I seem to get a lot of answers from this wonderful board and I hope yall do not mind my questions about your style. I don't know anyone who quilts and I find the community here wonderful and helpful. A lot of my questions are questions I ask my self - is this the only way or are there better ways and you all give me great hope of one day being a good quilter. Anyway-- My question is....

Do you stick to a handful of blocks or are you always trying new blocks, new techniques, and new patterns.

I made 2 baby quilts (tied, no batting or binding) when I was starting out, and then I did an Irish chain. The Irish Chain seem to make itself and just flowed and so I made another Irish Chain and added a Block with the Initial of the baby I was making it for again it just flowed. Now I am working on a quilt "Let’s play baseball". Ok it did not flow. I have one boarder left and it has been sitting there for a week. I just can't seem to get to it...

So do you have a favorite block/pattern that you seem to go back to over and over or are you always trying something new??

Sorry I was wordy...


Hapy Quilting,
G

Over the years, (as I have quilted a long time) ihave tried many techniques. Applique, hand piecing, hand quilting, tieing my quilts, and everything in between. But to answer your question, I sometimes get hooked on a pattern and make many of the same using different colors. The one that comes to mind is the Bargello Heart. I have made about seven of them in various colors and sizes. All have been sent to the long armer to be quilted. Its always fun to try different patterns and ideas and some will become UFO;s cause for some reason you can't explain you just don't want to finish them. Marge

some blocks ... like rail fence, log cabin, and irish chains ... are so convenient when you need to get something done fast that it's hard to "retire" them. others i've used were such a huge pain in the sit-on-it to assemble that i'd rather stick a fork in my eye than repeat the experience. :shock: :lol:

in between are the blocks that work and play so well with others ... like classic star blocks, that i use them over and over in combination with new blocks. it doesn't feel as though i'm repeating myself. it's also easy to take a classic block and give it a whole "new" look by throwing in minor variations.

there are many hundreds of different blocks in the public domain alone. i try hard to use something "new" in every quilt because i want to try everything someday.

add the different styles, such as applique and all the different ways to do that, and i have a list so long i'll never live long enough to get to all of them. :lol:

p.s. as you can see, i have no personal objection to "wordy" posts. :lol:

I try something new with every quilt that I make. I'm still so new to quilting that I feel like I'm still trying to "find" my own style. I like to learn new things and challenge myself with every project. (otherwise I get bored)...some I do like more than others, but I like that I learn to do something new every time.

I'm still new to quilting and with the exception of the quilts I've donated, I try to do a new block for every new quilt. But whatever works best for you, is what you want to do.

There are a few patterns that I would like to one day make another quilt from, but there are so many new ones that I want to make that I have yet to start repeating them. Too many patterns, so little time!!! :D

G,

I have been at this a long time. What I like most about quilting is the hand quilting part. I have done all of the rest, blocks, applique, paper peicing etc. etc. I have mastered relatively well every method but I am happiest when I am handquitling a wholecloth item or a cheater's panel. I find that I tend to zone out when it is necessary to do the tedious parts of quilting like cutting, basting and ironing. As a woman there are a lot of things I do in that manor. As a child I hated housework, dishes etc. I have learned to do eveything even the unpleasant tasks like cleaning up after a sick child or animal with my mind kind of tuned out. I love the feel of soft beautiful fabric and enjoy collecting. I have more fabric for more projects than I will live to complete. I am going shopping today to get more storage for my collection.
I like to have somekind of handwork usually quilting when I watch TV. I wish I could read while I do handwork as it is my second love.

My advice is to figure out what part of quilting you like best, perfect that skill and do as much of the other things as it takes to get you there. Sometimes I am amazed at what I have accomplished one minute at a time.

I find that I get truly bored with a quilt if I have to use the same block throughout, so I guess I'm a sampler type quilter. The LeMoyne Star is my all time favorite block and will use on occassion, but now I am into designing my own blocks and rarely will use a pattern.

I like a challenge so I don't get bored with it so I try to do something new.

Have you tried audiobooks? It's hard to concentrate on a book while cutting or sewing blocks (machine noise gets in the way), but listening while hand quilting would work really well. I listen to some of my favorite audiobooks over and over again.

I like to do different patterns,even though I seem to get stuck on one and do several before I am really tired of it. I also like to do my own thing as I have done in several baby quilts. At this time I am finishing up on a attic windows crayon quilt,the last one of those,Thank God. I had to put it aside for 3 weeks now,haven't done anything for a while not even been in my sewing machine. But today when I get off the compter I am sandwiching quilt and basting.
BillsBonBon

Well, G-this is a very good question and you are getting some great thoughtful answers.

I have been quilting for 9+ years and still consider myself a beginner. There are just so many things to learn. I do try to challenge myself with new things and I learn something new with every quilt I make. Sometimes it is as simple as "what was I thinking when I picked THAT fabric" and other times it is a great new technique or shortcut.

