Attention span - - -
 

After learning a new technique -

Do you feel that you have to "do something" with it?

or

Are you okay with - "Okay, I know how to do that" - and not "do something" with it?


I hate to admit I'm in the second group, but I am.

If I see a video on a new technique, it is usually the bit of knowledge that I need in order to finish a quilt.

I like to try them. If I like it I will usually "do something" with it. If I don't like it, I am satisfied just knowing that I can do it.

I don't necessarily have to 'do something' with a new technique or method but I do have to repeat it several times for it to 'stick' (pp'ing comes to mind). But I'm usually working on a new quilt when that situation applies so I suppose I do end up 'doing something' with it after all.

Oh, I have to do it multiple times these day for it to 'stick'. Then, when I get ready to use it again, if much time has passed, I have to look it up again..... Sad, really. .... :)

I like to try it on a practice block to make sure I have it right before I do it on a quilt.

I like learning new things, but I don't feel that I have to use them, maybe I will eventually. I went to a class on trapunto, I have no plans to use what I learnt but I enjoyed the class, and now I feel that I now have another skill if I ever feel that I might need it.

To me the fun is in the learning how not doing because I know how.

I think this is where I went wrong a long time ago. Every new class I took, I went wild with starting a new project using that skill. And those new skills usually require certain supplies and tools. And then the UFOs stack up. Well, some of you know the drill.....

So I have 30 quilt tops - pieced but not layered and quilted - because I wanted to try the technique. Mastered it and moved on.

I'm in both camps. I'll research and learn for a project I am working on but I will also research and learn about something which I think looks interesting even if I don't think I will do it myself.

My opinion too.

I like to try it on a block. That produces orphan blocks. Sometimes I put all these orphan blocks into a quilt with coordinating sashing. Most of them look great.
If I don't try it on a block, I keep notes or a print-out of it. My stack of such things is getting deep, but even deep stacks don't take up too much room.

It really just depends. Some new things I think are exciting and I can't stop thinking of the possibilities so I have to go experiment RIGHT AWAY. Other new things I just sort of tuck into a corner of my mind for some other time when it seems appropriate.

I do a lot of scrappy and crazy quilts though, so an experimental block or two doesn't turn into a UFO, they just get mixed in with one of my always-ongoing scrap/crazy quilts.

I like learning new things just to deepen the well of ideas to draw from when I am planning a project. I would hate to think I have to make something to represent every single thing I know how to do. :)

When it's time to use something, I can always refresh my memory by reviewing a tutorial or referring to my drawings and notes.

That's me! Maybe shouldn't admit it, but sometimes I will see something I made 10-15 years ago and remember absolutely nothing about making it. But I am proud of the workmanship!