Sewsweet

:thumbup:

thequilteddove

If you are a writer is it cheating to use a computer instead of a pen? If you are an engineer is it cheating to use a cad program instead of graph paper & a pencil? If you're a mechanic is it cheating to use a computer to diagnos car problems instead of take'n the car apart piece by piece? If you're a scientist is using a computer cheating to do finite math? Law enforcement... to keep track of all those criminals on the street. All your manufacturing processes. Surgeons! On & on!

Is using a sewing machine to piece cheating OR even to quilt with? How many of use a computerized EMBROIDERY machine. Nothing is more precious than something done completely by hand but how many of use choose to use a machine to help us do the things we want to do? Most of us can't even be bothered to walk next door to talk with our neighbor, we call them on the phone, email or text!

Time conservation, cost effectiveness - that is what technology is all about. Because something has been made easier or faster does not mean quality or even pride in workmanship has to be sacrificed.

I have the ability to do both hand guided quilting or computerized. Most of my customers CHOOSE computerized e2e designs because they can get beautifully intricate designs at a reasonable price.

I would NEVER under any circumstance compare the beauty of hand quilting to what I do. Would any of you compare the quality of a hand made piece of furniture to that you bought at furniture store (unless of course that furniture store specialized in hand made furniture :) )

sandpat

I agree with the others...its not "cheating", it is different skill sets though. Quilts shouldn't be judged side by side that are done using a panto or program..next to one that was free hand free motion quilted....different animals.

QUILTHER

I second this thought.
Diane/Wyoming

grannypat7925

Whatever works! It is still quilting in my opinion!

weezie

"Cheating" implies that person or persons are being victimized. I fail to see how that applies in quilting, unless it involves deliberate theft or intent to mis-lead. How one chooses to make quilts is a personal preference and cheating does not enter into it.

catrancher

I'm trying to find my rule book so I can check. Is it "cheating" to use EQ to design? I'll look that up too--just as soon as I find the book.

Kieta

how can you cheat at quilting? i will say that computerized quilting looks great but is hard for those of us still perfecting our FMQ skills. i look at those beautiful quilts and wonder how will i ever master those designs. i'm making my peace with the fact that i won't be as good as a computer and i'll probably never enter a show. still, i know my quilts are used & well loved.

Dee Dee

I think of quilts as a work of art. You get to decide what tools to accomplish it. We use the results of computer designs in many ways. If a computer generated design produces a lovely "picture" in a reduced amount of time, what can be wrong with that?

Hand quilting is also a great treasure as well. The hand-quilted pieces I have from relatives are precious.

quiltmom04

I'll bet there was a point when someone used a ringer washer instead of a wash board and it was considered "cheating". Anyone want to go back there? :) If you enter a quilt in a show and say it's hand guided and it's reall computerized, I'd consider THAT cheating, but not just using computerized quilting! Wish I had the resources for that!