Creating designs in fabric using the techniques of the mola is both a learned skill and a creative talent. And, not all mola makers are equal on either or both of these planes. A beautifully executed mola can be lacking in design just as a beautifully designed mola can show signs of a beginner's skill. To that end here is how I discern, determine and describe the quality of molas, molitas and mola gifts...

Designing and creating a mola takes planning, practice, skill and talent as well as scissors, thread and fabric (and good eyesight). The stitches and techniques of appliqué, reverse appliqué and top stitching are many and vary in their level of difficulty. Matching design to technique to materials to skill is an art and this art is not in everyone's possession. And sometimes, even when it is, the materials aren't always available.

Although my best guides to the quality of a mola are my eyes and hands, here is my best effort to articulate how I describe the varying qualities of finished pieces...

"Learner's work" is the work of a beginning mola maker and, as such, usually shows signs of someone just starting out. Whether it's in the idea of the design, the lay out of the fabric, the choice of colors used, the composition, the planning and execution of the steps, the techniques and stitches chosen or how they are executed, learner's work will always show the learner learning about "something". The stitches can be rough or inconsistent. The design can be too simple to be interesting, too complex for the medium or not right for the maker's skill. The composition can be "off" or it can beautiful but the technique chosen perhaps not the "ideal". Sometimes the talent of the learner is so obvious and it's just the skill that is lacking. And sometimes it's the opposite. Regardless, looking at learner's work is actually fascinating. Each piece highlights another aspect of the art of the mola either because the maker successfully managed it or exactly because they didn't. We all start somewhere when we actually make the effort to start. And, thank goodness some are still working do the latter in mola making.

A "fair" mola is the work of someone who (likely) could have done better but didn't. A "fair" mola shows signs of a lack of care in or more aspects of it. (Didn't bother to tuck this fabric under "here and there" even though it was tucked in everywhere else. Didn't bother to finish off the stitches "here and there" even though they obviously could have. Could've added one more of the same design elements "here" in order to balance out the piece but didn't. Could have taken the time to trim the edges of the fabric or cut the hanging threads but didn't...)

A "good" mola is a mola that has nothing particularly wrong with it. Nor does it have anything particularly remarkable about it. It is a good design, well made. There is indeed an art to mola making. "Good" pieces show this art and/but are not necessarily "art" themselves. Again, they are a good design, well made.

An "excellent" mola is notch above "good" and a notch below "superb" (and is the hardest "quality" to define). It is better than "good" and isn't quite "superb"... it is "excellent".

A "superb" mola is beautifully and expertly made and has at least one extraordinary or remarkable "thing" about it. Whether it's the design, the glory of the colors, the well-placed and beautifully executed presence of more difficult techniques... superb molas are, well, superb. Pieces that fall into this category have gone beyond the technique of mola making, absolutely show the art of mola making and have themselves become "art".

An "exquisite" mola is the most amazing pleasure to both the eyes and hands. The fact that the stitches aren’t visible is almost the least of it although this too is true. The design is perfection and makes you wonder how anyone could even fathom starting something like this. The technique and the details are beyond belief. Seeing one makes you gasp inwards. Touching one makes your insides go "Oh..." Exquisite molas are indeed the most delightful surprise to lovers of this art form. They take away our breath and our words and fill us up, instead, with wonder and awe that someone actually created this much beauty.