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”
I love it!! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about that, about picking my battles. It’s been very freeing. xo
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The binding is my favorite part of quilting! I really really love to hand sew, so I have never tried it on a machine. Maybe I should? I love that you allow yourself to not be perfect!
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How gorgeous! I recently made my second quilt and I absolutely adore it. 🙂 Good work! So what if it isn’t perfect… that’s one of my favorite things about quilts–how personal (and imperfect) they are!
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this really is appalling. you were my inspiration for quilting, and i loved your ecourse on quilting because you kept it so simple and didnt focus on perfection. but this not-perfect thing is getting out of control to the point of being unprofessional. you can’t claim to be an expert on something via an ecourse, and then produce something like this. the idea of make and give 30 was really great, but when you are SELLING projects that you completely half-assed, even for charity, it is embarrassing. if you really wanted to be charitable, why don’t you donate the quilt itself to charity? i’m sure there are plenty of babies who need a homemade quilt, and would love even the most imperfect quilt anyone makes. but to charge someone money for this atrocity, even if that money is being donated, is just shameful.
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Haters gonna hate. Although I have a feeling this comment above will get deleted, and I don’t want to start a big thing, I have to say, I’m SO on the opposite side of this sentiment. Elise, you’re super professional, rad, and REAL. That’s what I love about your blog. xoxo
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Elise, noooo. I seriously thought this was a late April Fool’s joke. It’s shocking that you’re actually going to sell/auction it. I’m all about embracing imperfection and enjoying the process as much as the outcome, but this is so sloppy that I can hardly believe you honestly sell a course on quilt making. I’m not a hater, I’m not a troll. I’ve followed your blog for years and have cheered your successes here and on Instagram, and have drawn so much inspiration from you. I have appreciated your transparency when things haven’t gone as planned. But I don’t know what this is. It’s not even close to good work, and it’s just blatantly unprofessional. I know you’re a real person and not just a “brand” but this doesn’t fit in with anything else you’ve done, how hard you’ve worked to create your brand. I know you say progress is greater than perfection, but where does at least attempting to do good work instead of just throwing something at a sewing machine fit in? I seriously thought this post was in jest, or that your account had somehow been hacked. Wow.
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Huh, I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog (despite reading for years – sorry to be a lurker) but I have to this time.
I’ve made one quilt that was far from perfect, as I am far from a perfectionist. I think choosing to do something that isn’t perfectly precise is actually really appealing to me. I just wanted to add a note of support for your choice to make things in a way that appeals to you.
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I honestly think, it’s piece of art. Made me think a little of the Gee’s Bend. I wonder what amazing things could happen, if you would just make it up as you go no rules or rulers 🙂 at all.
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I’m sorry but this comment is horrible. How can you even sleep at night after saying things like this to a person!
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I love this. I think the time of quilting needing to be perfectly precise is over. Just like with anything creative, quilting should be an expression of the quilter. This quilt fits so perfectly within your aesthetic. I love the colors, the imperfect angles, and the fact that you’re using your passion to help others.
Finding your blog saved my creativity. I’d gotten so wrapped up in perfection and fitting into a mold that I was paralyzed. You reminded me that it’s about boldly sharing my voice and vision. Thank you for being so confident in yourself and your brand, and for sharing so much of yourself here.
You’re great, this quilt is great, and I can’t wait to see what else you come up with for Make & Give 30.
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Elise I love this quilt. It really inspired me to get outside of thinking that everything has to be so perfect and focusing on the greatness of creating. Keep up the good work!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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I could not agree more. When I saw this “quilt” I just cringed. I thought you made things like it was your job. If I turned in work like this at my job I’d be fired.
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I totally get it and I LOVE it! You’re absolutely amazing. Absolutely!
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Why couldn’t you just keep your opinion to yourself? it is so rude. You’re a GUEST here, in Elise’s metaphorical HOME. When you come to someone’s house and don’t like something there, is this what you do — just say what you think out loud? It’s so embarrassing to read such comments. Shame on you, whoever you are.
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your job surely has nothing to do with arts. or requires a talent of seeing real beauty.
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If you guys don’t like a project keep scrolling. I think elise did a wonderful job and if you can’t appreciate it then don’t read this blog. I’m sure your negativity is welcome elsewhere.
