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There is a very slight difference between hand quilted and machine quilted. You can't see it with your eyes, it's not a visual difference. When you give your quilt away and it's machined quilted has the recipient ever said "Gee, I wish you had hand quilted this". Not likely! I think the difference is will it be used or sit on a shelf. Don't get me wrong, I love both. I can't picture me committing the time to hand quilting. I so admire the people who can. I love machine pieced and/or quilted. I can see myself making a machined quilt. The only difference to me is time and usage. As I said, I love hand pieced and hand quilted quilts, but I'd never use one. I might hang it up for all to see, but would never put it on a bed. I'd be terrified that something would get stained or ripped and the person who gave it to me would be offended. I don't feel quite the same way about machine-pieced and machine-quilted quilts. I love them because I think they are made to be used and the person who gave it to me would be horribly offended if I didn't use it. There are quilts in both categories that I would hang and never place on a bed. But to me a hand quilted piece is made to show but not necessarily to be used. And a machined quilt is made to used and/or displayed. I think the only difference is.....Now that I think about it there is no real difference, not even slightly...LOL!
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RUN!!!!
I rarely will show my work because of this issue. I always have a hand project going, currently 2, Grandmothers Garden and Cathedral Windows. Most of my crazy quilting is done by hand. I love pieced quilts and do my own quilting. I do not send it out. I use my own sewing machine. It may take me awhile but the quilt is mine. My idea, my time. |
The quilt group I joined some time ago has become a knitting group at this time. However, when everyone was quilting everyone was nice. The opinion was it is your quilt you can do what ever you want. I have made many quilts, donated to charity and family. They were all appreciated. I don't and never did expect to win any honors. I made them to be used not judged.
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How ridiculous! I'm a hand quilter by my own preference because I enjoy the looks of old fashioned country quilts. I think machine quilting is much more difficult actually. I wouldn't even know where to begin trying to get all those squigglies to look good!
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Reply to threads
I think ANY quilt is a treasure. I mace denim quilts I piece nine patch, I quilt some with large stitches, I make drag arounds.And every one is appreciated by someone. Everyone has their opinion and their talent. I use up fabric and scraps and make several quilts a month. ANY quilt is beautiful. My daughter and I even make "ugly" quilts sometimes and even they are warm and soft. So I don't think there are any second class quilts, just different methods and designs.
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If quilts weren't meant to be machine pieced we wouldn't have sewing machines that were made in the 1800's And that's what I'd tell them too!
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Keep them as 'from the guild I used to belong to." Lifre is way too short to be subjected to that atitude when they aren't even family! (Sometimes we have to put up with family) But snooty guild members, pssst!
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Originally Posted by Jingle
(Post 6015734)
It took me 36years to hand quilt 25 quilts, mostly crib size. While also raising three kids. Then I started machine quilting, in about 10-1/2 Years I have made 92 quilts. I always machine pieced. I am almost 68 years and don't know how many years I have left. No way am I spending that kind of time and effort. I have a huge stash and want to use up as much as I can.
I can't believe hand piecing would ever be better than machine piecing. I almost always do FMQ, love the look and love doing it. I have knobby fingers and arthritis now. Hand quilting would sure help that along. I think that might be the reason. Different strokes for different folks. Lots of snobs and I try my best to avoid them in all walks of life. |
I certainly hope not - I work full-time and want to get quilts done. I really admire hand-quilting, but I also admire machine quilted ones.
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Have I said how much I appreciate all my friends on this board!! I do know that my machine quilted quilts are not second class at all. It does make me sad that there are still quilters who will look down on another's work just because it is different from theirs. Oh my, wouldn't those quilt police be shocked if I said that some of my machine quilting was actually done on my Tin Lizzie! So friends-- let us celebrate our differences and encourage one another in our work. I relish seeing everyone's quilts and projects on this board. We are quilters, and we make a difference in other's lives. We should all be proud of what we do.
