Karen, your "ugly" quilt pattern gave me inspiration! My oldest daughter is recently engaged and I considered making a quilt for their bed as a wedding gift but ... they have 2 dogs that they allow to sleep on the bed. After I watched your video I realized I have leftover cotton remnants from clothes made for her over the years. I found 12 swatches and have a lap size quilt top almost finished, and will give it to her at a shower party - memories from her youth that she can cuddle with, and I don't care if the dogs snuggle in too. Thanks for the idea!
Your beautiful “UGLY QUILT” inspired me and my quilting buddies!! I tackled the first one that I made at a retreat and we all loved it so much that we decided to all make Ugly Quilts at our next retreat and we put a spin on it! We decided to each bring our “ugly’” fabric already cut into squares and trade them. Rules of the trade - take as many squares that you brought. It was so fun to see and use each other’s beautiful “ugly” fabric. Some of us made big quilts, some of us made small quilts. Some of us did 4 cuts per fabric square and others did more cuts - more cuts make each fabric piece smaller but makes the quilt more varied… I hope this inspires some more quilters to use up some of their “what am I going to do with this???” fabric. I was going to post pictures of our quilts but cant figure out how to do it...
My mom was making an ugly quilt for charity. She died suddenly. Then a year later, my sister was in a horrific accident. She broke 13 bones and shattered her femur. She really was missing Mom. So I finished that ugly quilt and brought it to my sister. I didn't even wash it. She was so comforted by that ugly thing and she still cherishes it - the last quilt Mom made.
My eyes teared up before I even finished reading what you wrote. I wouldn't have wanted it washed either. Such a beautiful story, I would have had a hard time finishing it but would have been so proud to have done so. I'm certain your sister truly appreciates and loves you for finishing that quilt.
The effort from love and the shaping of the adult you have become would be one of her greatest accomplishments while she was on earth. I have a brother with special needs and my mother died after a prolong heart disease problem. He couldn’t accept she was gone. So I thought, and came up with something to comfort him. I told him to get her one of her dresses and hold it at night when he went to bed. I think it helped a little.
What a blessing to have something that Mom handled and left her distinct theramones on. The comfort of wrapping Mom around her must have made her healing process much easier. I drew great comfort from wearing my Mom's jeans after she passed away suddenly.
Uuuugh I am SO glad you did this one!! In 2014, this lady was selling her home and all her things. She was 80 years old and moving away. She was selling ALL of her quilt stuff and she sold me 25 lbs of fabric for $35 bucks!! I tried not to take it all but she was "Please!! I can't move all of this stuff!" so I took it and let me tell ya, some of it was uuuuuuugly!!!!! Shopping from my stash has been a struggle LOL!!!! I feel much better now!!! Thank you Karen!!!
Great video. Great instructions. But your reason for why a WOMBAT are golden words of wisdom. I'm a seamstress, not a quilter. I"ve had an alteration shop for 7 years. The one surprising lesson I've learned is that fabric holds memories like a scent does. Your words may finally get me into quilting. Thank you.
Karen I'm not sure if you'll read this comment since it's a little later after the ugly quilt fact. I have made this quilt in 18" 15" 10". I absolutely love this pattern and I humbly thank you. I'm using this pattern to make charity quilts for a domestic shelter. It goes so darn fast! Just love you.
As a total beginner, I've watched this several times. It's a great place to start for beginners and it doesn't have to be ugly fabric. This and your video on pre-washing or not has been so useful and practical. Also, LOVE the fact that you don't spend any time showing us your teapot and lighting candles. You stay 100% on topic.
the mrs. here...my ex SIL wanted to learn to quilt. i used my ugly fabric as i knew she'd not last, lol. while finishing it for the car, my sister said she'd take it (site unseen) for her dog getting on their bed. some years later she asked me to repair it. THAT WAS THE UGLIEST QUILT!!! i had forgotten just how ugly! i told her that one was so ugly i'd make her a new one. in a quiet voice as she petted that ugly quilt, she told me, " for nearly 20 yrs every winter this was on my bed, i was covered with your love. when i was feeling down or sick, i was wrapped in your caring. and in those middle-of-the-night rocking a cranky baby, wrapped in this quilt, you were there encouraging me. you don't understand just how special this is". that was 30 yrs ago and that ugly quilt now hangs on a wall rack near her bed, reminding her she is loved (her words). and from other comments, ugly quilts have a special place in our lives.
So very true! My daughter has an ugly quilt covering her bed that was made by my Nana (grandmother) who died when I was 3 years old. My mother has had to repair it a couple of times already but my daughter loves it so much she refuses to give it up for a new one.
I have a quilt with ugly upholstery fabric and yo-yos and rick rack from I to Love to you Charlotte by my grandmother. Dad saw that quilt when i was growing up and never read it. One day I showed it to him after we argued and he was driving away to go back home. I stood and pointed to the I, the love, the you, and then Charlotte. His Mom didn't tell him or anyone she loved them, but she wrote it on my dolly quilt made out of purple upholstery fabric and brown cotton. It is an ugly quilt made with love. Dad is gone. He felt a lot better after I pointed to the words as he was about to drive off with Mom. He didn't get out and hug me or say anything. He just shook his head up and down.
Of all the quilts my mom made when she died we all wanted her scrapie quilt. It was made with all our clothes when we were kids. So many memories and more precious than gold
My mom made a quilt using my brother's tee shirts. What a collection of all his favorite things. She used a cotton with a faded denim print for the backing and binding. She was so proud of it that she entered it the state fair and won a ribbon. It became by brother's joy.
My mum made a couple of them too... unfortunately she's been less sentimental & they were used in the car for the dog! I'm still interested in getting hold of them though.
Oh my goodness! Finally! A quilter who refers to rows and “columns!” I’m relatively new to this craft but have never understood referring to both the horizontal and vertical directions as rows. It’s just confusing. I wondered why nobody ever referred to the vertical “rows” as columns as they do in an Excel spreadsheet. So, thank you for making sense to me. I was so happy that I had to stop this video smack dab in the middle to write this. Only my second video in and I’m hooked. Subscribed! Edited to add: I’ve been binge-watching your videos and I’m glad to read in this video that your son is doing better.
Us Excel folks are just a different breed I guess because I thought the same thing as she was explaining. I'm very new to this and I have to mentally think and visualize vertical and horizonal but Columns and rows is immediately understood. :)
You might want to check out Jordan Fabrics' videos. She seems to work "linear," in rows and blocks, and always has shortcuts, yet her quilts look complicated. Guaranteed to impress the intended recipient. I Never had the eye for mentally disassembling a quilt into rows until I started watching Donna'a tutorials.
Good morning everyone. While I was organizing my fabrics last week , I realized I had fabric in my stash that I would never quilt with. Some of the fabric I hated but most just were no longer working for me. Then I realized that we all have ‘Ugly’ fabric. I hope that you can use these tips. And for those that are interested, my son is doing better. Thank you for all your goods thoughts.
Just Get it Done Quilts wow, when I saw the notification for you video I thought I need to inquire about how your son is doing. Glad to hear he’s doing better.
Thanks for the update on your son. So glad to hear he's doing better. Hope you are well too, and are finding moments of joy and peace. Oh, and I'm going to use up some fabrics to make a 'wombat' quilt. :)
Thanks for the update, and thanks for the great ideas! You know, Karen, your videos and tips and strategies are always applicable to other hobbies and efforts as well. I usually find myself sharing them later with other friends who have no intention of quilting but, for instance, have a stash of crochet thread to use up, or are trying to organize scraps in a woodworking shop. You always make quilting look so simple and easy, very helpful to me. I bought myself a sign which said, "Hang on while I Overthink this!" So I like your motto better, "Just Get It Done!" and have added, "Stop Thinking, Start Doing!" to my own stash of slogans.
Thanks for this video and update on your son. 💪🏻 my daughter finished her rounds of chemo a couple of weeks ago, she’s doing much better now. Tough on us Parents! She lives overseas, so I can’t be with her at this time - sewing is my happy escape. I appreciate your tips!!
