Do all quilters consider machine embroidery to be quilting?
 

First of all, let me just 'fes up and say that I am NOT a fan of machine embroidery. I just don't see the beauty or skill in something a sophisticated machine generates out of a program. The reason I ask my question is that I have been in several swaps over the past year and in each one people seem to be going more towards machine embroidery for their designs, rather than creating their designs with piecework, applique or hand embroidery. Is it considered part of quilting nowadays? I don't see it as quilting at all. Embroidery is it's own thing, to my mind. I hesitate to enter swaps anymore because you get so much machine embroidery! And to suggest you don't like it makes you the 'bad guy'. Just wondering what others think. Is it just universally accepted and embraced? I cringe when I see it on a quilt.

Well machine embroidery is not much different than computerized quilting machines in my book anyway.

It is just personal preference. I don't appreciate machine embroidery or computerized long arm quilting the way some do. I also do not like a densely quilted quilt. I can appreciate the skill and talent it takes if the quilter goes freehand, but I still don't like it. I'm sticking with what I like. I have never entered a swap.

not my first choice! I have a embroidery machine but if I do anything it is for a wall quilt. I dislike the poofy look of embroidery as it hangs off a wall in a saggy state. All mine are tacked down through the embroidery and quilted evenly throughout.

I don't consider machine embroidery on a quilt as "quilting". I see it more as decorative. I've never been much of a machine embroidery person either now or in the past. I really don't even care for those little embroidered motifs that you can buy & sew on to things.

I used to feel the same way about machine embroidery. Just enter the program and let the machine do the rest. It really isn't that easy, and after learning more about it I have a greater respect for the people that do it well. Much like using a long arm to quilt, it does take a lot of skill. Each piece needs to be valued on its own. Some embroidery machines have quilting guilt in to it, you have to do each one separate - that is a lot of work. But just an embroidered block, is just another way to make a quilt, much like using a panel.

people used to hand quilt... now there's machine quilting. people used to hand embroider... now there's machine embroidery. i never use a commercial embroidery design... i digitize my own. this is the most time-consuming part of many of my small quilts. i rarely use it on large quilts. i appreciate all methods of getting a quilty piece of 'art'

It's perfectly acceptable that you do not care for the look of machine embroidery - everyone has their own preferences and all are completely valid! While the machine may stitch out the actual design, please understand there is quite a bit of work involved in matching threads to your project fabrics and to compliment the overall embroidery design not to mentioned determining the right stabilizer(s) and test stitch outs to be sure you have the right combinations for your projects. Before you begin any stitch out you also have to review the design to make sure you know what each color change does, which ones provide the primary color of an object and which ones provide shading, or shadows, or if they contrast or blend with the primary color. Many designs may have 15 to 30 color changes (some are much higher) which provides detail and or shading to the finished design and may take well over an hour to produce a single design. By the time you make a couple test stitch outs you may well have 4 to 5 hours invested in a single 5 x 7 design. I recently completed an embroidery wall hanging, approximately 35 x 45, which had a total of 497,000 stitches in the 25, 6 x 6, blocks before they were even sewn together. While you do not need to like the look of machine embroidery, please appreciate that there may be great deal of work and frankly skill involved in producing that embroidery design.

I make quilts. I do machine embroidery. Sometimes I combine the two arts. I don't do swaps but if I did, I would not send an embroidered block unless it was a requirement of the swap.

Cari

That is what I was thinking. They are two different things.

I agree -- they are two different things. May I suggest that when you join a swap, specify that you do not care to receive machine embroidered items, either in the info you send to the hostess (if it is not a partnered swap) or in a PM to your swap partner. I'm sure your partner would want you to receive something you would enjoy. :)

There are so many ugly things in life. I do enjoy making something pretty, be it watering my plants and looking at them, doing quilts and quilt blocks that turn out alright and marveling at what my embroidery machine can do. How can you not? I use machine embroidery to enhance the things I make. If you don't like it, let your friends know, they may save time and money. To be fair, there are embroidery patterns and embroidery patterns.

