That is like asking if we would train our husbands. I've thought about this because mine too shows some interest. I don't know if I'd have the patience to teach him. I have tons with the gals in my classes, but loose it with him. Besides he is a perfectionist, working with 100'ths of an inch at work now. Though he was critical of my wobbly machine quilting till he tried the longarm himself. IF you do, be sure to let us know how it goes.

Why not? Just give him his own stuff to work with -- and a separate machine -- and bombs away!

Great idea!! My husband bought me a new sewing machine and then wanted to use it too so he started quilting! He is great at it! We each have our own styles and keep seperate basic tool kits so that we are not frustrated at haaving to share. We also have different stashes again because we have different styles. Our joint hobby though makes for lovely shared time visiting different stores on drives out and he never complains when i buy new tool that he can share!! Lol

If he is interested, why not? I know a husband and wife team who work on winning quilts and many men who quilt so there should be no old - fashioned attitude to men sewing in this day and age. It is just another artistic form of expression after all.

I taught my husband to quilt several years ago, he is an on and off again quilter now because he has other hobbies too. His approach to quilting is different than mine, he likes pattern design and clean geometric lines. he especially likes to make quilts for gifts, while I love the challenge of new patterns and ideas. He has his own stash, and only occasionally barrows from mine, and only then if i offer. He quilts at night and i quilt during the day. It seems to work out for us. I enjoy discussing ideas and possibilities with him, since he now has a grasp of quilting concepts. If your husband expresses and interest why not teach him?

My husband took an interest in my cooking. He now rejects my suggestions for menus by saying, "I thought we might have..." I have happily let him take over the cooking so I can spend my time in my quilting room. I'm so happy he hasn't taken an interest in that. I'm afraid he would be underfoot.

If he shows interest in learning to quilt, by all means, teach him!!!

I had a neighbor who was a man and he quilted beautifuly. This book looks like it might be an interesting thing for your husband to read...then have him pick one block out to make. The blocks each have a story.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...quilts+book.do

Do it! You will both be happy

i think it is a great idea, but you both need your own space, machine, stash, tools, etc. is your sewing room big enough for 2?

I would not like my husband to try to share my hobby. He would criticize my methods, or 'have a better way', I like having one up on him. With a little knowledge of my own!

Yes
 

If he is interested YES! Also realize that not all quilters are not traditional quilters. Men make the best quilters and are more apt to be improv piecers,aka modern quilters than a traditional, contemporary quilter.

Every male quilter I've gotten to know are somewhat alot like I am, a free spirit, who just slaps pieces of fabric together in an art form which for the last five years as taken off international know as the modern quilt group or MOD Quilters.

If you can accept that once you teach him the basics of piecing that he may just do his own thing you both will do fine.

There are some "men" only quilt books out there and they are such an inspiration.

I agree! I know of many men who are 18 wheeler truckers who have taken up needlepoint of some form, hand stitching and even do quilting.

One of the local guilds I belong to in a neighboring town has at least 3 men in it now and they do wonderful work.

Only if you could set him up in his own separate space with his own sewing machine and stash. M dh would drive me crazy, I need the alone time with my sewing. He'd be commenting on the state of my floor, how unorganized my things are, how can you find anything? Why don't you finish a project before you start on another? Why do you need so much fabric, thread, etc.?

I think it is a wonderful idea, but I'd be sure to discuss and agree beforehand as to what things are yours, his or both. It'll save some of the headache (or arguing about it later). Good luck!!

Suzy hit the nail on the head. Mine is a perfectionist and I am not (thats why I applique,i hide a lot of messups LOL) and he would take over and it wouldn't be MY hobby anymore. He does make stuff for my room which I appreciate very much but thats as far as it goes for me. Try it and if it works great! But if it doesn't you will have to post a ?? how do I end this. LOL

Big Ditto to that one.

I think it is a dood idea He will have his own stle that may be different than yours so not neccesarily take from your stash.

I like the idea of long arm quilting for your hubby. It deals with a machine (every guy loves machines), he can get as creative as he likes, and the additional bonus would be your quilts will be quilted for you -- everybody wins. The needlepoint idea is great, too...there are lots of men that do that as well. I couldn't share my quilt room as its way too small for both of us, but would work it out if my hubby wanted to learn how to quilt. He won't, though - its not his thing. Encourage him to explore all the different 'creative arts' to find out what appeals to him....

Teaching hubbie to quilt?
 

Have you thought of going to a Folk School together where each of you can take their own class. This one is a good one www.folkschool.org. Week long or weekend classes in a wide range of crafts/hobbies.

My DH THOUGHT he wanted to learn to quilt because he had grown up watching his grandmother when she pieced. So, he bought a pattern and some fat quarters. THEN, he cut the pieces into 5"squares and began the piecing step. He found out he likes the IDEA of quilting rather than the actual process. Now, he butts into my work and tries to tell me a better way to do something. I wish he would leave me alone and let me have MY hobby. He plays golf with some of his friends and when he does, I STAY HOME. He has his golf and I want my QUILTING.

Make sure he takes a class so he won't be overwhelmed by your expertise. I think it would be fun. Just think of how much more stash you can accumulate. If you have some really fav's you don't want him to touch--label it. I wish my DH would do that instead of falling asleep in front of the tv. He has promised me a sewing room addition, but don't know when that will happen.

