JanieH

This has been me also. I am finally learning to take down the information and then walk away. After thinking about it for the rest of the show, I generally decide I really don't need it. But there have been a very few that I went back and purchased and was glad I did. I was glad that I gave myself "thinking time" though.

Wanabee Quiltin

I know the kinds of quilts that I want to make and they don’t require much. I have recently bought some Creative Grids rulers and they are heavenly. Yesterday I bought a mini ruler to help with HST and snowball blocks. I don’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated at all. When I was a newcomer I felt overwhelmed by all the knowledge that I did not possess but it left me because no one is perfect or knows everything.

Rose_P

I have a bunch of old quilting magazines and was just trying to cull out the ones I'll never use. The ones that date to before Internet are much more oriented toward cutting with templates, which are usually included in the magazine - for us to glue onto cereal box cardboard and trace around. Frequently I look at them and think, "Wow, I'm glad there's a better, more efficient way to make that block!" The better way doesn't always involve a specialty ruler, but sometimes it's a no-brainer. For example, I can't find it right now, but there's a quilt shown that looks exactly like the ones made with the twister ruler in a magazine that predates that amazing invention. Every quarter of a block is the same simple shape throughout the quilt, just as it is if you use the twister, but how tedious to have to do that over and over. I've made three little quilts with that ruler, which was a gift from a friend. I probably wouldn't have bought it because it's not as versatile as things I buy, but the quilts were fun to make, and I'm sure I wouldn't have made them without that ruler.

I love creative tools that improve efficiency and accuracy, but before I will buy one I have to see demonstrations that convince me I would actually get quite a bit of use out of it. The Internet has certainly made it possible for good ideas and esoteric information to get passed around, not only helping a hobbyist, but also stimulating the producers and marketers of these products to expand what is available. Much of it is great, some not-so-much. I'm happy to browse and occasionally buy something new, but most of the time good basic tools are all I really need. I'm much more fascinated than intimidated by all the innovations.

Innov8R

I love to hear about new gadgets and techniques. I buy very few, but I'm always interested in what is out there.

DJ

I do sometimes find it confusing with some people loving a tool and others thinking it's a waste of money. Particularly when it comes to rotary blades (pros and cons of Harbor Freight cheap ones vs. expensive quilting blades or blade sharpeners).

Kind of like reading product reviews online. Sometimes you just have to try it out yourself to see if it works for you.

That said, I do appreciate all the helpful comments, tips, tutorials and other useful information I get from this forum.

EmiliasNana

Not overwhelmed, just amazed at all the gadgets. Sometimes they help and other times they aren't necessary. Technology has carried us far, but sometimes I prefer to do it my way and enjoy the process.

TheMerkleFamily

I always enjoy your thought provoking questions bearisgray

I still consider myself a newbie as it hasn't been quite 1 year since I purchased my 1st sewing machine... I've certainly been 'lured in' to take a look at all of the goodies & gadgets but I wouldn't say I've ever felt overwhelmed. So far, I'm just enjoying all of the possibilities of this fun and very satisfying craft that certainly consumes my free time.

I will admit it's become quite a task to manage the impulse to buy this or make that. I've also learned that this craft takes time - more time than I seem to estimate when I start a project. I'm sure I'm like many others - there's a long list (or several bins) of projects waiting for my attention (to include the specialty rulers, gadgets, etc.. I bought for those projects!)

So I'm not overwhelmed by what's out there but I certainly feel as though there's never enough time to sew/quilt/make all of the things that I'd like to!

Just my .02

Christine

bearisgray

I now think "overwhelmed" might not have been the proper word to use for this question - but it seems like mostly "experienced" people have answered it.

but - if I was a beginner - and knew nothing about this -

I would find all the conflicting advice and opinions about "the right way" on "how to" - confusing.

What is really needed? I sure have acquired a lot of "stuff" that I don't use now.

Is the biggest, most expensive, "best" item (sewing machine, die cutter, long-arm, iron - whatever ) really practical for what one will actually do with it?

How many books/patterns will actually be used?

How much "stash" is it practical/wise to acquire? Or is it better to buy"as needed" for a project?

For me, most of these questions are answered with hindsight. Ah, well. Learn and live.

trolleystation

I am sticking with what worked for me when I began quilting 40 years ago

Goatgirl

Hi! Does anyone know if the Fat Cats ruler by Darlene Zimmerman is the same size as the Double Wide Dresden by Me and My Sister Designs? I already have the Fat Cats ruler and I am wondering if I could use it on the Double Wide Dresden patterns in their book.