Finding a quilting "style"
 

I have been quilting for 2 years (sewing for much longer). I am waiting to find my own style... trying to evolve into my own style. But, it doesnt seem to be coming. I know 2 years is very short in the quilting community; but, I am still struggling with the very basics. Such as: I cant decide if I should concentrate on stab stitching where I get very small stitches (14 to the inch) but not always even and it is slow but no pain. On the other hand, the rocking stitches are smooth and even but I can only manage 5-7 stitches to the inch, get pain in my wrist and sore fingers (the ones underneath the frame).

I have also been quilting others traditional patterns. Each time I make a quilt it is different requiring new skills.

Opinions would be appreciated: do I concentrate on one stitching method (I piece by machine and quilt by hand on my frame)?; do I concentrate on one traditional style until I get "good"?

I love, love quilting and would like to get good and do away with what I now see as sloppy work. Another "but" - I am 64 and probably do not have decades left to get better.

Opinions please from other quilters.

I would pick a way of quilting and stick to it and get better. Have you tried a thimble on your finger? I use 2 when I hand quilt. The one holding the needle is one that has the rubber body and metal tip. The other one has a ridge around the top so that the needle doesn't slip. I prefer the rocking method of quilting, but it doesn't cause me pain. So you have to decide which one you prefer. I would also work on even, straight stitches. Don't worry about how big or small they are. They will get better with time. I don't think it will take decades to get better. Are you entering your quilts to be judged, if not, don't worry about it so much. I hope I have encouraged you. Keep at it and good luck. Gina

I would do what doesn't hurt your hand. I don't quilt by hand, so my advice is only worth so much, but don't hurt yourself to quilt. Quilting should be fun, not painful. I, like you, have not been quilting long, only 3 years, and I am 65. Nice to know I am not the only one who took up quilting after sewing for years. :)

I will be interested in what the experienced hand quilters tell you though...

Dina

I'm not a hand quilter, but I can't see why you would consider continuing with a method that causes you pain. Have you considered machine quilting? You can always quilt in sections (Marti Michell's book Machine Quilting in Sections is good at explaining various options) if you're worried about putting a large quilt through a small machine throat.

This isn't to discourage you from hand quilting (which I admire) but just to point out that there may be other options.

Amen to that.

Flowerjoy, please listen to your body. If your wrist hurts, take a break.
Chances are you might have carpal tunnel and this is not fun. I've had
surgery on both wrists. I'm careful how much rotary cutting I do in a
day (I take lots of breaks) and I avoid hand sewing as much as possible.
I don't want to have to stop quilting. So I'd rather do a little that none.

i f your body is telling you no[with pain] stop you have alternatives

Been quilting for. 6 years and sewing forever. I still keep finding new techniques and ideas or patterns to try. I don't feel I want to stick to one style yet.

Occasionally my carpal tunnel acts up and I found wearing a wrist brace keeps everything lined up correctly - that may help your wrist. As far as poking your finger underneath - put something over the finger. I've seen leather thimbles, plastic things that stick on your finger....I have found that I learn how far to put the needle thru, and i barely stick my finger once i get into a groove.

Don't worry about teeny tiny stitches - even straight stitches look just as good. If you can't eyeball straight lines - draw the line.

I hope you can find out what works so that you can enjoy the quilting process.

I may not be able to help 100%, I have been quilting for a little over a year, but sewing for ages (or is it eons at my age :p ) I machine quilt and piece.

For me, I have noticed that I dont really have a style. I love trying different techniques and building skills. For me the process of learning new things, applying old skills in new ways, etc. That is the fun in quilting for me. The ability to take pretty fabric and turn it into something stunning, that is the reward.

With that being said, I would say do what feels good. You are more likely to stick with something if it feels good with you. Figure out what motivates you with quilting. Do you like a particular finished look and you want to mimic that look in your own work? if so, then your best solution is perfecting a technique. Do you like learning new things and the creative process of making something completely new? then your best solution would be to keep trying different things.

I would recommend asking yourself, what do you want OUT of quilting. Then you can decide which method is best for you to get to that point. Personally, I am not inclined to perfect any particular method, I like trying all different ones. In the future I may change once I have tried everything :) at least once. So another piece of advice, regardless what you decide for yourself today, remember you can change it tomorrow. But above all ENJOY what you do!