Thanks to sheltering in place I have time to clean out my Stash Closet. Sort those fabrics and choose what is worth keeping. Having seen this video I made a stack of fabrics at least 15" square for my first Ugly Quilt. Well, I had enough fabric for 5 ugly quilts. I have completed two of the tops in 2 days. I am now addicted. I am gifted so many fabrics and I hate to give them away. NOW I know just what to do with them! In 50 seams you can have a quilt top! I am even going to try it with my collection of cat fabrics. I see no reason to only use your "uglies" for this project. Fast, Fun, Effective and Easy! Thank you Karen for yet another GREAT video.
I haven’t watched your videos in six months at least I used to watch them regularly and then I stopped mainly because I wasn’t quilting but was crocheting. I don’t know why I stopped because I love your videos. They are informative, entertaining and enlightning. And you always touch my heart with your wisdom. You are right, I wouldn’t use a beautifully made quilt for picnics or table covers or for tent making. But I surely would use an ugly quilt for these things. In fact some of the first quilts I made are grabbed first for camping, kids over night parties, wrapping up a sick child. I’ll keep watching you because you are caring and can lift my spirits so that I feel better when I’m depressed, sad, afraid or angry especially in these times of being secluded a d sequestered. Thanks for putting a smile on my face and joy in my heart. ❤️❤️💚💜💛
Good Morning from Texas. Every morning I get my coffee and open my ipad to check up on whats going on in my little world. When I see you have posted a new video, all else must wait. I move to my favorite chair and cozy up for a visit with my friend. When your video ends I say a little prayer for your son. Thank you, Karen for spending your precious time with all of your friends around the world.
I just stumbled onto this channel today and I am sipping coffee as I read all these wonderful comments. I am not a seasoned sewing person yet, I have accomplished a few things in my last 23 or so years. My mom (rest her soul) was great with the sewing machine. I wish I could have learned from her. She passed when I was just 13 years old. I hope to learn a lot from Karen. 🙏🏼🧵
I buy a lot of “ugly fabric” at thrift stores. Now that you’ve put this video out here, I’m sure the picking are going to get harder to find. Thanks for another great idea; you brighten my day, Karen.
I made an "ugly" quilt for my sister-in-law. She takes it to her grandchildren's wrestling matches, dance competitions, soccer games and ball games. No matter where she goes that "ugly" and imperfect quilt gets so many compliments. I have no doubt by the time her grandchildren have grown up it will be a treasured memory.
There is no such thing as a bad quilt as long as the fabric is mostly cotton. Because it can be over-dyed if the colors don't work for the user. And everyone likes a handmade quilt. It's just cozy!!
My mum made a couple of patchwork bed covers out of material scraps when I was a kid. They now live on the backseat of her car for the dog. That actually annoyed me as they material used represented my childhood as it outlasted the clothes the I'd worn that the scraps came from!
Love your kindness by thinking on bring “fun and colorful” quilt to hospitals. I’ve never thought of this possibility. Being hospitalized is terrible and depressing (own experience). Color and patterns are a beautiful palliative. Thank you 🙏🏻.
I pride myself on being a scrappy quilter. I make many quilts for charity and have found the less "fussy" the more they are loved for the very reason you described. I want my quilts to be Used and used UP! Drug around by wee ones or comforting those who can no longer moved at all. Thank you for this video. I am so lucky I found you. You are a woman after my own heart. Bright Blessings in these confined times!
I made an "ugly quilt" from your pattern and leftover scraps from many other quilts I have made. I sent it to a friend, telling her that the fabrics all came from other quilts (one from another quilt I had made her years ago). Just recently I got an email from her husband, who said he has been ill with Covid-19, and is now almost recuperated. He told me the "ugly" quilt had given him hours of entertainment, finding the fabrics that matched, and speculating about all the other quilts I've made. And he said it was snuggly, and could be his hug when his wife and children couldn't hug him. Thank you for this pattern!
The way you describe the comfort factor and logic of having a non-precious quilt makes me want to make one right now! And I've never quilted before! And may I say the quilt from "ugly" fabric is not a bit ugly; thanks for this inspiration. 🙂
I have been “gifted “ lots of fabrics for mask making and made over 1500 to give away during the age of COVID. I have too much left and will use it for this quilt for all of the reasons that you state to do it. Thanks for this video
And 2021 , AGE IF COVID is STILL RAGING ! Will take at LEAST 1 year or MORE , from 2021 , to DRASTICALLY SLOW DOWN , IF ENOUGH people Vaccinate ! Keep SEWING !
No such thing as an ugly quilt, someone somewhere will love it. I worked in a nursing home for 17 yrs, they would love these. I’m new and catching up on all ur videos. Great video 🥰
Yup, you are the quilting queen 🥰 The way you explained why the quilt isn’t a wombat, was just so sweet. I don’t think it’s ugly at all, it’s cozy, and wonderful!
I don't even quilt, but I love watching your videos! I do sew, and maybe one day I will get brave and try one of your ideas! Thank you for your obvious joy for what you do, and for your genuine personality - I sense only sincerity! Refreshing!
Stephanie Clark the best advice I can give is just do it! I was a garment/home decor sexist but a friend showed me her quilts and I have never looked back! Go for it!♥️👍😎🐝🌷
I was worried when you posted your "update" that we weren't going to be seeing you for a while , but then in short order you posted the Color Exercises (empowering!) And now this one on ugly fabric. Delighful! Keep up the good work. There is no other quilting channel like yours. It really is about giving strategies on making the quilt that I want to make.
You're a born teacher. in so many patchwork tutorial this technique appears to be close to rocket science. yours is just motivating & inspiring. thank you!
I love the idea of a hospital quilt. I wish I would have thought of it years ago. My mom made all her grandkids a quilt about 40 years ago. Probably about 15 at the time. It's was a simple square of solid colors but she worked on them for months. Her great and great great grandkids love these quilts and they never met her. When they are sick they want the Grandma quilt and they keep it in their bed until they are better. 15 house holds have one and they all do the same thing. We should have made one a Hospital quilt. God knows we've spent enough time in them the past couple of generations. I'm confident it's the love that went into those quilts that make each of us feel better. Why else would the little ones that never met her want the quilt.
My grandma made everyone quilts when we were wee ones. Amazingly she did them all by hand. She called them crazy quilts. They were always my most favorite quilts of hers. she actually made them out of cotton blouses and tops. Thank you for sharing this. I am not a quilter, I am a person that knows how to sew though. I've always wanted to make crazy quilts for my grandkids. Thank you for the inspiration.
Ms Kat, sure hope you do make quilts for your grands, they will cherish them always. My son is 54 and he still has his from his grandmother. If taken care of they last through generations:)
I am a beginner sewer, quilter, everything. So when I found your fantastic channel where you bend the rules a bit to make things practical to every day life I fell in love with your channel and your tutorials, methods, tips, etc. You are amazing!! Thank you so much ☺️ for all the amazing tutorials 😍🥰❤️
I don't believe their are any Ugly quilts!!!!The love, time and patience that goes into making the quilt gives it Beauty and is given to another provides warmth, comfort and pleasant memories!!!!
I'm not a quilter but found this video fascinating. It makes me want to start to quilt. I have loads of fabric that would be perfect for this application.
I decided to use up some fabric that I thought was really, really ugly in a string quilt class I was taking. What surprised me was how lovely the quilt turned out with all the ugly fabric that I used. I made a wheelchair quilt out of the blocks for one of the ladies in the 4-bed room my mother shared in a nursing home. The woman who received the quilt, who seldom had visitors, absolutely loved the quilt and thought the colors that I'd considered ghastly, beautiful. She placed it on her bed when it wasn't on her wheelchair. So I agree with you that often what looks ugly when put with other fabric, turns out to be lovely. I also wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos. Of the videos available on U-Tube, I enjoy yours the most.
I have made that crazy 9 patch quilt many times! Years ago, a friend and I were bemoaning all the ugly Christmas fabrics in our stashes. We worked together, cutting squares out of yards and yards of the ugly fabrics (keeping back some longer lengths for borders/bindings), shared our piles for more variety, and each made a king size quilt plus a very large lap quilt. I even sewed pieces of fabric together to make a piece large enough for the backing (my mom had gifted me with all her Christmas fabric, too, and it was REALLY ugly!). It was very satisfying to use up all that fabric, and those quilts come out every year!
