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Originally Posted by captlynhall
(Post 6018019)
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
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Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
(Post 6015200)
Besides that, you can find some completely horrendous hand pieced &/OR hand quilted quilts.
I have done and like to do both. I like the portability and the "successful" feeling of a hand pieced block (top), but I like the fact that I actually get something done to use or share when I piece and quilt on a machine. |
My first quilt was machine pieced and hand quilted. I keep it on my king size bed because that is what it was made for. There are 12 cross stitched wild flowers in blocks with sashing and then hand quilting. Took me 2 winters to hand quilt but I love it. My second quilt is a pinwheel which took forever to piece and get those points and machine quilted and I also love it but it took much less time to quilt. Both are mine and mine alone and love them both.
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I see why you said "USED to belong to".
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Why do we machine quilt - because we can. If our ancestors had access to sewing machines, they would have machine quilted too. Clothes used to be hand sewn, but how many are today?
When I machine quilt, I like sewing over seams to secure them because I consider them the weak spots in a quilt. I love all types of quilting - people expressing themselves with their quilting - it's awesome. Hand quilting can be beautiful or not as well as machine quilting can be beautiful or not. How about tying? That's what we did when I was a kid - we tied all of our quilts! You will get snobs no matter what craft you do. Are we cheating if we drive a car instead of riding a horse or walking? Am I cheating by driving a car so computerized that it tells me which tire is low on air? No, it's called progress. And I love just looking at all the old cars especially the ones that still run. I can appreciate the old ways as well as the new. |
Last fall I finally made it to Lancaster PA. Went to a great Amish quilt store. Was talking to the lady who owned the store and said I do machine quilting. Oh, she said, that is not quilting it is sewing. Well, I thought putting the three layers of a quilt together is what we call quilting, not how it is done. I explained this to her, and oh, to her suprise, it made a lot of scents. I don't think I changed her mine, and she did nothing to mine. I do machine quilting and love doing it. By the way, her husband machine pieces quilt tops on a featherweight machine powered by propane. Maybe that is not piecing either??????? Just remember some people are not nice, but we can all keep trying to be. Have a great day.
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A person can make a quilt,but a quilt can't make a person.
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It could very well have been tradition - I have an old Singer book on machine made lace. The laces were done using the first electric Singers. Most laces and thread painting were done with a hoop of some kind, so the technique could not have been far off from FMQ. The electrified machines might have had a steadier stitch.
It could have been the lack of space, the fabrics available, the threads, but I'm thinking some must have done machine quilting back then, even if just straight stitch geometric. It also lacked the sociability of a get-together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longarm_quilting http://hartcottagequilts.com/his9.htm |
I think it's like comparing apples and oranges, watercolors and oils, running and swimming...two different forms of the same thing. I personally LOVE to hand quilt, so it is unlikely you will ever find me machine quilting a quilt. (Maybe a potholder.) Why give up my favorite form of therapy?!?!?!? On the flip side, I would never expect everyone to finish their quilts in this way. It is a skill that takes time to master. Some don't have that time. It also takes a long time to finish a quilt by hand quilting. Some don't have that time either. I've seen beautiful (and sloppy) machine quilting and I've seen beautiful (and sloppy) hand quilting. But, if the maker got fulfillment and joy out of their work, done the best way they could, sloppy or perfect, what is the big deal!?!?!? Life is too short to live up to others expectations. Do what you like the best way you know and have fun with it!!!!!
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Have you ever been to the Houston Quilt show...........a lot of the prize winners are machine done!
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Hand piecing and quilting are beautiful, and not areas in which I am skilled. I think machine pieced and quilted are every bit as beautiful and no less art. I have given machine pieced and quilted quilts to a friend for each of her 6 (soon to be 7!) children and she is always telling me how durable they are especially through frequent washings. They may not be heirlooms, but the kids certainly love them, and that is, after all, why I make them, to be used and loved!
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No! I have seen some pretty bad hand quilted quilts...stitches not all the same size etc...hand quilted quilts can have the same flaws as machine quilted ones...I love machine quilting because its fast, I love the technology, I have a 2year old daughter and I like my projects to have a quick return time :) Keep up with your machine quilting & piecing! You do what makes you happy k! :)
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The reason why I quilt is to receive pleasure and recreation. I enjoy making and having them. It feels nice to give them to others and make them happy. I think that is really why most people quilt therefore it really doesn't matter what method is used to achieve that . Different strokes for different folks.
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I couldn't have said it better myself!!!! I've seen many quilters struggle with machine quilting.
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I don't hand quilt but hire LAQ's to complete my quilts. I sold a 42x59" wallhanging for $1K that was custom machine quilted. I was pleased and affirmed that the quilt artistry in it's entirety is appreciated and valued. I can't afford a LA machine nor are my hands up for handquilting. But neither limitation kept this wallhanging from being loved and selected by the buyer. Women of my guild were encouraged similarly. HQ vs LAQ is not a deal breaker.
