and you love it.

but ... if you accidentally crossed a line ... wouldn't you still love it? and be proud of how pretty your creation was?

my point isn't to put down anybody who knows all the correct terms and techniques. i envy and admire anybody who can execute any quilting technique with any degree of skill. i haven't tried any kind of freeemotion yet so don't know whether i'll be any good.

i do get upset sometimes when we worry so much about violating rules sent down from on high that we start something new scared to death of breaking them. or worse ... don't try something new because of that fear.

"they" couldn't call themselves experts if we didn't accept "them" as experts. i can't help but wonder how much talent is stifled by fear, self-doubt, and anxiety because we might not do it exactly as "they" say we should.

that's why i like it here so much. i haven't "met" a single quilt snob or member of the quilt police yet. we share what we know ... reluctantly admit what we don't know ... and keep each other laughing as we gather our courage to face the next new challenge.

Patrice is absolutely right. Because of the "rules" we are often too intimidated to try something new for fear of the Earth spinning backward. I was so scared of FMQ before I tried it that I would get this horrible knot in my stomach even at the thought of finishing a quilt top... How will I quilt it? What if I mess up my quilt by attempting a new technique? and about a million other questions including will the walls cave in and the QP take me away to place me on display for public ridicule? Finally I tried it, and when I messed up, I was able to fix my quilt pretty easily with the aid of my handy friend Mr. Seam Ripper, and when I crossed over my lines of stipple the walls didn't cave in and out of all of the people who have seen this quilt, not one has ever ridiculed my work. Instead, I was asked for one many times over, and 2 even asked me to teach them how to do it. :shock:

No one should ever be afraid to try something new just because of the rules and the QP... neither exists in your private sewing area until you are ready to allow them into your quilting processes. As a matter of fact, the only time you will ever encounter them is if you enter a quilt into one of their quilt shows, and then it is different because you have invited their critique.

As far as why we don't cross over the previously sewn lines, I have heard it can cut those threads, but the answer that made most sense to me was crossing over the lines breaks up the background pattern you are trying to accomplish, thereby preventing the flowing movement of the eyes across the quilt... sort of like hitting a visual speed-breaker.

Maybe someone was just trying to make theirself feel more important by making it more difficult on beginners to the technique?? Machine stippling hasn't been around very long has it?

Having just joined the forum I am very interested in the stippling debate. I have tried a bit of machine stippling on my Janome but the stitches get hic-cups.....I know I need lots of practise, but at the moment I am in a hurry and working on a hand quilted project. Problem: Is there a technique for free-motion hand stippling? I need to fill in some areas on faux baltimore blocks. I appeal to the wisdom and expertise of the wonderful world of quilters.

No stippling has'nt been around very long, that I'm aware of, I was given a free lesson about 10 yrs ago in a little sewing machine shop in NC, at that time, I was told it was a new thing. And I was so intimadated to even try it. And I did'nt for about 6 yrs, but I kept seeing more and more of it and made up my mind to do it. And to date I still sometimes cross aline. Which dosen't diminish from my quilt at all. I was also taught that it should look like jig saw puzzle pieces. And for the most part, it dose. But whats wrong with it lookin like large child type puzzle pieces? For me I think it's the consistency of what ever design, as stated, By Patrice it's the flowing of the pattern and motion of the back of the quilt. And it's what YOU want to do, It's your quilt.

You could echo quilt the blocks or draw in the stipple with a chalk pencil or water soluable pen and stitch on your drawn lines. Good luck!!

I was told it was like puzzle pieces also and by the way if anyone can see that you crossed over your lines, they are waaaaaaaaaaaaay to damn close! :D

Good Point!! :lol:

Patrice,


"or worse ... don't try something new because of that fear. "

How do you know me so well?!?!?! :lol:

I have to keep reminding myself that!

most of us have to keep reminding ourselves of that.

we are not alone. ;-)

I may have missed it, but no one has mentioned that the easiest way to practice any continuous line quilting design is to use a large piece of paper and practice with a pencil. The brain doesn't know the difference between fabric and paper. I love the debate on terminology. Stippling is the jig saw puzzle look that doesn't cross itself. Meandering is the wandering designs that fill in. Happy quilting.
Sally
Gammill Classic
Rock Falls, IL