I do have one pattern that I go back to time and again. It is called "Yellow Brick Road". It is a simple pattern that goes together fast. I decided when my first grandchild was born that I would make every grandchild a quilt out of the same pattern (that way no one can ever claim favorites) and this was my choice. I have used different fabrics each time and I am branching out in quilt design and so each quilt looks different.

My tastes in fabrics have changed a lot over the last 9 years. I started out as a big Debbie Mumm fan, then I went through a definite folk art period. Now, I am more into reproduction fabrics, but also find myself very much drawn to the brighter fabrics that are making their way into our shops these days. I guess I like it all and since I make a lot of quilts for others, I try to make something that fits their style. Though my choice of fabrics may change with the market, I do tend to stick with more traditional patterns.

I have tried lots of different techniques-paper piecing, machine applique with a blanket stitch, invisible machine applique, needle turn applique, chain piecing, etc. I guess I am still trying to find out what works best for me.

Through the years you will find your style--it will evolve as you do. And your style may change too. That's fine, we all grow and change in life. The journey is what is fun!!

(Like Patrice, I do not have a problem with wordy posts!!)

I have my favorite patterns (Double Irish chain is one of them ) but I love to try new things. Some patterns I don't like and will never do them again, but at least I tried them.

I agree with the concept 'too many patterns, too little time' and hope I live long enough to try them all!!!

But, I always go back to the first thing I learnt which is hexagons EPP as Granny's flower garden - NEVER seem to get bored of those hexs! I print out a black and white sheet off the computer, pinch the kids' crayons and have a great time doing 'colouring in' to come up with new patterns!

K x

I make lap quilts and use a different pattern every time.
Its fun and you learn so much with each new expierience.
I have only made two bed size and sent them out for quilting.
I prefer to do it all myself on smaller quilts.
There are just so many neat patterns to try out.
Just started a disappearing nine patch since I cut all my scraps into 5 inch squares. It is fun and simple.

Oh, what a great question and such great answers, too.

I find that my style has evolved a lot, especially recently.

The one block I always go back to is "blocks around blocks". It really is just a courthouse steps type of block, but I only do 2 or 3 steps around and often make the center a fussy cut or an applique block.

I have seen a lot of variations of this block popping up on blogs lately and I always love everyone's take on it.

Even when I make the same block in two different quilts I use different colors. I don't like making the same exact quilt twice!

I like to try new stuff. If I don't like it after I start, it usually doesn't get finished or I take it apart and do it "my way". I learned to quilt from my Grandmother and her quilting group. So if it works do it.
So far the hardest one I've done is the Dresden plate only it's done a little different so that it looks like a wheel, the Quilt is called "the Kentucky Wagon Wheel. I was doing it for a family member, who at this moment has really disappointed me and I don't know if the person will remain in the family or not. Every time I sit down to try and finish it I start crying and can't make any progress so I finally just put it up for now.
:cry:
I'm getting stuff out and probably breaking all the rules and I'm going to make a "Train Quilt" for my 5 year old grandson. He keeps asking me when I'm going to do it. He thinks Grandma can make anything. :D

I say stay with what your comfortable with--you will venture out when you are ready to try something different.

I love the challenge of new blocks and can't just continously do the same things. I also like hand quilting, even though it is hard at times when arthur ( :twisted: ) decides I'm doing to much.

but I also admit to the sometimes I need mindless..........so then I fall back on old favorites. It always depends on what is going on in the house, what is happening with family, and where my head is. Know what I mean? :roll:

Sharon

I like to learn new things. If I see something I like, I've got to try it. I'm of the same mind of too many quilt ideas and not enough time to do all of them! That's probably why I have so many WIP or UFOs.

lisaT wrote:
.....The one block I always go back to is "blocks around blocks". It really is just a courthouse steps type of block, but I only do 2 or 3 steps around and often make the center a fussy cut or an applique block.

so far, this seems to be the type of quilt i am drawn to the most. I love applique, and I love motifs. I like lots of color and putting a motif in the center of a block is a great way to use lots of color. I will probably eventually try some new things, but although I love to look at it all, I don't necessarily want to do it all. I dream far more than I can do. I think we all do.

As I'm so new to quilting, almost 3 years now, I haven't tried many blocks.

The one that I'm into right now is the Disappearing 9 Patch. It's fun and it's a fast quilt to make.

I do a different pattern and often a different style each time I make a quilt. I want to try each of the various types/patterns that I think I am capable of doing without it making me insane and/or suicidal.

I am a packrat, which means I hate to waste anything and I have a compulsion (obsession?) to finish everything I start. Nothing gets thrown away, as tempting as that might be some times.

So far I have not found any type or pattern that I absolutely love enough to do again, but I have found one that I hate. I don't know if it's the pattern or the quiltmaker (me) or both. I am almost finished the top (king sized), but it has not been much fun.

