patterns in magazines
 

For those of you that get your patterns this way, do you find them true to their rating? Is easy really easy? Also, are some patterns rated more accurately in some magazines than others?
I ask because, although I consider myself a confident beginner, I found the pattern that I am making right now not quite as easy as it was rated. The directions were hard to figure out and it has a lot of matching of seams. It's not beyond me,but if someone was a real beginner, they might not find it "easy".
What do you think? I am using a McCall's magazine.

I've only been doing this a couple of years, but in the beginning there was no such thing as easy! Reading the patterns & using the rotary cutter was hard at first. It is really good that you're finding it a little challenging, because you'll be amazed at how fast you learn from it.

I have seen a fairly wide range of patterns labeled as "easy"--there is no standard that I know of so it is all in the eyes of the author. Like you, I consider myself a confident beginner. But I study each pattern design to see if I think it is in my abilities. I have seen some with lots of triangles, points and angles labeled as "beginner" that I wouldn't touch. Others are truly easy that a real beginner could be successful with. But we all need a challenge occasionally to keep learning! Good luck with yours!

easy is a fairly 'relative term' .... what is a 'piece of cake' for one person may be way difficult for the next- so it is rather difficult for anyone to really get the skill level correct for 'Everyone'. often it is a more 'generalized' determination- a quilt that has straight piecing, (no inset seams, curves, applique, ect) *patchwork* is considered an 'Easy' pattern - even if is does expect you to be able to match up your seams. then, 'confident beginner, moderate ability' may have some different sizes to deal with- a bit more detail- but generally still straight seams...you then get more into intermediate to advanced when mixed techniques are incorporated- like applique, inset seams, curves, different shapes along with different sizes. always read through a pattern start to finish before starting to make sure you understand it- and *it is a good thing to 'push the envelope' and work on what you consider more difficult* that is how you improve/grow. :)

McCall's is one of my favorites for patterns. I also love Better Homes and Gardens where I recently did and "Advanced" Nordic Snowflakes...I found it easier than I thought it would be. I went slowly and followed it step by step. I patted myself on the back when I finished it. I have decided I really don't go by the ratings in the magazines...I read the pattern and decide if it is something I can do. I have no problems with straight seams but I am put off by circles. I have made myself do some scalloped edges and am finding it is fun to push myself to "branch out". My secret is to take my time and stop when I start getting tired. I was sewing like I had a deadline and then one day I woke up and remembered I am retired and making a quilt is my passion. I am making much nicer quilts now!

The rating doesn't matter as long as you follow directions. What I have found from working from magazines is make a test block first. Never ever cut it all up to the directions, then try to sew. You can waste a lot of fabric that way. Have extra fabric on hand. Always use a scant 1/4 inch. I also look for blocks that can be any size. Those are easier to me. In some patterns, the block has to end up a specific dimension to make the points or some other detail come out correct. In others, as long as you sew consistent seams, it works even if the block is 1/4 inch smaller than it is supposed to be. As long as they all are that way, it works.

I AGREE with ckcowl. I have notice sometimes a pattern says it is easy and when I look at it, I wouldn't consider it so. I have a subscription to McCall's Quickly Quilts and have been delighted with the simplicity with most of the quilts.

Any pattern you choose to do, read through to make sure you understand the cutting and sewing instructions. What someone else thinks is easy may not be for you. The first time I designed a pattern for my quilt guild to teach a mystery class I said confident beginner. Well....not so. Just because I had been quilting for many years did not mean they had. So several of them really struggled but did manage to make it through (a big pat on the back for them). Make up one block to see if you understand the directions and would be happy with making a whole quilt. If not, you are out a little time and fabric.

One of the other things is that patterns in magazines sometimes do not have as complete instructions/pictures as they would in a printed pattern. It seems like they are scaled down some. Also some people are better at writing instructions than others

I never payed much attention to that. If I saw one I liked and wanted I just went for it. I think one I had the most problem with was one that was listed as a easy one and that was after I had made some very hard ones. Do check the accuracy of the pattern before cutting your fabric that got me once and I have found several through the years that the wrong measurements were published.

