I wish tutorial videos slowed down a bit and showed good techniques.
 

I have watched a number of tutorials (Missouri Quilt Company, Elenor Burns, etc.) and while I understand they are trying to fit a large subject (making a particular quilt or focus on one element such as FMQ, etc) into a short video, I wish that they would still show them doing tasks using a good technique.

Specifically, the pressing is usually featured in a very haphazard fashion and usually shows them dragging the iron across instead of "pressing". You also hardly ever see pinning fabrics together. I have a hard time believing that they can keep the fabrics together and run the machine at such a high speed yet keep an accurate seem and not have the fabric edges eventually pull apart towards the final part of the strip. I am still trying to learn good techniques and I would find it very helpful to find a set of videos that shows slowly good cutting, pressing and sewing techniques</SPAN></SPAN>.

This video in particular shows exactly what I am talking about --http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5WgTyqB8Pc. It is a good video for showing how to make that quilt but you can't honestly believe that that is how she cuts, presses and sews to make a good quality quilt. This is not a slam to that company or any other video maker, as I understand they are trying to present a topic in a short period. However, it does seem like they could add a few seconds to make some of the tasks more realistic. If you know of any good videos I would love to be pointed to them.

I agree that more "detail" for some of the steps would be helpful. Sometimes the one step I really did not understand - is the one that seems to be barely mentioned or completely skipped over.

You might look for Sharon Schamber videos. You do have to pay for them, but she doesn't do things the quick, easy and sloppy way.

Thank you dunster, I will look into that. That sounds promising.

Some tutorials - free or not - are better than others.

Eleanor Burns is doing the show to get you to buy her books. She and all the other shows on PBS have a limited time slot for the show to squeeze into. There is NO substitute from taking classes at your local quilt shop where you can get personal one on one time with a professional quilt instructor. I had one student come in with a sewing machine she had NEVER CLEANED!! I helped her get out the accumulation of dust bunnies and got oil on critical machine pieces. She was soon back to quilting with a good learning experience under her belt. You can't learn everything on a video. XOXOXO

I suppose some of these videos are trying to sell the product and not techniques as with missorie star. I know what you mean but very detailed videos don't appear to exist. I was looking for how to join the eight se cations of a lone star, with all point meeting in the centre.sofar can't find it .

I think that DebraK is correct. The free videos are great and I would not call them"slapdash". They are meant to show a particular technique to make a particular quilt. You can purchase many videos on HOW to quilt, pinning snd pressing etc. Is that perhaps what you are looking for?

Oh and when I sew strips together I never pin. That is not showing a lack of technique. My machine sews straight and true - pinning would be a waste of time!

There are very detailed videos on how to do the specific techniques. To find them you must be very specific in your search. Many of the videos also take for granted you already know how to do these techniques and have some experience and therefore leave them out for time saving.

How to press seams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sw5QJr2mGw
How to pin fabric
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK_79KdJVIg
Free motion quilting for beginners
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFcITNjuGnM

There are different ways to make a lonestar. One is in a Craftsy class by Kimberley Einmo called Magical Jelly Rolls. You might try her technique.

Sometimes the level of detail in some Craftsy classes drives me crazy so there you have the opposite viewpoint on videos! I do know how to pin and how to press etc so just skip through those parts.

I understand that you would like a complete lesson on how to construct a quilt during a tutorial but a lot of tutorials assume that viewers are already familiar with correct pressing, cutting, etc. Perhaps look for tutorials where those techniques are addressed. While it might be nice to include that info in each tutorial it can be boring to those who feel they already have those techniques conquered. If a tutorial advertises as how to make a particular quilt then I don't expect it to show me how to cut and press. Not every tutorial is going to show everything each person wants, all we can do is hope for the best. There are many great free tutorials available that cover all aspects of improving quilting skills. Keep looking and watching and don't be deterred in your quest for more thorough tutorials.

Thank you it was I just wanted reinforcement on that point.

This one shows how to join the sections
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY5ynORntGA

The Craftsy free BOMs are pretty detailed.

A lot of the teachers in the tutorials mention that you can pin but they are so advanced in their work that they don't need to. When I run across a tutorial that goes too fast for me, I pause it and work out the step, then watch it again until I 'get' it.

As for "pressing" - a lot of that depends on your iron. One of the famous teachers (and for the life of me, I can't recall who it was) suggests that when you first start with a new configuration to MEASURE AT EACH STEP. That way you can tell if your pieces are cut correctly, if your seam allowance is spot-on, and if you press correctly. Watching someone do the steps, and translating these instructions to your own work takes effort.

I do agree that some of the craftsy classes are wonderful. However, even there, some teachers are more "relaxed" in their accuracy than others.

Different tutorials are suitable for quilters in different stages of development. I go to Youtube to quickly learn a new technique. It would drive me crazy to have to watch everyone include detailled instructions about pressing, cutting, etc. Plus, some quilters do develop the ability to sew very fast and maintain accuracy. I had to work much more slowly and carefully when I was beginning. Nowadays I know exactly when I need to slow down and be careful about accuracy, and when I can speed up without worrying about having problems down the line. The short Youtube videos such as the one posted are aimed more at intermediate and advanced quilters who don't need to see basic techniques demonstrated.

