My quilting time is very limited so I try to find the easiest way possible. I made a QFK's stip piecing and I got it done and quilted in 3 hours. I can't imagine how long it would have taken me if I had to sew all those little squares together.

Then again I did fussy cut a Dora quilt for my granddaughter and sewed all the squares together. But that was different I wanted each square to have a Dora right in the middle.

Actually they are cutting with a rotary cutter and rulers.

My question is about the directions where they have people cut every little square out individually, when the pattern lends itself to sewing long strips together, and then cutting across the strips to yeild a nice collection of already sewn-together row of small squares or rectangles.

I just browsed through a cute book at the library -- DAre to be Square. The patterns lend themselves very admirably to strip piecing, but again, the author gives directions for cutting each block individually and sewing together individual blocks. Made me shudder (I say this without snarkiness-- just many years of quilting experience and self knowledge about a closet full of UFOs).

RST

This is my first post on this board. It may be my last. This entire line of thinking disturbs me. Because I am a relatively new quilter, I enjoy every tidbit of information that I can find on the web in terms of instruction and ideas. I've been participating in quilt a longs because they help me step outside my comfort zone. Do I like every block? No. But I would never, ever, be critical of someone who took the time to put it together for the rest of us. I'm sincerely grateful to every blogger who makes the effort to share with the rest of us.

I've discovered techniques that work and some that don't. That's okay. There may be easier ways to do something, but at least I'm doing something! Not all of us were born with fully formed quilts in our heads... Some of us still need the beginner instructions (and may always need those instructions). What seems simple to some can be complex to others.

Thank you to all who make/take the time to do the quilt a longs. I'm so proud of myself whenever I finish a block that I might not have otherwise attempted. It may not be perfect, but I did it! I need the detailed instruction and the practice - and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Well... I am just a little ticked off that I missed the beginning of a quilt along with one of my favorite artists.

Okay, I need to ask you ladies, and forgive me for the ignorance! but is the strip quilting cutting strips of material and sewing them together. I have seen some patterns like this and didn't understand what they were talking about and didn't try them. So if you will please explain this to me.. and the patterns were so pretty! And is it easier? quicker?

simple?
thanks

In recent years, I have had the same thought reguarding half square triangles. I see many patterns in magazines that still tell you to cut triangles, rather than one of the faster, easier methods of making them. I too wonder why?

Isewcrooked -- how is a question disturbing? It's not "critical". It's not being mean. It's gathering informantion and insight to the choices that a blogger or author makes in presenting directions.

You might find that, with good directions, as you say you need, you don't sew crooked when doing strip piecing. You might find that you can complete a quilt and be happy and proud of it. Or not.

Either way, I'm curious why someone would prefer to do something the harder, more labor intensive way.

I've been quilting for over 40 years. (I made my first quilt when I was 6.) I've made quilts back when we drew lines on the fabric, around a cardboard template, and cut each one out with scissors. It was a very happy day when I got my first Trudie Hughes (?sp) set of rulers and cutting board/rotary cutter. I still use those same rulers, btw.

I found it helpful and intersting that Cheri explained that she is presenting her quilt along as a skill builder -- that answered some of my question. She seems like a very gracious and nice lady.

I still wonder why some authors / bloggers make their projects very labor intensive, when they don't have to be. But I'll refrain from mentioning Franson, lest her supporters stone me and call me mean.

And I do hope you continue to post, crooked-sewer -- the comradarie amongst quilters online is a fun and motivating thing, I think.

RST

Psychomomquilter-- I hope someone jumps in with links and info for you. I have to run to a day full of appointments and unfun stuff, but if you're still hanging when I get online again, I'll take a stab at answering you. I even have a strip-pieced top I made last night (in less than two hours) to show you how it works ; )

RST

Allrighty then Thanks RST.

me too! :lol:

I have not done strip piecing because it just does not appeal to me. Perhaps later after I do a few hand made ones. I do use a rotary cutterthough.

I sure hope that you continue posting. I really do see where you are coming from. I'm not one to pick on anybody but I do see where it comes off a little knit picky about the strip piecing, although I understand on the other hand that there are many people out there who are under a time constraint and efficiencey is really a concern for them. RST sounds like a very forward person and not all of us are so direct, so it can be a little unsettling if you're a sensitive soul like I am! ;)

Sometimes I enjoy strip piecing because I really want to bang something out in a short amount of time. But on the other hand I am not always quilting to be productive, some days I just want to relax, and the act of cutting and piecing is a stress reliever to me rather than a labor.

You know, just another thought here...sometimes when we learn the more difficult way to piece something, it gives us a better understanding of that block and makes the easier method even easier. I'm not sure if that applies to strip piecing...but for example making flying geese. There are many ways to make them, and I think trying several different ways is really beneficial. Not only do you learn how to efficiently make a goose block, you also learn techniques that you may never have discovered that will apply to other blocks. Just a thought. ;)

you make a good point. IMO starting out by learning the shortcuts is not always a good thing. If you get the basics down you can figure out the best way to do it for you. what is the easiest way for me may not be for you. We all learn in different ways. some people need to see how things are done step by step in order to feel confident.

