I took my first machine quilting class, yesterday
08-06-2009, 05:24 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 235
If you've never taken one, I highly recommend it. I've pieced some ten quilts, but have never quilted. The class I took was at an lqs (not the same one I had issues with last week).
The instructor talked to us about the best thread-choices for piecing, versus quilting; the differences between cotton, polyester, metallic threads (plus a whole host of other threads); the differences between needles (sharps, metallics, ballpoint) and their thicknesses; batting --- maximum quilt lengths, differences between silk, cotton, blends, bamboo (she gave us samples); cleaning and oiling your machine; choosing a good chair; good posture; helpful tools (including an ironing table if you don't have a drop-in cabinet or a plexiglass extension table).....anyway, you catch my drift. It was just a tremendous amount of extremely useful information.
The class was six-hours long. We did free-motion and straight line-stitching in the afternoon. We experimented with different tensions, stitch lengths, and patterns. The class, with supplies, cost $45. It was the best $45 I've ever spent on a quilting class.
So, again, if you've never taken a class, no matter how 'seasoned' you think you are, I highly recommend taking a 'basic machine quilting' class. I hope that your instructor is as good as ours was, yesterday, and will provide you with as much information. I feel like I'm completely set-up to succeed in making the best choices for my quilts. It's amazing how all of the 'smaller' factors do come into play for the type of quilt you are making, whether it's an heirloom, utility, charity quilt, etc. There are two very important points she did emphasize in class, though:
1) A finished quilt is a usable quilt; so don't sweat the mistakes.
2) Never let anyone tell you that you CAN'T do something. Unless it's a safety issue (eg. don't stick your finger under the needle), the choices you make for your quilt are completely your own. Don't let someone tell you otherwise. It's all about CHOICES.
The instructor talked to us about the best thread-choices for piecing, versus quilting; the differences between cotton, polyester, metallic threads (plus a whole host of other threads); the differences between needles (sharps, metallics, ballpoint) and their thicknesses; batting --- maximum quilt lengths, differences between silk, cotton, blends, bamboo (she gave us samples); cleaning and oiling your machine; choosing a good chair; good posture; helpful tools (including an ironing table if you don't have a drop-in cabinet or a plexiglass extension table).....anyway, you catch my drift. It was just a tremendous amount of extremely useful information.
The class was six-hours long. We did free-motion and straight line-stitching in the afternoon. We experimented with different tensions, stitch lengths, and patterns. The class, with supplies, cost $45. It was the best $45 I've ever spent on a quilting class.
So, again, if you've never taken a class, no matter how 'seasoned' you think you are, I highly recommend taking a 'basic machine quilting' class. I hope that your instructor is as good as ours was, yesterday, and will provide you with as much information. I feel like I'm completely set-up to succeed in making the best choices for my quilts. It's amazing how all of the 'smaller' factors do come into play for the type of quilt you are making, whether it's an heirloom, utility, charity quilt, etc. There are two very important points she did emphasize in class, though:
1) A finished quilt is a usable quilt; so don't sweat the mistakes.
2) Never let anyone tell you that you CAN'T do something. Unless it's a safety issue (eg. don't stick your finger under the needle), the choices you make for your quilt are completely your own. Don't let someone tell you otherwise. It's all about CHOICES.
08-06-2009, 05:32 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,097
Sounds like a good teacher! $45 is a great price for a 6 hour class.
I agree that a class is a valuable way to learn to quilt, both by hand and by machine. Of course, I am a teacher, so I naturally think that :wink: but I know that I have at least 90 minutes of "lecture" to impart, and 10 pages of handouts, and it takes an hour or two of hands-on, supervised work to feel comfortable with using the machine in a new way. It would be hard to just pick up all that information on your own.
I know... I tried. It looked so easy when I saw other people do it, and I thought I could do it on my own, but eventually I gave up and took some classes.
I agree that a class is a valuable way to learn to quilt, both by hand and by machine. Of course, I am a teacher, so I naturally think that :wink: but I know that I have at least 90 minutes of "lecture" to impart, and 10 pages of handouts, and it takes an hour or two of hands-on, supervised work to feel comfortable with using the machine in a new way. It would be hard to just pick up all that information on your own.
I know... I tried. It looked so easy when I saw other people do it, and I thought I could do it on my own, but eventually I gave up and took some classes.
08-06-2009, 06:49 AM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 235
Oh.....she also said to CLEAN YOUR MACHINE after every eight hours of sewing. You should've seen how filthy my machine was (hanging head in shame).
Noooooo.........................Well, I shouldn't say 'no.' I should say "Not quite, yet." :)
Originally Posted by Loretta
Sounds like a great class and a good price too! Will you eventually do custom work?
08-06-2009, 09:26 AM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 7,084
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
I love a good quilt class. It's one of my favorite ways to spend a day.
Have you seen the fabric with quilt designs already printed on for practice? I saw it somewhere.
Have you seen the fabric with quilt designs already printed on for practice? I saw it somewhere.
https://www.baysidequilting.com/stor...idProduct=4045
08-06-2009, 10:09 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 6,884
Sounds like you had a terrific teacher. I have taken a couple now and learn sew much each time. A gal at my guild taught the last one, but I was ill and couldn't stay for the whole class. I will take it again if she offers it! :lol:
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