UPDATE!!! How does Jenny do it?
 

In my recent post I asked what I thought was a simple question about Jenny. As I read the responses it is obvious that a lot of folks thought I was being critical........I wasn't. I have watched many of Jenny's tutorials and have learned a lot from her. I have marveled at the way she can make things that can be difficult so simple. In questioning Jenny's accuracy I should have wrote " how can she do such beautiful work so quickly". I work at a slow speed and my accuracy is usually a flop. I am fairly new to quilting and new to this board. I am amazed by all of you that are so confident in your work. I still struggle a lot. So, if you would please accept my apology. If I upset anyone believe me that wasn't my intent.
Lee Ann

as with most things as you practice you become faster and more accurate- when I first started quilting it took me days (if not weeks) to stitch a binding- now, years later, I can bind a queen sized quilt in just a couple hours---it just takes practice- as you become more sure of yourself/your skills you will improve and find things that used to take a long time now are a breeze.

When I first started sewing on my Kenmore I turned the wheel by hand because I was afraid it would go to fast for me..I'm a little quicker now. ��

I didn't take your first thread as being critical. Quilting is just like everything we do in life: the more we do it, the better we get and the faster we get! Confidence comes with experience. I've been quilting a long time and even though I am confident in my skills, I would never do it as quick as Jenny does in her videos! I don't like to be in a rush when I do anything let alone when I am quilting. I work at a steady pace and take my time. I enjoy the journey and have no reason to rush!!!!

Annie Pearl: FRIST OFF let me say welcome to the board. You will find that some people there [as with any group of people]are looking for a way to take what we post the wrong way. Just take let the them roll off you back. this group will be help and fun to work with. just know that there are sour pas__ in ever group.
Keep at your quilting you will get faster and more accurate. just keep in mind that it is for you and yours and it dosn't matter what other think about it. IT IS YOURS.

Love this!

You need a sign in your sewing room that says this. :)

I didn't think it was critical. I find when making multiple blocks, the first one is off more than the rest. I don't start chain piecing blocks til after the first one is tested. You can quess how I learned this lesson.

I didn't think you were being critical. By the way, welcome to the board. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and by reading the posts, sometimes a question is answered for someone else that helps you. After awhile you will feel like you have tons of new friends. At least that's how I feel.
Sue

Hi Annie Pearl and welcome to the board. I took no offense to your comment the other day. I laugh because for many years I thought the same thing about Elenore Burns on her weekly show until they did the show on her bloopers. What they show on the screen may not always be what is behind the scenes, there were a lot of fun laughs on what we see and what actually is. Most of the time they have to gain a balance between sewing fast to keep our interest and getting the job done. We all have a speed of sewing that works for us.

I didn't take your post as critical either. You have to remember that conversations on the board are just like conversations in real life. Someone says something, another person adds to it, and eventually the conversation takes a twist that the first person may never have intended, but it's what other people want or need to talk about.

I didn't take it as critical either. The problem with electronic communication is nuances, tone, etc., etc. that can't be detected by this means. In the Stone Age, I sent an e-mail to my BOSS in all caps one time. Only later, did I find out that it meant you are shouting. The cap lock was on and I just didn't take it off. Completely innocent, but didn't do it any more either.

Annie Pearl, welcome!. I also didn't take offense. I know I have posted topics and had people send me back some comments that kinda hurt my feelings a little. I hadn't meant to cause a stir but to some people I guess it might have sounded different than what I meant. You know how you and another person can watch the same movie and have different ideas about it? The same thing happens here. We don't all agree on everything but that's a good thing. I, for one, want to get many different ideas or I wouldn't be posting a question.

So, please don't let this one experience discourage you. We are a fun group of helpful quilters, I promise. And again, WELCOME.... to this helpful site.

I didn't read anything critical in your first post. I post many things that someone will harp about, that read it differently then the intent of my post. Doesn't bother me enough to apologize. LOL. Welcome to the board. I love Jenny too!

