sew_it_up

I bought a book a couple of years ago. I made 2 pot holders back then. I found the book again in 2009. My children all received "kitchen stuff" for Christmas 2009. I made more of these potholders plus a variety of others. The Cotton Theory potholders were much more difficult and time consuming than the others.

I tried to post some photos but was unable to load them.

kittykatz2001

That's what I plan to do. I think I will like it. I tend to like tedious. Am I nuts or what?

jaciqltznok

too time consuming, wastes fabric and leaves all those seams out in the open....won't hold up to wear and washing...those seams are just too vulnerable.

gmaybee

I have taken several classes with Betty and love the technique. I teach at our LQS and this is one of the classes I teach. I would love to go to Wisconsin and take a retreat there with Betty. Check out her site (Quilt yard) and all the pictures of her place. I have a lot of her books.

AnnieF

I took a cotton theory class and did not enjoy it at all...apparently my old sewing machine was not up to the challenge of sewing all of those layers together. Never tried it again when I purchased a new machine.

MomtoBostonTerriers

kittykatz2001,

I love Cotton Theory. I am a new quilter, so I figure if I can make a quilt with Cotton Theory, anyone can. It does indeed take a lot of time to cut out the front and backing pieces of each quilt, and the quilting takes a while, but when all the pieces are completed, the quilt is finished! No sending it off to a long arm quilter, no wrestling it all over the room to get it quilted.

I've seen quilts made by expert quilters at Cotton Theory Camp, and they are to die for -- just like going to the Houston Quilt Show and being in awe of those quilts. I'm not in that league, but it is inspiring to know that Cotton Theory quilts can be very complicated and beautiful, but are also something that newbies like me can handle.

I have found that the quilts are NOT stiff and anyone who produces a stiff quilt is not doing the Cotton Theory seams correctly. The seams are not "open," but are beautifully finished with your choice of fancy stitches.

I hope you enjoy your class. As with anything in quilting, start with a small project and practice until you get the hang of it.

Here are a few of my beginner Cotton Theory products.

kittykatz2001

[quote=MomtoBostonTerriers]kittykatz2001,

I love Cotton Theory. I am a new quilter, so I figure if I can make a quilt with Cotton Theory, anyone can.

Ohh, so glad to hear some positive things. I guess this is one of those techniques that you either love it or hate it. That seems to be the way PP is. Which is another thing I would like to learn. Even tho it's been 5 years since I've started this I still feel like a beginning quilter. I had 2 1/2 years during that time that I was not able to quilt.

Am healthy now so anxious to get back to it. I am starting with my scraps, now a class and have, like any other quilter, quite a few that need finishing. Seems like a good start for a new year to me. If I can only stay healthy.

Everything I have made have been given away or are wip. Except for one that I cannot find a photo of right now.

quiltinghere

I agree with you. You're quilts are BEAUTIFUL.

My first quilt was a Queen Cotton Theory quilt Log Cabin using just a zig-zag stitch. I've been using it for quite a few years and it's as soft and warm as can be! I don't know how it could be considered a waste of fabric. All strips are cut ahead of time...where's the waste?

I loved the fact that the quilt was being finished as I sewed. Hmmm maybe I should make another one...then I'd have 2 completed quilts :)

kittykatz2001

[quote=MomtoBostonTerriers]kittykatz2001,

I love Cotton Theory. I am a new quilter, so I figure if I can make a quilt with Cotton Theory, anyone can.

The finished quilt I saw at their booth in Houston was a Log Cabin and I thought it was the most beautiful thing..........I went back to get a quilt kit, about 3 hours later and yep, you guessed it, they were sold out!! Oh well, I like picking out my own fabrics anyway. Your quilts are just gorgeous!! I am hoping I like this technique. I want a Log Cabin..............

nycquilter

I tried it and HATED it...it is probably the only project that I did not finish AND threw away in about 20 years of quilting...my opinion? RUN the other way (but again, thta is only my opinion, experience)

Laurie