Originally Posted by Izaquilter
I know I'm reallllly gonna ruffle some feathers here with this reply but I do think modernazation (is that a word) is taking alot out of quilting. Not so much the tools & the sewing machines because that is all I have ever known but the long arms. Sure I'd love to have one but will not allow myself to go to that extent. If you go to quilt shows now, almost 90% of the quilts are all done by long arms & it really really takes the creativity out of quilting. A really good piecer can put a top together & then send it off to a really good machine quilter but let me tell you, I have been going to quilt shows since 1992 & there is NO comparason to the quilts now & the quilts back in 1992. More of them were done by one persons creativity. Now it's who pays the most to their favorite long arm quilter. I know several long arm quilters & have only had 2 quilts done by them. It's just not the same as if you had done it all yourself. I feel like I'm cheating. I now see how my aunt felt going to the quilt shows. She hated it when machine pieced quilts were first allowed! So the old is the best for me!
I just got a baby quilt back from Charismah -- she did a wonderful job on her long arm. and I love what she did. Some Machine quilters can ruin a beautiful quilt design because the stitching doesn't enhance and add to the artistic value.
I am a hand quilter and would not send out a quilt that I really thought was special. (and the recipient). I don't give my quilts to anyone just because they are a relative either.
Just my opinion -- I do think that the shows should separate the two.
That said -- I have hand sewed one quilt in my life -- never again!!! I was living on the road in motels for my job. Now I only machine sew but still hand quilt.