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”
Yeah, I think we all need to loosen up, here. There is no “right” in art.
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I know absolutely nothing about quilting, or sewing, even. As someone who is totally uneducated in this department, I think this quilt is cute and would love to use it for my little. No, I probably wouldn’t pay much for it. Lucky for me, I have free will and don’t have to if I don’t like it (what a concept!) But what really gets to me is the griping about it being half assed for you to make something imperfect and then auction it for charity. What the what?! Who CARES if it’s imperfect? If someone was willing to buy my dirty left sock for a good cause, why on earth would anyone complain about that? And to think that, unlike my dirty laundry, this is something you did actually put time and effort into creating, regardless of whether others thought it was up to your usual standards or not. I myself am so appalled that somebody would take time out of their day to complain about this to the extent that you felt guilted into canceling the auction. These people should be ashamed. Sort your priorities, guys.
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As I commented on instagram, the orange and turquoise in this are completely drool-worthy and reminiscent of your beautiful abstract paintings. Your triangle quilts inspired me to start one of my own a couple years ago – it’s still unfinished less because I’m worried about perfection, more because I don’t have a sewing machine of my own. 🙂 Keep up the awesome work and thanks for all the inspiration!
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I love this! I love the sentiment behind it and also I love the finished product.
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You’re a hateful, awful person. Whenever I see such hateful comments like this I can only assume that the commenter is seriously lacking in intelligence and/or emotional maturity. Seek help.
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I’m not a quilt person anyway so no comment about the quilt itself – but, it makes me so sad that you got the response that you got. I think the message that you can make something and focus on the parts of it you love the most was such a good message. I know you’ve sold quilts in the past and ebooks and other things, but I don’t feel like this project was so much about the quilt as it was in the process.
I feel like there’s a lot of women out there (and I’m saying women because of the blogs I read) who feel like they need to get someone’s permission to break the rules in things that don’t matter. You see it in PL where people ask things like, do I have to do it weekly? Do I have to put the picture in the 4×6 slot? Or recipes: I don’t like mozzerella cheese, can I use provolone? And those things always drive me crazy because – just do what you want.
I thought this post was a great example of do what you want. It was a great example of not letting the “rules” stop you. If someone doesn’t want to buy it/bid on it/like it – they don’t have to! It’s so simple. I didn’t see anywhere in your post that said : YOU HAVE TO BID. YOU MUST LIKE THIS.
I’m not sure why all the haters. And to say that because you did this the way you wanted to lessens the value of quilt courses or previous quilts you made is so silly. Look at people like picasso who could paint/draw really well, but then broke all those rules to create the masterpieces he became famous for. (Not saying you’re a quilt picasso, just that you’ve proven you know what you’re doing if you want to. 😉 )
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What I loved about this post is that it so closely follows your collaboration post about your GTWB. you openly admit being perfectionist there (where you’re mass selling) and a bit later (in this post), you remind us it’s okay to be fun, real, imperfect in our art. Your online presence has always made me feel like we can all be artists in some way… And that’s why I still read your blog after years. You create beautiful work (art and craft alike) and encourage others to join in. Thank you for that.
I, for one, love the idea of this being a 3-D tangible reminder in someone’s home that nothing is perfect and imperfections make us real. I hope it’s a treasured quilt and deeply loved by a tiny baby and mumma.
Stay quilty and go getcha some 🍕🍪& 🍺.
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it’s tough for sure! thank you!!
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that’s wonderful!! I hope you make one!!
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What is wrong with you?!
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thanks so much!
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thank you Debbie!
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shitty indeed! but pulling it together. The dear Ellerie letters did get some heat which sucked but somehow (crazily?!) made more sense. I know parenting is personal. I didn’t realize quilting was. Always love seeing your quilting on IG.
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thank you Jenny!
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haha! this made me smile. thank you.
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how fun will that be?!!
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Just wanted to give you a virtual hug!
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thank you!! get going!! 🙂
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appreciate it Jocelyn! thank you!
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I’m not a quilter, but I am a lover of vintage things. You know what I see a LOT of in thrift stores? Perfect, showcase quilts made with fabrics that are downright ugly, because they matched. And uneven, imperfect quilts that are worn through, patched, and loved TO DEATH. Guess which kind are harder to find? The loved ones. Get your imperfect on! If your e-course helped even one person get over their fear of quilting, make something that will be loved to death, and maybe inspired them to go on to something more precise later? SUCCESS!
Shake it, baby.
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Elise, you are amazing, end of story. What originally drew me into your blog are your amazing DIYs that I actually want to make and want to display around my home or give to a loved one. I’m not much of a crafter but when I want to make something your blog is where I go for inspiration (and I’m never disappointed). Thank you so much for all the amazing (and free I might add!) content that you create and post, I know you pour so much work into your endeavors. I am continually impressed and am cheering you on! xox
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And hopefully ALL those women (and men?!!) who’ve got your back made you smile again :)!
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I hope you make one!! thank you!
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thank you!
