I've recently seen several bloggers and "quilt along" online groups doing interesting (but easy) modern style quilts. These quilts would be very very easy to do with strip quilting methods. Yet the tutorial authors are having people cut hundreds of little squares (1.5 inches) and sew them together individually (machine work).

Do they honestly not know about strip piecing? Is there something about it that people don't like? Are the techniques protected by the originators? (that last one I find hard to believe, since it's become so pervasive, but maybe Judy Martin is a real stickler for protecting her ideas?)

Have you noticed this online? What do you think?

RST

Only thing I can think of is that with strip piecing, you have less control over where a certain print ends up being. Does that make sense? It's not quite as random as it would be using individual squares. I would still strip piece though. I doubt anyone analyzes a quilt design that much.

I've seen both types so I don't think there are copyright issues.

The particular quilt along that triggered my thoughts involves solid colors, in a very regular pattern, and would take less than 2 hours to piece if you strip pieced it.

Cutting out hundred of tiny squares -- yikes, I don't even want to think about the time.

This happens to be a very popular modern quilter, and she's doing her thing, so more power to her -- I'm not going to try to tell her how to do what she's tutoring the rest of the world on. But I have to wonder why make it harder than it has to be. I know for me, my accuracy is much better with strips too.

RST

no I haven't I would ask why not srips if I was doing it.

Now I'm curious-who is the quilter? I follow a lot of quilt blogs and many are popular modern quilters but I don't remember that type of quilt along.

and I agree with you completely.

Perhaps to use scraps rather than yardage?

Lol. Maybe for initiation. Anyone who has done it either comes out a better, smarter quilter(me) or on the flipside comes out a raving lunatic (dh).
Poor guy. Cutting all those tiny squares with an exacto blade. He got so mad when I gave it away to my bff ;)

Also really got to know my machine during that project.

It builds character.

I have been wondering the same thing, I've noticed this trend on a few sites and almost got caught and started to cut out my fabric before I realised it could be done a much easier way. I now make sure I read the instructions several times before I start the project, I usually have a simpler way to do it.

I am all for easy and quick.

what is wrong with them? I would strip piece anyday.

Me too!!!

if it is scrap piecing there may not be strips available...and she may be teaching precision...i do alot of strip piecing but i also make projects that i have to cut out lots and lots of little squares for....it depends...and when the (teacher) is working on a project that strip-piecing is good for she probably does it that way...but if she is teaching a scrap class she will use the individual pieces mainly because not everyone starts with yardage when scrap quilting, some of us start with scraps.

For me, it took a good bit of sewing/making quilt tops, to separate the "old ways" from my simpler ways.Could it be she's teaching how to match seams? I never found that easy.

Quite possibly she has access to super accurate cutting tools like the accuquilt systems or similar which make cutting all the hundreds of squares a breeze for her and doesn't think about her users. If that were the case it would be easier to assemble from itty bitty squares. I know for me, I use the strip method to increase the accuracy of the final product and measure and trim each strip as I add it. But you have hit the nail on the head as to why I don't follow pattern directions. 99/100 there is an easier and/or more accurate way to assemble something. Like I try to tell my son, "think harder and work smarter"

I often find myself making quilt tops for my job and thinking the same thing. Why make things harder than they need to be :-)

I'm doing a D9P right now and the focus fabric is fussy cut...sooo no strip piecing for this one. Fussy cutting sucks, btw, I can't wait to get it done.

I can see individual squares being used to teach...it was easier at first, for me anyway, to "see" the block and understand how it goes together when I had individual pieces. That's not to say that I don't strip piece now, I do as much as possible, lol, but it makes sense, kinda, for a beginner tutorial.

Can you tell me where to go to find that quilt a long?

I would love to know as well!

Well, I hate strip piecing. I don't find it that much faster, and not as accurate. I can cut very quickly, and I prefer to do all of my cutting, then sewing, then pressing. I don't like changing stations any more than necessary, since I'm pressed for space, and have to put away and take out supplies each time. I guess I'm in the minority, here.

Here's the link to the quilt a long. I read somewhere why she tells you to cut it this way, but I can't find it now. I believe she did say you could strip piece if you preferred that method. http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/cherry...=Google+Reader

i agree but i was thinking of doing one to use scraps also the thought of the cutters may be why that is a good question

I would think that there are probably several reasons...one may be that they just don't know any better as you suggested. But bear in mind these quilt alongs are generally free. They are written by everyday quilters like you and me, for fun. You're not paying for a pattern so you kind of have to remember they are doing it for the fun of it, they are not professional pattern writers.

I have done a few quilt alongs, tutorials, and given away free patterns for simple quilts on my blog - I am by no means a professional and someone who is more concerned with the frugality of their fabric as well as their time might knit pick at my cutting methods. But it is just something I do for fun, it's a hobby. ;)

Also they may assume that you have enough knowledge to do your own math and figure how many strips of any given fabric you may need to cut 150 2 1/2" by 4 1/2" bricks.

First tute I've seen in awhile like that. I'm all about quick and easy for the most part.

