Remembering things
 

I'm in my mid 50's and because of some medical problems when I was young and my current age my memory is not as good as some. I have only been quiting for about a year and a half. I've been to a couple of classes and have been taught how to use some of the angular rulers. My problem is I love the quilts I've made with them but after I'm done with them I don't remember how to use them. There is one quilt I'd love to make over. It was a mystery quilt I made at a retreat and we used the half square triangle and the quarter triangle along with a straight The instructions told us how many of the particular pieces to use but nothing else. Any way. I just can't seem to remember how to use any of the special rulers after the class I take. Do any of you have any clues on how to remember to use them. Because I can't use them I'm stuck on beginner quilts. That doesn't both me too much because I've found some nice patterns but I would like to progress to some slightly more intriquite patterns.

do they come with directions? when you first use them, can you write down the steps on how to use them. can you have someone video you while you're learning so you can review it for the next time?

Have you checked YouTube to see if there are any informational videos showing how to use the rulers? That would be my first go-to.

this an excellent suggestion, and maybe take some step by step pictures and notes as you make the quilt, using your rulers, so you have those notes for future use.

Bonnie Hunter has a video on how to use the Easy Angle Ruler and the Companion Angle Ruler posted on her website and I believe its also on her You Tube page. It REALLY helped me understand how to use them. Here's the link to her website:

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/p/videos.html

My memory is much like yours - I'm great at card games, but the game has to be explained to me each time I play again. I made a beautiful paper-pieced quilt in a class but cannot for the life of me now remember how to paper piece. Anyway - what I do is save all of the directions for my various rulers in one file. And luckily there are now some videos on youtube too as others have suggested.

Sounds like a basic book may help you. One that has good instructions along with pictures. My memory isn't as good as it use to be. Lucky most things come to me eventually.

yes please check your ruler maker to see if you can find any videos or tutorials on them. I bet you come up with some. save the links in your Favorites too. Good luck.

I'm in my 50s and have memory problems. I love to paper piece but each time I go to pp I have to watch a DVD from Carol Doak's on how to do it. I have tons of rulers and have the instructions with each one, but I'm sure I'd have to find a YouTube video for more help. I'm very visual and seeing is what helps me. Maybe you are visual and need to be reminded of what you did. Our brains are only so big and they have over 50 years of memory in them. We can't remember everything. I'm remembering less and less the older I get. It's normal. Don't be hard on yourself. Take everyone's advice and look on YouTube.

Boy do I relate to your problem. My biggest thorn it the binding tool - the one that makes it so your binding goes together perfectly and can't tell you how many times I have used it, each time is like the first. Luckily there is a video on You Tube that I watch a couple times as I do it. But what about photographing each step as you do it? Then write a note for each photo. It worked for me when I was making the folded quilt balls.

Why not find plastic folders to put the ruler in and then you can place the instructions and a copy of the pattern all together and file away.

Check UTube. Also, you might want to check out luminosity. They proved some free brain exercises and they are helping me!

I love "our brains are only so big---50 years of memory----can't remember everything". That's my story and I'm sticking to it! I have difficulty also, and this is what I'm telling my husband now whenever I forget things. Thank you!

I am the same way about remembering how to use rulers! I have some I bought at quilt shows and for the life of me, I can't figure out why I bought them or what they are for! I do have directions but haven't had the urge to even take them out of the drawer to see what they do. It's like everything in life; when you don't use something for a long time, you forget how to use it. I agree with others, try YouTube.

I have often had this same problem. Even after making 25+ Bow Tucks Bags, I still find myself referring to the directions. Of course my excuse is I'm having a "Senior Moment" now that I'm 66 - that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Seriously, I would keep directions when you buy a specialty ruler, go online to tutorials, web sites of the specialty ruler, etc. We all need our memory refreshed from time to time. Good luck, but I'm sure you will find the best way to conquer a special ruler, patterns, etc.

If you have a class, and the instructions are not given out, write them down as you do they steps. Also, if you have a camera or cell phone, take a picture of each step - that should remind you of what you did. If you are uncomfortable or can't pay attention in class to do this ( and there's no reason to be uncomfortable, you're paying for the class!) write down what you did as soon as you get home and its still fresh in your mind. I know a lot of times I'll think I'll certainly be able to remember something, but like you say, I forget too easily!

I forget the names of things. I can remember everything about it but I just can't come up with the name. My friend's kids told her that she's speaking in adjectives and my daughter tells me that she just pretends she's on a game show when I throw out a few descriptive words and she has to come up with the name.

I always store the directions that come with the ruler in a binder...That way I can always go back and read the directions....

Sadly memory is something we are all struggling with. I just had my 61st BD and it ain't what it used to be. Good luck and God Bless!

Memory? What's that? I keep blaming the fact that I can't remember names, places, facts to win an argument, nuthin' anymore. I keep blaming it on my medicine--I am 77 and on heart meds and aspirin--is that it? I never took any medicine until about 4 or 5 years ago when I had a little heart episode--CHF, so the doctors told me, so now I have a pacemaker and asked my doctor why I have to have all the medicine and he told me to get my heart well. Oh well; I am learning to live with the fact that whatever happens to me today will be forgotten in a few days.

The Quilt Shop where you bought the rulers would probably have someone that could go thru the steps with you, and you could write them down. This might be easier for you than watching You Tube.

If I don't use things frequently - I forget how to use them, and rulers are no different.

I buys cheap journals and keep notes in them - it helps to write things down.

I also have one with regards to how to use the many feet that come with my sewing machine - another problem area for me.

Hope this helps.