A precision piecing class or dvd is what you want. I won't watch details of how to pin or press when watching tutorial. I seen and read all the ways to do that and have taken many classes from great quilters.

I find pausing and starting help me alot. I just work on each step and start the video for the next.

When I watch the videos and I've just about watched all of them. Jenny Doan and her girls have often said they don't pin every time and that is totally up to you. As far as pressing I've often heard Jenny say to let the fabric cool a bit after pressing before sewing again. If I feel I miss anything, I go to the bottom of the screen and back up the audio bar. I do that to all videos.

I couldn't seem to find Debrak's post but I have to agree you. These videos are free and designed to sell products so they focus on one particular method of assembly, technique or quilt pattern. Take from them what they have to offer, refine your searches and look into what ever else interests you.
Kay Woods is great at this. Her focus is usually a quilt pattern and the techniques used to make it. . . using her rulers of course, but there's lot of information with it. I believe she has one on the 8 pointed star block with the technique for joining the centers. She may even have one on the lone star quilt.
Good luck and keep looking, I'm sure it's out there.

You can always hit the pause button, or drag the arrow back to the beginning to watch something again. I find that helps. And if you have a question, ask it below the video. Usually someone will get back with an answer.

I am sometimes troubled by the techniques I see in videos and the inconsistency I see. Most of the time the teacher is selling a product or a quick method. I have seen techniques on one block that I know would not allow additional blocks to fit together. I have wondered about the 'out takes' You do know that these videos are shot and re-shot and spliced beck together for presentation.

Don't know if there is a video but here is how I do it....sew sections into pairs, then two pairs into a four section...match that center seam, making sure the seams are opposing..then
pin that very center...then about a quarter of an inch from that point on each side of that center pin, remove that center pin...then sew from that center out to the end of each side, removing each pin as you get to it......then the last part and the fun part, in my opinion, is make that cute little pinwheel from that center. Takes a little more time sewing those two sections center out, but best way for me to avoid making " mountain tops" of that final joining seam

At least some do take the time and effort to make the videos. If any one doesn't know the basics of good quilting techniques then it's up to that person to read a quilt book or take a class. It's not the main goal of most quilting videos.

I just have to ask....since none of my machines can sew a straight seam....haha. What kind of sewing machine do you have? I am getting better with the 1/4" seam, but not to where I am confident enough to not pin all my seams.

The videos do seem to go fast. But IMHO they are free and just think back and it was not possible to have someone show us a video, you had to pay for a class or buy a book to learn a particular process.. I really enjoy the free videos that and of the quilt company's furnish for us free of charge. And some folks can sew without pinning, and press just the way she does on the video.. I think unless you are dealing with something cut on the bias it is not that critical.. Again this is just MO.

Quick and easy seems to be the trend. Nowadays a "quilter" doesn't even have to cut her own pieces, may not select her own fabrics, technique may be sloppy, and has the end result machine quilted!

I use Eleanor Burns methods for half square triangles and flying geese.
She once explained why she throws scraps over her shoulder. She had a scrap bag attached to the table and the director told her to get rid of it, so she starting the over the shoulder throw.
They have a limited amount of time and it is very different from quilting at home.
You can watch her videos on her website Quilt In A Day.

I just watched this video this morning. Very detailed and easy to follow. It is long, but I skipped ahead a few times. I know how to do the corners, but I wanted to see how she joined the ends of the binding strips. She did it just like I do, and this is the first one I have seen do that.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/5489

This link came from the post about Charity Quilts.

I believe there are different teachers for different students. Unlike schools, the student needs to find the right teacher! If you don't like one teacher's style, move on to the next one.

Some quilters have some skills already mastered and really don't need the techniques shown in detail.
There are beginner quilters who need techniques broken down to simple, simple steps and sometimes there's different techniques to get to the same ending!

All I can say is WATCH AWAY!!!! The internet has made learning to quilt POSSIBLE!!! You can learn how to do almost anything on the internet. Think of how people learned to quilt before the net. Things were only learned 'hands on' from someone we knew. Then came t.v. shows that taught us how to quilt (Eleanor Burns, Fons and Porter, Alex Anderson, etc), quilting took off! Then the internet shows, blogs, tutorials, forums, etc...there's no stopping the love of quilting now!

If you want to learn ANYTHING about ANYTHING, you can probably find it on the net!

Nan

Sharons lessons are great and explained thoroughly, How and why., Worth every penny.
peace

Thank you everyone. I think it is my "research" focused brain that is wanting to see various quilters methods. I find that a good pressing technique is one that I would like to see visually in more of these videos (I don't really need it explained specifically or them taking more time than necessary, just to press properly) and that is really lacking for time saving purposes I assume.