I have made quilts labelled "intermediate" that I thought were easier than some quilts that were marked "easy". The intermediate ones were just a bit fussier and time consuming, not more difficult. That sometimes makes it hard to figure out which is easier and which is not. What I will do is make a "Practice block" or blocks, if there is more than one type, from the project, and decide from there if that is something I want to do. Saves a lot of "UFO's!"

I think that once you've done a few quilts, you can look at the photo and see what units are used, how much matching of seams, points - then you can determine if it is a good match for your skill level. I now find myself passing by those that I think are too easy for me - I like a little bit of a challenge these days.

i recently completed a freebie pattern marked "confident beginner" from the robert kaufman website.

the directions were not at all well written and if you were a quilter with two or three quilts under your belt, you might find them very confusing. it also has a number of matched seams cut on the bias that were pretty tricky.

i did a variation of a pinwheel quilt from a mcall's magazine that was rated intermediate (i think) and upon completion i would definitely have rated it advanced.

i think it comes down to individual skill and experience, but anything with angles, tricky seam matching, bias cuts suggest at least intermediate to me.

aileen

I agree with many of the posters. There is a difference in the term easy when you are just beginning and "easy" when you have been quilting for a few years. Just keep trying.

I think it depends on the individual. Tons of matched seams are no problem for me but I struggle with quilts that are set on point for some reason. As you go, you will discover what you are best at and where you struggle. That being said, don't avoid the hard stuff, you will be very proud when you finish those quilts.

Beginners should start with an Eleanor Burns pattern. She is the best for detail and simple designs.
She has lots of videos on her website Quilt In A Day.

I have not done a pattern from magazine yet but hen I do, I'm going to follow MainiacQuilter advice about making a test block.

I've known several quilters who kept a stash of coordinated fabric that they used solely to make a sample block of any new pattern they thought they might like. If it worked as they wanted, they went on to make the full quilt of whatever fabrics they wanted. The sample blocks went into a separate box until they had enough blocks to make a sampler quilt. If they weren't pleased with the end result, the quilt could be donated or given to someone who did like it. Joyce in Delaware

EASY is a term that will be different from magazine to magazine, just as it is from quilter to quilter. When I learned to sew, it was from someone who NEVER used a pattern. She would look over what ever it was (could be in a store), then go home and make up her own pattern and put it together. Thus - I never learned to read a pattern (still can't), so I will sometimes use a pattern for cutting. But never sewing, I always put it together the way I think it should go and 99% of the time it looks the same. So I have made quilts that others thought would be so very HARD, and I done quilts that others have said are EASY (and I thought I would pull my hair out). If you find something that you want to give a try, do a demo block. You can use scraps or muslin and if you like the way it goes together, then do the real thing. If not you have an ORPHAN block for your orphan block bag (to be used late). Good Luck

I am finding, as time goes by, and I finish more quilts, that "easy" really is relative. I don't even go there for one labeled (spell) more than "intermediate", but I don't care at all for curvey designs. One of my first quilting classes included a vining flower design that you had to hand stitch in place. It took me forever to finish that quilt, and I never was happy with it. I can't handle that much stress and aggravation anymore. I just go where I am comfortable, and I can do that, because I am old, with GGKs, if that tells you anything. They love whatever I do for them, because they can say "Grannie made me this quilt".....color is what matters to them.

I have started doing what some of you seem to be doing, if I see a design that I really like, I will make up a sample block and put it on my design wall and look at it until the picture of a completed quilt forms in my mind. And have run off several pictures of quilts done by some of you on the board here with different gifts or projects in mind as we head toward Christmas here.

I think McCall's ratings of patterns to generally be spot on. That said, the terms easy, confident beginner, intermediate quilter, challenging, etc. may be relative. However, since I began quilting many years ago when they didn't have those ratings, I found myself choosing and completing intermediate and beyond, even when I first started to quilt. Take the plunge, challenge yourself and you may be pleasantly surprised that your skills are better than you think they are.