|
Originally Posted by Sadiemae
Originally Posted by Grandma58
You might want to leave it the same size, which seems to me to be a perfect first cuddle up in quilt.
Maybe the mother is complaining so loudly because she can not afford the fabric and a future fabric stash might be an idea to consider?
Originally Posted by Plumtree
Thank you all, glad to know I am not out of my mind here. Math is not my strong suit so when mine gets questioned I get nervous.
I will not change the pattern because I would then have to change it for the rest of the class, which isnt' fair to me or the girls that have all ready purchased fabric. I realize now that this lap quilt will be a bit big and the next group it will be sized down a bit, I'm learning too. I just didn't like the way I felt after reading this email and wanted to make sure my math and thinking were on the same path. Happy Quilting Tammy |
The bad news is that you need even MORE fabric for binding!
|
I guess what I am asking is this, is it too much fabric. I am allowing for boo boo's and I know there will be some extra but didnt' think it was a ton extra, definatly not enough to complain about. Would 2 yrds be more than enough, I just don't want them to run out.
Thank for your help Tammy[/quote] ...quilting is not an inexpensive endeavor. I hate to use the word "hobby" because it certainly does not "fit". Those who do not quilt are always appalled at the expense. Piece backings when you can - that's how I use up my stash. Even quality muslin is expensive nowadays. I'm toying with the idea of teaching simple quilting skills for those ladies in the church I attend if they're interested....only I'm going the much cheaper route - a table runner. |
Did you give her a coupon? I have to play devils advicate here. I have 5 children and there are certain school things I hate paying for. Examples: science fair projects, memory sticks for computer classes. Each one of those costs me $10-20 per kid. I have 3 of them very close in age 2 are twins so when it rains it pours! I can undstand why a non quilting parent has issues with spending money on fabric. You should go about it a different route and explain it in a way where the parents focus is off the cost and on her childs participation in the project. Maybe that will help and I love to hear more kids are being taught to quilt!!
|
Maybe the child's family just cannot afford the cost of the fabric and thats why she is complaining...People who do not quilt think fabric is cheap...give her some options as to where she can get the amount of fabric needed ie clearance at walmart or joann's...
|
I learned how to really sew and read patterns in high school. We had to provide our own material for projects. Those few dollars have provided a lifetime of enjoyment and sanity. I hear all the time from others,"I wish I knew how to sew." It seems it is becoming a lost art.
|
Don't let this incident bother you! You know what you're doing, to be ready to teach kids to quilt tells me that you've been quilting for many years. The quilt police status doesn't belong exclusively to quilters. Some parents will contest everything the teacher ask. I taught sewing for 10 years in 35 different schools, and I volunteered ifor 25 years in a women' association. Stand by what tou say, do it your own way, you are in charge. Pay special attention to that chilld, you are not aware of what was said front of her,she may be worried that you wll reproach her not having the required fabric or have an attitude, Quilting is fun , she must have fun!
|
Did a minimal bit of figuring but I think you are on the conservative side with your measurement because many fabs are only 40-42 wide.
|
I think this parent is being hard to get along with but maybe she just does not have the money for it. If this be the case then myself or someone else can donate it for her.
|
I just finished a queen size quilt and it took 8 yards of backing material. So go figure ........
|
Try suggesting a coordinating bedsheet for the back-- either from their own linen closet or a 2nd hand store ?
|
[quote=Plumtree]Thank you. They are supplying the fabric for the top as well but only the back fabric is being questioned. It is her friends and someone at joanne's that told her that would be enough to back a king.[/quote
tell her nine yards or so is enough backing for a king. |
This is a great topic....especially for those of us that are beginners. Thanks to all of the experience responding!
|
tell them they can buy fabric at wal mart for .50 cent a yard...seriously I bought 10 yards for 5.00 yesterday.
|
Wow, if the parents only knew the work that will go into teaching each child to make a quilt. Instead of complaining, they should take up a collection to send you on a weeks vacation at the end of the year! Good luck & God bless.
|
Seems reasonable to me, however she could be having a money issue. If that is the problem, then you could suggest going to the thrift store for old curtains or bedding material to recycle. Maybe a "treasure hunt" for the best bargains could be a good school project.
|
My initial thought was that 3 1/4 isn't enough, so I guess I wouldn't be much help to the mom. And I don't think it's reasonable to plan to piece the back when you are teaching a class. For those of us who sew a lot, a pieced back isn't a big deal. But in a class, I think most students will want to be able to finish without having to piece the back just to save $10.