Most "known" quilters will teach you in their seminars/workshops the technique that works for them. Those techniques are also what they publish in their books because they tell you how they made that particular quilt. They will also tell you to use what ever works for you. Having met Judy Martin I can tell you that she's a very laid back, easy going, wonderful person.

Yup -- Cherry House -- but that's just one of several I've seen.

Not fussy cutting, not scrappy, not using a machine cutter.

But I'm all for building character in the future quilters of America, so rock on with their bad selves.

I just know that I could knock one of those quilt tops out from start to finish in less than 2 hours with strip piecing.

RST

Read instructions carefully (maybe several times) and do it YOUR way ....
combine pieces if necessary (i.e. 2 adjoining squares, same color = 1 rectangle)
In any case, is the pattern you have worth the effort?

Most likely it is because of the new Go Baby. They have a die cut that that is a part of. besides That is how I was taught . Way before the rotery cutter. (lol)!

Did you leave a comment and ask the person running the tutorial ? I think that's a lot better way to get an answer than asking for pure speculation.

No -- I didn't ask that particular blogger, because it's kinda rude. Her quilt, her blog, her tutorial, her way.

It's not an acu-cut quilt. Though I do understand how that works.

I don't plan to make that particular quilt -- I don't follow directions well. I like making my own thing, not following someone else's designs. I like seeing what other people make, as often it will trigger ideas for me, but I don't buy patterns or follow tutorials.

My question was more generalized than that specific Cherry House quilt along -- I see a lot of bloggers who make tutorials and give directions on how to make something, but who apparently don't know a whole lot of different techniques which will make the whole process easier and more accurate. Or maybe they do, and like building character in their following.

That was the essence of my question.

RST

I have noticed several patterns lately, and actually made one of them, that had less efficient methods in the directions. I just read it and then changed the methods and order of the steps. But I couldn't figure out why the author wouldn't make it as simple and efficient as possible.

Unless, of course, some pattern writers don't sew, which is entirely possible.

Be sure and let us know your badge number, Officer RST. There's no right or wrong way in quilting, so feel free to do what works for you without public criticism of whatever way others choose.

Cherri House is an experienced quilter, pattern designer, and published author, not even close to the fool you make her out to be. If her method bothers you so much, why not ask her about it directly instead of talking about it behind her back?

Geeze, chill out Ghostrider.

I did not call her a fool, nor did I set myself up as quilt police or master of all techniques. I asked a question, giving some possible scenarios for answers that occur to me, and asking if other had other insights. I did not call Cherry House out by name (it was in fact the particular quilt along that triggered my question, but it's a general trend, which is what I was asking about.)

There are no methods of quilting that "bother" me, though some do puzzle me, particularly when they are presented by people who set out to teach others.

Why so defensive? I find that surprising, specially since Walmart was not even mentioned in this thread.

RST

Hello! I'm Cherri House of Cherry House Quilts, the author of City Quilts, and the designer of the quilt along that is being widely discussed. Is your question, why do my instructions called for all those 1 1/2" squares vs. strip piecing? Because many of the quilters doing this quilt along are creating their first quilt. I'm all for doing things faster/quicker, but there is nothing wrong with knowing and working on the fundamentals...perfecting your 1/4" seam allowance, working on accurate cutting skills. This quilt along is part of a skill building series that I will be hosting. If you want to participate, great! If it's all too elementary and you are not interested, great. Above everything else, I created this free quilt pattern and quilt along to provide a sense of community, and followship amongst quilters - old & new.

Cherri

Thanks for the input, Cherri, and for answering the question. I'm a fan of yours, and a sometimes blog reader, and honestly, my question implied no snark, nor was it specific to your quilt-along alone. I was querying about a wider trend I've seen online.

I'm all for building fundamental skills in new quilters. I also know that many, particularly new quilters, get frustrated with something that takes a long time, requires precision and ripping out, etc. The vast quantities of UFOs in the quilting world supports the assumption that this is a problem for many. So to my mind, knowing how to do something quickly and efficiently is a great gateway to many happy years of quilting.

Thanks for your contributions to community amongst quilters online. I do love the web and the ability to connect with such a wide range of people with similar interests.

RS

I would like to join a quilt along.

Could it possibly be that for some it is as much about the process. I know I am interested in making quilts using more of the techniques used by my grandmother.

My rotary cutter has not been my new best friend in most cutting scenarios. Most of my scraps were created by inaccurate rotary cutting. One of my coguild friends gave me some pointers last week when I was cutting strips for my new siggy blocks. I will give strip cutting another chance, but for now my rotary cutter is on my endangered species list. Don't get me wrong, it does have its uses once accurate strips are cut.

I really enjoy the process more than the speed.

That is how I was taught many years ago, and still do that if I'm looking for a design to stand out in the center, eg, did one with a cross for a pastor friend. Some of the popular TV shows show how to do things using their latest tools in ways I would never use because it's time consuming. But I know people who order every ruler and tool they see. That isn't for me.

Very good point, that many folks start out with scraps and not whole strips so pieces are all they have.

I am really learning to read pattern more carefully to see if cutting strips is possible instead of small blocks.

glad it works for you. I know about limited space and take out & put away too! happy quilting anyway.

Strip piecing does make things a lot easier