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I’m with ekaterine.
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Love this quilt, love your blog, love your work, love the inspiration that you provide, and love you! I’ll be bidding at noon! Woohoo!
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this quilt is perfectly imperfect, love it! Need to make one asap!
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The negative comments about this quilt emphasize the point of the post for me. How many times have we started a project just to quit half way because it’s not ‘good enough’? Good enough for WHO? How much time in life do we spend attempting perfectionism? It’s a sad thing we do to ourselves.
It’s a beautiful quilt and you ENJOYED the process! High five. This post is why I love this blog.
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Oooh, I so agree! It does have elements of Gee’s Bend quilts that are SO true and beautiful!
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I’m not a fan of the imperfections either. My type-A brain just wants. those. corners. to meet-up. BUT, I certainly don’t think that makes you unprofessional or any less of the creative genius that I believe you to be. You pulled together a great combination of fabrics (the striped binding is perfect) and I’m sure the winner of the auction will be thrilled to have it!
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I love the part about picking your favorite parts of a hobby and focusing there. If everyone always aimed for perfection and getting cookie-cutter results, creativity would die. Your approach is fun and creative. Very inspiring.
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I agree! Well said!
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Beautiful I love the feeling of not doing complete perfect I mean what in life is PERFECT and who gets to choose whether something is perfect. This quilt is an inspiration I wish more people made things and sold things that aren’t absolutely perfect.
To those who posted negative comments why don’t you keep those comments in your head where they belong and take a look at everything you do and make I highly doubt it’s perfect.
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Hi wonderful job I find that it is perfect I would never be able to do that keep up the good work.
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Elise, I love the color combo that you chose! You are the one who inspired to get into quilting to begin with and I made a really cute baby quilt for a friend last summer.
Currently I am working on a twin size/ lap quilt for our living room to snuggle under while chilling on the couch. It is so imperfect as it is my first larger scale quilt and this post was an encouraging reminder that all projects don’t have to be completely perfect as long as you enjoy the process. I so messed up on buying the right yardage! Now my quilt might end up being smaller than the twin size I originally planned for it to be and this post helped me see that it is okay when things don’t go according to plan. Just have fun with it 🙂 Thanks for being you!
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My husband once saw some nasty blog comments and was shocked that people took the time to do it. He asked if I’d ever gotten any on the blog I used to write on, and I laughed and said “oh no… those only happen on really successful blogs.”
So… LOOK HOW SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE!
Seriously. The quilt is awesome. People can be the worst, but your intentions were obviously in the right place to anyone not looking to stir the pot. Please keep doing you, I look forward to your posts daily.
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I think it’s beautiful. I also really love the sentiment that something doesn’t have to be perfect to be worthwhile. I think it’s silly for a person to suggest that just because they don’t like something it is wrong, and I think it’s really bizarre to suggest your chosen method for donating to charity is wrong. What?! Your quilt will sell in the auction because it is lovely and people like to have unique handmade items, especially the soft cozy beautiful type, and you’ll donate the money to the charity and that’s awesome, end of story. I’m sure you know all of this and don’t need a pep talk from me, but after all the negativity I wanted you to know that these projects are my favorites because I find them inspirational. So often the need to be perfect has stopped me from doing anything at all and that is SO counterproductive. I appreciate the ‘permission’ to do things my way and not worry about someone else’s standards.
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I agree!! Well said!!
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I’m here with you!
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I’m a lurker of your blog but today I just had to comment after reading all the comments. I’m sorry you had to change your original plans for your quilt because of all the bad responses. Shame on those people!
It’s your project why can’t you do it the way you want to!
It may not be for everyone… Then they didn’t need to bid.
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I love this!
I’ve been wanting to make a quilt forever. My mom used to be a home ec teacher so it would be easy having someone right there to help me, but I’ve always been a little nervous. Now I feel like it doesn’t have to be perfect to be cute! Thanks!
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Call it a Monday, Elise. Also, to non-quilter’s everywhere (like myself), it looks perfect … ha ha. I had to actually go back to the pictures to see what all the fuss was about.
