End of soapbox.

  9. I agree, I’d just take off the border, quilt it, and call it good. It will look just fine.

  10. I think it looks fine. Sometimes we are our own worst critics. Someone is bound to love this quilt. Finish it and move on…knowing you brightened someone’s day with this quilt.
    Cheers!
    Evelyn

  12. I would definitely vote to finish it as it is and donate it. Someone will love the bright, cheery fabrics in the stars.

  13. Quilt it, donate it, get it done! I’m sure you need a piece to practice on to get back in your longarming mode before doing Addie’s quilt. (I believe it’s been a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time since that machine has seen any action! ) This would fit the bill……GO FOR IT!

  14. I vote for quilting and donating it. There will be some dear person who will treasure that with all the love it needs. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder and warming a body makes it even more beautiful. Plus you get to counting in stash report.

  15. I agree with Liz. Quilt it, trim the borders off and bind it with a bold trim that goes with one of the darker colors in your quilt. Then if you use it for a donation quilt at least it’s one that won’t bother you to give, and it won’t be an ugly quilt. I know that a child in the hospital or someone in a Sanctuary house for women would be thrilled to receive this.

  16. I like the borders as is. I think it is framed nicely to draw attention to the colors of the stars. I vote quilt as is and donate it. Wait for a news story to tug at your heart and you will know who needs that quilt to cherish and bring a smile to their face. Not your usually style true, but still a quilt that deserves an ending.

  17. quilt it and donate it-that is what I would do. Someone will love it and not care if you think the borders are right or not. They will appreciate the fact that some one cared enough to give them a quilt for warmth.

  19. I don’t think it is ugly at all. A little wrinkled, maybe, but it will look so much better when it is quilted. There is a needy family out there who will love it, and isn’t that what it is all about, anyway.

  20. Winter is almost here, someone needs a quilt to keep warm, quilt it up, slap on a binding and send it on its way! Someone will think its the most beautiful thing ever, I don’t think its ugly at all – and I KNOW ugly…… 🙂

  25. I’m thinking there are a few questionable color cominations in those blocks too, quilt it and donate.. or even better donate to someone who is learning to quilt and let them practice on it..

  26. It really doesn’t look that bad…t one of your best but not ugly. Quilt and donate because someone cold does not care about the colors. Besides your stash report needs something besides nothing in and nothing out. (lol)

  27. I say whatever gets it out of the house (if you want it gone; sometimes quilting makes all the difference in ugly vs non ugly), and makes you happy.

  29. When I first saw the picture, I thought “what a BEAUTIFUL, CHEERFUL/HAPPY quilt”. I “think” (though you’re not asking my opinion, LOL), I take off the borders, quilt it and use the green for binding. I think if you give it away, the person(s) getting it would be cheered up, as well as being kept warm. Just my nickel’s worth (inflation).

  30. I think it is beautiful. I would start with a gentle wash, and pressing. I think it will look so much better then, and you will not think it is ugly at all. If you still don’t like it, then quilt as it is, and donate it to a women’s shelter or children’s hospital. The colours are so cheerful.

  31. Well I like it myself. I love all those bright colors and the green is good too. Green goes with everything. If you need to donate send it my way. I’ll be glad to pay you for quilting it and for your supplies. I love all your quilts.

    My grandmothers quilted an so did my mother in law. I made one quilt with dear grandmother and me .My wonderful mother in law and I quilted it for my daughters 2nd birthday. Oh my that was now 42 years ago. It is a dutch doll with red and yellow borders. Those where dd favorite colors. She always picked those colors out when given a choice back then.

    I have all my great-great grandmothers quits that were saved down over the years. One is purple, lime green and pink design.Yep those are the colors. Have the one made for my grandmother for her wedding, each person singed their block they did(1901). I love quilts with color.

    Don’t fret over your quilts they always look good to us who don’t have the space to quilt or know how to do a good job like you do. Keep up the awesome job Addie is going to love all the stuff she has form you when she gets older.

  34. I agree with a lot of the earlier posts, remove the border, quilt it, donate a pretty, cheerful quilt.

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