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I have a tendency to think the other way. A completely made by hand dress or garment would certainly work--people used to to do it all the time, but I think few would argue that a dress made by machine has stronger seams and will hold up better over time and abuse than one made entirely by hand.
And I've still got that mentality when it comes to quilts--a quilt made entirely by hand is more delicate and needs to be treated more gingerly. So I suppose, my mentality is quite opposite--180 degrees of what your guild/ladies are telling you. Probably some of it is my age (50) and some of it is my background in garment sewing. I can appreciate something made by hand--I did do a lot of cross stitching, both counted and regular, so I understand the time involved. |
Originally Posted by quilter1
(Post 6015178)
By chance this week, I met some quilters from the guild I used to belong to. I no longer attend because of this same attitude. Can someone please let me in on the secret? Are machine made quilts really second class? Quilts made entirely by hand are somehow in a higher class, those quilts are better than mine? Quilters who only hand piece and quilt are really better than those of us who use a machine?
I really do appreciate hand quilted quilts, and I always have a hand quilting project on the go, but most of my quilt projects are pieced and quilted by machine. At least, this way, I complete things. OK, they are not heirloom quilts, but I think that my had pieced and quilted ones are. Maybe I am just too sensitive, but the elitest attitude really makes me sad. I am surely not a pro at quilting, but I have been quilting for 24 years and have completed many projects, which have been received with positive comments and thanks. I think my work could hold it's own with most others. Why is it that we all just can't play nice and appreciate each other's work? I have seen some magnificent machine made quilts and some gorgeous hand made ones too. I must say, though, that my friends on this board are encouraging and so willing to give praise and positive feedback. I am so glad that I am a member of this group. Thanks everyone. Smile, say "how nice for you." and go on with your happy life. Instead of them annoying you, you'll annoy them!! People can only make you feel bad about your purchases, choices, methods, etc if you let them. |
For physical reasons some people can only do machine quilting or hand or long arm. I enjoy all and do some of each depending on not only project but time of year.not hand quilting in the summer with quilt over my knee but in the winter it is lovely and warm. All quilts are beautiful and there to be admired. Each stage and methods requires skill and design imput . Keep doing it your way and love doing it.
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You already know the answer. The real question is whether you can get past your feelings about this group and let them be, and stay away from them!!
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My great great grandmother was considered to be an exceptional quilter. She pieced using one of the first sewing machines in Illinois. This debate raged for years. I think it is just about over. Quilting has traditions, not LAWS. traditions change. A few years back I was given a very nice hand pieced antique quilt top to use for a fund raiser. I checked with an official quilt appraiser. She said the quality of the fabric, design, piecing and quilting, not whether it was hand or machine sewn was what mattered in pricing a quilt, which seems to be to be the essence of the issue. If those people want to stay with handwork. That's fine. FOR THEM. the rest of the world has moved on.
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since the $100,000 winner quilt is machine quilted...and about 40 of the (100 best quilts of the 20th century) are machine quilted...why would you even think about this? of course machine quilted quilts are not (2nd class)...they are just done with a different technique than some (closed minded- ...) would like to spout.
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Isn't that kinda of like saying oil lamps and candles are better than electric lights? I for one don't think washing my clothes in a washtup is better than my washing machine. I think one can appreciate and be amazed by the old methods and never want to lose that art but I think our advances are wonderful timesavers. This is from one who was raised without electricity or running water.
Lynda |
I look at it like this...Life evolves. My precious little momma made her quilts by hand, but that's how they did it in her day..... Fabric was cut with scissors, Dishes were washed by hand, Clothes were washed on a washboard, houses were heated with wood and coal. And the list goes on and on...... We don't do tho things like that anymore. At least most of us don't. We change with the times. We now have nice machines. If someone wants to do things the hard way, go ahead. I can produce a whole lot more by using rotary cutters and machines to piece and quilt....... There are no " quilt police" to arrest you if you don't do it someone else's way. Quilt to suit yourself. Most winners at quilt shows are made and quilted by machine.
