by Sandra | November 4th, 2009
I am not sure how many of you watch Project Runway, but it is a great show. I also like to watch it because it validates all of my thoughts and opinions about quality of workmanship and use of details when it comes to working and designing with fabric and quilts. I find myself yelling out loud at the television, ”YES!–Thank you!” when Tim Gunn and the judges give their assessments. I wish this would translate to the quilt world.
Hey, we all like bright and shiny stuff, the glitter, beads, metallic threads etc., but,…..and this is a BIG “but”, and like a broken record I will say it again, “more is only more, it is not better”. To quote Tim Gunn and the judges, “edit your design” (quilt).
I always make a point to question myself during the process as I add the details, “is this really necessary?, or have I gone too far with what started out as a good idea and now has gone beyond the point of good taste?”, or as Tim says, “It is looking a bit crafty“–oh the horror! To translate that bluntly, crafty=bad taste when it is delivered as a critique–the kiss of death in my book. Taste comes up a lot in Project Runway just as often as craftsmanship.
Even with my kid’s ‘roll on the floor & chocolate milk drip’ quilts, I still try to avoid my own worst critic’s, (that would be me), assessment of “crafty” in my quilts. My kids certainly don’t deserve crafty right? I certainly don’t make them masterpiece quilts, (perish the thought at this age), but their quilts offer me good excercises to understand and practice “editing”. In other words, what is necessary and what isn’t while maintaining a relative level of workmanship. Editing also means less time involved too.
Channel Tim Gunn before thinking some new popular trend is a good thing to adapt into your quilts ….. “edit” and “taste“. There is a reason the classics never go out of style and aren’t fleeting. They have successfully married the big three components of editing, taste and craftsmanship.
Tim Gunn is my hero. I wish I looked like Heidi. 
Text ©2009 Sandra Leichner all rights reserved
I agree. I often tell people “just because you CAN, does not mean you SHOULD.” Particularly when it comes to glitz and baubles and beads on quilts. Just my personal opinion!
Gayle
Everything in moderation !
Balance in all things !
I like all kinds of art , crafts and styles , as long as they are done tasetfully . Not that I would neccesarily want to live with them all , but I like looking at them .
I hate tacky !!!
I wouldn’t mind looking like Hiedi myself ; )
Gayle and Boop, Amen!
Dear Sandra Am I the only one who can’t get the video to play ? When I click on “play” it says “pause”. No picture.
Sandra – please remind Jenna that we are anxious to see her photo from Houston – and yours too.
Your advice, as usual, is superb. Thank you.
Sara, hmmmm I am sorry to say you are the only one who can’t get the video to play.
You are missing the judges telling him to edit because he has thrown too much together that does not relate to a cohesive design. Sound familiar?
Ok, I have it written down to remind me to post Jenna’s picture.
All you need is enough.
Any more is too much, not to mention over done, tacky, crafty and tasteless! I wonder when good taste went out of fashion?
Ah Judy you are wise as always.