Karen, I have a storage unit that holds my stash and miles of fabric donated to my volunteer group. I have found fabric that I believe may be older than me...born in the 60's. From donated quilts to masks and even polyester kennel mats, the fabric seems to replicate. Every time I think we've made a dent, there's more fabric. It also doesn't help that our volunteers can't bear to thrown anything away! I love this pattern and hope to use it soon to add to our donation stash. Happy Quilting🌞
I inherited a giant bag of scrap fabrics from my mom about 30 years ago. I used up all the nicest, prettiest pieces in different projects over the years, but some of the fabrics in that bag were absolutely hideous and every time I sorted through those ones I would literally recoil in disgust. Then at one point I wondered why I was hanging on to all that ugliness and I challenged myself to make something beautiful out of it. I made a scrappy tumbling block wall hanging in which every piece was unique and super ugly. It turned out so nice that I proudly display it in a prominent place in my home and I get so many complements from most everyone who sees it. Sometimes I would tell them the story behind it and it's a lot of fun to see them get up close, scrutinize the individual components to confirm what I'm saying then watch their mixed reactions of surprise and revulsion. But they always step back again and marvel at how beautiful it is from a distance. I'm so glad I made that wall hanging - It's one of my favorite quilts. :-)
Dear Karen, I just finished my first „ugly“ quilt and it turned out sooo pretty! My 15 year old niece is a huge Christmas fan, so I took 20 different Christmas fabrics in this new kind of „candy“ colors and it looks modern but festive too. Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial 💕 Lots of love from Germany
I use a lot of my "unloved" stash to make quilts for the childrens hospital. Gives them something to brighten a moment in their lives. What we find ugly they can adore.
I used your idea and thought I was making an ugly quilt. I didn’t really love any of the fabrics but now that it’s done I really think it’s pretty 💕 I’m using it for the furbabies
Hello, Karen! At the time I’m watching this video, it has had over a million views and 299K subscribers. I certain am not surprised by these numbers, because you are amazing, and I could listen to you all day! I will often stream a series of your videos on a TV in my sewing space-which I managed to squeeze into the corner of my bedroom. Yes, I often get distracted from my sewing, but you continue to inspire me! Thank you for all you do!💜 Stay well! Watching from wintry Muskoka ON 🇨🇦
Great plan for those ugly fabrics. I love fat quarters and have often bought them because they were cute. Then they do not really play well with anything I have. Or I just am not that crazy about them anymore. So this is a perfect plan for those fabrics waiting to be sewn into a quilt. Also so happy your son is doing better!
I’m going to make this WOMBAT...Hospital quilt out of all the pieces I have left over from the 600 face masks that I’ve made so far. What a brilliant idea. I knew that I was going to made a face mask quilt when they were no longer needed and I love this pattern idea the most. Thanks for the great idea! I love your fun and interesting videos! You’re such a hoot to watch! Keep it up and keep smiling, you’re our inspiration!🌹🌹
I made three scrap quilts to use to keep myself and wife warm in the cold months while sitting in the family room. 3 other quilts hang on walls, the favorites of friends are the scrap quilts. Part of my attachment to the scrap quilts are the family members who received baby quilts or just gifts. One of the scrap quilts have backing from my mother's stash. The are scraps of fabric and rich with feeling.
I love the enthusiasm of this video! My group is making baby quilts to give free at a pregnancy lifeline center. We don't want to spend a lot of money on each one. Some are precious, but others are baby quilts we don't mind giving away so much. After seeing this video, I suspect this lady has lots of ideas for us.
You cannot believe what an amazing help this video is. During Covid, I’ve been sewing up a storm, but I feel like I’m lacking in fabric because my stash is small and my scraps are small- and I had no idea what to do with them... now I have a brand new quilt for my nephew! Thank you so much!
Terrible thing to say but, it was a nice incentive ti get back into quilting or crafts! One draw back, once the stash is low we can't go out shopping to get MORE! 😄
Have made this quilt many times using scrap pieces. They always come out beautiful even with ugly material. We call them “Wack and Stack” quilts. From Busselton. Western Australia.
I made one of your quilts a while back and I just fell in love with it, but then I gave it away to a young girl who had juvenile diabetes and I missed it so much I asked my daughter to help me re look up this video so I can make one for myself.. I'm still watching your video and still loving the technique..
I made this for my daughter who is in another state and is having surgery this month. I included some fabrics I had saved from childhood. I am so used corduroy and velvet. It is so fun and cheerful. I used 20 fabrics in two stacks of 10. I know she is going to love it.
I have a bunch of fabric scraps left from a mask pattern that turned out to be too fiddly and a bunch of scraps left from the 25 masks I've made so far for family and friends. When my daughter asked what I was doing with all those scraps (and mistakes), I told her glibly that I was making a quilt although the last time I made a quilt was something like 15 years ago. And surprise of surprises, she said she really wants the quilt, so I'm not going to toss the bits and pieces but will piece them into something useful. I learned a lot of tricks in this video (leader and follower fabrics and no more fabrics being sucked into the feed-dogs, aha!). Now I'm going to watch your other vids so I can actually do the quilting.
Hi from the UK! I've been watching a few of your videos recently, and when I saw this one I immediately clicked on. I've actually made a few 'Ugly' quilts already! We call that pattern a 'Crazy Nine Patch' over here, and I actually have a tip for anyone who wants theirs to 'make sense' as it were. When the blocks are finished, if you lay the first one down and then look not at the very central piece of fabric, but the piece next to it, then that piece is the fabric that will be at the centre of your next block. It means that no fabric will line up next to itself on the blocks beside it, and I've found that it works really well!
like your description. This will help on many layouts, not just this pattern, but ones where you don't want 2 matching fabrics together. Thanks, I put it in my hints notebook.
It is amazing to me how many people are touched by something like this... most quilters become so wrapped up in the precision of the hobby that they forget the emotional part of it.... for me that's the most important part... i spend most of my life trying to convince other quilter's to think this way!
Just wanted to let you know that you look lovely in this video. I remember you’ve shared some stories of rough times in your life lately, which definitely are not evident here. Thank you for the info, time, and free pattern!
Karen I just saw your April 7th video, I am a nurse so my viewing is behind My hours are long and energy is depleted when I am off.. You and your son are in my prayers. I love your videos and this one of ugly fabric quilts made me laugh because I have alot of ugly fabric. I love the pattern. When I have the energy this is what I will make.
This was the first quilt pattern I learned when I took a quilt class ... We started with 17 fat quarters squared up to 18 inches square .... The idea was a project we would actually finished. We did not worry too much about exact seam side it was just sew it up then square it up... Love doing this pattern in mono chromatic fabrics and you are right ... these quilts often become a cherished quilt .
I make napkins, 2 ply "paper towels" that I can use and throw in the wash. I use cotton on one side and diaper fabric on the other side. The diaper fabric makes it great for spills and the like. I also made some eye glass cleaners from the diaper fabric. My nephew keeps asking for more. As an experiment several years ago, I had purchased my usual real paper towels. Well, they're so expensive. So I challenged myself to make that one bag last a year. (I have tons of fabrics, some I don't like anymore) I used my napkins, homemade towels, etc. over and over. I managed to go 13 months without purchasing any more paper towels. (You do need them for greasy clean ups). I was quite proud of myself. I've fallen out the habit, but seeing your video refreshed my memory. No more buying paper towels. Thank you! Oh, and I call ugly quilts "scrappy quilts". My family loves them. Gosh I'm glad I found you again. And if you explain to your best friend, you might make some as a gift and they can save a tree, too.
Last year I made ugly lap quilts for the ladies in the local nursing home that had no one to visit them on Mother’s Day. Those quilts may have been ugly fabric to me but for each one of those six ladies they were beautiful loving gestures. I had a lot of mauve colored fabric, I’m not sure why I ever bought it but worked into those lap quilts it was a big hit with the ladies!
All of those "ugly" fabrics can sometimes turn out beautiful in a quilt. This was a great video! I use some of my ugly fabric as liners for inside pockets in bags. They are never seen and no one even notices them. Again, great video!