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OP, I am so sorry you ran into these critical people. Not very polite IMHO. Don't let anyone make you feel bad or "second-rate" about your quilts. You know we on the QB are always supportive.
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I belong to a great guild. There are many levels of experience. We have beginners, intermediates, hand quilters, and even a few professionals. All are welcome EXECPT quilt police. The mission of our guild is to encourage and promote the love of quilting and friendship.
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Originally Posted by quilter1
(Post 6015178)
I really do appreciate hand quilted quilts, and I always have a hand quilting project on the go, but most of my quilt projects are pieced and quilted by machine. At least, this way, I complete things. OK, they are not heirloom quilts, but I think that my had pieced and quilted ones are.
You justify yourself when you say, "I always have a hand quilting project on the go" almost as if this is some sort of mollification. When you say "at least I complete things" when referring to machine work and, "OK, they are not heirloom quilts". Why on earth not?? I've never sewn by hand, never intend to and if someone intimated that anything I made was not 'heirloom' my DD would have something resounding to say. |
This is what I say to those who snubbishly say something derogatory about machine piecing and/or quilting (sometimes I have to say it to embroiderers too!). I don't churn my butter nor do I ride a horse buggy, and pretty sure neither do you!
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Noooooooooooooooooooooo
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I am renting a room from a friend who saw me hand quilting a quilt and she said. Oh that's nice a REAL quilt. In my way of thinking it is just a different way and the ONLY reason I am handquilting is because all my stuff is in storage and I would lose my mind completely if I didn't have something to work on.
And as far as being second class. Umm not! How many of Their hand peiced hand quilted quilts have been in shows and won first place and sold for Thousands of dollars. I can't find exact money but I remember Ricky Tims quilt got enough from the museum to at least put down money on 2 Harleys. :) |
OH and have they actually seen Sharon Schambers work?
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I was at a quilt show yesterday. I saw hand quilted and machine quilting. I am a hand quilter. I love beautifully done machine quilting. I believe it must take more energy, patience and talent than hand quilting. I do need to learn to machine quilt. How else will I ever complete my bucket list?? Second class? Nope. All good.
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NO!!! As a hand quilter and hand appliqué-r, I am saddened to read your post, quilter1. Art is art, and there are countless mediums with which to express oneself. The negative attitude of a few are giving the rest of the hand quilters of the world a bad rap! Each technique has its wonders and challenges. It surprises me to hear of quilters being so negative.... I have said before on a different thread that the quilters I have met are some of the nicest people on the planet. This small group is the exception as opposed to the rule! Please ignore them!!!!! I have seen absolutely gorgeous machine quilting that I could never, ever do with a thimble and needle... I do not understand how or why anyone would say such things. Sounds like you did the right thing moving on from that guild. The whole purpose of quilt guilds is to learn from and encourage each other. I hope you can find another group that helps rather than hurts you.
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Originally Posted by sharisews
(Post 6015958)
I belong to a great guild. There are many levels of experience. We have beginners, intermediates, hand quilters, and even a few professionals. All are welcome EXECPT quilt police. The mission of our guild is to encourage and promote the love of quilting and friendship.
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Originally Posted by Knitette
(Post 6015974)
Hmmm........... This is what struck me most about about your comments about others 'elitist attitude', is that you yourself appear to hold some of these views.
You justify yourself when you say, "I always have a hand quilting project on the go" almost as if this is some sort of mollification. When you say "at least I complete things" when referring to machine work and, "OK, they are not heirloom quilts". Why on earth not?? I've never sewn by hand, never intend to and if someone intimated that anything I made was not 'heirloom' my DD would have something resounding to say. And why WOULDN'T a machine quilted masterpiece by an heirloom!?!?!? My bet is that your beautiful quilts will be treasured by generations! |
Sewing machines were created for a reason. Hopefully they hand piece as well. I would love to hand piece and quilt everything but the reality is....I HAVE a life so I take advantage of the machines!
