Thread: opinions vs. rules

As a total newbie to both quilting and this board, I have found that there are so many differing techniques out there that I have to literally "go check it out" on youtube to find if it's something that makes sense to me. As for how the information is presented, well, that's to be expected on any forum. There are those who ARE experts, there are those who are PROFESSED experts, and there are those who just go with the flow, don't claim to be anything other than who they are, and are a wealth of good information. One can usually tell the difference

For the most part, I can see that there are many personalities here, but rare is the one that may come across as your run-of-the-mill feather-ruffler-know-it-all. No matter. If I can see through the personality that the quality of the information is something I can use, I can usually ignore what might come across as feather-ruffling.

Thanks for the heads up about giving advice. I think I'm probably guilty of sounding like my way is a 'rule' when I don't mean to sound that way. I will be careful in the future to phrase advice as advice - one voice among many!

Originally Posted by nhweaver

Each of us comes here with varying backgrounds, skills - this "main" category response to any post is a good example of the many ways we use to do the same thing. Ask about quilting thread, and you will get 15+ differing responses, ask about fabrics, and you will get 15+ differing responses. We all learn from our experiences, and we all love to share our disasters, and our successes. We are a wonderful group of people. But the only rules I can think of are:

Keep your fingers away from the rotary blade,
Keep your fingers away from the sewing machine needle,
If you drop a pin on the floor, it will land pointy side up,
Do not sew after drinking alot of alcoholic beverages (learned that one the hard way)
The dog/cat/gerbil/rabbit/whatever will sit on the quilt if it is within their reach.

Thanks for the giggles, and the spit-take, (as I wipe off my screen). Although I have never tried to break your rule #4, I will remember to obey it. Rule #5, my dog will always lay on my quilt when it is in the hoop and i set it down, (maybe because it is a little fluffier when it is only basted?)

I usually tell people, "this is how I do it, (and why), but you can do it any way you want."

Just as personal thought, whenever I hear someone speak , write etc... I assume its their opinion or view on their collection of information on what ever subject matter might happen to be.

Originally Posted by ube quilting

I am always amazed at how much I learn from 'new' quilters. Having no preconcieved ideas they just jump in and do their best and along the way create their own methods not even realizing just how creative they are.

Yes, there are no hard and fast rules but a universe of suggestions. As long as you can get your cuts right, seams straight, good tension on your machine and no waves in a bias cut, you are good to go.

The four basic trials of quilting.

None of which I have accomplished!
peace

Yes, I have a younger friend who jumped into quilting with both feet and she is fearless. She also gets tons of quilts done with a full time job and a young family. (I do suspect she only sleeps three hours a night). My point is ...she has no rules, she puts crazy colors together and she is so successful.