This is so cool. I've accumulated LOTS of ugly fabric over the past 30 years and I've asked myself many times "WTHECK was I thinking" and "what do I do with this now?" This is the perfect solution. Thank you for sharing. Now I have a new project. Awesome!
I made of of these many years ago after seeing a pattern in a magazine. It used all fruit and vegetable fabrics and was called a picnic quilt. I used novelty scraps and LOVE it! It’s the quilt I keep in my car for spur of the moment picnics, cold soccer games, etc. I was given a fat quarter pack of “ugly but coordinating fabrics”- maybe I’ll throw together one of these for a charity quilt.
I've been struggling with both Long Haul or Long COVID for 10 months and have only managed one quilt. Ugg. BUT now I realize that I've also struggled with Ugly Fabrics Syndrome! Thank you for the remedy! Bless your smile.
Ah, i think this is the first time i watch a quilting video where the principal is 'just make it, it will all turn out great in the end (and if it doesnt, then you havent cut it small enough)'. I'm taking this message seriously & start quilting again 😍🙏🏼 thank you very much
Já é 2023 mas só vi este vídeo hoje. Bem...muitas vezes fiz coisas com "tecidos feiosos" mas com carinho e bom acabamento, foram amados por outras pessoas. Obrigada por essas dicas valiosas! 😊
Hi, Yesterday inspired by your video on ugly fabrics I found 17 fabrics and proceeded to produce an ugly quilt. This quilt is ready for quilting and my husband likes it. You encourage so many of us around the world. Did plan to send photo but can’t add it. Thank you, Pauline Thoman South Australia
You made my Tuesday morning! Thank you for reminding me that there is always a solution. My mom used to make some of those ugly quilts. We took them to college and university and it’s still some of the best ones. Thank you for reminding me
Karen, you put such joy and fun into your ‘making’. A comfort quilt is surely something we can all use in these uncertain days. Off to my fabric stash!
Ohmygosh FINALLY a quilter that speaks my language!🤣 I have an 8 YO son who loves blankets but is so hard on them. I feel like I can hit a remnants bin hard to make quilts that won't be mourned when they get roughed up! I saw the dollar store hacks video with tip 4 and subscribed. Thank you for what you do! I feel like you have real world advice and tips. Much as I love the precious quilts, they're not in the stars for me right now and I feel like this is exactly what I needed!
I've made a bunch of Kaleidoscope (45 degree wedges) quilts, using strips. They all turned out quite attractive so one day I tried deliberately to make ugly quilt blocks using that same strip technique and guess what! The blocks still turned out very pretty. Even ugly fabric can look good when used creatively!
I like that you have that just get it done attitude in your videos! No chit chat about the weather, or showing half a dozen of your wonderful quilts, just here it is what we are going to do!
I just love watching your videos!! Karen, you consistently make me smile. I learn a lot and laugh a lot too. Thank you! PS...I am I the only one that is brought to tears reading comments from a QUILTING VIDEO?!?!
It was great to see you this morning! Love the blue wall and your bright and cheery personality 💕. So happy to see your son is doing better. There's much love and many prayers from all of us to you and your family. Love the quilt design, thank you as always 😊
I love that you are using the not so "perfect"fabrics. By Perfect I mean that they are not what you like or that they "match". A lot of people are to rigid with rules in quilting. Just have fun and this video is exactly how I like to quilt. Great for using those larger scrap fabrics too. Thank You for an aweome video...as usual and it's time to "just git it done"
I needed this! Thank you soooooo much. I never thought of a "hospital quilt". My father in law frequents the hospital over night for tests or surgery ,ect. He has an autoimmune disorder with all the complications that goes with all the side effects of the medication and the disorder. I think I will make him one. Thank you for this tutorial.
👍Thank you so much for all of these ideas and the "ugly" quilt pattern. I love the freedom to put fabric together that doesn't have to fit the rules. I am finishing a quilt that my grand son helped to sew. I chose to make the blocks for his quilt 10" x 20" for easy piecing and quick sew, as we only had a few hours to work together on the quilt. He is nine years old and loves to sew. He even did some quilting on my Grace quilt frame. I finished the quilting today. Tomorrow I'll trim and bind it. After making a label, I'll send it off to him. I know he will enjoy his new quilt that he sewed himself. Thank you for the great video. God bless.
I loved this so much because this is just the kind of quilt that my aunt used to make when I was a child. She made lots of clothes for me, my sisters and my cousins and she had lots of scraps. She would use the scraps to make quilts for us and they were designed to be used. My sisters and I used to lay across those quilts and remember that we had a dress out this fabric and a pair of shorts out of another fabric and so on. I adored those quilts so much and my dear sweet Aunt who made them.
I was a wanna be sewist, but never really sewed. I bought a Bernina around 2015... but didn't do much with it. I discovered you during the pandemic while my business had to shut down for a couple of months... and this video inspired me! That Ugly Quilt pattern took all the stress away from trying a quilt project... so I did it! Of course, it became a UFO for 3 years... and I'm proud to say that I should get it back from the long-armer next week! Then all I have to do is bind it. I hope to have 2 other projects completed before the end of October at the latest. Thanks for being the inspiration I needed! If possible I'll drop a photo of my "ugly" project. BTW... I think it's lovely.
Karen, your "ugly" quilt pattern gave me inspiration! My oldest daughter is recently engaged and I considered making a quilt for their bed as a wedding gift but ... they have 2 dogs that they allow to sleep on the bed. After I watched your video I realized I have leftover cotton remnants from clothes made for her over the years. I found 12 swatches and have a lap size quilt top almost finished, and will give it to her at a shower party - memories from her youth that she can cuddle with, and I don't care if the dogs snuggle in too. Thanks for the idea!
I love it ✋
Your beautiful “UGLY QUILT” inspired me and my quilting buddies!!
I tackled the first one that I made at a retreat and we all loved it so much that we decided to all make Ugly Quilts at our next retreat and we put a spin on it!
We decided to each bring our “ugly’” fabric already cut into squares and trade them. Rules of the trade - take as many squares that you brought. It was so fun to see and use each other’s beautiful “ugly” fabric.
Some of us made big quilts, some of us made small quilts. Some of us did 4 cuts per fabric square and others did more cuts - more cuts make each fabric piece smaller but makes the quilt more varied…
I hope this inspires some more quilters to use up some of their “what am I going to do with this???” fabric.
I was going to post pictures of our quilts but cant figure out how to do it...
How fun!!!
My mom was making an ugly quilt for charity. She died suddenly. Then a year later, my sister was in a horrific accident. She broke 13 bones and shattered her femur. She really was missing Mom. So I finished that ugly quilt and brought it to my sister. I didn't even wash it. She was so comforted by that ugly thing and she still cherishes it - the last quilt Mom made.
My eyes teared up before I even finished reading what you wrote. I wouldn't have wanted it washed either. Such a beautiful story, I would have had a hard time finishing it but would have been so proud to have done so. I'm certain your sister truly appreciates and loves you for finishing that quilt.
The effort from love and the shaping of the adult you have become would be one of her greatest accomplishments while she was on earth. I have a brother with special needs and my mother died after a prolong heart disease problem. He couldn’t accept she was gone. So I thought, and came up with something to comfort him. I told him to get her one of her dresses and hold it at night when he went to bed. I think it helped a little.
What a wonderful and caring sister you are. God loves you.
What a blessing to have something that Mom handled and left her distinct theramones on. The comfort of wrapping Mom around her must have made her healing process much easier. I drew great comfort from wearing my Mom's jeans after she passed away suddenly.
You did a great job 👍
Uuuugh I am SO glad you did this one!! In 2014, this lady was selling her home and all her things. She was 80 years old and moving away. She was selling ALL of her quilt stuff and she sold me 25 lbs of fabric for $35 bucks!! I tried not to take it all but she was "Please!! I can't move all of this stuff!" so I took it and let me tell ya, some of it was uuuuuuugly!!!!! Shopping from my stash has been a struggle LOL!!!! I feel much better now!!! Thank you Karen!!!