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I agree with feline fanatic!
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We are each blessed with 24 in a day and we determine how to spend our daily treasure of hours. Our grandmothers did not have that luxury. They had far too much work and toil to accomplish-but they still had 24 hours. They socialized in sewing days and quilted together-and waited their turn to have a quilt quilted. There is nothing more beautiful than a quilt that is hand quilted but machine work is magnificent. I loved to hand quilt-but am quite slow at it-so I machine quilt. I think our grandmothers would have adapted quickly to machine quilting if they had had access to the things we have. After all, they were quick to embrace washing machines rather than rocks; they accepted cars in place of their horses; most gave up grinding their own wheat to make bread. Do what you enjoy, aspire to do your best and enjoy it. Be comfortable with your present abilities or strive for a higher plane. Enjoy your journey but learn to appreciate the different journey path of others.
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hahahaha.....we've had about the same discussion about 10 years ago in a photogroup:
Is a digital photo real or is it only real when you make a photo with an analog camera and develop and print it yourself...... We all know the outcome by now!!!! For handquilting you need skills, but for machinequilting you need skills also. It makes you finish a quilt much faster but stilln it takes a lot of time and effort. I really appriciate both ways |
Go look through the Pictures forum here and see what you think. Saying that hand quilting is good and machine quilting is bad would be like saying oil painting is good and watercolor is bad. Weird.
My quilts so far have used very simple machine quilting -- outline and stitch in the ditch. I've been practicing some hand quilting because I have a project that doesn't lend itself to the type of machine quilting I can do (no FMQ foot, never done FMQ, etc.). I have another project going that might even be some of each -- machine for the border and hand for the center panel. Wonder what your quilt police would say about that! LOL LOL LOL |
As my daughter always says "Haters, hate".
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I am a machine quilter and proud of it. I would never complete anything if I had to hand quilt. My mom teases me because I claim to be allergic to hand sewing. If there is any way to make something by machine instead of hand sewing it I will find a way. I don't have time for quilt snobs and would find a new guild.
I just went to the International Quilt Show in Cincinnati last weekend and the majority of the quilts on display were machine pieced and quilted. Do whatever floats your boat. They are your quilts make them your way. There are no rules for creativity. The most creative things are made by breaking the rules. Have fun. Do it your way. |
I think most of them are really beautiful either hand quilted or machine quilted.
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I made a lovely quilt which I donated to a church group for their Christmas raffle. I do not even belong to this church. When I took it in to them, an older woman remarked as to how lovely it was, moved closer, sniffed and turned up her nose, and said, "Oh, it'machine quilted, i only hand quilt." I replied that perhaps she could donate the next one. This lap quilt earned them over $500.
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I always hand quilt - sometimes machine piece, but most of the time hand piece. I am in awe of the beautiful machine quilted patterns & I certainly would machine quilt if I could afford the machine. There is room for all methods in quilting, just as there is in all art forms. Sometimes the only way someone can feel good about themselves & what they do is by tearing down someone else.
hugs Shirley in Indiana |
The only thing bad about ANY quilting is when the quilt can stand up in the corner because it is so stiff! Sometimes machine quilters go overboard. BTW, I have a quilt being quilted by machine right now. Minimum quilting requested and the women always complies.
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So who says that machine quilted quilts are not heirloom quilts? I think they are.
I machine quilt my quilts and my family & friends think they are heirloom quilts. There is room for everyone in the quilting world. |
NO! 25 years ago, I took a quilting class... The lady who taught it insisted everything be done by hand...tracing around templates and then adding a qtr inch by tracing again, cutting out with scissors, stitching pieces together by hand. To top it off, she was highly critical of those of us in the class...our stitches were crooked or too large. You get the picture, I am sure. I never finished...I had 3 children under the age of 8, worked full time and had a husband who travelled a lot with his job. I did not find quilting relaxing or enjoyable! Fortunately, several years ago, I happened into a LQS where machine piecing and quilting is the norm. I now enjoy quilting very much! I admire those who do it entirely by hand but I refuse to accept the thought that my quilts are second rate!
