The Quilt Police – Who is Really on this Force?

If you have been quilting for awhile you have most assuredly run into someone on the force!  You may not have realized it, but you have.  You yourself may be on the force as well.  Let me explain!

The definition simply states:

The “quilt police” is a lighthearted yet sometimes derogatory term in the quilting community for individuals who offer unsolicited, rigid, and subjective critiques of other people’s quilts.

With that being said, the quilt police believe that there is only one right way to do things.  They believe that there are hard and fast rules which must always be followed. They speak their minds but may not be basing their judgement on any professional judging criteria.

The quilt police, who’s devotion to the rules, is admirable, they sometimes forget that quilting should be fun and not a high stakes fabric chase.  They happily point out that your seams are not ¼”, your points don’t line up and you should never ever sew your binding on my machine! 

There are no hard-fast rules for quilting.  It is meant to be fun, relaxing and most definitely not a stress inducer!  If you are in love with your piece and your ok with maybe a point or two not lining up perfectly, I say bravo!  Good job, you also have a finished piece that you can now gift with great pride or proudly drape over the back of your sofa!  But most of all be proud of yourself, you accomplished something in a time where many people don’t stop and enjoy the creative processes that life has to offer.

Do the Quilt Police actually exist?  No, they do not.  Don’t join the imaginary force.  If you see a quilt you like say so, if a fellow quilter is struggling, build them up don’t tear apart their seams!  A few kind words go a long way.  Compliment their fabric choices, praise them for making quilts in the first place.  Don’t be the quilter that causes a fellow quilter to put down her needle and thread, pack away her machine and never try again!  Leave the judging for the actual quilt show judges.