I try new patterns with every quilt. I am fairly new to quilting and I pour over the free pattern sites looking for patterns that I can make and as my skill increases, I want to try harder and more incriate patterns. I have made some quilts with the same pattern. It's a baby quilt pattern that goes together fairly quickly!

My personal preference are the "traditional" patterns. I love 'em all and there are so many of them that I haven't really repeated too many of them.

That being said, I also make novelty patterns that have just caught my eye. Usually they are for the holidays. The others are when someone wants me to make them a quilt and they get to pick the pattern.

Do what you love to do. That means, what interests you. Mybe you had enough of the Irish Chain and need to look towaards something that sparks your interest. If you only have one border left, get it done so it doesn't nag you, then get a new project going.

I buy too much fabric too, thinking of projects to do, then end up with UFO's, which nag me. I made a New Year resolution to get these UFO's done. Maybe I should do small projects, like table runners, until I get over it. At least a small project can give experience to doing just a few blocks to see if you like it.

I do both. I seem to always find something new that I want to try. If I like the way it turned out and it was fun to make, I'll keep making that pattern until I am just sick of it. But then I might come back to it later. When I first found the Warm Wishes pattern, I made 4 quilts with it. Then it was time to move on to something new. I still come back to that pattern occasionally because I just love the way it showcases the focus fabric (great for novelty prints that I use a lot).

key4unc, great avatar!
could you give a web site or the designer for Warm Wishes pattern? thanks. :D

Thanks. That pic was taken at the OR aquarium when I was on vacation last year.



Here's a link to the WW pattern: [code]http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/patt83[url] Be sure to click on "color options" to see a couple more ways to use the block. Here's one I made (don't look at the mistakes :lol: )

Guess I haven't quite figured out out to make a url link--sorry :roll:

I have a few that I have made several of--especially when I need one fast. Other than that, I love trying new things, including variations of some I have done. I have had a few that I couldn't wait to get it done and gone! I have a very long lists of "someday" which includes bargello and a watercolor landscape.

key4unc -- thanks for the link- I really like your quilt.

There are a few patterns I have done several times but I try to do things that I think the person I am making it for would like and sometimes it isn't my favorite pattern. And once in a while I see something I really want to try and make it and just wait for the right person to give it to.
Right now I'm working on
1.a single Irish Chain for my queen size bed. I've done double and triple before but I saw a single posted here a while back and decided that was what I'd like on my bed.
2.a paper pieced throw for a friend, a pattern of their choice not mine, not as much fun.
3. a grandma's flower garden I like to piece in the car when we travel.
4. I'm buying FQ for a throw for my granddaughters bed and going to use a pattern I saw on line.

Just have fun with whatever you do and if you hate it put it away and you may come back to it later.
I guess I like long posts also.

well, Judi, if you like long posts, then we have something in common, lol. Just don't know how to be a girl of a few words. oh well...it's a fun job, and I'm just the one to do it. :D

thanks, key4unc, for posting web addy. I really like your quilt. I like patterns that let you have a focus fabric or motif. I could say I have a lot of blue and orange, but i have some of everything! :D

I've been quilting since '95, but feel like a beginner bc there are soooo many blocks I have not tried (and want to try). I love the traditional blocks and there are so many. I've made a couple of samplers in classes, but I'd like to construct a quilt with just one (or two) of those blocks. I'm in a quandry right now tring to decide what block/s to use for my granddaughter's graduation quilt. If I don't stop wondering and start the quilt, she will not have it for graduation. Time's a'wastin'.

But basically I consider myself a traditionalist when it comes to blocks.

Great question! Back when watercolor was first introduced, I did several. As a result, I have a LOT of floral fabric, but I got tired of making them. Before and after that fad, I like to try new things, and if you look through my album of quilt pictures, you'll see that they are all different (except for the watercolor period). I love to try new ideas, and I usually tweak them a bit to make them 'mine' in some way.

My favorite quilt SIZE is lap - big enough to show the fun of a pattern, but not so big that you get bored. I can no longer hand quilt, and machine quilting this size quilt isn't a wrestling match.

Every once in a while, I get the urge to paper piece in order to get SHARP points. When I finish that quilt, I say 'never again.' Of course, the memory fades, and a year or 2 later, I paper piece again. If you haven't paper-pieced, the reason: PP is time-consuming, even though it produces perfect blocks. And you have all that paper to pick out when you finish . . .

I love hand-quilting and dread machine-quilting but the machine is so much faster. I'm into the D9P now and have 3 on the go.I also like Warm Wishes and have made several quilts from that pattern(usually baby quilts). Other than that, I like to try new patterns with each quilt. I did 2 Log cabin quilts but I did find that putting them together bored me. So I guess it is personal preferences and our tastes change over time. To each his own.


ranger