I guess it's a personal choice.

What an interesting discussion! I entered my machine quilted quilts when it was NOT readily acceptable in quilt shows and WON!! I do think that quilters have to be careful about the weight factor and proportions when putting embroidery into a quilt. I also don't particular care for densely quilted items because it takes your eyes away from a beautifully pieced quilt. I myself have always preferred the look of hand quilting. But if others prefer to quilt that way, I am certainly not going to object to how they quilt their quilt.

It's just another possible tool in a quilter's workbox. We all have our own likes and dislikes. It's similar to the ongoing discussions on "too much" quilting, tying vs. quilting, hand work vs. machine, all quilting cottons vs. blends, etc. The quilting universe is big enough for everyone. Like everything else I've seen quilts with embroidery, both hand and machine, that I didn't think enhanced the design, and I've seen quilts where embroidery accents have elevated a hum drum top. This is where the skill in machine embroidery lies, and there is some skill needed to be successful. Choosing a design of appropriate size and density for your project, proper stabilization, correct thread: weight, color and content, precise placement all take some level of expertise.
I don't know the answer about receiving something you don't care for in an exchange. To me, an exchange is getting something I would not have made myself, but I guess you would need to carefully read the rules of a specific exchange to ensure the item you get is to your taste and follows the rules. If a machine embroidered item adheres to the rules, then you may need to petition the moderator of the event to add a rule to exclude such items. Or host an exchange yourself where you create the exchange guidelines.

As many have said, there is just as much work involved in machine embroidery- as far as the "quilting" part, not piecing, i don't look at it any different than a computerized longarm. I personally prefer all freehand for myself, and I do like heavy quilting if the quilt warrants it. I think the quilting process is just as important as the piecing- so when I learned to piece, I started to practice quilting sandwiches. Some people hate it- that's okay!

I personally don't care for the embroidery on quilts either. I hold these in their own category. Just as whole cloth quilts are in a separate category from pieced. They are beautiful to look at but I would not have the patience to do one myself It is a personal preference for me. Just as the baggy pants that the kids wear. Not my style. They can have it and I will enjoy what I like best

It is an interesting discussion! I'm glad no one got mad at me for my opinion of machine embroidery. I do appreciate it takes skill in running any machine, but that doesn't make me like the outcome any more. I hope we will hear some more opinions.

As quiltingcandy said embroidering on a quilt to quilt it is not as easy as it sounds. I do it all the time. First you have to find a design to use that is not heavy, or digitized one. The placing of the design on the quilt so it looks continuous is not easy.

I don't care for machine embroidery. For me the stitching is too concentrated and stiff.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you like the look or enjoy doing it, go for it. If you don't like it don't do it. I also recommend if you have never tried it, do, you may be surprised. I have a dear friend who said for years "I just don't like those artsy wall-hanging things, they just aren't quits to me" 4 years go I talked her into taking a class with me. She has since won several awards for her "Artsy quilt's" LOL

Personally, I don't much care for detailed, fancy embroidery of any type on quilts (as opposed to single lines of machine or hand embroidery stitches), but if I were in a swap, there is no way I would be so 'presumptive' as to request no embroidery on what was sent to me.

Swaps are about sharing a piece of yourself, building confidence, and friendships, new and old. They're not about collecting works that are duplicates of what you would make for yourself. If it's not worth the risk of receiving something that "makes you cringe" (your words), don't join. It's that simple. Why make someone you don't even know afraid to trade with you? http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...c/twocents.gif

I certainly do! Because of a serious injury, I have a rod in my arm, from the shoulder to 1/2 way down to the elbow, thus making it very painful to machine quilt or even hand qujilt. I bought my embroidery machine to do the quilting for me. I use outline stitches and have gotten many compliments on my "quilting"

What an interesting topic!! I can't help but think what a dull world it would be if we all did the same thing. Personally, I like machine embroidery as well as hand embroidery and have done both on quilts. I had a quilt in 3 AQS shows that had machine embroidery on it. I machine quilted it on my Pfaff machine. I am now working on a hand embroidered quilt that my grandmother did the embroidery on each block. I am hand quilting that one. Variety is the spice of life. There are so many ways to make a quilt, chose the one that you like best and do it.

