Choices and/or options
 

I am so glad that I am no longer a "newbie" to the world of quilting/sewing.

There are so many options available.

I think everyone wants to "get it right" on the first try - and when a question is asked, one usually gets differing answers.

So what is the "right" way? "right" choice?

Turns out that - usually - there is more than one option.

It also took me (and still takes) a while to know/learn what I don't know. And what questions to ask.

So - ask away. Eventually one comes to "what works for oneself" -

I have taken quite a few detours - some things worked well. Some things were definitely "learning experiences" - and were in the category of "won't do that again."

That part about "oneself" or "for me" is important. Different people get different/equal results using those different techniques.

As I've been dealing with my vision issues I'm also adding "for now" to my choices. I have changed from being very fussy and precise with both my cutting and piecing to being rather free and careless with cut/sew large and trim down for accuracy. Periodically I try different methods or review my earlier choices.

You could have heard the volume of my sniff of disdain for the "fabric wasteful" methods of making a triangle by sewing the diagonal down two squares 20-30 years ago. But I did my tests and it turned out when they are small there is very little waste anyway, usually not that really impacts how many cuts you get per width of fabric (usually only a difference of one per row). If the squares are big enough to worry about, just make a bonus unit.

Another thing I've changed on is non-slipping rulers, or again with my sniff I would call "only usable on one side" rulers. Hated them at first, love them now.

I have my anti-quilt police pressing wide open, but then I use "competition standard continuous bias binding with mitered corners and an invisible final seam"., we can mix and match our choices!

agree with both of you. I Keep trying things- techniques, tools, etc. I don’t want to miss out on something to make my quilting better and/or more
enjoyable because of “I was taught to always...” and get stuck in that rut. If the tried and true always works no need to try something else. But I’m always open.

Teen years, middle school sewing class. Oh boy, do NOT match plaids with stripes, prints with prints. But when I started quilting, it was hard to not use stripes with prints, etc. I learned to have options and choices. I do use prints, stripes and plaids. Maybe not next to each other, but there they are.

Favorite says are , your quilt your way and there is never just one way to do something.

Some ways are easier- faster or better. But they will all turn out.

This same thing happened to me. I was taught to "match" colors with colors in Home Ec. If a blouse was made of a pink print then the skirt had to have pink in it somewhere. And, don't ever put pink next to red or green next to blue! I think that is the reason I have such a hard time with color selections in quilts now. But boy do I love quilts with all colors and patterns in them mixed together.
Thanks, Bear for your thought provoking questions/comments on the board. I always gravitate to your posts for inspiration & help in the psychological aspects of quilting. You keep my mind level. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

I also came from the era of only one print per outfit, etc.

Pink and gray or charcoal for the guys (maybe 1958 or so?) was really radical!

When someone asks how to do something I will tell them this is the way I do it. Then I will encourage them to try other options as well. What I prefer may not be the best fit for you. It’s all about what is most comfortable and efficient for you at this time.

Would life be easier/simpler if there really was only one "right" way to do something?

Well, yes life would be easier/simpler but wouldn't that cause us to be less inquisitive & hinder us from spreading our wings. I think it would lend to more boredom in our lives. Now you have to understand that I'm not one who can think much out of the box but every now & then I surprise myself with something that just "came to me" out of the blue that turned out to be really good. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

Years ago, I used to hear people saying that a machine quilted quilt was not a "real" quilt. Thankfully, we don't hear that anymore!

I continue to attempt to try something new with my quilting experiences daily. I may not achieve perfection for months to come, if ever. Right now I am working on a new challenge with the Drunkard's Path. My first attempt many years ago was in my opinion a disaster! So I set this idea aside until now. I am getting a better hang of things and trying to be creative as I go. It is always options and choices. Growth is the only option for me. I am not an artsy quilter but I love traditional quilts. I am always trying to do one better than the last. I know there is no such thing as the perfect quilter or quilt but every quilt stands on its own beauty!

I am always trying new things...hence a drawer full of orphan blocks.

Something that a few years ago I turned my nose up at was ironing seams open. Now, I do it all the time. I guess I'm evolving.

Like cjsews, when I demonstrate something, I always preface with, "This is how I do it, but you might find it easier another way..." because everyone is different. I'm all about finding easier ways to do things.

Watson

I still usually cut only one layer at a time - because if I mess up - it is only one layer! Even though many people cut several layers at one time.

I am trying to remember if any question asked here has only gotten "one way" to do something. Many times there is "a majority" - but usually there are options. (Some of that may be because we are supposed to be nice/polite/positive here.)

I think we learn something new every quilt we make and I feel I am still learning different and improved ways to do things. Yes, there are many times when I think I will be able to make something and it really goes askew and I say "I will never do that again".!!

Funny you should ask!

I don't have the thought of only one way. However, I do take time with extra details and happy with the results. At the end of day (quilt) I just try my best. The blocks are square, the quilt is square, the binding and label are on. Yep, it's done...so good enough.

I can finally get myself (quilt) out of a jam. I don't design my own quilt patterns but will change out fabrics for other colors. I am happy with the different trails in my quilt journey and the process along the way. Sometimes, I can even help someone with their quilting dilemma. It's all fun stuff.

God made us all different. He's pretty smart. So I need to honor that wisdom and accept all the difference in others. But I'm bound for perfection in myself-so critical of myself. Maybe I should just accept that God didn't make a mistake when He made me.

So you can all have a different opinion than me. It's all good.

I made my first few quilts using patterns from a book. Then I ventured to taking a few classes. Then joining a quilt group, then a guild. Many many classes, quilt shows, tutorials, new tools, new techniques and methods of quilting later I am now back to doing it the way I began, my way. I want a block to fit and it doesn't, I trim, add on, fuse, tuck, tack, ease and fudge my way to looks like it was made perfect to begin with. I have won enough blue ribbons at local shows and fairs to know I don't need to do what others think is the right way to make a quilt. I have never asked anyone's opinions of my fabric or color choices or lay out. It's not their decision and I never understood others asking would this fabric be okay, or what color sashing should I use or should I add a border.

Well, I sometimes get opinions on fabric combinations from my sister because she has such a good eye. I keep telling her she would be a fabulous quilter but she just laughs and says "if I can't make it in 5 minutes I'm not interested" hahahaha!
Bear- I think if there was only one way to do something life would be incredibly boring!

I agree.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.