Am I the only one who trys to do a block without fallowing directions? Just finished my BOM 4th block to find it easier if I fallowed the directions. :oops:

You mean we're supposed to read all the directions/recipe/instructions before we start and then actually follow what they say???? :lol: :lol: :lol:

I just follow the pictures, until I run into a problem. :thumbup:

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I tend to just follow the picture. I'm fairly new-so I also tend to pick out the simpler quilts.

LOL! I am guilty of doing that, and it usually works out, although there are those times when...you know...LOL!

If all else fails...read the directions!

Same here :thumbup:

I read after I mess up LOL

Lol....I do this too. I just look at the picture and try to wing it. I hate following directions and only do it as a "last resort" even if it does take me more time.

Read? you mean we are supposed to read those things?

Follow directions? what is this concept of which you speak?

:lol: :lol:

I wait until I don't know what to do next, then I have to find where I am in the instructions and read that part.

Flat pack furniture was obviously made just for us! :lol: :lol: :lol:

If I buy a book or pattern, it's because I want to learn how to do something. If I can figure it out on my own, why buy the pattern? So yes, I read it, every word, and if there's a new technique that I haven't tried, then I try it, at least for that item. How can you learn new things otherwise? Often the designer has tried various methods for making something and has settled on what works best. I want to profit from her research, and her mistakes.

you mean I am not the only one? I get so lost trying to follow a pattern, usually end up feeling stupid....lol

if i am trying a new block i have never made before i do a practice block according to the instructions- and see how it comes out- if i like it and it seems to make sense- i make more that way- if it does not go together well- or i know an easier way i may change my technique for the next one....but if i have instructions i use them- at least the first time. i hate wasting fabric so i do not tend to experiment until i see how it goes together-as prescribed.

After reading many, many posts on this board and watching countless videos, I am just now learning the wisdom of following directions. I am a "just do it" sort of gal and really have a hard time with directions and precision. But, I'm ready to give it a try.

I don't like to waste fabric either ... So what I do when testing a block or pattern, is I keep a few fabrics just for that. I keep the test runs and my plan is that someday they will all go together as a collage of sorts. Or I can raid them as the starting point for making mug rugs, totes/bags, or whatever!!

This way I feel as though the test ones have a reason and a purpose ... and I haven't cut into the fabric planned for a project. Or sometimes ... I just want to try a block or two, just to see what it's like!

It depends on my mood at the time on how much I read and follow...
Some days I am just more adventurous :D:D:D

My father had a small sticker with this saying tacked to the bathroom mirror while I was growing up!

Wow, I didn't know they made instructions.

Now,now, don't be coy! Just own up. :lol: :lol: :lol:

That is what my hubby says when he is putting things together.

LOL...me too

To FOLLOW directions if a lot less heartache and time.

I always follow directions so I can save my seam riper Ha!!!

I generally don't follow the directions either. Too often I've found real mistakes that wouldn't have been fixable after or I have a different way of assembling a block than the one used.

:lol: :lol: and to think most of the time we just blame men for 'never reading the directions' -- aahhhh the secrets we so often hide :roll: :cry: ;-)

I read the directions before starting and sometimes think "Why do it that way? It would be easier and makes more sense to me to do it this way." Sometimes my way works better for me than the directions. Occasionally not. But I swear for a lot of McCall's, Simplicity, Butterick, etc patterns I think someone writes the direction who has never seen a sewing machine, much less sewed a stitch!

Picture reading usually works for me

I always say...if all else fails, read directions..
And I often resort to just that theory.

I learned my lesson this past weekend. Was putting a project together and didn't want to do one part of it so I skipped reading that section. Sewed the blocks together and they didn't fit. I was bad mouthing the directions and took it all apart. I read the directions again to see if I missed something with the part I skipped. Guess what, in that section they told you to trim down the blocks. I deserved to have to tear it all apart. It was amazing how well it went together after that.

They come with directions? Really? I just look at the pictures and go from there.

I grew up making clothes from patterns. I learned early on to follow the instructions, cause everything just went together easier. I do the same in quilting, and I usually leave the instructions open next to me until I can make the block (when piecing several of the same blocks) without thinking about the process. For me, it just saves a lot more time to follow the instructions the first time...

It's like the old story that I have told my kids for yrs...

A farmer hired a young boy to clean his barn out every Saturday morning. One morning he observed the boy knocking down the high places and filling in the low places. Well, the farmer just leaned against the barn door, chewed on piece of hay, and finally asked, "Son, you in a hurry this morning?" "Oh, yes sir, I am. The carnival is in town and me and my buddies are going to go." The farmer just smiled and sighed..."Well, son," he said, "if you don't have time to do it right, you sure don't have time to do it over."

I read all the instructions and then I make mistakes!!!!

In my family, the boys used to say, "If ALL else fails, read the directions.." I usually do after I make a mistake.. :roll:

Yea me tooo!
:oops:

If all else fails, read the directions, keeping in mind that the directions may be wrong.

Well said--the other time I meticulously follow directions is when I am testing someone's pattern! Since I most generally follow pictures, it is a real challenge for me to go the other route and read everything. Always learn something, though. :)

Sometimes when I'm winging it, I run into trouble and have to read the directions. When they don't make sense, I'm sure they have made a mistake!

When I look at a pattern, I always, ALWAYS look at the pictures first! Sometimes you don't need anything else!