Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

This and That

Gosh, I struck a nerve with my post yesterday.  Nobody likes spending a boatload of money on a quilt that has poorly written and non-tested instructions!  I think Lisa D hit the nail on the head when she said she suspected a lot of shops plan out their patterns on EQuilter and never bother to make a sample or test out the instructions.  I was surprised at how many of you told me that you had similar experiences with your Web Sampler projects.  The one I signed up for was two years ago in 2008.  I know they are still doing them and wonder if things have improved?

Di asked me if I had contacted the shop owner to give him/her my feedback.  I haven't.  Do you think that it is a good idea to do that, even after all that time?  I just figured that that particular shop wouldn't get any more of my business and that I would not be doing another Web Sampler.  Maybe money talks louder than words?

I do want to state emphatically that not all Block of the Month projects are like my Web Sampler experience.  I have participated in several BOMs that were sponsored by The Fatquartershop, and those projects have all been perfect.  Instructions written clearly, color pictures with each block so you don't get mixed up about what fabric to use where, perfect finishing kits.  And once, when I screwed up a block (no fault of the instructions, just me not paying attention) I blogged about my wasting the block fabric, and a Fatquartershop employee read my blog.  And emailed me to say she was sending me the materials to re-do the block.  Talk about service!  Will I do another BOM from Fatquartershop?  You betcha.  Those guys are beyond a doubt the very best at providing the quality fabric, patterns and tools that we all want, and their customer service is unparalleled.  I cannot say enough about how great that shop is!  I have done business with them for years and years and have never had the slightest problem.

Well.  I have been feeling better this week (Hallelujah!) and have gotten into my sewing room to make some assessments of the UFO situation.  I am uncovering a gold mine of hidden unfinished projects.  Look at this one!   Tip of the iceberg…

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It is a summery April Cornell fabric from a year or so ago, and an adorable Schnibble called Four Corners!  I have most of the blocks made and could finish this up in an afternoon.  If I had one.  Anyway, how cute is that going to be as a summer picnic cloth?  Hey A Quilting Life and Pink Pincushion!  How about picking this pattern for one of your monthly A Year of Schnibbles so I can say I got one done?  lol

Just wait until tomorrow when I show you a another quilt project I started and put away!!  I actually made all the blocks, cute as can be, and never put the top together.  A color combination that is atypical of Nicole, but simply wonderful.  Very Parisienne, tres tres chic.

36 responses to “This and That”

  1. I do not own a quilt shop, but I own another business, and if it were my product that someone wasn’t happy with, I’d want to know so I could make it right. I think it would be kind of you to give that shop the chance to do so. Maybe you won’t get a happy response but you never know.
    My opinion. Add 1 c. salt and stir briskly.

  2. I do not own a quilt shop, but I own another business, and if it were my product that someone wasn’t happy with, I’d want to know so I could make it right. I think it would be kind of you to give that shop the chance to do so. Maybe you won’t get a happy response but you never know.
    My opinion. Add 1 c. salt and stir briskly.

  3. I love this april Cornel itty bitty and can’t wait to see it done! I like the fact that you write honestly and let the chips fall where they may. Keep it up!

  4. I love this april Cornel itty bitty and can’t wait to see it done! I like the fact that you write honestly and let the chips fall where they may. Keep it up!

  5. I agree with you about the FQS block of the month programs. They are wonderful! I’m in the middle of my first one right now, but I can guarantee that I’ll be signing up for more! Excellently put together! I do like this schnibble, and can’t wait to see it after you find that afternoon 🙂

  6. I agree with you about the FQS block of the month programs. They are wonderful! I’m in the middle of my first one right now, but I can guarantee that I’ll be signing up for more! Excellently put together! I do like this schnibble, and can’t wait to see it after you find that afternoon 🙂

  7. Oohh. I loved this one. I still think about trying to find the materials for it.
    I too adore FQS, and have had such great experiences, and talk about extra fabric. I’m saving my so called scraps from Le Jardin, and I’m pretty sure barring majors oops (on my part) I’ll have enough for at least a table topper too.

  8. Oohh. I loved this one. I still think about trying to find the materials for it.
    I too adore FQS, and have had such great experiences, and talk about extra fabric. I’m saving my so called scraps from Le Jardin, and I’m pretty sure barring majors oops (on my part) I’ll have enough for at least a table topper too.

  9. When you put the quilt top together and found the instructions were wrong I would for sure contact the company, but only if it was a reasonable time frame. I really do believe that most quilt shops whether on the internet or a local store, strive to do their best. They would want to know if they needed to fix something. If you had waited quite a while to put something together (like we all have) I suppose you could contact the owner of the shop (notice I say owner as employees come and go) and admit that you’ve had the kit a while and just wanted to know if there were any problems reported. That is if you could remember where you bought it. I’m thinking of all my projects and I don’t remember where some of them were purchased. But problems do arise and that’s how we learn and increase our skills.
    I also agree with you on the Fat Quarter Shop. Those ladies are awesome!!!

  10. When you put the quilt top together and found the instructions were wrong I would for sure contact the company, but only if it was a reasonable time frame. I really do believe that most quilt shops whether on the internet or a local store, strive to do their best. They would want to know if they needed to fix something. If you had waited quite a while to put something together (like we all have) I suppose you could contact the owner of the shop (notice I say owner as employees come and go) and admit that you’ve had the kit a while and just wanted to know if there were any problems reported. That is if you could remember where you bought it. I’m thinking of all my projects and I don’t remember where some of them were purchased. But problems do arise and that’s how we learn and increase our skills.
    I also agree with you on the Fat Quarter Shop. Those ladies are awesome!!!