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thank you! the colors are my favorite part. 🙂
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Elise, I’m one of your readers who never comment. But you thought me to embrace the imperfection, to just let your creativity flow AND keep going. As I’m making a quilt for a friend’s first wedding anniversary and the corners are completely off I just love seeing it come to live as the sewing machine goes on!
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Elise, I’m a mostly lurker, long time reader. I read the post this morning and just loved the quilt!
While I am not a quilter, I am a crafter who battles every day with the specter of perfectionism. I just want to let you know how much your ‘just start’ ethos has helped me…and more than just in crafting.
Cheering you on!
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I’ve never commented on your posts, I’ve read your inspiring blog for years, and listen to your podcast and have learned SO MUCH! Your style was, and still is, a breath of fresh air for me. You really inspire me to be creative in different ways and go out there and try new things, regardless of the outcome because it’s also about the journey.
I love the quilt, and think that it is totally your style – I was not surprised by it at all, and LOVE the fact that not everything matches up perfectly. I just love it and wouldn’t change a thing.
I hope you will find fun in your future projects and this hasn’t brought your spirits down too much. It is so hard to share things online and I hope you keep sharing!
Sending love xoxo
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i love this quilt and this project. like out’ve said, it’s about MAKING and GIVING. not about perfection and profits. you don’t like it? don’t bid on it. done and done. keep doing your thing elise, it’s very inspirational to almost all of us out there reading.
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i’m so bummed about these comments, and they’re not even about me. i love that you finished your quilt! it’s beautiful! i still have a knitted blanket sitting in my closet from when i found out i was pregnant (my son is not 15 months…). this has given me the drive to finally finish that thing, perfect or not!! so thanks! also, i’m sad i missed the chance to win it!! at least it will go to someone that will love it!! keep up the good work!
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I love the slightly crinkly effect, sort of seems homely in a way. I have some larger scale ones my mum made me when I left home out of upholstery sample packs and they feel like they are full of love!
NB also love the colour combinations 🙂
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I don’t comment on your posts as much as I probably should, as I always gain so much inspiration and encouragement from reading your blog. This quilt is beautiful and I love how you embraced the parts of the process that you enjoy the most. Thank you Elise for putting yourself and your craft out there. There are so many more lovers than haters in this world.
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This quilt is beautiful. So are you.
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I LOVE IT!!!!
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I am grateful for this blog post. I love that you finished the project at all – I know that too many of my projects get shelved until there’s time to “do it right,” but that’s really an excuse for me to put things off. And too often the perfection I have in my head is not even possible, so then I never try or try again!
I’m definitely a little OCD when it comes to corners and straight lines, but I also think your quilt is really beautiful. That’s a good challenge for me because I clearly know it’s beautiful even with the imperfections. The comments about Gee’s Bend quilts is right now. I saw an exhibit of those quilts in Boston; they are truly beautiful, and your quilt is certainly in the spirit of those quilts.
With regards to quilting in particular, I appreciate that you did so much by hand and by eye. The thought of taking on a quilt and doing everything so precisely REALLY overwhelms me. The thought that I could piece together something that’s beautiful without perfect measuring and perfect cutting and perfect piecing and perfect sewing is awesome and empowering. Thank you for that!
As a teacher (and now a parent), I’ve worked hard on how to overcome my own perfectionism. I’ve stopped saying “Do your best” because what I have in my head as “best” is really not attainable or isn’t reasonable for most tasks. Instead I say “Work hard” or “Try again.” I’m fairly certain that has helped me in my own mindset as much as it’s helped my students and son. It’s also way less anxiety-inducing for those of us who are perfectionists to know we can work hard at something and be successful regardless of whether it matches the vision in our brain.
Finally (and then I’ll let it go), thank you for leaving this up in spite of the negative comments. I have been reading your blog for a LONG time now, and I am grateful for the window you give us into your life and work. Please don’t let these negative comments affect that. I am someone who wears my heart on my sleeve and takes things way too personally, so I can appreciate what that feels like, but know that there are many, many of us out here who are thankful you are willing to share the perfect and the imperfect and are proud of it all! Do you remember the Coffee and Crumbs blog post about judging other moms? (You read that, right?) The author talked about being on vacation with kids and another mom commenting she could never do that. The author went on to say that maybe that wasn’t judging but more admiration or awe. THAT’S a lot of what you do for me: you show me what I may be able to achieve one day, and you’re teaching me lots of lessons about just getting stuff done and accomplishing the everyday. THANK YOU for that.
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i just scrolled the comments after seeing your instagram update. 1) ewww, some people are just yucky, yucky people. 2) you are brilliant and awesome and so talented and i am always in awe of the number of projects you bust out and 3) i’m a perfectionist and it has hindered me in SO many ways. i am constantly trying to be okay with creating crafts or launching business ideas and so on without them having to be 100% perfect and that isn’t a noble commitment to quality – it is a hinderance to my life goals. i love the projects you make on any scale.