At least, I know I wouldn't. :roll: |
There are some very good suggestions here. I agree cost might be a concern for the mom and she is just not saying as much outright. It is possible that she is on a tight budget and is embarrassed about it. Either way, you have many good suggestions here for how to handle it. I love the fact that you are teaching young ones to quilt. There is so much to learn from quilting, and I think it is great you are passing on the art. Good luck with the mom in question and please give us updates on how your class goes. I will be watching!
|
I want to be in your class when this woman makes a back for a quilt with 2 yards of fabric! I don't think so.
|
If the mom has a n issue with the amount of material for the backing of the quilt, I will volunteer to send you a piece to match the front of whatever size that you the teacher think you need. You can pm me if you like. I have sent quilting things to a gal teaching quilting to military kids down south and this would be no different.
|
Tell that mother to check the answers on this board. And thank her for her valuable suggestion, and for volunteering to teach the class with you. Tell her to let you know when she is available for planning time?
|
Explain your reasoning but don't change your plans unless she can come up with a sure plan for less fabric.
|
Originally Posted by Plumtree
I am teaching a begining quilting class for my homeschool co-op. We are for their final project they are doing a 4 patch lap quilt that should end up at 64x64. I asked the parents to provide 3 1/4 yds. of fabric for the back, one parent has become upset with me saying that this is too much fabric and I am being wastful with others money. This fabric will also be a 4 in. border for the quilt top. I am assuming that the fabric will not be wide enough and will have to be cut in half then sewn back together to make it wider, does that make sense.
I guess what I am asking is this, is it too much fabric. I am allowing for boo boo's and I know there will be some extra but didnt' think it was a ton extra, definatly not enough to complain about. Would 2 yrds be more than enough, I just don't want them to run out. Thank for your help Tammy |
3 1/4 yds is not enough for a kings size, not even for a queen size (90x108)
|
You're the teacher. These are the measurements you asked for. It's too bad there is always someone who tries to run the show when they don't know what they're talking about. I hope it doesn't discourage you from helping the kids again.
|
I would buy extra material and pay for it myself because if you don't have enough material, your project will flop and very mad parents. Better safe than sorry.
You don't say how wide the border is going to be and is this included in the 64 inches. I always buy extra material for every quilting project which if not used can be turned into a scrappy quilt later on. |
That is only a $35.00 "class materials fee". That is a deal. And since it's a coop, I'm sure all will benefit. I guess if they don't want to pay the fee, they can opt out of the lessons.
|
[quote=Lindsey]
Originally Posted by Plumtree
Thank you. They are supplying the fabric for the top as well but only the back fabric is being questioned. It is her friends and someone at joanne's that told her that would be enough to back a king.[/quote
tell her nine yards or so is enough backing for a king. |
I totally agree with Holice. It's apparent the mother's friend has never backed a quilt. A king quilt usually requires about 9 yards of fabric. If you use John Flynn's' methods you could get away with using less.You're 3 1/4 estimate sounds about right. If these are first time quilters, the cutting/piecing needs to be kept at a minimum. If cost is an issue, maybe suggesting muslin would be more cost effective.
|
Reminds me of the time I bought some 64" wide fabric at a resell shop and the girl wanted me to pay for 1 1/2 yards when it wasn't even one yard of fabric. I pointed out the selvage and she didn't know what it was. I think this mother doesn't know what she is talking about. Ask her to show you the math on this.
|
A Lap Quilt that is 64 x 64? My mother (age 92) and her church ladies make lap quilts for _retirement homes and the local Veterans' hospital that are approximately 45 x width of fabric. If you get 3.25 yds = 117inches. Cut in half and sew the selvages togethe and the piece is 58.5 x 84 (or the width of the fabric x 2). To get a backing of 64 x 64 you would need 3 2/3 yds of fabric. And as someone else already mentioned, you'd still need binding, unless you were going to birth the quilt. Although the extra you would have after sewing the selvages together might be enough for binding. I agree, tell them to get a sheet either from Wally's or a local thrift shop.
|
I would take a trip to a thrift store and buy one of the nice used sheets on sale cheap, you might take this other lady with you on your trip. You get one big enough you don't have to piece backing at all, or maybe she would donate one of her sheets to you.
|
Originally Posted by Plumtree
Thank you. They are supplying the fabric for the top as well but only the back fabric is being questioned. It is her friends and someone at joanne's that told her that would be enough to back a king.
I need at least nine yards (sometime more) for a King backing. Then you need around 1 & 1/4 or 1 & 1/2 for binding. |
Originally Posted by carolaug
Just piece the back...I have done that for quilts that I do not want to spend a lot of money on. They look great and they will be able to use cotton shirts that they no longer use.
|
No, you are not asking for too much fabric, in fact, I would have recommended 3 1/2 yds. I'd like to see somone back a king size quilt with 3 1/2 yards - it takes about 9 yards of fabric, I know because I just finished a king size quitl and it took just a little over 9 yards to back. There always has to be someone to complain.
|
Tell them to provide a sheet from a thrift store or buy a new twin size sheet if the problem is money. One twin sheet would be big enough for two projects. and cheaper than fabric.
|
I only read the first page so I don't know if this has been mentioned. Maybe the mom was going to buy backing fabric which would be wide enough for your quilt so 2 yards would be enough and maybe enough for the borders too.
|
Also playing devil's advocate here, maybe she's not being so nasty as she is just feeling frustrated. I get overwhelmed when my kids need this and that and the other thing for school and we have no extra funds anywhere. It's hard times and maybe that family just has very limited money for non-essentials. I find a lot of sheets at the thrift store for a dollar or less. If there are any nearby maybe the mom can go look for one there?
|
My thought was the same as Pam H. Was the Joann employee pricing her backing fabric that is 96 to 108 inches wide?
|
Originally Posted by Cris
Ok the backing calculator from http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/ says:
Length: 64 up to 80 inches wide, you need 4 yards. To calculate: length x 2 + 16" |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:32 PM. |