tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post6870112243294248922..comments2024-01-10T03:17:58.393-06:00Comments on a stitch in dye: A Word About CriticismMalka Dubrawskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11083110156921462398noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-88969296714092900082011-12-18T06:14:39.371-06:002011-12-18T06:14:39.371-06:00Hi,
I just came across this and felt compelled to ...Hi,<br />I just came across this and felt compelled to comment. A friend of mine, who is a traditional quilter and very precise, made some of the same comments about modern quilters. Rather than disparage her work, I understand where her point of view comes from. Many quilters spend years perfecting the craft of quilting. Now, many of us would probably not call what she does "art." And that is fine. But these people don't understand how a book with what they call "sloppy" work would get published. For me, I embrace that one picture has a thread hanging off of it. It gives me, a relative beginner, the courage to continue to sew, even if it is not perfect. But you all can't deny that there is some "imperfect" work in the pictures that are in the book. To deny that is to deny reality. Is that bad?? Not in my book. But rather than be insulted, perhaps try to see it from their point of view. It is like critics who hated the "newer" nontraditional art. It's new, unfamiliar, pushing the boundaries of what is considered quilts, and exciting!!! Not everyone is going to like that, and they will see it as 2nd grade work, just as modern painting is disparaged. But never be defensive about it - it is your own voice, it is bright and full of life, and some will not like it. And that's ok, even if they are harsh in their opinions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-87927307128819771552011-09-07T17:35:36.259-06:002011-09-07T17:35:36.259-06:00Malka, i hope this counts!, but i was drawn to qui...Malka, i hope this counts!, but i was drawn to quilting this year 2011. Through the work of you, elizabeth hartman, and a bunch of others, the list is now a mile long!. And i purchased your book. I had never heard of this other blogger before i read what she posted today, and i won't be following her for any kind of inspiration thats for certain. some people are just mean spirited. so carry on!Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09675040289840875323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-72084079327523147262011-05-17T10:43:18.338-06:002011-05-17T10:43:18.338-06:00I am seeing your blog for the first time today and...I am seeing your blog for the first time today and I love your style-- it's so intriguing, requires a second glance, is interesting and fresh. Somehow I stumbled upon this post, and it kind of upset me. I don't even know you, I haven't seen your blog before, and those criticisms offended me!!! How dare people!? I truly believe that while the word "art" is technically definable, the "quality" of art is NOT. Anyone who has that kind of time to criticize should really shut-up and invest that time into "their art" instead. Your work is STUNNING, I love it, and I'll be back to see more of it. Your post was so diplomatic, and came from such a good place-- I'm impressed!<br /><br />~robin, welchrobin@hotmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-73351122285050471952011-05-15T14:51:28.574-06:002011-05-15T14:51:28.574-06:00I just ordered fabric to make your fish baby log c...I just ordered fabric to make your fish baby log cabin. I find your work inspirational and hope that you will continue to ignore the critics and just keep doing what your doingMJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006122849490367908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-45426623390186061322011-04-28T22:52:37.397-06:002011-04-28T22:52:37.397-06:00Amen, sister...Amen. I just bought your book, and...Amen, sister...Amen. I just bought your book, and not theirs. Oh, wait a minute...THEY don't HAVE a book. Hmph. 'Nuff said. <br />(ps. Love your book, and can't wait to use it!)Jamie and Shanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05327427313877441565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-7983256161744612982011-04-15T17:12:17.473-06:002011-04-15T17:12:17.473-06:00I just wanted to say that I just splurged and boug...I just wanted to say that I just splurged and bought your fresh quilting book. I am so very inspired and already want to make the zigzag pillow, a quilt with strings, Nates quilt and the ABC baby book right away! I have had it for about a week and steal moments each day just to drool over your beautiful projects and read your instructions. Thank you for putting yourself out there and writing this book! <br />PS. I'm sorry that you have been so viciously attacked.Kimberly Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01442032160178058002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-10956726451032689242011-04-12T17:12:47.623-06:002011-04-12T17:12:47.623-06:00Hi Malka.