Finding your quilting 'style' is much like finding your artist's 'voice'. For some people it's almost immediate, for others it takes years and years. There are no tricks other than to keep working, keep exploring different styles, and stop worrying about having to find a specific 'you'. Instead, just enjoy the journey. One day someone will look at one of your quilts and say, "That's so distinctly YOU!" And, sure enough, there it is!! :)

Thank you so much everyone. I just ordered a thimble and a "pad" for the finger underneath the frame. I love everything about quilting... the fabric... watching a piece of cloth turn into something beautiful... the colors, I even love my frame, etc. I keep listening/reading different well-known quilters and think "oh, THAT is the "RIGHT" way". I need to drop that and I will take more breaks from the frame. Thank you for your encouragement... I am just going to relax and quilt. I love being part of this community. Thank you again, your thoughts mean a lot to me.
Cherie

You should be able to do the rocking stitch without pain, and get more than 5-7 stitches...not that it really matters. Make sure your quilt sandwich isn't too tight in the frame. There needs to be some flex in the sandwich to allow the needle to rock.

However, none of this really matters. Once the quilt comes off the frame no one will know how you made the stitches, so do it the way that makes you happiest.

As for developing a style, why worry? Just quilt and be happy that you're doing it.

Janet

Cherie, I've been a seamstress most all my life. Took up quilting in 2011 at age 66. Never thought I'd quilt as it requires math and puzzles at which I've NEVER been good. Still, I love it! (go figure)

I've machine quilted, and am learning to hand-quilt. Just finished my 1st full size quilt that way. You know what? I like each process. Honestly never thought about having a "style" of quilting. For me it's just pure fun. And at this stage of life shouldn't it be just that... fun. :o

What is "style"? I think that it is the patterns and fabric colors/patterns that YOU like. There are no quilt police so there are no hard and fast ruls as to which style you should choose. Take a clue from the decorating of you house/apt to choose colors and pattern that you like. As fo machine vs hand- no hand for me- too slow!!! If is frustating and pain ful for you then do not do it and choose machine. Also remember that holder hands can develop arthrits so you may not be able to always do hand. I enjoy the piecing process not really the quilting process- but I do it anyway since sending it out to a LAQ is not in my budget. Just choose the one you like doing. As for developing skills- I am a firm believer in taking a basic quilting class form your LQS. You will learn most basic skills so you can use them as a basis doe gtrowing more skills. Choose simpler patterns to start to sharpen you skills and them start doing harder ones. Read the pattern directions and follow them. They are there for a reason and will help you make the quilt easier and also develop new skills. Just remenber that quilting is a process and you should enjoy it(not that we all do not get frustated sometimes). If you do not really like quilting then maybe it is not for you. Also I started quilting about your age and am getting really good at it after 3 yrs (you do the math for my age)) and
I really like it!!! Do not let other influence your "style " of quilting. There are many quilters out there who think that there way is the "bible" and the only way. . It is fun to think out of the box about colors and patterns but not if you will not use the finished item . chose your own "drunkard path" in life. and quilting

Gads zook. I don't even do one quilt at a time. One at least is always at my sewing machine. Hand work is near the couch. Quilting is at my LA.

I don't enjoy needle turn or hand quilting due to kinda severe arthritis of my hands. So I found ways I can continue to quilt at my own pace.

Learning new techniques is always fun. Except for Cotton Theory - that was pure painful and a friend finished it for me. I go to classes to learn and use my 'class fabric' rather than my finished product fabric as I know I am slower than many others and I am there just to learn and have fun.

I do find I rewrite some patterns so they are easier for me to do. Some pattern makers just aren't good with directions! Great with design but not directions.

my most important criteria for doing anything is what do I enjoy doing. I am 60 and by now I know I will never be one of those quilters that do such beautiful hand work. I do it because I like doing it and really don't give a hoot about improving or being perfect. I do enjoy and admire all those people who do such beautiful work. I will never be one of them and that has made me able to enjoy quilting even more.

peace