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To those who believe only handmade quilts are first class:
Do you card your own batts, too? Do you only dye your own fabrics? Do you only hand piece? At what date do you believe quilts became second rate in their making? 1890? 1910? 1930? 1950? 1970? Well, I'm here to tell you that I have seen a quilt in a major museum in a major city which was dated 1870 and it was -- OMG <gasp> MACHINE QUILTED!!! Yes! For real!! And everyone around me who saw this quilt was much more fascinated by the fact that there were sewing machines available then, than by the fact that it had, indeed, been machine quilted. It was a lovely red/green/gold/white applique quilt, full sized, typical of the mid-century period, and the quilting was an echo type like that often seen on Hawaiian quilts. It was fascinating. Amazing. Incredibly informative. And made me realize that women of that era who had sewing machines were NOT stupid; they were "put upon" with the amount of labor they had on a day to day basis, but they were NOT stupid. They used the best tools available to them for daily tasks as well as their creative tasks....just like we do today, by the way! The women you ran into are so misinformed as to be sadly laughable. Bless their poor little hearts! Jan in VA</gasp> |
I have never joined a guild, and it is partly for this reason. The snobby attitude does not go with me. I believe that no quilt is better, or worse than another because of its construction. I have machine quilted a couple of my smaller ones, and I love them the same as the ones I stitch by hand. They are not better. They are equal.
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I machine quilt, I don't have the desire to hand quilt anything. I agree the quilts done by hand are beautiful, but it's not my cup of tea to make one. I have a quilt done by hand I discovered from an antique shop that is all in tatters. I have several hand sewn quilt blocks I have bought at thrift stores over the years. As a matter of fact the last batch I bought I added a back to each one and stuffed them. We use them to toss at Kola when she tries to turn the door jambs into kindling.
I don't join clubs, guilds or seances cause some elitist-know it all may end up bald headed...........LOL j/k |
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
(Post 6015213)
I have never hand pieced a quilt. I have hand quilted and I have recently learned needleturn applique. I also LA quilt (hand guided,not computer guided). I never could master FMQ on my domestic machine.
The attitude is difficult to overcome. I do not feel machine quilted quilts are second class BUT I do have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for hand quilted quilts knowing the time, dedication and skill it requires. Because of that time, dedication and skill I perceive a higher value for quilts done by hand. Just as I would place a higher value on an original painting over a print or a hand crafted piece of furniture over an assembly line made one. All are functional but one took a craftsperson years to hone the skill and then the time, dedication and love to create it. Quilters, both machine quilters and hand quilters do instill love into our craft. I have an enormous amount of respect for the LA quilters and domestic sewing machine quilters who are making heirloom pieces. But I can speak from experience here... To LA an heirloom quality quilt can take up to 120 hours of work if done thoughtfully and well but to do the same caliber of quilting by hand would take 10 times that long, if not more. So I believe this may explain part of the attitude of the ladies from your guild who consider hand work better. They are placing a value on the amount of time it takes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with machine made quilts. I embrace them wholeheartedly. I think to compare the two is where the problem lies. They are both quiltmaking but approached in a completely different way and require different skill sets. |
I have seen machine quilted quilts right here in Paducah selling for more than $20,000. So they MUST have a great value. Machine quilting is not new, know of ladies in Oregon, who sent their tops to a lady in Tx, who had a treddle machine in the 1880's and 1890's. Both hand and machine quilts are wonderful, both hand and machine pieced quilts are also wonderful. Just do your quilts the way YOU enjoy doing them, that is why we quilt for the joy!!! Don't let anyone take away your joy!!
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Perhaps hand pieced and quilted quilts are more 'traditional' and take so much more time and skill, that is why their value is higher? But WHO has time to do a quilt this way? Not many of us.... I am quite happy with my machine pieced and quilted quilts and love to use them!
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Well I am so sorry they made you feel that way. I am fairly new to quilting and I have never hand pieced, don't know how, and don't really care to learn. It is to be admired for time and effort but I do not believe I have the patience or the time for it and also do not think that my quilts are of less worth. I make them for the love of the art and to give to others something personal that I can afford and know all will or should appreciate.
I want to have a guild here where I live, not for snobbery or one up manship but because I would love to celebrate the making of quilts and learn skills from those who know more; Perhaps a group of women who are encouraging, sharing, and supportive of each other and all versions of quilting. Maybe I could start a guild and you could too! One that includes all and embraces what each individual brings to the table regardless of the type. I would do it but I don't know what it takes to make a guild and how could I head a guild when I know so little about it and am still learning myself? I am sure the purpose of a guild is to share, learn, support and to be all inclusive. Maybe we can both start a whole new trend? Good luck and thank those women for showing you how you DO NOT want to be! |
I think all quilts are beautiful, each in their own way. I had a lady tell me that my quilts are not really quilts, since I machine pieced and machine quilted my quilt. She said that only hand pieced quilts were really quilts. I couldn't believe the nerve! To each their own, I would never tell someone something like that, talk about rude!