Well, I don't like Sunbonnet Sue or Fisherman Sam, but I won't run down someone who does them. I also don't care for crazy quilts, but I sure wouldn't criticize anyone who put all that work into one. I have embroidery machines, and I have a computerized longarm. I have arthritis in my hands and can't do the hand stitching any more. There is a whole lot of work that goes into the preparation for machine embroidery and computerized quilting. And as said previously, if you don't like what you are getting, then don't join. I stopped joining swaps because I was working many hours to make a wonderful wall hanging and received something that only took a couple hours. That is not the object of the swaps. If it stops being fun then by all means quit.

I'm not a fan of machine embroidery for quilts. The colors and designs are beautiful and eye catching but why are the designs so stiff? And most have wrinkles around the design. I like a simple computer LA quilting designs on quilts. There are many quilts I make that this type of quilting is perfect for them. I don't do swaps , as many have stated, I spend a lot of time making my best work and get lousy last minute back in return.

If a quilter loves doing the machine quilting or embroidery then that is the same passion I have for my way of quilting. We are all quilters.

photos of my emb machine quilts
 

I do all my quilting now w/my emb machine, not very good at free motion so I wanted to get beyond SID only...I buy my quilting designs and then hoop each area. these are two of my most recent...the larger had 64 blocks that had to be hooped...allot of wk but worth it in the end. You can buy dense or loss designs just your preference.
the other is a wall hanging called windy city and again all quilted w/my emb machine. I think most people think these machine just do heavy design images...nope just like having a Long arm but allot more work involved

hobbycat155. Great work....I know how much goes into doing an embroidered quilt. Some people don't understand that you don't just plug in the stick and walk away. Just as my dh will not understand why you would cut up good fabric and sew it back together. Just buy a blanket he says. I was going to comment on this thread, but I've decided I have other things to do.

My husband and I have been motorcyclists for nearly 40 years; I have always disliked sidecars, considered them not "motorcycling" at all. Last year my DH bought one and from the moment I climbed in I was "hooked". I love going out in it....and now most definately consider the old beast a vital member of our motorbike "herd"! It adds another dimension to our hobby/lifestyle broadening our enjoyment and experiences together. It's the same with machine embroidery in quilting I guess.....it's different but it's part of the "herd" and once tried may very well become a delight to use. :)

I think it is a STYLE of quilting and not one I will get into.

This is such a good discussion where we are all free to state our preferences with no one getting their "knickers in a twist". I appreciate that it takes talent and skill to choose threads, program the machine and all that setting up. Not taking away from that. It just looks too perfect to me. Same with computerized long arm quilting. At a quilt show a lady was showing me how to set up the machine. A complicated procedure with the computer. Then she turned it on and off it went. I'm glad people who like it can do it. It is not for me.

I find this rather interesting because the flipside is there are many of us that can no longer do hand embroidery or hand quilting due to physical issues so machine embroidery still allows us to create rather it be embroidery for quilt blocks or quilting the sandwich. We are all entitled to our likes/dislikes but I would not disregard someone's work because it was done on a machine; there may come a time that you too will have to depend on a machine to create. No disrespect is meant in this response but to encourage one to think before judging another's work.