Some blocks or sizes of strips are easier to press than others. I had a difficult time pressing my skinny strips for my Omigosh quilt and still get accurate strip sizes afterwards. I think after doing it once, the most accurate way would be to press the seams open when making the strip sets for the tiny 9 patches but then you have more work to match seam. Lord help me, I have convinced myself to make another in all blue batiks. In my mind, it looks gorgeous. Let's hope I can do it. I am going to try to upsize the blocks this time (I'm thinking of trying to work out the measurements so the little squares in the 9 patch finish at either 3/4 inch or 1 inch--making a 7.5 or 9 inch block instead of the 4 inch block in the pattern and my original Omigosh.

I am very thankful for the internet and all the riches it contains. I am of the older generation that grew to adulthood well before the internet came around so I know how hard any of this type of research would be "back in the day". I can wish, can't I :)

I LOVE learning from MSQC tutorials. I absolutely love her personality! Yes, she is quick about sewing seams, but she has sewn a zillion times more seams than I have and probably can do it with her eyes closed. I am a "pinner" because I do not trust myself to sew straight seams. However, I would be bored to death watching her press every seam open and waiting for her to pin the seams. Sometimes I put Jenny on PAUSE while I run over to the machine and do whatever she has taught me. LOL

I would recommend a class at your local quilt store if you do not feel comfortable learning from a video. There are so many different styles of learning....visual learner, audio learner, fast learner, slow learner, etc.... Some of us need a little more help than others---LOL
I have learned MUCH rfom "you tube"---especially when I get stuck and can't call a friend to help me at midnight.

I KNOW that you will find what works for you. A "hands on" class works wonders for me.....but I am too frugal to sign up continuously. CRAFTSY also offers free classes online and they are great! A patient friend also helps---one who can explain things over the phone!! Thanks Barb.

Take classes if you can, that really helps when you are first starting, that said, don't take all of one teacher's rules as gospel. Each teacher will show a slightly different way of doing the different steps. Remember what works best for you and do that step that way. I've learned a little something from every class I took, even the one where I had a teacher that wanted everything done her exact way, I truly believe that no one teacher's way works for everyone. She did manage to teach me to hand sew 16 stitches per inch.
For beginners, I really think one of the first things a good teacher should teach is how to pick a pattern and the right fabrics (type, quality, color, pattern and texture), this comes very hard to some people. Then, which necessary tools to buy that will be best for the job, then, show the proper & safe way to use them. And then they should get into the steps used in making a quilt.
If you look at some of the older Eleanor Burns videos, you can learn a lot. I like the ones she did for her Jewel Box quilt. Part 1: http://www.quiltinaday.com/theater/scraps/scraps02.html & part 2 http://www.quiltinaday.com/theater/scraps/scraps03.html

Thanks for that link jeaninmaine- those are fun to watch and I hadn't seen that one before. I love how she has such great "efficiency" methods, those are real gems from her. Again though, a lot of my questions and "what??" come from the pressing I saw. I am seeing ironing instead of pressing (running the iron across the fabric instead of lifting and pressing which is what is usually written as a guide to good pressing, yet I continually see quilters ironing instead). If I "press" my HST open like she does, it stretches out the diagonal seam. Also, if I press my quilt strips like she demonstrated, I get a slight bowing out of the edges at the center of the strip. It seemed like she had a really hot iron and didn't have to do very much pressing to get the job done. I would love it if my iron performed like hers.

I'll have to make time to watch the rest of those 2 videos. Thanks again.

For using good techniques I like to watch the Kaye Wood videos. Watching her is like working with my grandma was. She teaches with nearly every word out of her mouth, and as she demonstrates her quilts, she is constantly giving tips and techniques to make the job easier. She must have taught at some point in her life, or she should have.

My straight-shooter is a Pfaff Ambition - approximately $700 or so. When I sat down at a show try it, I sent a piece of fabricc down without holding on at all. It sewed so straight. It also has IDT which is a built-in walking foot- like lever which helps guide the fabric. They were the first to have it and now you can get the same thing (called other names) on high-end machines. I am a Pfaff fan.

I also learned the technique of holding two strips (without pinning) while guiding them through. I forget who it was that showed this but you hold and match the strips about ten inches or so away from the machine and let er rip! Keep matching and sewing.

I also have recently acquired a Featherweight for $200 and darned if that doesn't sew straight also.

Sorry this is so long!

sewmary, that is great you have had suck good luck.

My Babylock Espire can't sew a straight line to save it's life. I have to fight with it constantly to keep the fabric from veering off to the left.

I bough it from LQS 2 years ago as a trade-in and have been treated very poorly by LQS staff ever since (once I made the purchase they wanted, they treated me like dirt and reneged on their promises to get me the missing items--quite a few). It left me a really, really bad taste in my mouth. I'm not very confrontational so I didn't start demanding things or get loud but when I finally realized they were walking away from their promises completely, I did say that I was "very disappointed". I was shopping there at least 3 to 4 times a month building my stash but ever since that moment, I only went in 2 more times. I won't give them any of my business.

I have two favourite YouTube quilting channels - M*QC and 'The Gourmet Quilter' from NZ. As a beginner of 6 months I find the latter channel is often a bit slower and more detailed in the presentations.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7...eAclYo4iGjZc1A

As a regular watcher of both channels, I can't believe how much knowledge there is on them both and I'm very grateful.