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Wonder what these quilt police would say to someone who does only machine embroidered quilts in its entirety!
I usually just respond to folks like that "oh I did not know you were a member of the quilt police force". I also ask them how one gets a position to become a quilt police officer. That usually shuts them up. :o |
I thought that mind set had gone away, but I guess it still lives. A guild that I used to belong to would not admit tied quilts to be in their yearly quilt show - presumably because they thought they were not "good enough" for the show. I remember a quilter/quilt shop owner coming to the guild meeting as guest speaker, and she could not believe that attitude. She pointed out that a quilt that was shown on the cover of a popular quilt magazine, made from a pattern from her shop, was tied. She asked why, if the quilt was good enough for the cover of a magazine why it could not be shown in the quilt show. Needless to say, they had no answer to her question. I don't know where this elitist attitude came from, and agree with you that we should all play nice and appreciate each other's work regardless of how the quilt was made and "quilted". There are some absolutely stunning quilts that are machine quilted. I believe there is room in the "quilt world" for all types and methods of making quilts.
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I hope I don't offend anyone here, I am a newby to quilting I consider myself pretty ignorant on this subject, (i.e. this question is probably ignorant). I wondered is it so awful to hand quilt and machine quilt all on one quilt?
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I didn't read through all of the posts here but just wanted to share - I am heading off in a moment to cook dinner! :) I definitely don't think that hand quilted quilts are any better or worse than machine made quilts. I use a long arm to quilt most of my quilts too so I really hope they aren't second class!! ;) I think it is all personal, what you like to do. Sometimes I like to hand quilt but I really enjoy the satisfaction of quilting quickly. I can tell you that I've probably spent the amount of time it takes to hand quilt a quilt on my machine too with heavy dense heirloom quilting.
There is always a stinker or two in every bunch. I love my guild but there are those who turn their nose up at me, but I refuse to let them rain on my parade. Take it with a grain of salt - and if you fit in better here then hang with us! We love to chat quilts no matter how you put it together! ;) |
Hogwash. Because of issues with my hands, I cannot take those tiny needles and thread and hand sew much of anything except darn socks over a lightbulb. And those needles are 3 inches long. To say because of medical issues we use machines to make our quilts, and we don't qualify for a higher class of quilting is beyond my comprehension and puts a sour taste in my mouth. Think I'll go sweeten it up a bit with an M&M or two. Will those hoity toities complain about that too? No wonder many of us 'get away' from it all by hoarding ourselves in our quilting dens.
You aren't sensitive at all, and neither am I. Though many try to insist I am and tell me what to think and do and when. They are just bullying us as that is what they know. The ones who decided that machine quilting isn't really quilting or higher class, are perhaps taking into account where quilting came from eons ago. Guess what? Technology isn't going away. And neither is my machine quilting. Looks just fine to me. Hide the machines in the cabinets, put out a few 'golden needles and thimbles', and call it a hand-sewn quilt. I used my hands, knee, and foot to make that quilt. Only the quilt mongers who stir up the petty stuff will complain, and they aren't allowed in our dens anyway. I am not looking for higher class with what I do. In the grand scheme of living, does it really matter? Nuff said, for crying out loud. |
I've been called far worse than a second class quilter. People can think whatever they want. I feel lucky to spend time doing what I love. It doesn't need to meet anyone's approval but my own.
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Originally Posted by clsurz
(Post 6016788)
Wonder what these quilt police would say to someone who does only machine embroidered quilts in its entirety!
I usually just respond to folks like that "oh I did not know you were a member of the quilt police force". I also ask them how one gets a position to become a quilt police officer. That usually shuts them up. :o |
I agree with Mama's Place. I also struggle to learn to machine quilt even though I bought a machine with the BSR. I do hand quilt mostly and am the only one in my quilt group that does. I frequently hear "I am done with mine and if you would just machine quilt yours, you would be finished too." I wish I had their talent to machine quilt but I do not think one type of quilting is superior to the other. I would not be happy with my sloppy machine quilting on a project. But one of the days I will get passively better at it.
