Or not depending on the person! :mrgreen: :lol:

But that is a good analogy. :-D

I only quilt because I enjoy it. That being said, there are times I use the fast and frenzied patterns, unexpectd gifts needed, my donated quilts when I want to get several ready to go in a short period. I have even been known to birth and tie a quilt. LOL

I work fulltime also and can relate to that "too tired to quilt at night".

I an driven by procrastination also and only hurry when a deadline is approaching. I also tend to underestimate how long something is going to take me! (The quick and simple wall hanging for Halloween was started end of September and through resewings and weekend commitments is not done yet!)

I too do not understand the rush to finish a quilt in four hours phenomena either. If I am going to put time into a quilt I want to enjoy the making.

The vast majority of us seem to be saying this - so WHO is buying all those dang books and patterns? :?

I am very ADD, so I love the idea and buying the fabrics, but I get bored easily, so by the time I am piecing it all together, I am looking to the next one. I find table runners are about my speed - they are mostly done before I get itchy!!

Also, I am still a beginner, so the process is difficult for me, still. It does not yet come naturally, sewing difficult seams, etc.

Nancy

I would also say I am a hybrid in the sense that sometimes I like to work on shorter projects (Placemats, table runners, baby quilts) so I can have that sense of accomplishment that comes with a finished project. That being said, I am a VERY SLOW quilter. I don't quilt that often and it takes me a while to blow the dust off my skills and re-engage them after long stints away from my sewing room. I am currently trying to get over that habit, and replacing TV time with quilting time.

I do enjoy the process - there is something special in the evolution of a quilt from pattern to finish that I really cherish. But there are also times when I don't want to be too challenged. Sometimes I get bogged down by my own perfectionist tendencies so it is nice to have a "no-brainer" project to unwind with. It gets me back in touch with that enjoyment and process that inspires me in the first place. That is when I turn to "quick" quilts. Simple strip piecing, block patterns, etc., are perfect for blowing off the dust, winding down after or in between working on a really challenging quilt, or helping to overcome a quilting block on another project.

I do not rush though. I am simply not capable of rushing. I have been quilting for 4 years and have barely gone beyond basic piecing techniques because I labor over the process and nitpick my work to death. That being said, I LOVE the process and find it very liberating!

Quilt in a day sounds really nice but what size quilt are they talking about? 10 minute block - I've heard on here where that has taken a lot longer than 10 minutes. I think these titles are named this way to try to entice you to try them. I'm not fast by any means. I usually make large bed size quilts (only 1 baby quilt) - the repetition doesn't bother me too much as I learned in my factory job to play mind games while doing repetitious jobs. I guess I'm not too worried about speed as right now they're all for me and hopefully someday (when I'm gone) my kids and grandkids if my kids ever give me any. I do sometimes have more than 1 quilt going because I like a pattern and want to start it. Setting a record for the most quilts in a lifetime is not my goal but rather to enjoy what I do make.

Depends on the pattern and whether I like the fabric...

Thank you k3n I'm a Brit and love cats so I figured it fit me LOL. As for the dedication sometimes it wavers and I am tempted to start something else but I do love the process of finishing a quilt. I have 2 nieces who I'm waiting patiently to start having babies so that I can start a whole new range of quilting ideas, :D

very rarely do i choose a quick project - i fin them incredibly boring to work on.

i work on projects that take away from 3 to 24 months depending on size and detail.

Very interesting discussion.
I work full time, and have many hobbies that take a lot of my time, but A couple of years ago, I accidentally came across a quilting class when I knew nothing of sewing or fabric. It was very difficult for someone who had never even touched a sewing machine to take a beginning quilting class making HST and QST, but I loved it. And when I had the chance, I bought my first sewing machine and started making quilts. In every quilt I chose, I looked for something different with a new challenge, and taught myself to paper piece, picture piece, applique, sew Y seams, FMQ and long arm quilt, mind you not a master in any domain but do decent work if I say so myself. :mrgreen: I love the whole process and I have been enjoying designing some quilts. No one in my family expects me to quilt for them, nor do I have that as a goal, it is just my hobby and I enjoy the process and learn from the journey, no rush to finish although I do love the sense of accomplishment when I do finish.
Having an obsessive personality though, I am very focused and do tend to finish quilts that some may call difficult fairly quickly considering.

And just to add, I have no UFOs, although I tend to start a few projects together, I do finish them together.