Very interesting topic. I think this is a style issue. Why are there so many styles of furniture, shoes, cloths, cars? If it floats your boat, go for it and get the job done. Personally, my quilts are expressions of me and I'm always out of the box. So how often does "cute" fit into my style. So personally, most embroidery designs are not my style. Having a Bernina 830 with the embroidery unit seems like an oxymoran. It does have some uses, like quilting 24 traditional blocks exactly the same. And having studied designs I've found some that border on my expressive style.

Sorry I can't find who posted this, "I've seen quilts with embroidery, both hand and machine, that I didn't think enhanced the design, and I've seen quilts where embroidery accents have elevated a hum drum top." I agree that all details on a quilt should enhance the quilt, not just be stuck on there. But again that's my style.

So every one to their own opinion.

As with everything it is a personal preference. I personally love machine embroidery, I can no longer do hand work because of arthritis but I can still decorate garments, tea towels, and sometimes even quilt blocks. It all depends on my mood & what is needed. My granddaughters are in basketball & love to have me decorate fleece jackets with baskets ball designs. My youngest daughter just asked me to do an embroidered baby quilt for a fund raising raffle, she needed certain a certain theme. It is just another aspect of sewing, life is short, do what you enjoy, skip what you don't.

When I swap, I post the blocks that I plan to send in (unless it's a secret) both pieced and machine embroidery (usually an outline red/black work design rather than a dense fill in). If I see a block that I must have, I PM the hostess and beg. Same if I see something that I'd rather not have. "I'd prefer not to receive..." All the same, I have several swap blocks that don't agree with me, just waiting for the right project to keep, trade or give away. There's always something perfect for me or for someone else; machine embroidery being acceptable for the right project.

I do hear this time and again in different forums and I just want ti state that if you have not completed a type of technique do not assume it does not take skill. machine embroidery does have a steep learning curve. I am only 3 years in and still learning and struggling so it is a skill, you don't just push a button and out pops something beautiful. It can take hours just to do a simple project. The same can be said for computerized longarm you have to line up everything just perfect I have been told it is very difficult and time consuming and their is skill involved. While I feel that no one is obligated to like these type of techniques I feel they all shoulld be respected for their skill and technique involved and that they should not be criticized by those who have never done them that have no clue what is involved in them. I have just barely started to get decent at FMQ and am now learning ruler work on my DSM and would not like someone saying it not quilting because its done on machine or that if I use rulers I am cheating or there is no skill involved.

This is very interesting! While I do like machine embroidery on quilts it's the individual blocks I take issue with. I do love hand embroidered redwork though.

Last year I went on a bus trip to the Houston International Quilt Show. As part of the fun we could create as many as 5 individual quilt blocks to put into a drawing held during the Sunday morning breakfast. The blocks needed to be flowers and bees and you could piece or embroider them. I painstakingly created three pieced flower blocks to contribute and I won 8 blocks at the breakfast. When I opened the roll of blocks, all were embroidered. While they were pretty, I had no idea what I was going to do with them because I really didn't see them as quilt blocks. It took a year but I finally cut them down and made them into lavender sachets thanks to a suggestion by my sister-in-law. To me they just didn't fit my admittedly narrow view of a quilt block.

In 1989 or 1990 I went to the big quilt show in Lancaster, PA and stood behind some older ladies who were really upset about machine quilting and thought it shouldn't be allowed in the show! Well, look at what has happened. I love hand quilting but I also like machine quilting (I do mine on DSM). I like FMQ from any machine. I think computerized machines, whether quilting or embroidery are OK but not my thing. When I bought my new machine I could have had the embroidery unit and my husband and the salesman really tried to convince me I would be sorry. Well, I'm not. While I think those who do it well are enjoying a different facet of the growing 'quilting experience' I know it isn't for me. That is what is so great about fiber and fabric-there is no limit to flights of of imagination or invention.

Embroidery, to me, is a picture or letters on (usually) fabric. Quilting is (usually) done through more than one layer of fabric. I put the usually in there, because someone always finds an exception. Imdon't enter swaps, because I have too much of my own work to do. Although I'm told they're fun.