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Morning!
I have sewn for over 50 years. You name it, I have sewn it and sometimes I have sewn it for groups of 100 or more. More than once I sewed in a bus; once at 3 am. Now that you know that, please know that if my sewing machines don't sew whatever it is, I don't sew it -except that 3 am thing. That was something else altogether. But the bottom line here is do whatever makes you happy and you will use that joy to bless the ones around you. Thanks be we are not finally judged on our hand sewing or our hand quilting. My sewing machines and I would be in big trouble. Spread that joy around. And enjoy seeing what comes of it. Pat |
In response, I have hand pieced and hand quilted. I have machine pieced and machine quilted. I have hand quilted "cheater" tops too:)
My guild members appreciate and encourage differences in all our quilting adventures. I love and learn from all of them and will continue to be a part of the group:):) |
Both methods are wonderful!!! Sorry they are so non accepting of others!
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They are almost as bad as the "art" quilters. My advice is to laugh at them. To quote a famous quilter' "You're making blankets, sweetie.. get over it"
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Awhile back, I met a woman who appraises quilts and asked her pretty much that very question; had always been curious. She said that appraisers, when assessing value, look for the quality of the work, regardless of whether it is machine quilted or hand quilted. I know that hand quilters (and people who know nothing of quilting as well) often seem to perceive that there is somehow less skill involved in machine quilting a quilt. I hand quilted for years, then began quilting smaller quilts on my sewing machine and, ultimately, acquired a Gammill which I now use for almost everything I do. I will bear witness to the fact that there is certainly a different skill set involved in machine quilting--different, but in no way inferior. In point of fact, I found machine quilting far more difficult to master to the extent that I was proud to show my work. There are people in this world, unfortunately, who seem to think that they can make themselves superior by belittling others. Truly, they aren't worth worrying about.
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I have a appreciation for the skill and dedication to beautifully hand quilted quilts, but by no means does that dismiss the skill and dedication to beautifully machine quilted quilts. Just as I admire/marvel at wood furniture that is all cut by hand ( no power tools) , and admire beautifully made wood furniture made by a skilled craftsman/artist using power tools. Each method of construction be it textiles or wood, has its own unique criteria for admiration.
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It makes me feel sad that for some people and groups there is only one way to do things. I run a guild that meets monthly and we have covered all types of quilting in our meetings. Several of our members do hand quilting, many LA quilters and many who use their home machines. I do LA quilting, nothing would ever get done if hand sewing was all I did. Jenny Beyer does only hand, but there are as many out there that do only machine sewing and quilting. There must be something right and good about it as many of us do only machine quilting. My grandmother once told me "It's funny how, as soon as someone figured out how to do it by machine, because it was so much faster and easier, there were always a few that decided it was their job to judge how wrong it is. If hand sewing was so great, why do we machine sew all of our clothes, at one time they were all hand sewn." It's so nice to have options for all the things we do, sewing, quilting, embroidery,etc. I don't let anyone judge what I do. They are the ones missing out on so much fun.
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Something to think about.... all of the big quilt shows are sponsored by companies a lot of these companies make sewing/quilting machines. They are not individuals that labor over one work of art but sell to the masses to create many works. These individuals are holding back the progression of time and if we really want to be appreciated for our time and talents we need to keep abreast of the changes in our industry. Yes industry there is big money being spent on quilting from fabric to thread and the machines to create with. Those that want to hand piece and hand quilt are wonderful (yes I do it also hand piece and hand quilt) But if we want to be taken seriously and find ways to make money doing what we love then we need to move forward. Big money for quilt shows did not come about because we all continued to do the same thing (by hand) it is with innovative thinking and improved machines that we are being taken more seriously. Example Nancy Zieman isn't still creating garments now is she!
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