Pumpkinpatchquilter -- I have to laugh at anyone perceiving me as "forward". However, I'm a vetran of online crafting boards (and other venues online), and it probably would be accurate to say that I'm not going to spend undue time worrying what people think of me, or my work. In other words, I can take it as well as I dish it. If a published, highly acclaimed, award winning quilter looked at a quilt I've posted and asked what the heck was I thinking when I did x y or z, I would have no issues with that.

Quilting has been historically a very democratic past time, one where women from all walks of life, all ages, and all areas share openly and generously, and not one of those hobbies where there are " big name" icons or demi-gods. Unlike, say, the scrapbooking industry. However, in the last year or so, I've noticed some, particularly in the modern quilt guilds, starting to fall into those camp following patterns, idolizing certain bloggers or fabric designers. The web allows for that, since via Flickr or yahoo or blogger, you can feel like you "know" your favorite quilt or fabric line designer. And while that is kind of cool, it also leads to, I don't know, an attitude of being threatend when a question or suggestion is made about doing things a different way.

I was at a modern quilt guild get together not long ago where one woman became almost rabid about having to press her seems open, because that's what her favorite blogger says to do. She couldn't wrap her mind around the idea that it's ok to press open or close, depending on your personal preference, or on the particular block. And because I almost always press seems together, I clearly was not a "modern" quilter.

Shrug.

Maybe I'm forward, since I don't care what she thinks ; )

RST

I didn't know how on my first quilt but I kwon about strip quilting now and would not consider any other way if strips are possible in the quilt I'm doing. I alxo notice that some of the paterns are made more difficult that they need to be. Shelllady

I'm with you. I can look at a pattern and almost always come up with an easier construction method than the designer. To each his own.

it is very hard to give an informed opinion unless you at least know the pattern being discussed. I took a class last year where every piece was marked with template and seams marked and sewed. My quilting improved as a result of it.

I find I'm more accurate if I cut the sqs first & then sew & press. Both methods are correct and they are also basically the same amount of work. It is a tad faster to sew the stratas together, but it takes longer to press them in order to not distort so overall you will find yourself spending very close to the same amount of time with either method because you still have to cut the stratas in to units. Judy Martin also prefers to cut sqs & then sew them. I saw her mention this yrs ago in her newsletter so I e-mailed her to thank her for saying that. The next month she quoted me in her newsletter. When I saw that I just about fell off my chair! LOL

As promised to psychmomquilter: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-97977-1.htm

Since I was not setting out to photograph a tutorial or anything, I just took pics which I hope show the essentials of strip piecing (after the fact). Anyhow, it's not rocket science, nor is the technique lacking in documentation, so if you're interested in learning how to do it, I'm sure there is a wealth of youtube video out there, not to mention library books galore.

RST

I don't blog, too stupid to figure out how to do it. But, I really don't care to strip piece. It's boring to just cut mindlessly and sew strips and recut and sew again. You never get to see how the project is "working" (or not!) until you're done. I love to piece one block at a time so I can have the immediate gratification of having something to see for my efforts. Some things you have to cut and piece assembly-line fashion...like OBW or S&W...but they are so much like puzzles I can deal with it. JMHO

I have to agree with you, mostly I just enjoy the trip (process) rather than the destination (project).

>It's boring to just cut mindlessly and sew strips and recut and sew again. >

See, to my mind, it's tedious beyond belief to first cut out several hundred squares, then sit at the machine with a stack of 435 squares (or so) which need to be stitched together in particular order, then press those and sew some more, and get a block done, then kind of get tired of the whole thing, and set it aside in a cute little box with a nice label on it, and then, years later, go through a closet and find those hundreds of squares, but some are missing, inexplicably. . .

Oh, wait, am I the only one who's had that happen?


I think there are some aspects of quilting that are just going to be tedious (varies by person) and having the skill set to minimize the things that are barriers to completing the job at a level of competence that you can live with -- that is the key.

RST

My hat is off to you, I think teaching the basics should be, er, basic. Sometimes I feel like a quilt dinosaur. I can draft a block if I want a different size, I can (hanging my head) often figure out how to make a quilt by looking at the picture and not buying the pattern, I can make HST without thangles or paper-piecing them, I can bind a quilt without a binding tool. Now, having said that, I must admit I am a gadget junkie but sometimes I buy said gadgets and seldom (if ever) use them. BTW, are you the designer of "Silk Tempest"? I have my silks and fine needles and threads collected. Going to use my "new" Pfaff 7570 on this baby!

One more comment and I'll shut up. While we disagree as to what is boring and what isn't, I will defend you til I drop in that I see nothing wrong with posting a question and trying to understand something. I saw no criticism implied or otherwise. To me, your question was no different than asking why some ladies prefer to hand quilt when machine quilting is so much quicker.

Usually, inexperience is the answer as you suggest, I think. If I look at something and can see an easier way with less piecing, I do my own method to achieve the same result.