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Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter
(Post 6015311)
And these folks also wear only hand tooled shoes I assume? Shoes made with a machine would never work.
:P at them all. It's like painting in acrylics, oils or water colors. They are all art. Just different style |
Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
(Post 6018726)
10 to 1, these same people have never made a loaf of bread by hand-------------------------or 7 minute frosting from scratch like my mom did. I do bread occasionally, but haven't tried the 7 minute frosting (whipped egg whites and a sugar syrup)
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Originally Posted by newbee3
(Post 6015450)
I would think that even machine quilted quilts could be heirlooms it all takes time patience and skill
Some of them I've seen on here will be heirlooms for sure. |
I like to use the analogy of having a typewriter (even a manual, not electric!) and a computer (with internet/chat/email or even just a word processing program)... If you have both and want to type up a set of instructions, which are you likely to use? There's certainly nothing wrong with either one - it's which ever works best for you! (And I would be willing to bet some of the quilt snobs HAVE pc's that they use instead of an old typewriter)
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Originally Posted by maryfrang
(Post 6018325)
Last fall I finally made it to Lancaster PA. Went to a great Amish quilt store. Was talking to the lady who owned the store and said I do machine quilting. Oh, she said, that is not quilting it is sewing. Well, I thought putting the three layers of a quilt together is what we call quilting, not how it is done. I explained this to her, and oh, to her suprise, it made a lot of scents. I don't think I changed her mine, and she did nothing to mine. I do machine quilting and love doing it. By the way, her husband machine pieces quilt tops on a featherweight machine powered by propane. Maybe that is not piecing either??????? Just remember some people are not nice, but we can all keep trying to be. Have a great day.
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Originally Posted by maryfrang
(Post 6018325)
Last fall I finally made it to Lancaster PA. Went to a great Amish quilt store. Was talking to the lady who owned the store and said I do machine quilting. Oh, she said, that is not quilting it is sewing. Well, I thought putting the three layers of a quilt together is what we call quilting, not how it is done. I explained this to her, and oh, to her suprise, it made a lot of scents. I don't think I changed her mine, and she did nothing to mine. I do machine quilting and love doing it. By the way, her husband machine pieces quilt tops on a featherweight machine powered by propane. Maybe that is not piecing either??????? Just remember some people are not nice, but we can all keep trying to be. Have a great day.
You did walk out without buying didn't you? After you told her she was all wet? |
Could it be that THEY are the only ones in the group that think that way? We had a few in our group but over the years they have learned how to appreciate machine quilting. They have a small bee that only does hand quilting and the rest of us use our machines.
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Wow, how funny that in 2013, some quilters STILL have those "attitudes" toward machine quilting. Time to LOOSEN UP, ladies !!
Have they been to many quilt shows recently ?? Do they read current quilt magazines and books ?? Doesn't sound like it ... I remember hearing the uproar and critiques when machine quilting was first admitted to the big quilt shows. Separate categories, "doesn't belong here, shame on them" etc ...ad nauseum Well, machine quilting has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last 20 yrs and it HAS eclipsed hand quilting. I guess they still can't handle that ! You see far more machine quilted quilts today than by hand. I don't want to see the art of hand quilting lost either, but quilters today do what they enjoy, and what they have time for ! Both are beautiful, neither is "right or wrong". |
I do both and appreciate the work and love that goes into both. If I only did hand quilting I would
not get nearly as many projects finished. Learn to let the negativism roll off your back. There are always naysayers. I remember when I started quilting in 1972 there were woman horrified at using rotary cutters. Now just imagine not using rotary cutters. :) |
I think some of the hand quilted quilts are lovely, some are not. I think machine quilted quilts are lovely, some are not. BUT I think ANYONE who thinks machine quilted quilts are second class are SECOND CLASS!
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I think it is all a matter of opinion. Personally I love a nicely done hand quilted quilt. I don't hand quilt but wish I could. I think a nicely hand quilted quit is special because of all the extra time put into it.There are beautiful machine quilted quilts also but if I could have it my way I would choose a beautiful hand quilted over a machine quilted quilt. A person does have to consider the time involved and many people today just don't have the time to hand quilt and still have beautiful quilts to love and admire. I have occasionally had a quilt finished by long arm but most of my quilts are done on a Juki with FMQ because that is what I can afford and can do. Total matter of choice and circumstances when it comes to which is done.
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I hear ya, I don't join these groups for the same reasons. I am a cross stitcher and needlepointer and went to quilting to give my hands a rest from the hand sewing, why on earth would I want to hand quilt my quilts. If I wanted to keep using a needle I'd have kept cross stitching instead. I send my quilts out to be quilted and they put the binding on for me and I just hand sew it to the back. That's about as much hand sewing I will do on a quilt.