I thought about emailing you - but inst...Hi Malka. <br />I thought about emailing you - but instead I will add my voice to the other comments here.<br /><br />I have come across mean spirited criticism it in my own work (and on Amazon reviews too!) And I fumed for a while then let it go. Because I have come to the conclusion that those people are the ones who have not published a book, do not have a blog or website where they put their work out there, they don't create their own designs or techniques or create tutorials for the benefit of others. <br /><br />Instead they are stuck in the past or not even in the past (because the past is not perfect - our grandmothers and great grandmothers were great recyclers and re-users and am sure they did not fuss over perfect seams all the time) - they are stuck in a mythical world where uptight quilt show perfect is everything - it might have a place, but it is not for everyone, not for the regular people who want to just get on to the business of making things and having fun and experimenting and discovering the joy of creating. <br /><br />And that Malka is what you are giving people - you are teaching and giving the gift of discovery to so many people. So keep up the good work and good for you for doing what you do. So many people appreciate and love and understand your work - so keep at it - it is important.Kathreen Ricketsonhttp://whipup.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-86039235382812406802011-04-09T23:30:58.390-06:002011-04-09T23:30:58.390-06:00Oh, I am so sorry! I just stumbled upon your blog ...Oh, I am so sorry! I just stumbled upon your blog from Stitched in Colors Pillow Party page where it said you were the judge this month. When I saw what your newest book was I about jumped out of my seat... I literally just ordered it not more than 3 min. ago! And I am really excited for it! <br />I am so sorry for the harsh comments... as my husband puts it, some people just don't have a brain-mouth filter. It seems to me that people like that, that say things like that, have a problem with themselves and not with whomever they are directing their comments to. I know how discouraging others words can be, and I hope you keep creating wonderful projects! :) I can't wait to explore your blog some more. :)Diane Bohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649721277737051930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-14163773362462720072011-04-08T21:02:19.196-06:002011-04-08T21:02:19.196-06:00Oh, Malka! I'm so sorry you have to deal with ...Oh, Malka! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this! there does seem to be a great deal of judgement and criticism going on in blog land right now. I'm downright tired of it.<br /><br />I admire your work. you are inspiring. Keep on doing what you do so well!Amanda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-65144843555449518682011-04-07T13:42:34.151-06:002011-04-07T13:42:34.151-06:00I'm a little late, but I just wanted to chime ...I'm a little late, but I just wanted to chime in with some encouragement for you. I have been so inspired by your quilts and their colors. I just got your newest book for my birthday a few days ago and have been poring over the way you integrate color, texture, and pattern.So beautiful! Ever since I came across a picture one of your Twinkle quilts, I have been a huge fan of your work. Just wanted to encourage you! Keep up the good working and inspiring creations!Kate from Kinda Crunchy Kate bloghttp://kindacrunchykate.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-31294708948440161192011-04-07T12:16:04.624-06:002011-04-07T12:16:04.624-06:00Constructive criticism is one thing...I welcome th...Constructive criticism is one thing...I welcome that, but that blog post/review was just an opinion, and you know what they say "opinions are like ***holes, everyone has one!" That being said, I was interested in your book, had it in my cart, then read that review....oh wait...do I want this book? So I hesitated...then I read the last line "This is a hot mess." Wait what...I thought a hot mess was a good thing, I've been called a hot mess plenty of times, crap...I guess it was a bad thing and I thought it was good. Needless to say...your book is in my cart on Amazon (I will purchase it) and now I'm a new blog follower! So if anything that bad review actually made me want it! Hot mess...YES I AM! Thank you. Congrats on having your book published!Marci Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06936012994391674307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-7331206401570078642011-04-07T09:03:47.056-06:002011-04-07T09:03:47.056-06:00oh, malka! as i sit here typing this, i am holding...oh, malka! as i sit here typing this, i am holding your gorgeous cupcake doll quilt on my lap. how anyone can look at your work (and this quilt!) and not see joy, beauty, and a spirit of adventure + whimsy is beyond my understanding. in fact, when i have to pack these little quilties up to go back to their creators, i think that i will have a very rough time of it!! <br />your outlook on criticism (constructive and otherwise) is inspiring to me, and i will admit that it scares the bejesus out of me that i will be facing this too when my book is out in november. <br />the blog author and reviewer may indeed have some valid points (even though i don't share the same opinions), but those are rendered much less legitimate once the whole post/review is read.