ILoveToQuilt

One of my favorite sayings when I am either viewing the quilts here on QB or at a quilt show is: "I am both intimidated and inspired". So no, you are not alone. I, too, have looked at some of the quilts here and my first impulse is "no way can I do that". The more I study the quilt, the more confident I am that "yes, I CAN do that!". I've been quilting since the early 1990's and still consider myself a beginner. I only make quilts for myself, rarely will I give one away (there goes that little inner voice, "it's not good enough"). So, what I have to say is this...patience, practice and persevere! You WILL be able to make the quilts you want to make! I guarantee it! Now I just have to quiet that inner voice...LOL

Anita

coopah

I look at the scrappies with all the small pieces and 1/2 square triangles and know that 's not for me. They are beautiful, but not something I want to do. My style is to have a quilt that will look good, be serviceable, and take less than a year to make. Just me. It's fascinating to see the quilts with all the small pieces, but it's just not how I want to spend my time.

youngduncan

I've reached the point where I, too, can look at a finished quilt and pretty much figure out what the individual units are. It does take some of the magic out of the whole process, and I find that when I do begin a new quilt pattern (whether printed, from the internet, or even in a class) once I get the block idea down, I'm really ready to move on to something else. Yes, I like the idea of having a project over and done with, but I've certainly managed to accumulate a lot of PIGS, PHDs, UFOs, or whatever you might want to call them. SIGH!! One of these days I'll make myself get to work on all these, right?

jmoore

I consider myself a beginner as I have only done a few quilts over the past 3 years, but like ILoveToQuilt, I am both intimidated and inspired by others' beautiful work . I try to step out of my comfort zone with each new project I take on.

mirish2

I agree that quilt magazines and patterns make good "reading", much like recipes in a cook book. While there are some patterns that are truly lovely, like Baltimore Album appliques, I know my fingers and patience will never go there. Quilting is like everything else in the world, many skill levels and tastes, which provides wonderful variety. So, I don't think we should judge anyone as "lazy". I could never paint like Monet, but I can appreciate his talents.

tessagin

This is the exact reason I check videos and tutorials. To see how complicated it "is not".

Sunnye

I look at something and, if I like it, I say two things:
1. I could do that!
2. How?

Sometimes I make up my own way of doing things (quicker, cheater ways, whatever). As long as it looks ok and I like it, what the heck. And ya know something, the more I make up my own way of doing things, I realize that it really isn't my original idea; it's already been done!

My advice: Go for it!

Abby'smom

me too -- I'm for fast, simple, and easy -- lazy, impatient, unchallenged!! -- I'm into mug rugs for bee gifts at the moment -- I like to have finished projects and am really a one-at-a-time quilter

sewbizgirl

If I love the design and want to make it, I just do what it takes to get it done. At least once, that is...

ShirlinAZ

You are not alone Donna. I lack the patience to tackle a quilt that I think will take a long time to make. I know now that I have the skill but I still prefer quick quilts, or at least medium quick.