I am an enjoy the process person. I have quilts that I have been working on for a while. Rather than race to finish so I can start anew, I start a dozen and when I get bored, I move back to another. It is a horrible obsession I have, but I am a perfectionist and sometimes you just have to walk away. I'm sure a lot of you would look at my UFOs and cringe....I just see them as future opportunities! LOL

The first sentence in this quote is beautifully put - nearly made me tear up. :-)

And the nitpicking thing I can sooo relate to! There would be no point in me rushing either because I KNOW I'd end up unsewing. I go over my quilts witht a fine tooth comb looking for imperfections. If there's a teeny tiny loop on the back where I had a little tension issue while FMQing, I have to sort it out. It's bad and I should stop it but I just can't help myself. :oops:

If this is the case, (and I can believe it as the quilting world is dominated by the same agressive marketing tactics that are seen everywhere) then it makes me mad. How many newbies have been put off and discouraged because they buy a pattern or a book on how to make a quilt that the PR claims can be done in 5 seconds flat. Then they try it and it takes them 5 weeks - so they feel like a failure, give up and take up fly fishing instead? (Not that there's anything wrong with fly fishing, it was just the first hobby that popped in my head! Go figure!) :lol:

I won't work with fabric I don't like anymore - I made a king size years ago for my mother, with fabric SHE chose and I hated - first and last time I let ANYONE choose the fabric themselves - unless they're choosing from MY stash. I'll only take on commissions if the client gives me full artistic control. To my mind, they want me to make a piece because they like my work soooo what they should get is MY work! :lol:

EDIT - Just read that back - what a nightmare I sound! :twisted:

See now, I relish the idea of something soooo complex it would take two whole years! What bliss! And I'd love to see some of yours - going to check out your profile to see what you've posted... :-D

That's me, exept the long arming at this stage - though I have had a go at every show I've ever been to. :-D

I'm a hurry up get it done by default. I get so into quilting I forget I have a family wanting dinner, or my attention. Yes they can fend for themselves but it's that ugly truth of when im busy everyone wants me!! lol I try to acomplish whatever I can on a day off, while hubby is at work and kids are at school. Treasure it all tho so try not to chose sides and compromise.

Oh I know that feeling! Be horrible, like me, so they buzz off and leave you in peace! :twisted: :lol:

Oooooh!!! I thought I was just going through perimenopause, because I have been so horrible lately, :evil: :evil: but really deep down I must want everyone to leave me alone to quilt in peace :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm thinking of making a sign for my studio door - 'Artist at Work - Whatever You Want, the Answer is NO - Now Buzz Off!'

:twisted: :lol:

[I'm thinking of making a sign for my studio door - 'Artist at Work - Whatever You Want, the Answer is NO - Now Buzz Off!'

:twisted: :lol:[/quote]

Ooooh I need one too!!! Why is it that even when they kids have to walk right past DH they never stop and think to ask him anything it's always "Mum, can I???????" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ooooh I need one too!!! Why is it that even when they kids have to walk right past DH they never stop and think to ask him anything it's always "Mum, can I???????" :lol: :lol: :lol:[/quote]

That's because they know who wears the trousers. :mrgreen:

I'm glad you asked this. I love to do intricate work that takes me a long time to complete a project. The quilts are usually bed size. That is where my interests lie. Almost every piece of fabric has to be exactly what I want and I can't even use something I consider ugly fabric. I don't like fabrics to be too matching either. I guess I like an old antique funky look. This is why I can't race to the finish line, but I'm having fun. that's all that matters.

I'm a process person. If it's over too quickly it's like scarfing down a beautifully prepared meal in 10 minutes. What just happened? Was I there for it?

Totally agree!!!!

I think you could apply this to many things ;-) ;-) ;-)

Exactly! :D

Also EXACTLY! :-D

I just think it's a difference in different kinds of people. There are those of us who keep several ideas in their mind; and can't shut that down; and more than anything enjoy picking out the material and getting that idea 'onto paper' (or into a quilt top) and the GREAT THRILL is gone,even tho they still like the rest. And there are those who enjoy that finality and solitude; and finality of seeing something come to fruition. And then there are those who just enjoy seeing it go from the brain wave idea to the finality of putting the last stitch on the last corner of a HAND STITCHED quilt. I don't think it is a question of having or getting enthusiasm back for some part of the process. I think it's more having done each step; and possibly finding one stage that we totally enjoy. We are all wired differently; and get enjoyment in different ways.

But don't you think that if a person is making quilt after quilt where they ALWAYS get fed up at some stage of it so that they only want to get it done, should perhaps review their choices of pattern/technique or whatever? Quilting offers such a huge range of choices - I just think it's sad if ppl begin to see it as a chore - any stage of it. Of course, there are parts that you'll enjoy more than others - I have a current WIP which requires a ton of satin stitch applique and it's definitely a chore BUT I'm dying to get it done so I can get to the FMQ and fabric painting I have planned for it. So that's a means to an end. I do a bit of the satin stitch until I can't bear anymore, then I put it aside for a while and do something else. But I would still maintain that I am enjoying the overall process of that particular design and I'm not tempted to rush it or do inferior work.