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Second class is the attitude of the guild "you once belonged to". As far as heirloom, that is what is passed down from one generation to the next. Do they also feel the same as those quilts that are hand-tied? I believe anything made from the heart and with care is totally "FIRST CLASS". If you made it with your own 2 hands and a little help from your friends, then it's made by hand.
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To each's own. I guess only in a perfect world. Personally I love all kinds of quilting I hand quilt and also am blessed to have a longarm. I am truly amazed by the FMQ people do on the HS. AMAZED!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I look at it this way.... Their both beautiful! How many quilts would you like to complete in your lifetime? If you machine piece and quilt you will be able to share your love with many more people in your life.
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no-machine quilting is not second class.Our ancestors would have used machines if they could get them.
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We had a judge at our guild she said they both are no.1 if your work is good.
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Ha haha. Ha ha haha. Let them think what they want What an attitude!!!!
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My mother used to be one of the Quilt Snobs. My friend that also quilts, mostly hand pieced now that she is in poor health and can't sit at the sewing machine, also was a Quilt Snob. A local quilt shop had a demonstration for machine quilting that changed both of their thinking. I have always thought that there is bad machine quilting and bad hand quilting. I have seen both but then I have seen some of the most intricate machine quilting that absolutely is amazing that it can be done with a machine. I also love hand quilting as that is what I grew up with and know how to do. I see nothing wrong in using a machine to piece or quilt a quilt. A quilt is made because someone had the vision and determination to make a work of art and how they put that work of art into practice should be their choice and they should not be snubbed nor made to feel inferior because of how it is done.
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I hand quilt or tie. can you imagine the raised eyebrows on tying. LOL I can't afford a fancy machine, and my little kenmore won't let me lower it's footfeed, so no can try machine quilting and cannot afford an LA er. My handquilting is far from perfect, but everyone just grabs thier quilt and snuggles in it the minute they get it. So who cares!!!!!
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I don't think they can be compared. It's true they both turn out quilts, but the method is so different. Now days quilting is a craft or an art form accomplished however one loves to do it. I certainly understand why hand quilting is held in such high regard because it is the old labor intensive way. Just like couture sewing is more time consuming than making a garment with a sewing machine. However both can be stunning. I'm new to quilting and I'm learning to piece and quilt by machine. But I'm also trying to learn to hand quilt. I don't want to have to choose one over the other.
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Its OK for them to prefer hand quilting, but it is also OK to machine quilt. I used to hand quilt a long time ago, but then didn't really have a machine that would do nice machine quilting. I have machine quilted for probably the last 20 years. At first there were snide remarks about machine quilting, but hey, the quilt police can be replaced. ha. Myself and 3 friends did an original applique quilt and then had a professional machine quilter do the quilting. It has since won many ribbons nationally and even a Viewers Choice at the national machine quilters conference. Do NOT let them discourage you from machine quilting. Just smile sweetly and say "I prefer to finish projects". Eventually even most of the people will come around when they see ribbons on your quilt. Most shows have categories for hand and machine work. Keep on machine quilting.
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My neighbor had the same attitude as the people you speak of....to me hand quilting and long arming are both works of art, they both take time talent and skill, pay no mind to what they said, you do what you like as it is created by you and is beautiful and loved by the receivers :).
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Who cares what others think. It's your quilt, do what and how you want to do it. I love all quilts no matter how they are made.
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I like and appreciate it all. I've done some hand quilting but I have never hand pieced a quilt. If its a beautiful quilt....it's a beautiful quilt. Regardless of the preferred method. We all have our own opinions and this is mine.
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I tend to feel that a skillfully made quilt, done by hand, is more likely be deemed an heirloom quilt, than one quilted on a machine, unless the machine quilting is of exceptional quality.
With that said, all quilts are not made with the intention or purpose to be considered 'heirloom', but are lovingly sewn to be used in all manner of ways. It is a wonderous thing to see so many different artistic approaches in the many quilts being done today. I love seeing new and different techniques of using fabric to make all kinds of quilts, from bed quilts, to lap quilts, to wall hangings and clothing. There is room for everyone to express themselves thru using the techniques of their choice. In fact, I believe that it enriches this experience we call quilting. |
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