“It’s not real quilting”
 

Hello, all.

My DH mentioned to his older brother recently that I started making quilts. BIL asked him if I made them by hand and he said no, that I use a sewing machine. Then BIL said, “If she uses a machine then she’s not really making quilts. That’s not real quilting”. Normally I’d laugh this off but these days I’m more sensitive and emotional and this really irked my nerves. Said BIL is now visiting this weekend and I really don’t want to have to punch him in the throat about my quilting (laughing but serious). Do you ever deal with people who are jerks about your crafts and hobbies? If so, how?

When people say that to me I ask they if they wash clothes by hand or cook over and open fire. When they say no I say "So you actually cannot cook/wash laundry? It's not real if not done by hand."

This had me over here cackling! LOL!!! Good comeback, definitely gonna use this if need be, thank you!

I always say that if our great great grandmothers had had sewing machines, they would have used them too. I also like your comeback.
I have to admit I am in awe of some of the masterpieces that were turned out without all the "toys" we have, but quilting is like everything else, the technology advances.

I’m also in awe of those quilts. But I also appreciate how they quilted back then. It seems it was rarely a solitary thing. I have two grown daughters and neither of them is interested in handwork (though I made it my business to teach them the basics of sewing, knitting and crochet). It would be lovely if they’d sit down at the table with me and work on a quilt. I explained to DH that many hands make light work and today, for me to quilt something entirely by hand that’s large enough to go on a bed, by myself, would take a very long time. Not that I would not do it, I plan to one day... just not today because winter is coming😬

The first 'real' quilt show I ever attended was in Lancaster, PA in 1977. Though I had a sewer for lots of years I was just starting to quilt. I stood behind ladies looking at a quilt that had been quilted on a machine. They said, of course, that they shouldn't allow things like that in the show! Now, look at the marvelous things people do with quilting and art and the wonderful machines and tools available to us. Each of us has a place on that spectrum. I love my journey! I love the comeback above.

Shouldn’t be allowed... interesting. I’ve never been to a quilt show before. Do they have separate showcases or galleries for quilts made entirely by hand? Or is there no need to make the distinction nowadays?

Well stated, we definitely have a place on the spectrum! I love all aspects of this craft, all styles, all techniques... a fantastic journey, indeed.

Does your BIL have any hobbies? Woodworking-it’s not “real” if he uses power tools; hunting-it’s not “real” if he uses a gun rather than a bow & arrow; fishing- I guess he rows himself out there rather than ride in a boat with a motor; and so on. As said earlier, technology advances in all aspects of our lives!

go ahead and punch him in the throat.
just make sure there are no witnesses! :p

my aunt does piecing and quilting on a turn of the century treadle Singer. my mom pieces by machine and quilts by hand. I like to piece and quilt by machine. it's all quilting. ignore this guy, he's just out to be rude and mean. and never ever use your time talent and money to make him a quilt, if he asks for one, tell him that Walmart has some nice fleece blankets.