Why not? My husband does needlepoint & counted cross-stitch (though he hasn't done any for a long time), and he gives me input when I'm stuck on a quilt. I really value his input, because it turns out he's got a phenomenal eye for pattern & color, and has been able to help me get un-stuck.

You and I have something in common! My husband retired 1 1/2 yrs. ago from the Burlington/Northern Santa Fe Railroad where he worked for 36 yrs. We could never plan on doing anything with him. If he was at home, fine, but he was often gone for over 24 hrs. The phone would ring and he was gone within an hour.
I quilt. My sister, nieces and I quilted together. My Mother and aunts quilted. My two Grandmothers quilted. They all quilted by hand and pieced the quilts by hand. When we showed my Mom how to use the rotary cutter and sew the quilts by hand, she realized how much quicker she could make quilts for her 24 grandchildren and 50 greatgrandchildren!

Kathy

OMG!!! My husband is the same way....and I will not teach him. I want my hobby to be my hobby. I'm sure he will be very good at it, however, I am getting ready to go to a Longarm Class at the Longarm University and he wants to go with me......lol. I will give up quilting first...LOL.

Good Luck

I did!
 

When I first started Quilting my husband decided he wanted to do it as well. So we bought him a sewing machine, a rotary cutter as it was a pain sharing the tools.

He made a wall hanging and a small quilt. When he made the quilt the first block he made was a fire bird. He is a prefectionist so he did a very good job. But after that he went on to something else.

I do suggest to him that he should do some more but he seems to have lost interest.

He did mention one day that he would like to learn how to use my short arm quilting frame. So when we get home in from being snowbirds I will show him how to do that.

I think it might be fun for both of you but I'd strongly caution you against trying to teach him yourself. Suggest he sign up for a beginning class so he'll get an idea about what's involved and find out if he really wants to pursue this hobby. You will have something to discuss and you can be his "resident consultant" but you won't have the stress of being his teacher. If the bug bites, then he'll be on his way. If not, then he'll still have greater understanding of what you do AND you won't wonder if you did something "wrong" trying to teach him. It will be HIS decision whether to continue or not. If he does, he will undoubtedly begin to develop his own style and/or go his own direction in the hobby and won't feel "obligated" to do it YOUR way. You'll both learn from each other.

You might also suggest that he accompany you to a quilt show, on a "Shop Hop" or to your local guild meetings. Discuss the quilts in quilt books and magazines -- which ones "grab" his attention? what colorways does he gravitate to? (you both might be surprised!) People can get involved in hobbies in many different ways and trying to teach him how YOU do it might be too stressful for both of you.

Might be a little too much togetherness. Just a thought.

I wish my DH had hobbies. All he wants to do is "go out" to the same ol' places and I'd like to stay home and enjoy all the things I didn't have time for before retirement. I'd love if he got the quilt bug.

As far as tools go--in garment factories men were traditionally the "cutters" a more prestigious position than machine operators. Historically men have been knitters, weavers, netters, tailors, etc. I suspect having a husband as a quilting buddy would depend on how much you enjoyed each others company, not on his abilities.

WONDERFUL idea....I think you will enjoy it together.....double your stash...move to bigger room ....buy another machine lol win win

I think it is a great idea. My dad was fascinated by quilting and also machine embroidery. We combined the two. Mom, dad, and I had our own 'assigned' duties. We bought a long arm and he was into learning that. Unfortunately my mom became ill and it all came to a halt. Now I have lost both of them. It was great while it lasted. I think he is looking for your companionship also. Have fun!! Enjoy!! but tell him he has to get his own toys!!

Two people, two lives, share what you can, accept what is private, find something you can do together - a THIRD THING. It is the third things - the things you both decide to do because you want to be together, which will entwine your lives.

If as you said in a recent post you have been quilting for 20 years, and now your husband is bored and needs something to do, why not use the opportunity to do something you both can grow with? He needs your attention; that is why he sits in your room. Why not get out of your room and do something with him?

I think It's a great idea. When we go on vacation, my husband always makes it a point to stop at quilt shops along the way. While I don't think he will learn how to quilt, he is very supportive of my hobby. We are both retired and each have our own hobbies to follow and support each other in them.

Hate to sound selfish, but... I would not teach my husband to quilt. He is very competitive and would make my life miserable by telling me how I could do it better. I would give up because nothing would be good enough. He is an excellent carpenter and would be a meticulous quilter. We have been married for 46 years and do it by each having our own thing, which the other appreciates but does not share. At least in our case "paralell play is best.

I think it's a great idea. My husband is so supportive and helpful with my quilting when he has time. I can't wait for him to retire so he can learn more and quilt along side me. I bet your husband would love it too!

My DH comes into my craft room sometimes and putters around. He's good at rotary cutting and once I gave him a job of PP'g a pile of flying geese for me on my spare machine. He enjoyed it. When anyone comes over and sees the quilt he points to the flying geese and says "I did that part!"

Why not? You can teach him and if he doesn't like it, neither of you has lost anything. If anything, you gained some precious time together.

By all means, give it a try.
He can always say NO if he doesn't like it.
J J