<br />is it really that difficult to let kindness guide us in all things? and really, as others have said before, if you would not say this exact thing to a person's face, should you really type it and hit return?<br />xoxo<br />(sorry i had to delete the first comment...dang typos!)cathy gauberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03026251619075210533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-85230335843437047972011-04-07T09:02:16.809-06:002011-04-07T09:02:16.809-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.cathy gauberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03026251619075210533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-81525551882318578152011-04-07T08:20:21.341-06:002011-04-07T08:20:21.341-06:00We live in a culture of criticism, I think. As a ...We live in a culture of criticism, I think. As a person who is interested in many crafts, I tend to find merit in all work, whether it appeals to me on a personal level or not so I find the people who are scathingly harsh in their assessment of other's work perplexing.<br /><br />As a consumer of quilt books, I think yours is well-written, the porjects fun and original, and quite frankly, approachable. I recently looked at twenty or so quilt books (traditional and contemporary in nature) and I thought yours was the most compelling of those recently published.<br /><br />While these hyper-critical remarks from the anonymous ether can be upsetting, I hope that you don't let it bring you down.novahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14880542163032397959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-12106110499728613492011-04-06T00:21:07.010-06:002011-04-06T00:21:07.010-06:00it's as simple as that most people are unable ...it's as simple as that most people are unable ti think outside the BOX. remember the song little boxes by pete seeger? that's the kind of world we live in so be proud of your difference, you stimulate to think outside those boxes made of ticky tacky, little boxes all the same.PeregrineBluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03199898121306481511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-41886161828572085812011-04-04T20:13:50.649-06:002011-04-04T20:13:50.649-06:00Loved reading this just so I could share. I have h...Loved reading this just so I could share. I have had loads of letters like this since my first book came out in 1996. I got a scathing letter from a woman from Canada (home of my Mother). I was just crushed. After doing five books now, I know that the delete button and the garbage is for. Someone who takes time to be so petty, mean and vile is writing about her life not your book. You do great stuff and you have more people who love it than one nasty person who is mad at the world and is going to take it out on you. Focus on all of us who love your style!Mary Lou Weidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13439018136590025287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-19109757627591570642011-04-04T14:36:32.343-06:002011-04-04T14:36:32.343-06:00Dear Malka,
It’s good that you have that ugly is...Dear Malka, <br /><br />It’s good that you have that ugly issue clearly on the table: <br />Mean and dull criticism, facilitated by the anonymity of the internet, which has only the purpose to devalue someone. <br />Since you're the target, you feel first the pain. Someone like me, who is just an observer, sees most of all the great envy behind it. The envy of what you've created and what you give to others. And although it comes in a toxic garb it can not hide how small and insignificant the critic must feel about herself, and how much she would like to be on your level, so she put a lot of effort to degrade you down to hers. The truth is that envy is the highest form of recognition and one has to earn it.<br /><br />Be the special one you are!<br />BrigitteBrigittehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15474536092655227160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-30068942529077030792011-04-04T11:18:47.578-06:002011-04-04T11:18:47.578-06:00I am thinking some of the problem with the "b...I am thinking some of the problem with the "book" is the way it was marketed. Quilting is in flux and in an effort to attract the new and young I see three avenues targeted; One quiting, one home decor and one sort of small projects (crafts).