  11. My recipe is sugar and salt. I would tell the shop owner what you liked about the project (fabric perhaps?) and let her know that you were disappointed with the directions. I’ve done many great BOM projects and rarely had difficulty. However, they can become quite expensive. I now look at the total cost before deciding if I really what to do it. Needless to say, I don’t do many anymore.

  12. My recipe is sugar and salt. I would tell the shop owner what you liked about the project (fabric perhaps?) and let her know that you were disappointed with the directions. I’ve done many great BOM projects and rarely had difficulty. However, they can become quite expensive. I now look at the total cost before deciding if I really what to do it. Needless to say, I don’t do many anymore.

  13. I LOVE this quilt- finish it quick before you forget about it…happens to me all the time!! Out of sight out of mind!! Thanks for speaking up on poorly written instructions. Take care!
    Paulette

  14. I LOVE this quilt- finish it quick before you forget about it…happens to me all the time!! Out of sight out of mind!! Thanks for speaking up on poorly written instructions. Take care!
    Paulette

  15. I did a BOM and reported back to the shop with the pattern errors as I found them. Finally I asked, “Am I the only one finding these errors? Yes, you’re the only one keeping up. So I contacted the pattern designer and her reply was “I’ve had this out for years and NO ONE has complained”. OK, I’ll never buy a pattern/book from you again, even though I love your designs. I finished the BOM, hand quilted it, and it’s my favorite quilt I’ve made….just sayin’.

  16. I did a BOM and reported back to the shop with the pattern errors as I found them. Finally I asked, “Am I the only one finding these errors? Yes, you’re the only one keeping up. So I contacted the pattern designer and her reply was “I’ve had this out for years and NO ONE has complained”. OK, I’ll never buy a pattern/book from you again, even though I love your designs. I finished the BOM, hand quilted it, and it’s my favorite quilt I’ve made….just sayin’.

  17. I am happy to know that the BOM my DH bought for me from The Fat Quarter Shop will likely go together great–it is my very first BOM and it is darn expensive. Already read the directions several times and I agree with what you said about the photos and step by step parts being clear. Sorry yours was so difficult!
    Your UFOs are quite the treasure trove!

  18. I am happy to know that the BOM my DH bought for me from The Fat Quarter Shop will likely go together great–it is my very first BOM and it is darn expensive. Already read the directions several times and I agree with what you said about the photos and step by step parts being clear. Sorry yours was so difficult!
    Your UFOs are quite the treasure trove!

  19. I love your Four Corners quilt! You must finish this…the fabric is wonderful.
    I think you should let the quilt shop know about your issues with their pattern. It’s hard to be in business today, and it only seems fair to let them know why they might be losing customers. If they don’t correct the problem…well, so be it. The mystery designer BOM I am working on is from the Fat Quarter Shop, and I am happy to hear that I will not have a problem with their finishing kit. I agree with your opinion of them…it’s a wonderful place to do business.

  20. I love your Four Corners quilt! You must finish this…the fabric is wonderful.
    I think you should let the quilt shop know about your issues with their pattern. It’s hard to be in business today, and it only seems fair to let them know why they might be losing customers. If they don’t correct the problem…well, so be it. The mystery designer BOM I am working on is from the Fat Quarter Shop, and I am happy to hear that I will not have a problem with their finishing kit. I agree with your opinion of them…it’s a wonderful place to do business.

  21. Back in the day, when I used to write and edit quilt books, we would do everything we could to avoid errors. Our instructions went through numerous readings by several sets of eyes. But of course it wasn’t always feasible to remake each quilt when there are 30-40 quilts in each book. You can imagine how much time that would take. So we did occasionally let an error slip by. IT made us all feel terrible–but not as terrible as the irate quilter who had cut all her pieces only to find that one small error had rendered all her pieces useless. I learned from the experience. I always make a test block, if possible, before cutting all my fabric now.

  22. Back in the day, when I used to write and edit quilt books, we would do everything we could to avoid errors. Our instructions went through numerous readings by several sets of eyes. But of course it wasn’t always feasible to remake each quilt when there are 30-40 quilts in each book. You can imagine how much time that would take. So we did occasionally let an error slip by. IT made us all feel terrible–but not as terrible as the irate quilter who had cut all her pieces only to find that one small error had rendered all her pieces useless. I learned from the experience. I always make a test block, if possible, before cutting all my fabric now.

  23. The FQS is the best when it comes to BOMs; I’m doing my first at the moment, and there is so much spare fabric I could almost make a second set of blocks!
    Id get in touch with the offending company; it might not help you now but hopefully they can improve for future buyers…

  24. The FQS is the best when it comes to BOMs; I’m doing my first at the moment, and there is so much spare fabric I could almost make a second set of blocks!
    Id get in touch with the offending company; it might not help you now but hopefully they can improve for future buyers…

  25. Could not agree more about Fat Quarter Shop. Love everything about them!
    I love coming to your blog. The only I don’t love? It makes me want to drop everything I’m doing and just SEW! Knock it off, will ya? 😉

  26. Could not agree more about Fat Quarter Shop. Love everything about them!
    I love coming to your blog. The only I don’t love? It makes me want to drop everything I’m doing and just SEW! Knock it off, will ya? 😉

  27. I bought a pattern and the instructions were so bad I contacted the designer and told her how awful her instructions were and then got my money back. Patterns should be tested before selling them. I’ve also had some really good BOM’s and never had problems.

  28. I bought a pattern and the instructions were so bad I contacted the designer and told her how awful her instructions were and then got my money back. Patterns should be tested before selling them. I’ve also had some really good BOM’s and never had problems.