Originally Posted by
jaciqltznok
the science and math ARE what is missing. Knowing the "why's" of using chemicals, straight of grain, etc. These days quilting is more about slapping things together and calling it a quilt, instead of "learning" the art and enjoying the process of making something worthy of our time and money! While I do appreciate the fact that many are without Mentors, like elder family members, quilt shops, etc, I also realize that if they can sit for hours at the computer reading this forum, then they can also read the books that teach these skills. Perhaps not the newest books that just teach how to whack at the fabric with no regard as to what is really going on, but the older books that take your through the WHOLE learning process. I see people offering/taking beginner classes that last 4 hours in ONE day. WHAT??? How can you learn a complex art like quilting in 4 hours? A TRUE beginner class should take 10 times that! I teach 3 hours a day, two days a week for 8 weeks and often that is not enough! Those who really learn bring back more questions, which lengthens the learning process..which is always a good thing! Also there are more techniques today, more tools to learn and understand, more videos to watch, more books to ponder, etc, etc, so I think that has added to the " done is better than perfect" thought process we see so much of in today's fabric manipulators. They see pretty, they want pretty, so they start their journey knowing nothing more than that. THose who have NO prior experience with textiles will have the hardest time being self taught quilter's that is for sure! This forum does help with that in one way, but hinders it in another. Example, everyone here has "their" way of doing things, right, wrong, quick, simple, etc...so how does a novice pick their way through the info? Just what is the best way to bind, cut straight, baste, etc? Being on this forum is a lot like being a member of Congress without the paid lobbying! Everyone knows what they want, and no two want the same thing..hehehe
I admit to being a bit biased, in that I prefer things done the more traditional ways. For longer lasting "skills" anyway. If it were not for those traditions we would NOT have the industry we have now!
Beautiful, beautiful post.
I was lucky enough to learn at my grandmothers' knees. Both sewed clothing and household items like curtains, one made basic quilts and the other was a master at any quilting technique or pattern. I began learning more than forty years ago and learned the basics - from drafting blocks to cutting templates to sewing perfect blocks. I learned early that a seam ripper was my best friend and still strive for perfection in my blocks.
For a new quilter, I think that learning to draft the traditional blocks and how to construct them offers a firm foundation. Maybe they'll end up liking to do the newer patterns that have few corners to match and fewer pieces, but they'll have a firm foundation and hopefully an appreciation of the techniques that go into the more complex patterns.
Along with learning to draft a block, the basics of the fabric itself - warp, weft, bias - and why it matters is important.
The more basic information a new quilter has, the easier it will be to learn the specifics of the different styles of quilts that they ultimately want to make.
Like you, I still lean more to the traditional but have updated to use some of the new supplies like rotary cutters that make the prep for construction much quicker.
My favorite technique books are by Sally Collins and after all of these years quilting, I still pick them up occasionally.