Enjoy the process or race to the finish line?
10-12-2011, 07:40 AM
#41
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Originally Posted by ghostrider
Perhaps for many the passion grows with experience...like love for another person grows the more time you spend with them, the more you learn about them? ;)
But that is a good analogy. :-D
10-12-2011, 07:43 AM
#42
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Location: Riverside Washington
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I only quilt because I enjoy it. That being said, there are times I use the fast and frenzied patterns, unexpectd gifts needed, my donated quilts when I want to get several ready to go in a short period. I have even been known to birth and tie a quilt. LOL
10-12-2011, 07:44 AM
#43
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Location: Southeast Wisconsin
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I work fulltime also and can relate to that "too tired to quilt at night".
I an driven by procrastination also and only hurry when a deadline is approaching. I also tend to underestimate how long something is going to take me! (The quick and simple wall hanging for Halloween was started end of September and through resewings and weekend commitments is not done yet!)
I too do not understand the rush to finish a quilt in four hours phenomena either. If I am going to put time into a quilt I want to enjoy the making.
I an driven by procrastination also and only hurry when a deadline is approaching. I also tend to underestimate how long something is going to take me! (The quick and simple wall hanging for Halloween was started end of September and through resewings and weekend commitments is not done yet!)
I too do not understand the rush to finish a quilt in four hours phenomena either. If I am going to put time into a quilt I want to enjoy the making.
10-12-2011, 07:54 AM
#44
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Originally Posted by sewmary
I too do not understand the rush to finish a quilt in four hours phenomena either. If I am going to put time into a quilt I want to enjoy the making.
10-12-2011, 07:59 AM
#45
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Location: Upstate NY
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I am very ADD, so I love the idea and buying the fabrics, but I get bored easily, so by the time I am piecing it all together, I am looking to the next one. I find table runners are about my speed - they are mostly done before I get itchy!!
Also, I am still a beginner, so the process is difficult for me, still. It does not yet come naturally, sewing difficult seams, etc.
Nancy
Also, I am still a beginner, so the process is difficult for me, still. It does not yet come naturally, sewing difficult seams, etc.
Nancy
10-12-2011, 08:30 AM
#46
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Location: Pacific Northwest
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I would also say I am a hybrid in the sense that sometimes I like to work on shorter projects (Placemats, table runners, baby quilts) so I can have that sense of accomplishment that comes with a finished project. That being said, I am a VERY SLOW quilter. I don't quilt that often and it takes me a while to blow the dust off my skills and re-engage them after long stints away from my sewing room. I am currently trying to get over that habit, and replacing TV time with quilting time.
I do enjoy the process - there is something special in the evolution of a quilt from pattern to finish that I really cherish. But there are also times when I don't want to be too challenged. Sometimes I get bogged down by my own perfectionist tendencies so it is nice to have a "no-brainer" project to unwind with. It gets me back in touch with that enjoyment and process that inspires me in the first place. That is when I turn to "quick" quilts. Simple strip piecing, block patterns, etc., are perfect for blowing off the dust, winding down after or in between working on a really challenging quilt, or helping to overcome a quilting block on another project.
I do not rush though. I am simply not capable of rushing. I have been quilting for 4 years and have barely gone beyond basic piecing techniques because I labor over the process and nitpick my work to death. That being said, I LOVE the process and find it very liberating!
I do enjoy the process - there is something special in the evolution of a quilt from pattern to finish that I really cherish. But there are also times when I don't want to be too challenged. Sometimes I get bogged down by my own perfectionist tendencies so it is nice to have a "no-brainer" project to unwind with. It gets me back in touch with that enjoyment and process that inspires me in the first place. That is when I turn to "quick" quilts. Simple strip piecing, block patterns, etc., are perfect for blowing off the dust, winding down after or in between working on a really challenging quilt, or helping to overcome a quilting block on another project.
I do not rush though. I am simply not capable of rushing. I have been quilting for 4 years and have barely gone beyond basic piecing techniques because I labor over the process and nitpick my work to death. That being said, I LOVE the process and find it very liberating!
10-12-2011, 08:48 AM
#47
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Quilt in a day sounds really nice but what size quilt are they talking about? 10 minute block - I've heard on here where that has taken a lot longer than 10 minutes. I think these titles are named this way to try to entice you to try them. I'm not fast by any means. I usually make large bed size quilts (only 1 baby quilt) - the repetition doesn't bother me too much as I learned in my factory job to play mind games while doing repetitious jobs. I guess I'm not too worried about speed as right now they're all for me and hopefully someday (when I'm gone) my kids and grandkids if my kids ever give me any. I do sometimes have more than 1 quilt going because I like a pattern and want to start it. Setting a record for the most quilts in a lifetime is not my goal but rather to enjoy what I do make.
10-12-2011, 09:06 AM
#49
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burton on Trent
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by k3n
Thank you for your replies - they all make perfect sense! quilterella, I can understand what you're saying - perhaps the patterns and techniques you are choosing could be reviewed? Perhaps you could look at techniques that will hold your interest throughout the project? I can't make for example a large quilt from loads of identical blocks - I'd get bored very quickly and give up! I stopped beating myself up about leaving something half finished a looooong time ago. I have around 6 tops waiting to be quilted and a couple of other WIPs at different stages. If something has really lost my interest, or isn't turning out as I envisaged. I refuse to MAKE myself finish things I've come to hate - I've even cut things back up to salvage what fabric I can and binned the rest if I know it's a dead horse I'm flogging. I DO leave them to one side for a while first though to see if I come back later with fresh eyes I can fall back in love!
Brit kitty (great name!) I admire your dedication - I really do. :-D
Debbie, those are DEADLINES so I'll forgive you! :lol:
Brit kitty (great name!) I admire your dedication - I really do. :-D
Debbie, those are DEADLINES so I'll forgive you! :lol:
10-12-2011, 09:08 AM
#50
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Location: Burton on Trent
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Thank you k3n I'm a Brit and love cats so I figured it fit me LOL. As for the dedication sometimes it wavers and I am tempted to start something else but I do love the process of finishing a quilt. I have 2 nieces who I'm waiting patiently to start having babies so that I can start a whole new range of quilting ideas, :D
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