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I never comment, but wanted to show support to you. I’m so sorry you have received such negative feedback! I love your work. This project is creative and doesn’t follow rules- just how creativity should be! Hugs
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Interesting to read the comments. I lean toward the feeling that this project is a smidge out of character for Elise. Especially after so many posts that talk about the great effort and dedication to detail put in on so many other projects. This final execution of this one just makes me a little sad, especially in light of the fact that she does actually sell a quilting e-class. There are quilt styles that are a bit improvisational or “crazy quilts” that might have elevated this (and actually would recommend Elise or anyone else try those styles if you’re made crazy by the tedium involved with basic aligning over and over, improvisational quilts are fun!), rather than going with the geometric triangle pattern and then not getting it aligned or stitched straight. I’m glad so many people commented to say they like it so much or found it freeing, but I do confess some mild surprise that this came from a quilt teacher and person who makes an income from many of her projects on a for-profit blog. As far as the composition, the colors and patterns are very pleasing to the eye, I think it’s just the execution that is causing the negative comments. At least it looks like there will be a lot of money raised based on the positive comments!
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MY biggest opportunity area is letting things roll off my back I tell my boss that all the time. It is so hard when people consistently try to bring you down. You go with what works for YOU and your family.
To those who may be having a bad day…. Each day is what you make of it. You cannot control circumstances, just your attitude about them
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I don’t think you saw my edit at the bottom. There will not be an auction. Thanks.
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So saddened to see some of the comments on this post. Keep your chin up Elise, you inspiring woman! I LOVE this quilt.
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Hi Elise !
I love your quilt ! I’ve been wanting to make one for years but i’ve never done one because i fear i might hate the measuring and cuting part of the process. This post makes me want to make one even more !
These people making negative comments are just jealous people (that’s what i tell myself), their comments say more on themselves than on your work !
Plus i think your quilt, this quilt, is a work of ART ! The greatest artists had to bend the rules at some point. Look at Picasso who painted portraits of ladies, that don’t really look like ladies !!! I’m sure there is a trend in quilting that is all for making your own rules.
Anyway all this to tell you that i support you 100% ! I hope the negative comments won’t affect you and that you’ll keep in mind all the great comments about this quilt (they are a majority !). Take care and keep sharing all you do. THANK YOU
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Lol, same here, Melissa! Sorry some of the negative comments bummed you out and made you change your plans, but really,I think it looks awesome and fun to do something freehand!
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Making a quilt is on my bucket list … and has been for years … but I haven’t started because the idea of perfection that often goes hand-in-hand with quilting is intimidating & overwhelming. I LOVE the quilt you made (the triangles & colors get all the heart eyes!), so THANK YOU for making the everyday non-quilter feel like making a beautiful quilt is a realistic & possible feat. Cheers!
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In the last full paragraph you wrote “it’s okay to pick your battles and do what you love.” I hardly think imperfect quilt corners is worth going to war over! I’m sorry your week started this way. : ( But thanks for the inspiration…I have triangles cut and want to see them into a summer picnic blanket, but don’t have the time to pin and iron and make everything perfect! Because of you and this post, I’m just going to sew! I love sewing! I’m not going to let the pursuit of perfectionism keep me from it any longer. On the other hand, I don’t like binding; can you do come over and do that for me? Your bindings are ALWAYS perfect. Chin up and thanks for being real in the crazy world of the Internet. You are so loved.
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Like someone said above you only get serious hate when you reach a certain level of success. Everything you do works so well, and is so amazing and so very inspirational. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this on your blog before (the backlash I mean). I feel like this whole silly debacle shows the human side of you, because you know you did something that upset someone (I didn’t think that was possible). People will never agree on what is art, or beauty and maybe there is something to be learned from here. The good, great, bad and ugly is what you are all about right? I am super sorry that this was your Monday.
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hey Leah, thank you. You always have such sweet things to share. xx
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I LOVE the binding!
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Thanks! Congrats on the second quilt!
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Thanks!
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Thank you! Just looked up those beautiful quilts, love that style. thanks for sharing. 🙂
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hey! thanks! this quilt wasn’t going to get done if I went for perfection. I think there is a time for perfect (get to work book) and a time for imperfect. I appreciate that you get it. 🙂
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