Run, don't walk to the nearest exit!! Sounds like you have done a good job of teaching yourself. Don't let a negative (IMHO) person make you start doubting yourself and your abilities:thumbup:

I agree with everyone, do what works for you. You will make mistakes but that is how you will learn the most. There are great videos, blogs, websites and books for everything. I am making my first QAYG so I looked at everything I could find then took it all and made up a method that I liked best. I love Nancy Zieman, learned more about sewing from her years ago and still watch her because she is clear and shows shortcuts that work. Everyone is different and there is no one right way or one right machine for everybody. Some people don't understand that you buy what you can afford, you can always upgrade when you're ready. The most important thing you learned from this teacher is not everyone is cut out to be a teacher.

I, too, am self taught. But sometimes reading a book doesn't always give you the info you need. Nor will a teacher who has a very closed mind. You will get the best info experience can provide right here on the Quilting Board. Everyone here is very helpful and will give you their opinion on anything from prewashing (I always do - never have to worry about bleeding or shrinking fabric), the best thread (I use thread from Connecting Threads), how to do your bindings (I glue down with a glue stick, then machine stitch), etc., etc., etc. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you may have. The search tool will also allow you to look for past questions of the same type. Quilting can be described as a hobby, addiction, passion and many other very descriptive words, but please remember....it should be fun!

I'd say whatever works for you is ok!

Thats my thinking...I say learn the basics and then do what works for you.

I remember many years ago (like, 20 maybe) I took a serger class with a very famous teacher from a very famous company that published lots of books and patterns. I had (and still have, although a different brand) a low-end serger. She proceeded to make several disparaging remarks about my brand of serger, saying that it wouldn't be able to handle any of her fancy techniques and that it was a department store brand, blah blah, you get the picture. I was totally discouraged, but lo and behold, because I knew my OWN machine, I was able to make it do all of the things she said it wouldn't do. Even so, she pretty much ignored me the rest of the class, focusing on the people with the high-end fancy-dancy machines. When she did comment, it was to tell me that I must have gotten the ONLY serger of XYZ brand that was decent. Unbelievable! Totally turned me off her, and the entire company that she represented. I still think twice about buying anything they are sellling.

I guess the point is, as others have said, focus on your own machine, your own techniques, and don't let a teacher like that get you discouraged.

Just relax and enjoy your quilting..some people are snobs about quilting..do what works for you and experiment....we all have our own way!! Don't be discouraged!

Well there is nothing left to say that hasn't been said. Just do what you have been doing and ENJOY THE PROCESS. This remembered me of when I was younger and was cleaning the sink. My Mom was visiting and she told me I was doing it wrong. I said it gets the job done. The sink was clean the way I did it and that was the objective. One of the many things I learned from my Mom was that we each have out own way of doing things. If you are ok with what you are doing then continue to do it. The people on this board are great and you can't go wrong learning from them, and there is no cost envolved. BrendaK

That teacher sure is full of herself. I hope you learned something else in that class because the lessons you posted were bogus. I sometimes wash and sometimes don't. I sometimes pull my thread up and sometimes don't. I only use bias binding when working on curved piecing. Other straight pieces get binding cut length of fabric if at all possible. And if your machine works for you, consider yourself lucky and sew to your heart's content. Just enjoy the process and find out what works for you.

Awful! I get snotty looks and comments from salesfolks pretty much every time I mention I'm quilting on a 1990s Singer. It really turns me off, so much so that I'm still quilting on that old thing! We can only hope bad teachers don't turn people off of quilting altogether.

I was at a demonstration where the instructor told the observers how she didn't like varigated thread to free motion quilt...too bad, I love it...it hasn't stopped me from using it. Many times on this board quilters have different opinions on threads, notions, and methods........everyone agrees to disagree. Love all the members for doing so.

To each his/her own. Different things work for different people due to a lot of variables. Keep an open mind in considering new/different methods; but do what works best for YOU. Quilting should be a pleasure. We should enjoy the process. If a method makes it easier and therefore more enjoyable for you then go with that.

OMG!!! She's just one person with her own opinions. I have never used bias binding before. I have dual feed, which is a built in walking foot, that I use all the time. She's not very smart to say her opinions are how things are suppose to be. She sounds like someone I would never want to take a class from or someone I would argue with if I took a class from her. Ignore everything she said that you don't agree with. Do it the way you want to do it. Your machine is fine. She's the one with a problem, not you.

I can't believe all of this she told you. Not so!!!! go ahead and do what you have been doing.

DITTO, if doing what you where doing was working for you then don't be confused by someone who thinks different. Do your own thing and keep it fun.

The first class that I took was with a lovely lady that told me, "You can't make a mistake; it's YOUR quilt." SO, do what works best for YOU!

You took the words right out of my mouth!

I was thinking of taking a class for I am new to quilting Annie. I have learned so much on the net , in books, videos and know I can learn a lot here. The advice is right on and you sound like you do know more that the teacher. It's a joy to read and learn from all the posts on the Quilting Board! :o

I agree completely!

Sounds like your instructor has a case of OCD! The instructor I have now tells us she is a rule breaker and proud of it! Quilting is an art. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, etc...