It's amazing what changing, what somethings, called makes all the difference , uuuuuuuuuuuuugly to quilt!
Great video. Great instructions. But your reason for why a WOMBAT are golden words of wisdom. I'm a seamstress, not a quilter. I"ve had an alteration shop for 7 years. The one surprising lesson I've learned is that fabric holds memories like a scent does. Your words may finally get me into quilting. Thank you.
Karen I'm not sure if you'll read this comment since it's a little later after the ugly quilt fact. I have made this quilt in 18" 15" 10". I absolutely love this pattern and I humbly thank you. I'm using this pattern to make charity quilts for a domestic shelter. It goes so darn fast! Just love you.
So glad to hear
As a total beginner, I've watched this several times. It's a great place to start for beginners and it doesn't have to be ugly fabric.
This and your video on pre-washing or not has been so useful and practical.
Also, LOVE the fact that you don't spend any time showing us your teapot and lighting candles. You stay 100% on topic.
Right? I love that too. I came for quilting not to watch someones coffee pour.
Just get it done 😂❤🎉🎉
the mrs. here...my ex SIL wanted to learn to quilt. i used my ugly fabric as i knew she'd not last, lol. while finishing it for the car, my sister said she'd take it (site unseen) for her dog getting on their bed. some years later she asked me to repair it. THAT WAS THE UGLIEST QUILT!!! i had forgotten just how ugly! i told her that one was so ugly i'd make her a new one. in a quiet voice as she petted that ugly quilt, she told me, " for nearly 20 yrs every winter this was on my bed, i was covered with your love. when i was feeling down or sick, i was wrapped in your caring. and in those middle-of-the-night rocking a cranky baby, wrapped in this quilt, you were there encouraging me. you don't understand just how special this is". that was 30 yrs ago and that ugly quilt now hangs on a wall rack near her bed, reminding her she is loved (her words). and from other comments, ugly quilts have a special place in our lives.
So very true! My daughter has an ugly quilt covering her bed that was made by my Nana (grandmother) who died when I was 3 years old. My mother has had to repair it a couple of times already but my daughter loves it so much she refuses to give it up for a new one.
Wonderful story- thank you for sharing.
How true. When you think about, because it was ugly, it got used. The main reason to make one.
I have a quilt with ugly upholstery fabric and yo-yos and rick rack from I to Love to you Charlotte by my grandmother. Dad saw that quilt when i was growing up and never read it. One day I showed it to him after we argued and he was driving away to go back home. I stood and pointed to the I, the love, the you, and then Charlotte. His Mom didn't tell him or anyone she loved them, but she wrote it on my dolly quilt made out of purple upholstery fabric and brown cotton. It is an ugly quilt made with love. Dad is gone. He felt a lot better after I pointed to the words as he was about to drive off with Mom. He didn't get out and hug me or say anything. He just shook his head up and down.
@@dianecoverdale2342 That is so true, I just want to display the really pretty ones
Of all the quilts my mom made when she died we all wanted her scrapie quilt. It was made with all our clothes when we were kids. So many memories and more precious than gold
❤️
My mom made a quilt using my brother's tee shirts. What a collection of all his favorite things. She used a cotton with a faded denim print for the backing and binding. She was so proud of it that she entered it the state fair and won a ribbon. It became by brother's joy.
My mum made a couple of them too... unfortunately she's been less sentimental & they were used in the car for the dog! I'm still interested in getting hold of them though.
Oh my goodness! Finally! A quilter who refers to rows and “columns!” I’m relatively new to this craft but have never understood referring to both the horizontal and vertical directions as rows. It’s just confusing. I wondered why nobody ever referred to the vertical “rows” as columns as they do in an Excel spreadsheet. So, thank you for making sense to me. I was so happy that I had to stop this video smack dab in the middle to write this. Only my second video in and I’m hooked. Subscribed! Edited to add: I’ve been binge-watching your videos and I’m glad to read in this video that your son is doing better.
Gotta have that spreadsheet mentality!! HA!
I have found that Karen makes a WHOLE lotta quilting sense!!! ❤️😀
Us Excel folks are just a different breed I guess because I thought the same thing as she was explaining. I'm very new to this and I have to mentally think and visualize vertical and horizonal but Columns and rows is immediately understood. :)
I'm so old I learned Lotus spreadsheets! And in my opinion, better than Excel....
You might want to check out Jordan Fabrics' videos. She seems to work "linear," in rows and blocks, and always has shortcuts, yet her quilts look complicated. Guaranteed to impress the intended recipient. I Never had the eye for mentally disassembling a quilt into rows until I started watching Donna'a tutorials.
Good morning everyone. While I was organizing my fabrics last week , I realized I had fabric in my stash that I would never quilt with. Some of the fabric I hated but most just were no longer working for me. Then I realized that we all have ‘Ugly’ fabric. I hope that you can use these tips. And for those that are interested, my son is doing better. Thank you for all your goods thoughts.
Just Get it Done Quilts wow, when I saw the notification for you video I thought I need to inquire about how your son is doing. Glad to hear he’s doing better.
Thanks for the update on your son. So glad to hear he's doing better. Hope you are well too, and are finding moments of joy and peace.
Oh, and I'm going to use up some fabrics to make a 'wombat' quilt. :)
Thanks for the update, and thanks for the great ideas!
You know, Karen, your videos and tips and strategies are always applicable to other hobbies and efforts as well. I usually find myself sharing them later with other friends who have no intention of quilting but, for instance, have a stash of crochet thread to use up, or are trying to organize scraps in a woodworking shop.
You always make quilting look so simple and easy, very helpful to me. I bought myself a sign which said, "Hang on while I Overthink this!" So I like your motto better, "Just Get It Done!" and have added, "Stop Thinking, Start Doing!" to my own stash of slogans.
OMG...I need that sign...LOL. Thank god I have my timer.
Thanks for this video and update on your son. 💪🏻 my daughter finished her rounds of chemo a couple of weeks ago, she’s doing much better now. Tough on us Parents! She lives overseas, so I can’t be with her at this time - sewing is my happy escape. I appreciate your tips!!
Thanks to sheltering in place I have time to clean out my Stash Closet. Sort those fabrics and choose what is worth keeping. Having seen this video I made a stack of fabrics at least 15" square for my first Ugly Quilt. Well, I had enough fabric for 5 ugly quilts. I have completed two of the tops in 2 days. I am now addicted. I am gifted so many fabrics and I hate to give them away. NOW I know just what to do with them! In 50 seams you can have a quilt top! I am even going to try it with my collection of cat fabrics. I see no reason to only use your "uglies" for this project. Fast, Fun, Effective and Easy! Thank you Karen for yet another GREAT video.
Maybe I'm missing something..why would anyone give this a thumbs down??? What a happy fun quilt.
I chose to believe that those are bots 😎
Or maybe fat fingers. 😉 Even when I dislike something, I usually just move on.
I haven’t watched your videos in six months at least I used to watch them regularly and then I stopped mainly because I wasn’t quilting but was crocheting. I don’t know why I stopped because I love your videos. They are informative, entertaining and enlightning. And you always touch my heart with your wisdom. You are right, I wouldn’t use a beautifully made quilt for picnics or table covers or for tent making. But I surely would use an ugly quilt for these things. In fact some of the first quilts I made are grabbed first for camping, kids over night parties, wrapping up a sick child. I’ll keep watching you because you are caring and can lift my spirits so that I feel better when I’m depressed, sad, afraid or angry especially in these times of being secluded a d sequestered. Thanks for putting a smile on my face and joy in my heart. ❤️❤️💚💜💛
Sending ❤️ from my home to yours
Good Morning from Texas. Every morning I get my coffee and open my ipad to check up on whats going on in my little world. When I see you have posted a new video, all else must wait. I move to my favorite chair and cozy up for a visit with my friend. When your video ends I say a little prayer for your son. Thank you, Karen for spending your precious time with all of your friends around the world.
Thank you Jean. I feel very special now.
Ditto!
