On Friday I finished my 11th quilt. It's the smallest (38×32 inches) and the least perfect but easily one of my favorites.
I decided to skip all the tedious parts of quilting for this one. No measuring, almost no pinning, almost no ironing. I realized my favorites parts of quilting are picking out the fabrics, doing the actual sewing, sandwiching the whole thing together and adding the binding. So this time around, I let myself just stick with those.
This quilt took a long time, over eight months (here's where I started) (and this is the last time I made any progress) which is a long longer than my usual one-week turnaround. It felt so much better to finish after that long delay though.
So, what exactly does a no measuring quilt look like?
First, I DO NOT wash my fabrics in advance. This means (of course) that when I do wash it at the end everything will shrink and wrinkle up a bit (which is how I made my favorite quilt ever). It also means that the fabric is pretty flat when I get it so cutting squares is easy. I used scissors to freehand cut my fabric into squares that were about 5.25 inches.
Second, I don't worry too much. This is pretty much my motto with all my quilts but the difference is that I usually spend a long time trimming "perfect" squares or triangles only to run them through my machine and NOT pay as much attention to my seam allowances. (This is technically very bad. Two things contribute to a "perfect" quilt, proper measuring and sewing the same seam width throughout.)
Obviously, due to the lack of measuring and precision, I wound up with triangles that didn't line up perfectly on the points. And this meant that when I sandwiched it all together (after a quick pass with the iron on the top) and sewed my diagonal lines they sometimes went though white triangles and sometimes went through patterned triangles.
Like always though, the binding pulls the whole thing together. I bought striped fabric and free hand cut it into strips which I sewed together (and did pin into place). I LOVE BINDING. Now that I have stopped hand-binding and just machine stitch it turns out so spectacularly clean and it's the easiest part of the whole process.
I washed it (machine cold, short permanent press dry and then hang while still a bit damp) and of course it wrinkled up a bit but it's soft and awesome. It's 100% cotton (even the batting) and the PERFECT kiddo/baby size and makes a good lap blanket too. Such a fun project for me and a great reminder that I can totally pick my favorite parts of a hobby and just focus on those. I love choosing the fabrics. I love sewing. All the rest? Eh. I can make up the rules to get that stuff done.
This is part of my MAKE&GIVE30 project and I gave it away on Instagram on April 20.
ps: see more sewing posts here, here is an in-depth triangle quilt tutorial and I am going to get a machine binding tutorial together soon.
enJOY it 
273 responses to “project 6/30 : a triangle quilt”
What is wrong with people? I know how to sew and I quilt occasionally and mine are never perfect by a “quilters” standards, but I always love them. The imperfections are my hand on the quilt. You aren’t saying that this is the exact, technical way to make a quilt, it’s just a way you decided to try this time and I think it looks pretty cool. It may not be perfect, but it’s going to hopefully keep a baby warm and wrap them up in love, and that’s what making quilts is really about anyway. Hopefully this will inspire someone who has been afraid to try quilting because of the all rules to have the confidence to know that the beauty is in the flaws. You’re awesome, Elise!
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Ooh – I have a quilt that’s finished except the binding – I would sign up for that! 🙂
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Context is everything and Elise has fully explained her context.I think we’d all be in trouble if one post, one project, or one unnecessarily negative and public comment was to determine our overall quality as a person or a professional.
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Some people think they are just entitled to every opinion. Im sure they would love to be nagged like this in public.
Is this your neatest one? No.
Did you claim it to be your best work? NO!
Are the colors and general look pretty.? Yes for crying out loud.
You might not inspire me with everything you do Elise, but you do i d say 80% of time. I ve been reading your blog since i discovered it.
Constructive criticism makes people grow, some ppl just need to learn how to express themselves other than with pen stabbing. Im sorry they took the pleasure away. I know what it s like.
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I am so sad to see such a wonderful thing turn so bad. The ladies who feel as though they must respond with hateful words is just a shame. We are supposed to support and uplift one another,,,not tear down. I agree with most – if you don’t have something nice to say, then move on. Every project is not for everyone. That is the beauty of Elise’s work. Certain things will appeal more to some. I love what Elise did. She is real. She is human. She never claimed to be a quilt (or anything else) expert. I love her because she is real. She does the wife/mother thing and has created a beautiful brand for us to enjoy. Elise – you go!!!
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ive been reading your blog for a while now too and don’t really comment, but I just wanted to say that when I saw this quilt it made me actually think, ok I could make a quilt. I love how you’re real and creative. Like, it’s not always a perfectly instagrammable moment. But also with this quilt’s imperfection when you step back it still looks so pretty! I love that. Not get bogged down in the tiniest details, and still create something pretty. Ps love that you were going to donate the proceeds. And super respect you that you’re still donating, but didn’t have to. Love your blog. And I hope you can ignore the negative comments tonight. 🙂
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This reminds me I have a quilt I started over a year and a half ago for my daughter (at her request!) that I set aside because I realized my seams were inconsistent and the blocks, though individually lovely, were coming out different sizes. My mom, a gifted and prolific quilter, said “that’s what dashing is for! Embrace the different sizes and don’t sweat it!” She’s right of course but i still haven’t gathered the mettle to get it out and finish it. This post has inspired me to do just that!
