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”
thank you anna!
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I’ll say “Amen” to that. She’s awesome and I really wish people would just leave there bad comments to themselves.
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I have been reading and following this blog for years and first found it because of your black and white triangle quilt! I love to sew, especially my own clothes, and once I realised that perfection isn’t worth the tears and frustration (which is what is what driving me to) I was able to embrace the process and enjoying the things I make. I think your quilt is beautiful, and surely handmade goods are all about being made with love not perfect seam allowances? I guess this is one of those times to shake it off?? x
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Thanks! I have definitely upset folks before! Most notable was when Paul was deployed and I was accused used of setting back the women’s movement because I would have to call AAA if my car got a flat.
It sucks do get such intense hate about a quilt but I guess better this than my parenting style? 😉
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I wish I could just do bindings! Send me your quilt!!
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Awesome! Go get it!
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Thanks! I am not Picasso, but you are so kind. 🙂
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Thank you grace!
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It’s hard. I’m still learning too. 🙂
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Thank you!
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Haha! Thanks!
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I hope you make one!
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Thank you!
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Elise,
I’m sorry that the negative comments got you down. I thought that your “pick my favorite parts of a hobby and just focus on those” process was inspirational. I’m going to try it!
I’m also a Habitat for Humanity supporter, although I haven’t given to them in a while. So I’m matching your $100 donation with one of my own to my local Habitat group. Please keep up the good work!
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Elise – I repeat what I said last week. There’s something so loose, organic and beautiful about this quilt. I love it!
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Thank you! So kind!
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Thank you Carrie!
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I’m not a pattern-fabric-in-quilts-lover, but I really like these! (Thinking about it, I also love your baby girl quilt. Maybe I just THINK I don’t like patterns mixed in?) Made me happy to see you put it up for auction as I read quite a few comments on Instagram these last few days about how some people realllly loved this and wanted it for their babes, and what a chance! But ah well, not everything pans out as planned, I guess 🙂 Keep up keepin’ it real, I love it!
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Please do! Would love to see when you’re done! 🙂
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🙂
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Lol I totally get it. Thank you catie!
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Thanks!! It’s not a great hobby if we hate it, right?
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Thanks Leslie!
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Thank you!
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Awesome! Good luck finishing!
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Haha! Thanks! I wish I was successful enough to be able to roll with it. 😉
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🙂
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Awesome Laura. Thank you.
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It’s gorgeous! Anyone that wins is blessed to own something so pretty & handmade! It’s totally Gee’s Bend-ish, too! Sorry for meanies. That stinks.
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This made me cry. Thanks for sharing, Karen. 🙂
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Thank you Deborah.
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Yeah, I think that’s where my head was at. I wanted someone who really wanted it to get it, which doesn’t always happen in a giveaway. But it’s okay. Thank you. 🙂
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No worries! Thanks mandie!
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Beautiful! The quilt, the sentiment, the imperfection, etc. You are and always will be totally professional. Go Girl!
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First time commenter, long time reader… Just wanted to say that the number of T Swifty references throughout your blog make my days a little brighter.
I can’t quilt at all, so the mere fact that you pulled together one, albeit beautifully imperfect… Makers gonna make, and you, Elise, are a true maker.
Also, your podcasts are the shizz to jog too. Almost better than Serial.
Almost.
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wait…what? I’m so confused as to why anyone wouldn’t love this quilt!! The first thing I thought after seeing it is “I love this style! I want to learn how to quilt now!”. I love that the imperfection is consistent – it’s its own pattern of imperfection! (If that makes sense.) Bottom line – it’s great and I love it and it’s inspired me to fix my sewing machine and learn to quilt. Thank you Elise for always inspiring!!!
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thank you!
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Dude, I would settle for “your podcast is only ONE MILE below the high class that is Serial.”
xx
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haha! thanks melissa!
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We human beings are silly creatures Elise. Of course this awesome and what you are doing is rad. Don’t let the haters get you down. Keep doing your thing in all it’s various, glorious forms. This is YOUR space and YOUR project. Go get it girl! High five to you and your honesty. xo
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Oh Elise, it breaks my heart that some people responded so negatively to your lovely post. I was COMPLETELY inspired. I’ve been wanting to learn how to quilt for years, but I don’t even know how to sew + I’m a perfectionist as well as super impatient (a terrible combo, I know!), and this darling quilt of yours made me believe that some day I can create a quilt of my own, even if it won’t look perfect.
