Tuesday, March 6, 2012


I have a question for those of you who do flickr swaps.

Do you worry? 

Finished DQS quilt top.
I'm usually not a worrier. I stalk my partner's photostream and blog until I have a list of ideas and then run with it from there. I occasionally worry and mostly about color or fabric likes. I don't have a big fabric stash and sometimes don't have the ability to drop everything and buy more fabric. 

But this time I'm worrying - my Doll Quilt Swap quilt is spectacular (if I may say so), but what if it just isn't my partner's style. It's not entirely her colors but the fabrics were begging to go together. 

Drafted by hand flying geese.
It's technically the hardest/most complex piece I've ever worked on (and that says something I think). Between the miniature NY Beauty block, plus the tiny plus blocks, then the giant set of 48 flying geese in a circle - that I drafted by hand.... and learned a new way to paper piece. I think I've executed it very well so far... and I do still have to quilt it and finalize the "framework" (hehe... how else would I expect for a circular quilt to be hung on the wall?) oh yeah, and it will finish as a circular quilt. 

So I'm worrying. Will my partner like it as much as I do? I couldn't bear if she didn't like it. Sometimes it's ok for a swap partner to not absolutely be head over heals over something... but this one, they've got to love it. What if she doesn't? 

Optional hexies - I haven't decided yet.
I've never felt such angst over sending a quilt to a swap partner... eek! 

Here's hoping she loves it!


  1. well, if she doesn't she can send it on to me! It's fabulous!!!

  2. Amazing! I'm sure she'll love it! How could she not??

  3. I can't see how she wouldn't love it, but I understand your angst. When you put so much work into a project you want it to be ADORED. I know someone whose partner really didn't appreciate their mini quilt so she asked for it back! And got it!

  4. I always worry. Every single time, no matter how much work I've put into it or how close I think I've got to her favorite fabric choices. But this, this is just as you say . . . begging to be loved. I can't imagine anyone NOT loving this one to bits. But I like it better without the hexies because it's such a clean geometric design you've got going on. :)

  5. Well, as the Dalai Lama says... why worry? If you can do something about it, then do it, and stop worrying. If you can't do anything about it, then accept it and stop worrying.

    You can't control how the other person will react to your work. She may not love it, and you have to find a way for that to be OK. You have poured your heart, soul, time, and talent into this quilt, and it's the one that had to be made because it's the one you were inspired to make.

    Personally, I think if your swap partner doesn't love it, she's cracker jacks... and what's the point of worrying over people who are cracker jacks? That kind of insanity isn't worth a second more of your time. :)