I just stumbled onto this channel today and I am sipping coffee as I read all these wonderful comments. I am not a seasoned sewing person yet, I have accomplished a few things in my last 23 or so years. My mom (rest her soul) was great with the sewing machine. I wish I could have learned from her. She passed when I was just 13 years old. I hope to learn a lot from Karen. 🙏🏼🧵
The ugly quilt that was donated to a hospital turned out real nice. I will have to try that. God bless.
I buy a lot of “ugly fabric” at thrift stores. Now that you’ve put this video out here, I’m sure the picking are going to get harder to find. Thanks for another great idea; you brighten my day, Karen.
I really like the ugly blanket. Its a great idea for old fabric you don't like. Honestly it is perfect for young kids and not care if it gets ruined.
I made an "ugly" quilt for my sister-in-law. She takes it to her grandchildren's wrestling matches, dance competitions, soccer games and ball games. No matter where she goes that "ugly" and imperfect quilt gets so many compliments. I have no doubt by the time her grandchildren have grown up it will be a treasured memory.
✋Thanks for sharing
There is no such thing as a bad quilt as long as the fabric is mostly cotton. Because it can be over-dyed if the colors don't work for the user. And everyone likes a handmade quilt. It's just cozy!!
My mum made a couple of patchwork bed covers out of material scraps when I was a kid. They now live on the backseat of her car for the dog. That actually annoyed me as they material used represented my childhood as it outlasted the clothes the I'd worn that the scraps came from!
Hi Linda
@@lynettepettitt655 hello how are you doing my friend
Love your kindness by thinking on bring “fun and colorful” quilt to hospitals. I’ve never thought of this possibility. Being hospitalized is terrible and depressing (own experience). Color and patterns are a beautiful palliative. Thank you 🙏🏻.
I pride myself on being a scrappy quilter. I make many quilts for charity and have found the less "fussy" the more they are loved for the very reason you described. I want my quilts to be Used and used UP! Drug around by wee ones or comforting those who can no longer moved at all. Thank you for this video. I am so lucky I found you. You are a woman after my own heart. Bright Blessings in these confined times!
Hi Karen
I made an "ugly quilt" from your pattern and leftover scraps from many other quilts I have made. I sent it to a friend, telling her that the fabrics all came from other quilts (one from another quilt I had made her years ago). Just recently I got an email from her husband, who said he has been ill with Covid-19, and is now almost recuperated. He told me the "ugly" quilt had given him hours of entertainment, finding the fabrics that matched, and speculating about all the other quilts I've made. And he said it was snuggly, and could be his hug when his wife and children couldn't hug him. Thank you for this pattern!
Oh wow...what great story. Thanks for sharing
The way you describe the comfort factor and logic of having a non-precious quilt makes me want to make one right now! And I've never quilted before! And may I say the quilt from "ugly" fabric is not a bit ugly; thanks for this inspiration. 🙂
I'm obsessed with colors & patterns, so I don't think your "ugly" quilts are ugly at all. I think they're beautiful!!
I did put 'ugly' in quotations 😎
What a brilliant quilt! And the idea that if it's not precious it'll get used more is brilliant, too. Thank you!
Love you Karen . So glad to see you. Stay strong and I have you and my family in my prayers
Hello Ellen
I have been “gifted “ lots of fabrics for mask making and made over 1500 to give away during the age of COVID. I have too much left and will use it for this quilt for all of the reasons that you state to do it. Thanks for this video
And 2021 , AGE IF COVID is STILL RAGING ! Will take at LEAST 1 year or MORE , from 2021 , to DRASTICALLY SLOW DOWN , IF ENOUGH people Vaccinate !
Keep SEWING !
Hi Doreen
No such thing as an ugly quilt, someone somewhere will love it. I worked in a nursing home for 17 yrs, they would love these. I’m new and catching up on all ur videos. Great video 🥰
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That first fabric, the one with the big pink flowers, is just lovely - I'd like a skirt made out of that!
Hello
Yup, you are the quilting queen 🥰 The way you explained why the quilt isn’t a wombat, was just so sweet. I don’t think it’s ugly at all, it’s cozy, and wonderful!
I don't even quilt, but I love watching your videos! I do sew, and maybe one day I will get brave and try one of your ideas! Thank you for your obvious joy for what you do, and for your genuine personality - I sense only sincerity! Refreshing!
Stephanie Clark the best advice I can give is just do it! I was a garment/home decor sexist but a friend showed me her quilts and I have never looked back!
Go for it!♥️👍😎🐝🌷
If you do any of my patterns this is the one to try. I'm sure you have a ton of scrap pieces and this is so forgiving
YIKES!! SEWIST not sexist, ugh autocorrect!😂
@@villagesteader3552 I get it! I have found so many auto correct nonsensical changes! And some embarrassing too!
@@JustGetitDoneQuilts It does look forgiving - I like the whimsy of the piece shapes!
Can’t throw away scraps thank you so much for your suggestions
Hello
I was worried when you posted your "update" that we weren't going to be seeing you for a while , but then in short order you posted the Color Exercises (empowering!) And now this one on ugly fabric. Delighful! Keep up the good work. There is no other quilting channel like yours. It really is about giving strategies on making the quilt that I want to make.
Thank you so much 😊
I agree.... this quilting channel is for real people facing real issues, like ugly fabrics 😊
Rebecca is right - i learn so much watching you videos. And thank you for being real - none of us have perfect lives.
I love your thoughts on why an ugly fabric quilt can truly be a thing of beauty and wonderful memories. Thankyou for the videos you do.
You're a born teacher. in so many patchwork tutorial this technique appears to be close to rocket science. yours is just motivating & inspiring. thank you!
I love the idea of a hospital quilt. I wish I would have thought of it years ago. My mom made all her grandkids a quilt about 40 years ago. Probably about 15 at the time. It's was a simple square of solid colors but she worked on them for months. Her great and great great grandkids love these quilts and they never met her. When they are sick they want the Grandma quilt and they keep it in their bed until they are better. 15 house holds have one and they all do the same thing. We should have made one a Hospital quilt. God knows we've spent enough time in them the past couple of generations. I'm confident it's the love that went into those quilts that make each of us feel better. Why else would the little ones that never met her want the quilt.
My grandma made everyone quilts when we were wee ones. Amazingly she did them all by hand. She called them crazy quilts. They were always my most favorite quilts of hers. she actually made them out of cotton blouses and tops. Thank you for sharing this. I am not a quilter, I am a person that knows how to sew though. I've always wanted to make crazy quilts for my grandkids. Thank you for the inspiration.
Ms Kat, sure hope you do make quilts for your grands, they will cherish them always. My son is 54 and he still has his from his grandmother. If taken care of they last through generations:)
Hi kat
I love "ugly quilts" and do not find them ugly at all! I think its lovely.
👍
I am a beginner sewer, quilter, everything. So when I found your fantastic channel where you bend the rules a bit to make things practical to every day life I fell in love with your channel and your tutorials, methods, tips, etc. You are amazing!! Thank you so much ☺️ for all the amazing tutorials 😍🥰❤️
I don't believe their are any Ugly quilts!!!!The love, time and patience that goes into making the quilt gives it Beauty and is given to another provides warmth, comfort and pleasant memories!!!!
I'm not a quilter but found this video fascinating. It makes me want to start to quilt. I have loads of fabric that would be perfect for this application.
Me too!!! Now I feel the urge to go buy a rotary cutter and all that is needed to do these diagonal cuts. 😏
I decided to use up some fabric that I thought was really, really ugly in a string quilt class I was taking. What surprised me was how lovely the quilt turned out with all the ugly fabric that I used. I made a wheelchair quilt out of the blocks for one of the ladies in the 4-bed room my mother shared in a nursing home. The woman who received the quilt, who seldom had visitors, absolutely loved the quilt and thought the colors that I'd considered ghastly, beautiful. She placed it on her bed when it wasn't on her wheelchair. So I agree with you that often what looks ugly when put with other fabric, turns out to be lovely. I also wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos. Of the videos available on U-Tube, I enjoy yours the most.