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I learned to quilt among the Amish (we lived in northern Indiana for a time) and I love their philosophy about quilts- in that nothing in this world is perfect, save God, so they typically miss a stitch here and there on purpose. It adds a little imperfection to their quilt and reminds them with each use that no one is perfect, yet we strive for it, and with grace, we’ll all get there in another life.
Shake it off.
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Hi Elise,
I think the quilt you created is really lovely and that the meaning behind it is refreshing and inspiring to many people, including me. I really related to the idea that sometimes, striving for perfection is not the priority and can actually be harmful, and that completing something and accepting something less-than perfect can be healing. I am so happy to see that much of your community feels the same way, and are willing to support you in doing what’s right for you. Your gesture to auction it for charity was so genuine and selfless. I will be donating to HFH in your honor, and sending you my best wishes in that you may continue to do what feels right for you.
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Stay strong and true to yourself, if others don’t like it that’s there problem not yours. I have followed you for a few years now and admire every DIY or crafty project you do. Love this quilt too as mine pretty much have the same perfect / imperfect flow to them. People can be cruel and maybe should just keep there mouths shut! Keep smiling girl, you are AMAZING!!!
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You said it perfectly!! Also, I’d add that it is SO important to be able to let yourself do things “the wrong way” sometimes! Anyone who is truly exploring their craft would probably benefit by trying out a few ideas that go against the grain. Elise, you’re awesome and I love seeing you explore one of your many talents!
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Karen, what a great idea and fun way to turn this negativity around!
While some of the comments are quite rude today (and incorrect!), I think Habitat for Hummanity getting any extra donations is worth it. I’m sorry it is at your expense, Elise.
Haters gonna hate. But makers gonna make too 😉
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Wow, some people. I love the quilt. I used to quilt but have not done so in over 20 years and I gave it up because the perfection drove me crazy. After reading this post I now want to quilt again. As a matter of fact I WILL quilt again. You made the process sound so enjoyable and freeing! I never thought about doing the parts I love and easing up in the perfection part. So, thank you for showing me a new way to enjoy quilting! ❤️
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I don’t think Elise has ever claimed to be an amazing perfect quilter…
Maybe you should go follow more of your liberated quiliting.
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I know you are so over comments on this post right now. I just wanted to say that I quilt because of you… it is a hard and tedious hobby. I can assure you that my baby would love to roll up in this quilt, with a bottle and a good book. I don’t care how imperfect this quilt is, I still love it. AND love is what you do with a quilt. they are to be used and loved. If you were not giving this quilt away… I would buy it in a heart beat!
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Elise-
My wife is an avid follower and just told me about this quilt and subsequent fallout. Her initial impression was one of inspiration. Awhile back she started but never finished her first quilt. Reading your post she was inspired to at least try finishing the quilt even if imperfect.
I’ve run a web-based business for 15 years and have become familiar with unconstructive negative feedback. Mature adults will share criticism privately, or just keep to themselves. It’s the noisy few that need to let others know, but it always stings. The art world in particular is full of outraged traditionalists who oppose departure from the norms. I can think of many artists who broke with convention, simplifying their art and enjoying it more, and inspiring countless others to join in. Don’t be discouraged, don’t be distracted, and keep following your bliss.
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DANG – I can’t believe this sparked such a debate.
Elise, you rock. You can make whatever you want. And I’ll be copying that color scheme soon.
Thanks for putting yourself out there.
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I don’t normally post but look forward to and ready your blog every day and I just have to say that I think the quilt is beautiful and applaud your honesty and for putting yourself out there every day. Your work is amazing and your creativity and talent is appreciated by so many, myself included.
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I’ve read your blog for years. Thank you for sharing so much of your life and thoughts! You are such an inspiration and I admire how you get things done! This quilt is beautifully imperfect handmade art. Keep up the good work.
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Oh my goodness. I am just shocked at the amount of hatred in these comments. I LOVED this project. I pretty much love everything about your blog and your projects Elise. I really look forward to reading your blog daily and have been so inspired to step out of my comfort zone and try new things with your virtual high fives cheering me on! Helping me to cross the finish line on projects, will be your Get To Work Book which I pre-ordered and am beyond excited for! I am so thankful for your honesty, your vulnerability, your willingness to push the envelope and for your devotion to family, craft and making. I know this is a day you won’t look back on fondly, but I hope you can keep blogging as free-hearted as you always have. It keeps the rest of us makers inspired. Wishing you an evening of family hugs, pizza, and a cold beer (or two)!
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Cassie, Elise has made many quilts which are much more technical, but she has never made a quilt that is appalling. I find it offensive that you are using such harsh and dramatic language to someone who is sharing their work, and sharing for a good cause. There are many things in this world that are appalling and shameful, but quilting for charity is not one of them. We are fortunate that we have the resources to support products and their makers by spending our money when we want to. If you did not support this project, I would suggest that NOT bidding and privately contacting the maker would have been a more tactful route to voice your disapproval. People have the freedom to choose how they want to spend their money and there is nothing shameful about that.
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