Whenever I take a class - no matter if it's quilting or anything else, I listen, take notes, then when class is over, I use what ever works best for me. If I learn just one thing, then the class was worth it.

When I was a kid I had two close relatives that both made quilts. One was related to me through my mother and the other through my father. Thank goodness they did not see each other often because they would tell each other what they were doing wrong with their quilts! WWIII!

Pre-washing is strictly personal to me. UNLESS, its a fabric that might bleed, like red. I dont prewash because I love the puckered look that quilts get after that first washing. I only cut binding on the bias if the quilt has a wavy or curved siding, otherwise it is not cut on the bias. I would ABSOLUTELY take another class with another quilt shop and teacher. Everyone has a different approach.

I was shaking my head reading her comments as to the 'right' way to quilt. I have always relied on my instincts in quilting (and in life) - but been open to learning new and improved ways of doing things, too. If what you're doing works for you, that's the way to do it!

Gads, I put tha teacher as a 5-star General in the Quilt Police!

All the above. You learn to do your quilting in a way that works for you. Some of us have physical handicaps and couldn't quilt her way. [Even without a handicap I wouldn't follow that teacher's advice much.]

Please, please, please share your well thought out and nonconfrontive remarks with the quilt store. Quilting should be fun and it is the teachers who should adjust ... not you. Ask to take a similar class from someone else for FREE! Quilting should definitely be fun. When it isn't fun then quilters won't buy as much from that store. It will literally be that store's loss.

ali

I took 1 beginning class and now I realize how lucky I was in the teacher I was given. I agree with everyone else. I've learned tons from QB, watching You Tube and The Quilt Show; all of which were suggested by members here on this QB. Keep reading, studying your craft and above all enjoy what you are doing.

Considering that people used to make the most beautiful quilts with nothing but a pair of scissors, a needle and thread, it appears anything that you can make works, works. Some techniques may make things easier for some and not for others. As they used to say, "Do your own thang"!

You are so right. I've learned so much here on the Quilting Board. Gluing bindings? I'll have to check that out! I'm also quite a computer novice...so hopefully I'll figure this whole site out soon. I really appreciate all the kind comments and encouragement. I've checked out albums and pictures, and you ladies do beautiful work! I have a lot to learn!!

it's your disco stick. shake it how you like :) I like.:thumbup:

your teacher sounds like "my way or the highway" - go with what works for you. You can take her teachings as mere suggestions. Pave your own road and if you hit a pot-hole, put your question to these amazing people at the 'board'. They have helped me so much!!

I am self taught also. What ever works for you to make it enjoyable and satisfied is OK in mhy book. I have limited space to work so I do what I have to do. If I am happy everybody is happy.

I agree....Listen, learn and adapt to suit yourself. I'm self taught too and the best thing I ever did was joined a quilt guild. Now I'm with like minded folks who coach me and love me along in my quilting journey.
By the way, I just quilted a full size quilt on my 1949 Featherweight.....Have fun and best wishes to you:):)

So, you actually met the quilt police!! Wow, what a wonderful thing! Now decide for yourself what you want to do and how you want to do it. What works for you might not work for anyone else, but that's okay. Just do it! Enjoy the freedom to work in your own way to produce beautiful quilts and don't spend time worrying about what is "right" according to someone else. Bottom line....there are NO RULES! Quilt on!

I have a friends who doesn't cook. But she tries to throw things together and wonders why they don't taste right. I've told her to use a recipe first and THEN decide what she wants to change. At least she will see ONE correct way of doing it before she decides to ad lib. Same thing with quilting. When you were starting,you had to learn from at least the book. If a beginner was taking from this teacher, they would have to learn to do something correctly at least once,before they start to wing it. You did your experimenting before you got to the class. Ignore what you don't want, try some new things, and keep going.... I think she would be a worse teacher to say " Yeah, whatever- you all figure out how to quilt without my guidance because someone might be offended if I teach you things that might help you".

That was a teacher?!!!! Please register your displeasure and disappointment with the person who hired her! She sounds like a real downer. A good teacher will show more than one way of doing things and leave it up to you to decide what works for you. Find another teacher, one with experience, and an an open mind. Have fun and don't let her rain on your parade. Keep quilting!

Do what works for you. Everyone has a different "right way".

I am self taught thru books as well. I do not plan on taking a class. I have all the info I need right here on these boards. While not all of us will agree with one method, you at least get difference perspectives and then you decide which works for you. I can save that money I would have spent on a class, and buy more fabric!!! and still be just as knowledgeable as the teachers teaching. Because I have everyone here and what more could you ask for than all these teachers ??

In quilting, there are many (legal) ways to get the job done. I do what works for me. Please do not let one person spoil your fun and put you off quilting. Do what you are comfortable doing. This Board has taught me many things I never knew and I have loads of respect for different approaches to the same issue. Many of the things you mention, have been debated here at great length,but the final decision is what works best for YOU! Now you know which teacher to avoid in future. Hang in there and get those creative ideas flowing again.

You what works for you. Who is to tells us we are not doing it right!!! I am sure that as long as you are happy with the results you get go for it. Happy quillting.

Welcome from southern Mn. I agree with the others and their suggestions. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

I would look for a new teacher!! None of that stuff is written in stone.