I love the concept of using up ‘ugly’ fabric. Praying for continued strength for you and healing for your son. 🙏🤗
Hi Sharon
I have made that crazy 9 patch quilt many times! Years ago, a friend and I were bemoaning all the ugly Christmas fabrics in our stashes. We worked together, cutting squares out of yards and yards of the ugly fabrics (keeping back some longer lengths for borders/bindings), shared our piles for more variety, and each made a king size quilt plus a very large lap quilt. I even sewed pieces of fabric together to make a piece large enough for the backing (my mom had gifted me with all her Christmas fabric, too, and it was REALLY ugly!). It was very satisfying to use up all that fabric, and those quilts come out every year!
I’m doing to do one of those now
I love this! I prefer utilitarian quilts to ones that are too “beautiful” to actually use or wash.
Hi Rebecca
Completely agree
Karen, I have a storage unit that holds my stash and miles of fabric donated to my volunteer group. I have found fabric that I believe may be older than me...born in the 60's. From donated quilts to masks and even polyester kennel mats, the fabric seems to replicate. Every time I think we've made a dent, there's more fabric. It also doesn't help that our volunteers can't bear to thrown anything away! I love this pattern and hope to use it soon to add to our donation stash. Happy Quilting🌞
I inherited a giant bag of scrap fabrics from my mom about 30 years ago. I used up all the nicest, prettiest pieces in different projects over the years, but some of the fabrics in that bag were absolutely hideous and every time I sorted through those ones I would literally recoil in disgust.
Then at one point I wondered why I was hanging on to all that ugliness and I challenged myself to make something beautiful out of it. I made a scrappy tumbling block wall hanging in which every piece was unique and super ugly.
It turned out so nice that I proudly display it in a prominent place in my home and I get so many complements from most everyone who sees it. Sometimes I would tell them the story behind it and it's a lot of fun to see them get up close, scrutinize the individual components to confirm what I'm saying then watch their mixed reactions of surprise and revulsion. But they always step back again and marvel at how beautiful it is from a distance.
I'm so glad I made that wall hanging - It's one of my favorite quilts. :-)
I’d love to see a photo
I learn new ways to "getrid of" fabrics but it so usefull and fun-. it does making more creative- Thanks, Karen!
Hi Sandra
Dear Karen, I just finished my first „ugly“ quilt and it turned out sooo pretty! My 15 year old niece is a huge Christmas fan, so I took 20 different Christmas fabrics in this new kind of „candy“ colors and it looks modern but festive too. Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial 💕 Lots of love from Germany
You take the fear out of learning to quilt. I love the idea of a not so precious quilt. So freeing.
I use a lot of my "unloved" stash to make quilts for the childrens hospital. Gives them something to brighten a moment in their lives. What we find ugly they can adore.
My daughter and I started one tonight. She leaves for University in 6 weeks and will take it with her.❤ Thank you for this video.
Perfect
I used your idea and thought I was making an ugly quilt. I didn’t really love any of the fabrics but now that it’s done I really think it’s pretty 💕 I’m using it for the furbabies
Hello, Karen! At the time I’m watching this video, it has had over a million views and 299K subscribers. I certain
am not surprised by these numbers, because you are amazing, and I could listen to you all day! I will often stream a series of your videos on a TV in my sewing space-which I managed to squeeze into the corner of my bedroom. Yes, I often get distracted from my sewing, but you continue to inspire me! Thank you for all you do!💜
Stay well!
Watching from wintry Muskoka ON 🇨🇦
Thank you
Great plan for those ugly fabrics. I love fat quarters and have often bought them because they were cute. Then they do not really play well with anything I have. Or I just am not that crazy about them anymore. So this is a perfect plan for those fabrics waiting to be sewn into a quilt. Also so happy your son is doing better!
Thank you
I’m going to make this WOMBAT...Hospital quilt out of all the pieces I have left over from the 600 face masks that I’ve made so far. What a brilliant idea. I knew that I was going to made a face mask quilt when they were no longer needed and I love this pattern idea the most. Thanks for the great idea! I love your fun and interesting videos! You’re such a hoot to watch! Keep it up and keep smiling, you’re our inspiration!🌹🌹
You’ll find it fast, easy and very forgiving
I made three scrap quilts to use to keep myself and wife warm in the cold months while sitting in the family room. 3 other quilts hang on walls, the favorites of friends are the scrap quilts. Part of my attachment to the scrap quilts are the family members who received baby quilts or just gifts. One of the scrap quilts have backing from my mother's stash. The are scraps of fabric and rich with feeling.
I love the enthusiasm of this video! My group is making baby quilts to give free at a pregnancy lifeline center. We don't want to spend a lot of money on each one. Some are precious, but others are baby quilts we don't mind giving away so much. After seeing this video, I suspect this lady has lots of ideas for us.
You cannot believe what an amazing help this video is. During Covid, I’ve been sewing up a storm, but I feel like I’m lacking in fabric because my stash is small and my scraps are small- and I had no idea what to do with them... now I have a brand new quilt for my nephew! Thank you so much!
Terrible thing to say but, it was a nice incentive ti get back into quilting or crafts! One draw back, once the stash is low we can't go out shopping to get MORE! 😄
I work in a fabric store, and customers have told me they have made thousands of masks and made Covid quilts with the scraps!
You are so right. I just love your sense of humor about it. Thank you for the 5 ways.
Hi
Have made this quilt many times using scrap pieces. They always come out beautiful even with ugly material. We call them “Wack and Stack” quilts. From Busselton. Western Australia.
Hello Jennifer
I made one of your quilts a while back and I just fell in love with it, but then I gave it away to a young girl who had juvenile diabetes and I missed it so much I asked my daughter to help me re look up this video so I can make one for myself.. I'm still watching your video and still loving the technique..
I made this for my daughter who is in another state and is having surgery this month. I included some fabrics I had saved from childhood. I am so used corduroy and velvet. It is so fun and cheerful. I used 20 fabrics in two stacks of 10. I know she is going to love it.
Very nice
I have a bunch of fabric scraps left from a mask pattern that turned out to be too fiddly and a bunch of scraps left from the 25 masks I've made so far for family and friends. When my daughter asked what I was doing with all those scraps (and mistakes), I told her glibly that I was making a quilt although the last time I made a quilt was something like 15 years ago. And surprise of surprises, she said she really wants the quilt, so I'm not going to toss the bits and pieces but will piece them into something useful. I learned a lot of tricks in this video (leader and follower fabrics and no more fabrics being sucked into the feed-dogs, aha!). Now I'm going to watch your other vids so I can actually do the quilting.
Hi from the UK! I've been watching a few of your videos recently, and when I saw this one I immediately clicked on. I've actually made a few 'Ugly' quilts already! We call that pattern a 'Crazy Nine Patch' over here, and I actually have a tip for anyone who wants theirs to 'make sense' as it were. When the blocks are finished, if you lay the first one down and then look not at the very central piece of fabric, but the piece next to it, then that piece is the fabric that will be at the centre of your next block. It means that no fabric will line up next to itself on the blocks beside it, and I've found that it works really well!
Thanks for sharing
like your description. This will help on many layouts, not just this pattern, but ones where you don't want 2 matching fabrics together. Thanks, I put it in my hints notebook.
Thank you! Great tip, which I'll definitely use! 🙃⚘
It is amazing to me how many people are touched by something like this... most quilters become so wrapped up in the precision of the hobby that they forget the emotional part of it.... for me that's the most important part... i spend most of my life trying to convince other quilter's to think this way!
Just wanted to let you know that you look lovely in this video. I remember you’ve shared some stories of rough times in your life lately, which definitely are not evident here. Thank you for the info, time, and free pattern!
Thank you so much!
Hello Sue
Karen I just saw your April 7th video, I am a nurse so my viewing is behind My hours are long and energy is depleted when I am off.. You and your son are in my prayers. I love your videos and this one of ugly fabric quilts made me laugh because I have alot of ugly fabric. I love the pattern. When I have the energy this is what I will make.
This was the first quilt pattern I learned when I took a quilt class ... We started with 17 fat quarters squared up to 18 inches square .... The idea was a project we would actually finished. We did not worry too much about exact seam side it was just sew it up then square it up... Love doing this pattern in mono chromatic fabrics and you are right ... these quilts often become a cherished quilt .
It was one of my first ones too. It's so forgiving
Monochrome or all solids would be cool.