I LOVE the idea of sticking with the parts of the hobby that you personally enjoy! And I think that can carry over into so many other activities + responsibilities (like cooking for me!). As busy parents we’re always needing to “choose our battles” so we can focus on the people we love + the things that bring us joy.
You’re incredible. Super inspiring + so very talented! I hope that after the sting wears off you won’t be left feeling any less than. I’m so thankful you share so much of yourself online. xoxo
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Elise…I’m sitting here in tears as I read the nasty comments. OMG. Really why do people have to be such haters. Your quilt is awesome. I can’t sew a straight line to save my soul so the fact that you created a beautiful useable quilt is a miracle. My OLW this year is “Delight” and part of that is being kind and taking delight in others. I love your blog…look forward to your Ellerie photos and posts. I’m so very sorry this post and the ensuing comments brought such nastiness. Hang in there…
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I’m super disappointed in this post and quilt. I know perfectionism is not your thing- and I usually applaud that. But in this case, it feels like you took it too far. Why not cut your fabric neatly, sew, and not worry about points meeting perfectly? Still wonky. Still imperfect. But demonstrating good quilting skills and showing how to make something fun for everyone. Even with shooting for perfection, it doesn’t take that long to make a mini/lap quilt. Maybe for a future project you should do some research on “Liberated quilting” (yes, it’s a thing, check the hashtag on instagram) and look at something along those lines.
You have such a large audience in the blogging world that I’d rather see you share tutorials on how to make a good quilt while embracing imperfection rather than a poor tutorial on a quilt that looks like you were just generating content. I hope the rest of make/give30 improves because I am not impressed so far.
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You’re doing great! This post encouraged so many people today! You’re successful in 2 ways! 😉
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How interesting that this beautiful quilt could cause such an uproar! I wouldn’t have known until I read the edit.
I totally get letting go of standards and perfection and just making something. We all have our good projects and our bad projects and that’s how creativity goes. Sometimes you need a mental refresher rather than a perfect end result! I think we’re so focused on being perfect in every aspect of our lives that some people can’t see the point of making something for the sake of making.
More power to you, Elise. Haters gonna hate for SURE.
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i think yay for picking the parts you enjoy and focusing on that with your crafting. i love that. but good call on switching it to a giveaway, much more inline with the make&give concept
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Yeah, as someone who also blogs and puts myself out there, and who sometimes gets weird/nasty comments back, I’m finding myself drawn to this thread today, and checking it several times. I feel I’m learning through you, Elise, about how to deal with the fact that not everyone who comes across one’s work online is going to be into it. It’s fascinating to me, too, as a real-life, “meta” sort of example about when things aren’t perfect, and putting them out there anyway.
Moral of this comment: you’re a ROCK STAR, Elise.
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I needed this today! I have a half finished quilt sitting in a drawer that I messed up with measuring and with cutting and I was getting so frustrated by my mistakes that I just hid it and forgot about it. I think I’m going to give it another try. Who cares if it isn’t perfect?
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Oh my everything. People make me crazy. This quilt is awesome and I would be honored to wrap my baby in it (you know I’ll be trying for that at noon)! The whole point is you get to do what you want and others just have to deal. You got this Elise, you totally rock and today you get to show the annoying people how much you can shake it off. Don’t doubt yourself. And make more of these just to show them how many people would love to have one! haha!! 😉 See you on instagram at noon! 🙂
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I’m so with you, Angie. This is my third comment on this thread (because I can’t believe people are so angry about this!) and perhaps my comments are really in defense of myself. I have a couple of those projects, too, and am now inspired to go back and finish them.
Actually have some fabric that I haven’t cut into because I’m worried I’ll “ruin” it……It would make me happier to have a finished blanket in the closet than a stack of fabric. This post is inspiring, I’m getting started this weekend.
Makers gonna make! (fist bump)
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