<br /><br />The book seems more like home decor / craft and would be a disapointment to quilter. But then again a quilter would not have bought it after a glance through.<br /><br />I was not sure with 196 comments if I had enought to add, but do think the industry will have to address the changes in "naming" or continue to anoy sewers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-85504547793073047432011-04-04T11:15:29.394-06:002011-04-04T11:15:29.394-06:00I wish I'd said something sooner, because now ...I wish I'd said something sooner, because now this will seem contrived and on-the-bandwagonish, but I'm just not much of a commenter. Anyway, here's what I should have said sooner: I got your Fresh Quilting book just a few weeks ago, and have really been enjoying it. It's just what I needed to bump me out of the rut I was in, get me started creating things again, and get me putting fabric together in ways that make me happy. (I even renamed your blog feed to include "Malka" so I would remember it was you when scanning for something new to read!) Thanks for the boost, and I hope you can take these and all the other positive words here and use them to soothe the sting of those harsh ones. I really hope the few ugly comments don't stop you from putting your work out where the rest of us can enjoy it.<br />Thanks<br />Corinnebrzeskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14456408980776915942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-10896811183291449422011-04-04T10:44:38.702-06:002011-04-04T10:44:38.702-06:00To each his own. And I am sorry people are so mea...To each his own. And I am sorry people are so mean spirited. Hang in there!!!!<br /><br />auntiehennoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-82219002255881587782011-04-04T07:12:08.495-06:002011-04-04T07:12:08.495-06:00I won't be adding anything new to all the wond...I won't be adding anything new to all the wonderful responses you've gotten, but I can't get this out of my mind so I just had to write! The qualities that this person is insulting are precisely the things I love MOST about your work! It has character-- it's fun and freewheeling! I have enormous respect for the traditional quilting 'rules' but what's wrong with bending and even breaking them?Pippahttp://Pippapatchwork.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-69017466646851943232011-04-03T15:33:48.407-06:002011-04-03T15:33:48.407-06:00Really? I finally just got your book. Not all the ...Really? I finally just got your book. Not all the projects are my style, but I'm gravitating towards the improv type quilts. They are fun. Isn't that the point of quilting? Or, crafting for that matter. I am inspired by your vivid color choices and am seriously considering finding your other book. I'm sorry someone felt that had to be hateful. But I guess that's what makes us different. But my Mom & Dad raised me better.Auntie Pamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04918427648338806731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-3282592607144528192011-04-03T14:27:14.601-06:002011-04-03T14:27:14.601-06:00I absolutely love your color and design sense -- y...I absolutely love your color and design sense -- your work is truly inspiring to me and to so many others! There may be a little resentment circulating in the quilting world re: book contracts, accolades, fan bases for all sorts of sewists whose appeal differs from the (former?) mainstream. In every creative field, new developments or shifts in aesthetics have been greeted by some hostility...as difficult as it is to have that kind of negative energy directed at you, maybe it can just be viewed as a signal that your work *is* distinctive! Keep making beautiful things...please!Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03469773781989607016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-68602818806902019272011-04-03T13:27:32.612-06:002011-04-03T13:27:32.612-06:00*hugs,hugs,and even more hugs*
I love your style.
...*hugs,hugs,and even more hugs*<br />I love your style.<br />That kind of mean spirit comes from a place of self hate and it's awful to spread it around.<br />I don't have your book, but now I'm off to Amazon to buy it...Jenny Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806819386942652673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6383797470400413055.post-5365932205852536602011-04-03T07:23:53.361-06:002011-04-03T07:23:53.361-06:00I love your work, you have an amazing eye for colo...I love your work, you have an amazing eye for colour. I am impatiently waiting for your book to arrive from Barnes and Noble, I wish it would hurry up! For now I look at your quilts in Oh Baby! Don't let those words get to you, lots of other think you are great, and truly you are!Sewhappyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04712182986356587656noreply@blogger.com