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That's like saying using a scrub board and lava soap is the only way to get your clothes clean, as opposed to using a machine.
Hundreds of years ago, there were no sewing machines and everything was done by hand. Does that make it any better? I'd find some new quilters to associate with. JMHO |
Sell a more of these and you could pay cash for a LA and lessons too. Happy quilting!
Originally Posted by laynak
(Post 6018714)
I don't hand quilt but hire LAQ's to complete my quilts. I sold a 42x59" wallhanging for $1K that was custom machine quilted. I was pleased and affirmed that the quilt artistry in it's entirety is appreciated and valued. I can't afford a LA machine nor are my hands up for handquilting. But neither limitation kept this wallhanging from being loved and selected by the buyer. Women of my guild were encouraged similarly. HQ vs LAQ is not a deal breaker.
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Hand quilted work is special and a skill set that is different than machine quilted work. It is not better. It is simply a different technique. As far as keeping true to tradition, my grandmother made many a quilt in the 20's and 30's on her treadle machine and then tied them. I cherish them because they had her hands on them from cutting feed sacks to tying the knots. Some may prefer on style of quilting over the other but.... it is not better or less prestigious.
Smile and enjoy your time with your quilt work. |
Too bad that some have to believe their way is the only way. I have made 3 totally hand pieced and quilted quilts but it took me a long time to complete. I have been quilting about 3 years and other than that I have only been able to hand quilt one more. The last 3 tops I made are machine pieced but will be hand quilted. I just enjoy the process of the hand quilting and do it at night while watching TV. Although I sure love lots of patterns, I really do not need to make tons of quilts. I just want to do for my 3 girls and their children and myself. So I figure hand quilting works out OK for me. I never quilted until I retired as I did not have time for it unless it was done on the machine. So both ways work well and should be done however pleases the maker. If you do not enjoy and love the process, then it is really a work of labor instead of love.
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Originally Posted by GrannieAnnie
(Post 6015200)
Besides that, you can find some completely horrendous hand pieced &/OR hand quilted quilts.
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According to a nationally known quilt appraiser in my area, no, machine quilts are just as valuable as hand made quilts
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Originally Posted by Jamiestitcher62
(Post 6018938)
I hear ya, I don't join these groups for the same reasons. I am a cross stitcher and needlepointer and went to quilting to give my hands a rest from the hand sewing, why on earth would I want to hand quilt my quilts. If I wanted to keep using a needle I'd have kept cross stitching instead. I send my quilts out to be quilted and they put the binding on for me and I just hand sew it to the back. That's about as much hand sewing I will do on a quilt.
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I agree with you. For years I hand quilted some quilts but for grandchildren I machine quilted. I love to hand quilt. but my hands are now weak,and my stitches bigger. But I would not hand quilt for children,machine quilting is stronger and can take all the washing. the same for my charity quilts I machine quilt them.
sewin for sanity |
I am a machine quilter. Don't have time to sit and do it all by hand. I love my quilts and can't see anyone saying machine quilting is second rate. Sounds like Snobbishness to me. Some people just HAVE to demean or diminish things. Just don;t pay any attention to that type of person and steer clear in the future, at least, that is what I do.
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Maybe their machine work is second class. Look at the work by Charisma posted on this Board......magnificent machine quilting.
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From my experience: it was my first time to a new quilt guild. I was standing in line for show-and-tell because I was proud of my finished quilt.
The lady in front of me had her turn. She showed a beautiful hand quilted quilt. Then presented a 15 minute tiraid on anyone who would degrade a quilt by machine quilting. And even worse to let someone else quilt it. Finally she sat down. The room was silent. Slowly I stepped up (and I really didn't want to insult her). (Pause) I said, "Well, following that (pause), this is my machine quilted quilt that _____ _____ LAQ for me and I'm very proud of it." The room exhaled and chuckled. We were able to finish show-and-tell. She had embarrashed everyone in that room by her holier-than-thou attitude and insults. By the way, she never did it again. She put a stumbling block in your path. Walk around it..... [Recognize someone (if not a person, then God himself) will judge her by the same measure she judged you. Just as Pharoh named the last judgemt on Israel as the death of the first born, so he chose the judgement upon himself]..... And keep going. Enjoy what you do and don't appologize. She was rude. Don't let other people's opinions define who you are. |
Originally Posted by Jan in VA
(Post 6016633)
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 learned to hand quilt from my Mom and Grandmother. However, when I got older, so did my Mother. She saw some of the quilts I quilted on the machine. She liked them just as much. My grandmother used a Vertical Feed sewing machine from the time she had her first child. Just because I know how to hand quilt, it made me appreciate the atristry and tremendous amount of time it takes to hand quilt. I did not inherit my grandmother's patience. I want to see my quilts done in enough time the babies can actually use them before they are out of the cribs. Not knocking hand quilting, just like the speed of getting my quilts done so I can move on to the next project.
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