I make napkins, 2 ply "paper towels" that I can use and throw in the wash. I use cotton on one side and diaper fabric on the other side. The diaper fabric makes it great for spills and the like. I also made some eye glass cleaners from the diaper fabric. My nephew keeps asking for more. As an experiment several years ago, I had purchased my usual real paper towels. Well, they're so expensive. So I challenged myself to make that one bag last a year. (I have tons of fabrics, some I don't like anymore) I used my napkins, homemade towels, etc. over and over. I managed to go 13 months without purchasing any more paper towels. (You do need them for greasy clean ups). I was quite proud of myself. I've fallen out the habit, but seeing your video refreshed my memory. No more buying paper towels. Thank you! Oh, and I call ugly quilts "scrappy quilts". My family loves them. Gosh I'm glad I found you again. And if you explain to your best friend, you might make some as a gift and they can save a tree, too.
Before you even said it my thought was "a quilt for my front porch!!" "beach quilt" "throw it on the grass quilt" Thanks I love it!!!
Hello Janice
Last year I made ugly lap quilts for the ladies in the local nursing home that had no one to visit them on Mother’s Day. Those quilts may have been ugly fabric to me but for each one of those six ladies they were beautiful loving gestures. I had a lot of mauve colored fabric, I’m not sure why I ever bought it but worked into those lap quilts it was a big hit with the ladies!
All of those "ugly" fabrics can sometimes turn out beautiful in a quilt. This was a great video! I use some of my ugly fabric as liners for inside pockets in bags. They are never seen and no one even notices them. Again, great video!
Great idea!
Insides of bags always get dirty somehow....crazy colored and patterned fabric is perfect!
This is so cool. I've accumulated LOTS of ugly fabric over the past 30 years and I've asked myself many times "WTHECK was I thinking" and "what do I do with this now?" This is the perfect solution. Thank you for sharing. Now I have a new project. Awesome!
I made of of these many years ago after seeing a pattern in a magazine. It used all fruit and vegetable fabrics and was called a picnic quilt. I used novelty scraps and LOVE it! It’s the quilt I keep in my car for spur of the moment picnics, cold soccer games, etc. I was given a fat quarter pack of “ugly but coordinating fabrics”- maybe I’ll throw together one of these for a charity quilt.
I've been struggling with both Long Haul or Long COVID for 10 months and have only managed one quilt. Ugg. BUT now I realize that I've also struggled with Ugly Fabrics Syndrome! Thank you for the remedy! Bless your smile.
I just love your tutorials. More than the technique, though, I love your stories. Thanks for being real and bringing so much creativity to my life!
You are so welcome! Glad you are here too
Dido
Ah, i think this is the first time i watch a quilting video where the principal is 'just make it, it will all turn out great in the end (and if it doesnt, then you havent cut it small enough)'.
I'm taking this message seriously & start quilting again 😍🙏🏼 thank you very much
Já é 2023 mas só vi este vídeo hoje.
Bem...muitas vezes fiz coisas com "tecidos feiosos" mas com carinho e bom acabamento, foram amados por outras pessoas.
Obrigada por essas dicas valiosas!
😊
Hi,
Yesterday inspired by your video on ugly fabrics I found 17 fabrics and proceeded to produce an ugly quilt.
This quilt is ready for quilting and my husband likes it.
You encourage so many of us around the world.
Did plan to send photo but can’t add it.
Thank you, Pauline Thoman
South Australia
Well done
You made my Tuesday morning! Thank you for reminding me that there is always a solution. My mom used to make some of those ugly quilts. We took them to college and university and it’s still some of the best ones. Thank you for reminding me
Thanks for sharing
Love this idea! Especially for the hospital. Thank you
Hello Theresa
Karen, you put such joy and fun into your ‘making’. A comfort quilt is surely something we can all use in these uncertain days. Off to my fabric stash!
😎
Ohmygosh FINALLY a quilter that speaks my language!🤣 I have an 8 YO son who loves blankets but is so hard on them. I feel like I can hit a remnants bin hard to make quilts that won't be mourned when they get roughed up!
I saw the dollar store hacks video with tip 4 and subscribed. Thank you for what you do! I feel like you have real world advice and tips. Much as I love the precious quilts, they're not in the stars for me right now and I feel like this is exactly what I needed!
I've made a bunch of Kaleidoscope (45 degree wedges) quilts, using strips. They all turned out quite attractive so one day I tried deliberately to make ugly quilt blocks using that same strip technique and guess what! The blocks still turned out very pretty. Even ugly fabric can look good when used creatively!
Jenny, I love watching your videos. You make me smile and i always learn something new. I hope you are well, and your son is getting stronger...
Hello Nancy
It is always a good day when I see you have a new video. Thanks for all your effort. 🙏💞💫
💕
I like that you have that just get it done attitude in your videos! No chit chat about the weather, or showing half a dozen of your wonderful quilts, just here it is what we are going to do!
“Ugly quilt” cheered me up. I’m liking the system /instructions, & speed to Get It Done-plus it actually turned out looking fantastic!
Hello Sue
I just love watching your videos!! Karen, you consistently make me smile. I learn a lot and laugh a lot too. Thank you! PS...I am I the only one that is brought to tears reading comments from a QUILTING VIDEO?!?!
Nope! x🤗
It was great to see you this morning! Love the blue wall and your bright and cheery personality 💕. So happy to see your son is doing better. There's much love and many prayers from all of us to you and your family. Love the quilt design, thank you as always 😊
Thank you so much!! I really do feel them.
I love that you are using the not so "perfect"fabrics. By Perfect I mean that they are not what you like or that they "match". A lot of people are to rigid with rules in quilting. Just have fun and this video is exactly how I like to quilt. Great for using those larger scrap fabrics too. Thank You for an aweome video...as usual and it's time to "just git it done"
I love ugly quilts.Just so much colours and scattered.☘️🇨🇮🌈
I needed this! Thank you soooooo much. I never thought of a "hospital quilt". My father in law frequents the hospital over night for tests or surgery ,ect. He has an autoimmune disorder with all the complications that goes with all the side effects of the medication and the disorder. I think I will make him one. Thank you for this tutorial.
Im only 2 minutes in and already love this! Gift bags! What a great idea to use up some fabric AND my ribbon stash.
👍Thank you so much for all of these ideas and the "ugly" quilt pattern. I love the freedom to put fabric together that doesn't have to fit the rules. I am finishing a quilt that my grand son helped to sew. I chose to make the blocks for his quilt 10" x 20" for easy piecing and quick sew, as we only had a few hours to work together on the quilt. He is nine years old and loves to sew. He even did some quilting on my Grace quilt frame. I finished the quilting today. Tomorrow I'll trim and bind it. After making a label, I'll send it off to him. I know he will enjoy his new quilt that he sewed himself. Thank you for the great video. God bless.
Oh MAN! Now I wish I had a stash of ugly fabric!! As always, thanks for the permission to be less than perfect. I'll work on that today.
LOL
@Lau Lau Pipling Absolutely GREAT idea Lau Lau!
I loved this so much because this is just the kind of quilt that my aunt used to make when I was a child. She made lots of clothes for me, my sisters and my cousins and she had lots of scraps. She would use the scraps to make quilts for us and they were designed to be used. My sisters and I used to lay across those quilts and remember that we had a dress out this fabric and a pair of shorts out of another fabric and so on. I adored those quilts so much and my dear sweet Aunt who made them.
Absolutely love this.....especially after seeing one of my “better” quilts on display as a beach blanket.....thanks to my son!!
Hi Nancy
I was a wanna be sewist, but never really sewed. I bought a Bernina around 2015... but didn't do much with it. I discovered you during the pandemic while my business had to shut down for a couple of months... and this video inspired me! That Ugly Quilt pattern took all the stress away from trying a quilt project... so I did it! Of course, it became a UFO for 3 years... and I'm proud to say that I should get it back from the long-armer next week! Then all I have to do is bind it. I hope to have 2 other projects completed before the end of October at the latest. Thanks for being the inspiration I needed! If possible I'll drop a photo of my "ugly" project. BTW... I think it's lovely.
👏👏👏