Marti Mitchell
 

Are Marti Mitchell templates worth the cost? (even a discounted cost?) I am trying to build my quilting supplies as cheaply as I can. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

I really like Marti's templates, but I would have to have a project in mind before I would purchase any more. There are several different sets and even though there are some suggestions in the package, I'd want the one for a particular quilt that I wanted to make. I've used them on a couple BOM's, that turned out very well. I haven't used any for a couple years, and I might add, I usually like templates -- (not everybody does).

Linda in Missouri

I love to make her quilts, the templates are great and make it so much easier!!

I agree with Linda in Missouri. Marti's templates are very high quality and well thought designed. However, unless you have a specific quilt in mind that you really need the templates for, I would not purchase them. Most quilts can be made with just "standard" rulers, which almost always have lines on them for 30, 45, and 60 degrees. I purchased a number of special purpose templates when I first started quilting, and they're all still sitting in a drawer, unused.

If you're looking for her products, her name though is Marti Michell. No "t". We've met her on a couple of occasions. Nice lady, very sweet, and really knows her stuff.

I have made 2 of Marti's patterns and loved how they fit together with her templates. However the template shapes were on the paper pattern so I traced them onto template plastic. Worked great and saved $$.

Her templates are wonderful but I would only buy them to use on specific projects. Don't buy then to simply add to your quilting supplies. I made her American Beauty quilt! It turned out absolutely the best of any I've made!

I agree, too. I have several of her sets of templates which I bought to do a $5 quilt through my LQS (I think we did 4 of them). The LQS stopped doing them, and I'm not sure where they are now.

Buy a good set of rulers, like the Creative Grids, which are non-skid. I recommend you start with the 12-1/2" square and a 6-1/2"x18 ruler. Also, you might want to get the June Taylor Shape Cut, which is wonderful for cutting strips and subcutting them into squares and rectangles. There are two sizes -- 12"x12" and 12"x18". The large one is pricy, even on sale, but worth the cost.

If you are doing one of her BOMs they are definitely worth the money. However I would not think that those would be items I would purchase just to build up my tools/notions.

A good assorted size straight rulers would be a better choice. I have 6 x 24" - 6 x 12" and a couple of different sized square rulers. I also have a June Tailor strip ruler. I use these the most.
I have bought specialty rulers thinking I would use them and have not.

I agree with you ladies! `There are always new rullers coming out that will make your life easier and your pocketbook lighter. With a little effort most standard rulers can be used for most cutting. So save your money to buy FABRIC , patterns and good basic rulers. I bought the rulers to go with a MM pattern and of course have not made the pattern or used the rulers.

I would generally agree with this advice but there are some ,me, who just love the convenience of the shortcut ruler. Not every quilter understands how to use the basic rulers and the indications on them. This Board is loaded with inquiries on "how to" do something. If memory serves me, Marti Michells' background is math. I dont discount her expertise. She is very talented and fun. I have sat through a few of her lectures. Her enthusiasm is contagious.

I struggled through Algrebra in High School. I figured that this required subject would keep me from graduating college. I had a college professor who understood that different minds process info in many ways, this instructor taught Algebra using three techniques. One of those techniques connected with my brain. I was grateful to FINALLY have a math teacher understand that not everyone gets it. I earned my degree on schedule, thanks to her expertise and my determination to "get it".

Sandy