Should we be the judge? It's whatever floats their boat -- whatever is more comfortable to them.

An informed choice is one thing -- the experienced quilter who has tried several ways, and has found what they like, knows what floats their boat, and makes a choice based on their preferences -- that, I will never argue with.

But not even knowing that there might be a faster or easier way to do something, and not having the intellectual curiosity to at least consider what the benefits might be to another method -- that does puzzle me.

I think that in some cases (not saying anyone in particular) there are people gifted in design and graphics who have made their way into the world of quilting, either via paper arts or computer graphics or fabric design. They make quilts. People like their quilts because they are graphically gifted, and their style feels current and fresh. But they do not necessarily come into quilting with a lot of technical knowledge or depth of methodology. So when they write patterns or teach or do tutorials, they are not necessarily giving the most considered or well plotted approach.

All this is theory on my part. And as I said, I attach no names to any of this. And I appreciate the "new" quilters and the modern look, and the energy and enthusiasm.

And, back to first post -- I find myself wondering if they don't know any different way, or if it's a conscious decision, because they find it relaxing to cut out 495 1.5 inch square accurately. ; )

RST

I like doing things the easy way and now I try to find patterns using my Accuquilt GO. If I do find a pattern I really like I will see if I can make the pattern easier to cut rather than lots of little pieces.

That's what I was thinking too. If you have tons of scraps and want to use tons of colors, it may be necessary to cut pieces. (Me - not so much a fan).

By the way, I remember reading that while PATTERNS fall under the copyright rules, a "TECHNIQUE" cannot be copyrighted. Sure hope I understood that right. It was in one of the Quiltmags when the copyright rules seemed to go rampant.

Just weighing in on an aspect of this discussIon. Two things the newest generation of quilters hasn't had as much access to as previous generations are 4H sewing groups and and school Home Economics programs. The dollars for these and "shop", automotIve and similar programs have shifted to technology. Skills many may have learned as children or teens are now being learned as young adults. This may be why some instructors feel repetative practice hones newly developing skills. Things occur to those that have extensive sewing experience but newer Quilters don't have that knowledge to always connect the dots to a different maybe simpler way of doing things. Just some thoughts.

IMHO- I think sometimes people get a little 'full of themselves' and want people to believe that they are 'experts'. If you make a job real tough looking to do, they will pay you to do it for them, or maybe the designer is just clueless?

Have they written a book they want to sell?

Maybe they are learning to quilt by using precuts. Hmmm.

Cybarian -- I think that's an intersting insight, and not something that had occurred to me.

RST

I love strip piecing. Not only do I feel it's a time saver but my squares are more uniformed. I did not know about strip piecing until I read about it on this board. I have learned so much from all of you and really appreciate all the friendship, information and assistance you provide.

I always wonder the same thing because personally, I prefer to avoid cut triangles. But in line with the other posts I guess some people like it that way.

I had a quilting teacher who I believed never heard of strip quilting. I had several classes with her and she never used strip quilting and also taught hand quilting.
She is retired now.

I learned strip piecing early on, but now I find myself cutting individual pieces (and then, some of them by using templates). I belong to a group that is doing a Civil War block of the month. Each month we are given instructions for the "new" block. I try to imagine how that woman from the Civil War era did it. I use the templates or the small pieces and form the block "her way." EXCEPT, I do mine by machine instead of by hand stitching. {{{wink}}} I can see that some of these blocks would lend themselves well to strip piecing, so if/when I ever want to make more of these blocks, I will do it my way; but in all fairness to the authenticity of the block, I want to try to do it their way.

RST, now I understand! I am going to try one, even if its a doll quilt to start. Like I said I seen such a pretty pattern and wanted to try it, but just didn't understand the concept of the strips and what they were doing in the pattern. Thanks so much for clearing this up for me!

psychomomquilter/mary

As someone who is hosting a Quilt Along right now, I'll put in my $0.02 about why faster methods are not used.

I'm embarking on two Quilt Alongs simultaneously - one for the AccuQuilt GO! and the other for the AccuQuilt Studio. Both projects could also be rotary cut.

Because it's also a Mystery Quilt (blocks are posted one at a time), the cutting methods are not necessarily as efficient as they could be. Also, the quilts are about USING the dies, so I'll have people use their die to cut something even if the rotary cutter would be much faster for that block.

I would suspect that someone coming in to the middle of the Quilt Along, without knowing the background, and at first glance, would think it terribly inefficient. But for the people doing the Quilt Along, they are quite happy to learn something new, and for them it's more about the journey than the destination.

So, I guess different Quilt Alongs have different purposes, and there's something out there for everyone. Some people chose not to participate in this quilt along because some of the blocks require curved piecing. Well, maybe they will find another quilt along that is more their style, or the next one I do might enable them to participate.

Also... there are many different ways to eat an elephant. I would consider "Thangles" to be a newer way of piecing triangles, but I wouldn't question someone for not using them or preferring to do triangles the "old" way.