As I said earlier, I don't enjoy piecing the same block over and over, though there are lots of quilt patterns requiring this that I would love to make so I could FMQ them and then own the quilt. But I don't because I know I'd detest the piecing. I choose patterns, techniques and designs that I know I'll enjoy making or at least that I know I can push myself through like the above-mentioned satin stitch. :mrgreen: :lol:

Last night chatting with my sis in NC, she asked me when I made the Hex sign quilt I gave her many years ago -- I couldn't remember so she said I gave her dayghter a wall hanging dated 1985 -- I had no clue -- I couldn't even visualise the WH. I looked it up this morning but still had no clue.

This thread reminded me that I was very rushed back then and was zipping thru quilting projects.As well as starting a business with DH. Quilts that I spent time on and enjoyed the process, I can remember vividly and where and what I was doing at the time. I like to spend time and enjoy.

attached are both pix

Mim those are both beautiful. And I fully appreciate those who are having to fit quilting in among lots of other commitments will want the quick finishes. I wonder if I could only spend time quilting a couple of hours a week, if I'd go for the quickie patterns or still do the involved, complex things I do now and be content with only finishing one or two a year? Lucky for me, I quilt full time weekdays during school hours (well, between teaching classes, organising exhibtions, giving talks etc but that is all quilt-related).

But I'm glad you can enjoy the process now. :-D

My dad had 'studio hours' and we were not to interrupt him during those periods every day. It was as if he was away at work except he was wasn't 'away' physically. If it was an emergency (a boy called and wanted to take us for a burger or something), we'd ask Mom to ask him for us. It was all perfectly normal to us growing up.

I know from blogs that many studio quilters work the same way...set hours. It gives discipline to the creative process and stability to the family's 'doings'.

Then you are one of those who DO enjoy the whole process from beginning to end. Great that you do. We're just all different. But I don't think that it's that some get 'fed up' or see it as a chore. They just ENJOY a different creative part of it. Most still go on and finish it; but their real love is either in the creating the design, the quilting of it, or the finishing of it. Note the post just after yours on todays list where a woman was asking if there were any out there who, like herself, didn't like the piecing; but so enjoyed the quilting. :) We just all have our favorites. :)

I try and keep it to hours when the kids are at school and DH at work and that's fine most of the time. Just if I'm IN something and can't leave it alone and I go on into the evening... that's a problem faced by all who work from home I suppose. :-D

PS like the emergency burger story... :mrgreen:

I love the process of picking the pattern, the fabric and seeing it all come together, but then I'm already bored with it and ready to move on to the next project. trying to learn patience and actually get some "quilting" done and reduce the number of my ufo's, but another book comes and I see another pattern that makes me go ooooh and I've off again to the next one

YESSSS - this one is me many times. I hand quilt at a large frame (it can adjust to a king size), so over the years I have 'thought thru' MANY troubles sitting at it.

I think it has to do w/the fast pace of society today. New technology seems to encourage 'hurry, hurry, hurry, making everything supposedly easier & faster to do. The younger generations seem to be in such a hurry.

I had been 'out' of the quilting world for quite awhile when I joined here & was amazed at seeing the QUANTITY of quilts being done - until I realized they were being machine quilted. Previously, when I was active I'd never heard of the machines except for commercial pieces.

I know I'm really showing my age, but I think it's sad so many have no idea of what they are missing by not slowing down to smell the roses.

Regardless, here again it is all a personal choice & thank God we each have different likes/dislikes - otherwise it would sure be a pitiful world :lol:

Everyone have a blessed day & may all your quilts be filled w/LOVE

Hugs

I'm with you girl, I love the process of choosing a pattern and of course choosing the "right' fabric for the quilt top.
I never rush making the quilt top. I take my time with cutting, pressing, piecing, etc. Always taking time to read the directions,
thinking through the placement of all the fabrics.
I believe anything worth doing is worth doing well.
I don't rush through a quilt, just to rush through another one so I can say I made xxx amount of quilts this month/year.
I may only make 3/4 quilts a year, but I am proud of the quilts I make. Like all hobbies there are different levels of quilters,
and we all have our ideas on completing our quilts.
No one way is right or wrong, each quilter is as different as the next. As long as we all enjoy quilting. :D

Absolutely - I meant no implied criticism of the race to the finishers - just wanted to try and understand it. :-)