Incidentally, did you know there are quilters who purposefully don’t pre-wash their fabrics so that once the quilt is done they can shrink it a little for that wrinkly effect?
Keep making, keep sharing. I’ll keep reading 🙂
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Dashing should be “sashing” (for non quilters out there, sashing is strips of fabric between blocks usually used as a design element but also handy for evening out inconsistencies in measuring!)
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Oh I think its cute! Its posts like this that make me feel less afraid of attempting something as complicated as piecing a quilt. There’s always a solution to getting those pieces together and it doesn’t involve quantum physics and quaternions. Thanks, Elise! It looks handmade/homemade instead of store-bought from an assembly line. I’m more likely to pass down something HANDMADE through the family (regardless of how rough it is around the edges). Something about “this is grandma’s special quilt from Bed, Bath & Beyond” doesn’t sound quite right….
You go girl. Your daughter will have a beautiful collection of things made by mama. Priceless.
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I am so shocked and sad about all the negativity, especially when the money was going to go to charity. If someone was going to pay for and gain a beautiful quilt, and that money was going to charity, I’d say that’s a win-win! I also loved the part about focusing on your favourite parts of a hobby. I think it encourages us beginners. I admit, I get discouraged when I make something and it doesn’t turn out as ‘perfect’ as the tutorial, or what I see other crafters doing. I need to embrace imperfections myself. Keep up the amazing work! 🙂
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This makes me so enraged. You are such an amazing crafter and creator. If I did a tenth of that quilt I would be so freaking proud of myself. The fact alone that you spent so much time and effort making that piece means you should be proud and make a profit. I support you for your efforts and I cannot wait to buy my get to work book, even though I’d never typically spend that amount on a planner . I’m buying because it is an awesome product and because it supports a really awesome person. Keep doing what you’re doing!!!
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LOL…..IQP….I love it 🙂
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Oh bummer about the response to the Dear Ellerie letters. Those are too sweet. Your great great grandkids will be reading those on some futuristic device that hasn’t been invented yet. SO cool.
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I totally agree. Makes you feel like you want to defend! I’m super busy at work….maybe I can give those ladies a job to keep them off the computer. Idle minds!
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…..and on the 7th day, while God rested, Satan was up to no good creating Cyber Bullies (along with snakes, spiders, centipedes, and creepy things that lurk in the deep)
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Well that is a lot of talk isn’t it about a little quilt. You have explained that this was intentional rather than you did your best and it didn’t all line up. It’s okay for people to say this isn’t your best work compared to previous quilts however you explained that in great detail and you were not trying to sell it as a perfect professionally made quilt so really those negative comments could have been written in a not so confronting way. Honestly the marching of corners is really quiet easy once you get a good method. Remember the link you sent to making the perfect sandwich how each layer was separated so you could see it when when I explain this think about it in those separated layers. You have your top layer which a square (made up of two triangles) so put a pin though the top layer right in the corner of the seam which would be the centre where the corners meet. Put the pin straight through this and then get your next piece underneath and then put the pin through the centre point on the next layer then lay it on a table or your lap and then push the pin back through the fabric so it’s all flat. When you sew your seam you can run your sewing machine straight over your pins and it will be perfectly joined. That being said if you want all your pieces perfectly joined you would do this on every join. That being said your quilt is a handmade rustic quilt just as you have described it. Take a deep breath and forget about mean people. I also agree that perfection on your get to work book is way more important than this project. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
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So I purposely quilt without measuring or following any of the “rules” too. It’s called freestyle quilting and it’s a way more fun!!!! Love the finished product- you rock!
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For those few negative comments, (and they are a few in the big picture), consider the possible motivation: jealously, pettiness, someone feeling small, or someone trying to get attention.
Not worth any more of your time or attention.
Onward to your next wonderful, perfect or imperfect creation.
A large following of fans is counting on you to continue creating and inspiring.
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YES
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Here’s the thing. Elise’s job is to write a blog, not to make quilts. The quilt was a hobby and a form of stress relief and letting go of perfect. She didn’t hand the quilt in to anyone. She did hand the blog post in. And it was written just fine. Clearly not half assed or lazy.
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Elise, I LOVE the concept of throwing perfection out the window and just taking what you enjoy from the process. I recently finished my first quilt based on your tutorial, and the idea of a less structured approach is super appealing for round two! I have been a reader for years, and feel really disheartened at the horrible comments you’ve received today. I wish this beautiful quilt was still up for bit because I imagine it would have drawn a ton of bids. I’ll be donating to Habitat today. Xx
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I’m so sad that folks feel free to smack talk anyone’s craft, especially someone so inspiring and giving. You quilt is a happy work of Art that makes me remember that every little thing doesn’t need to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful. Hugs!
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Katie, while I agree that Elise is on the whole an incredible inspiration and a very professional woman (I mean, hello, a good number of her blog posts are about her small business philosophy), I urge to re-read your comment to Cassie … “You’re a hateful, awful person” is a terribly hateful, awful thing to say. I don’t think you are an awful person, and I completely understand your inclination to defend someone you’re a fan of.
But remember that words have power to completely ruin someone’s day. Or to completely turn it around! I usually try to make sure I’m making someone’s day better with what I’m saying (or at least keeping it neutral) — not making it worse.
Have a good one!
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