New to this, and confused!
 

I'm self taught thanks to books, blogs and anything else quilt related. Just finished a class at a local fabric shop, and came away very confused! According to the teacher: don't pre wash, don't pull bobbin threads up, never roll excess when quilting, (just smooch and scrunch), bias is the only acceptable binding, don't need a walking foot, basting is the only way to go, and my Singer HD110 is barely a beginners machine, not really designed for quilting - and don't use the acrylic table it came with. Needless to say, since I was doing all of the above, with great success, I'm confused. I've had great luck with my machine, and love the table! Any thoughts??

I learned along time ago to figure out what works for you. There are many ways to do the same thing with great results either way. It's your time, your money, your fabric, your quilt. Do it your way:) Enjoy your quilting journey~

go with what you know, and maybe suggest, if given the opportunity, that the quilt teacher open her mind to the many and various ways quilts get made.

there are NO absolutes in quilting, or in much else for that matter.

there are a thousand raging debates in your short list of do's and don'ts up there. what matters is that this is fun, satisfying and that your quilt doesn't dissolve into a heap of thread in the somewhat near future. or maybe in a post-modern kind of artsy way, a heap of thread formerly known as a quilt would make you smile.

it's your disco stick. shake it how you like :)

aileen

I think I'd find a new teacher.

Ditto! She sounds more like the Quilt Police than a teacher. I'm also self/book taught. Do what YOU want when it comes to any part of quilting. I prewash everything. I use different types of fabric in a quilt. I fold over my backing to use as a binding. I use Elmers School Glue to baste my quilt. I do whatever the heck I want!! If it doesn't come out the way I like it, I've got a seam ripper and a washing machine.

Just tell her to Kiss your beginner basic machine!!! (mine is made by Brother, lol)

My thought is to perhaps try another teacher, if you really need to. I am self taught too other than my mother decades ago when I was 11. You will get a whole different set of answers with someone else showing you something, just as you do reading different books and magazines. I have done both pre-wash and no pre-wash and goodness there is a difference. Most fabrics I pre-wash because I sometimes want the receiver to see what the quilt looks like before the first wash and dry; I have pulled bobbin threads up, when it doesn't make a difference in the quality of the quilting I am doing, nor compromise the design of the quilt; I love and prefer bias binding, but have done crossgrain also. Works for wall hangings without a problem, and doll quilts; I prefer a walking foot. Have done it without also. The thicker quilts I use the walking foot because it helps guide the quilt through the machine more evenly with very little effort from me; I have to have the extra flatbed table area for quilting or sewing of any kind-except garment sleeves. What's up with saying don't use it? And there is nothing wrong with your Singer. If it sews, works for you, and does what you need it to, then my goodness use it and enjoy it. Don't let anyone talk you into spending more money when what you have works just fine. Every quilter is different and you will have your own style. I wouldn't take what another says as law. Make it your own.

I agree with the others, I usually don't pre-wash, any machine that sews straight (not when I operate the silly machine) will work. You seem to be doing fine with what you are doing and the other skills will come with time. RElax and enjoy and get a new teacher or adviser or whatever she is.

Pick and choose the information you want to keep from each teacher or book. Ignore the rest. You will know when you need a different machine. As long as yours satisfies your needs, keep using it. One of my favorite machines is a 1947 Singer. You can do whatever you want. It is your quilt. Have fun quilting!

My first thoughts were not particular printable!

Her method(s) are one way of doing things - many of them NOT my preferred method!

I think YOU are way more advanced than your teacher - you just said your methods worked well for you - success is the proof that they are working!

Just continue to read this board - there are many many areas where even the experienced quilters have their DIFFERING preferred methods - and some of them are award winners!

PS - Class instructors are not the be-all and end-all for knowledge.