jillaine

I'm a hybrid.

I love the process, too, but there are some things that are too tedious for me, so for those reasons, I will do as much strip-piecing and time-saving as possible. That said, you'll probably find it ironic that I *love* hand-sewing the binding at the end. And I also take the time to do Sharon Shambers' hand-basting of the sandwich. (The results are SO much better when I do this.)

I've started doing more hand-quilting. I also love this, too, but it's taking too long. I love the control and the look it provides, but it really slows down the completion of the quilt (and therefore getting started on another project!).

I've started teaching myself FMQ because the other thing I find tedious is standard machine quilting. Mostly because I've never been super satisfied with the results. (They've gotten better since doing Shambers' hand basting, though.)

ghostrider

For me, it's the process. I never do 'matching' blocks anymore, choosing instead to design and make quilts that are dimensional or optical patterns or are small art or mixed media quilts.

It's all about the journey and what I learn along the way. Sometimes the side roads are the best part. Sometimes it's even a dead end, but the lessons learned make those worthwhile just the same. It's never about getting to the end by the shortest route...you see so much more by bicycle than by jet plane. :D

Annaquilts

I like everything but seem to avoid the patterns that are geared towards a super fast quilt. I am definitely not aposed to simplifying techniques. Where I get bogged down is the actual quilting. Maybe if I had a long arm? I also avoid projects that would keep me tied down for years on the same quilt. I just simply have too many quilts too make. So does that put me some where in the middle?

lfletcher

I do a little of both. If I spend a lot of time on a quilt, I generally want to do something quick the next time.

sparkys_mom

Well, I'm a 3 year old quilter (that is to say I've been quilting 3 years) and I have yet to achieve anything "wonderful" but I do enjoy the whole process. So far, I have always used patterns, but I've chosen my own fabrics rather than use kits. Exception being a few kits supplied by Quilts For Kids.
I enjoy choosing the fabrics, piecing, even pin basting the sandwich, and I love the feel of the quilt as it becomes a quilt. I'll never forget the first one I made and what a delightful experience that was when the top, batting, and back suddenly started to feel like a real quilt.
I've started looking at patterns now with an eye to modifying them. As fall and winter approach, I'm looking forward to having more time to do just that.

Hen3rietta

For me it's all the process. If I'm not happy with my choices for the next step or if something just isn't clicking, I'll often let a project sit until I have an ah-ha! moment. Fine wine needs to mature and sometimes so does quilting. IMHO

grann of 6

I wouldn't call mine "race to the finish" quilts. I have made some "for me" difficult quilts and right now I am in the charity giving mode and don't feel it is necessary to make some difficult or fussy pattern. I like to "enjoy" the process of quilting and not have to keep reading and rereading directions. I love doing strippy and scrappy quilts using my large and growing stash. I am at that time in my life when it is time to just sit back and enjoy life moving around me, therefore I do quickie quilts which makes for fewer WIPs or UFOs.

janRN

What a great thread. I'm always amazed at posts that say "look what I did today" and it shows a completed quilt top. And it's lovely--I'm not criticizing. That's just not me. I worked for 40 years and in that time did a few quickie quilts but always, always wanted to just be a quilter. Now that I only work a few days a month, I'm doing those involved patterns. Just did the Farmers Wife Sampler quilt and it took 1 year; I enjoyed every single minute of it and look forward to the next Farmers Wife Pony quilt.
I also hate repeating blocks; a 4-block table runner of the same block has me bored by the 3rd block. I think the quilts with lots of the same blocks are stunning, it's just not me.
I guess we're alike but different. Each quilter is unique to their own style and preference and talent level.
Thanks for this thread--it's so interesting to learn more about fellow quilters.

May in Jersey

Most of the time my quilts go slowly because I take time to coordinate the fabrics, sew the blocks correctly to make sure the quilts will look its best. There are times when I need a quick quilt so I use a simple pattern and machine stitch the binding down instead of handsewing it, usually these are baby or kid quilts or ones that I make for my guild's Giving Closet.

Then there are times when I feel stressed so I get out my scrap stash and make a bunch of string blocks. They go so quickly that I can make 24 of them in a morning, just enough for a small quilt top that I most likely would donate to HeartStrings Project. Sometimes I just donate the blocks, 24 for a small quilt or 48 for a larger one. When I finish my stress is relieved, my scrap stash is reduced a bit and I feel good about donating to a group that makes Charity quilts.

k3n

Thanks for all the comments - it is really so interesting to have a little peek into other quilters' though processes. I really identify with the comment about the moment when a quilt becomes a quilt - I love that too - when I start the quilting and the texture starts going into it, it really comes alive. I'd love a long arm one day but for now am enjoying FMQ on my Janome - at least then I actually handle the piece - though if it were on a long arm frame, I guess I could stroke it lots. :-D

By the 'race to the finish'comment, I didn't necessarily mean that all of these would be easy or straightforward projects - my question was more about the attitude of mind while working. Even a complex project could be rushed and not enjoyed. I'm so happy to read that so many ppl DO actually enjoy the process - some comments I've read in other threads recently have made me think that too many see quilt-making as a chore. Hence my OP. :D