Many people don't read carefully, and it's true here as well. The recent thread on moving code words was a funny example. If anything, the tone of your original post was admiring.

Welcome!

Charlotte

I agree with Dunster. These conversations are like conversations in real life. I didn't think you were critical. I learned how to quilt from my LQS because U-tube didn't exist then. After quilting for more than 25 years, Jenny does hit the metal to the petal. Wish I could tap into some of that energy. :)

Didn't read your first thread, welcome to the board. mostly everyone here is nice and helpful. but you'll get some sour grapes in every bunch. have fun and show us your progress.

This. Some people are just looking to be offended and this board has its fair share of them.

For some here Jenny whoever will always be a sacred cow. I don't get it.






On the other hand don't even think of criticizing Bonnie Hunter :)

My post is with smile firmly in place...

I remember WAY back in 1996 I discovered WadesList... a whole community in what was egroups which became yahoogroups eventually.
Totally about Janome computerized machines, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. my 9000 was the pride of my life.

Until one day I asked innocently if the person who sent **** to the list could do it in a group rather than individually.

I got fried. One person even said I should never have been born, my parent should have killed me.
It was years until I posted on another forum. The dear jane one in 1998 actually. There were flame wars there at least once a week, and it all went right over my head. I was busy quilting :)

It's funny how differently people can read the same post. I read your first post more as "Jenny breaks all the "rules" and yet makes great quilts." To me, it read as a compliment to Jenny and an instruction to all of us to think outside the box and work in whatever way gives us results we are happy with.

Since I'm pretty lousy at "rules", I agree completely with your post. :D

Nothing to apologize for. I read your first post and it was fine.Folks were just giving their input and how they view the tutorials. Nuff said.
Welcome to the board.

I did not think it was critical either. You will learn SO MUCH from this board. Enjoy it and continue to ask questions.

Oh, how awful. I feel so badly for you. Glad you found this board ,

Glad you joined in on the Board. Welcome! It is hard to tell sometimes if someone is being critical. Other times, it's very plain. However, your post was not critical, but just questioning how someone can be so fast and have things turn out well. That's a question I've wondered about, too. I measure twice, cut once, and it's still usually off a bit! So when I see TV quilters just whip off something...man, I am jealous of their confidence!
If someone took your post the wrong way...oh well. Keep coming on...it's overall a friendly place to be!

I didn't think you were being critical. I'm a slow quilter and I wonder when I read about or someone tells me that made X number of quilts in the last month how they can possibly do it. There is a person in my guild that churns out king size quilts like there's no tomorrow but when I stopped to analyze it she uses the same pattern all the time that have few if any matching seam/points and she sends them out to a longarmer to get them quilted. That's just not my style. We don't know how many "takes" the videos that Jenny makes take so what might seem fast isn't really. Just do your thing and be comfortable with it. Quilting is to have fun regardless of the speed.

Glad you joined us and especially glad that you weren't put off or run off by a possible misunderstanding.

I was always taught 'if you can't say something nice....don't say anything at all'. That is still good advice to remember even in our Golden Years. :)

I, like you, admire Jenny Doan and her family. Her quilting skills, and people skills are to be complimented. The work that she and her family have done to benefit Hamilton MO is outstanding.

Having said that, she is encouraging a lot of beginners to try the world of quilting and doing it with a smile and an easier way to begin. Now how great is that?!

Good luck in your journey. Be sure to keep a journal of the work you complete with pictures, dates, and who received the quilt. Enjoy.

Welcome! Didnt think u were critical! She is quick! Amazes me! I am slow even after 4 yrs,i think ive gotten better n faster but not like jenny! Something to strive to!

I didn't post on the first thread, but I did read it. I didn't find your post critical, and I didn't really see any responses that seemed that others thought that, also. No harm no foul. As someone else said, there are a lot of people in the world who are just waiting to be offended. :)

Something that occurred to me that I didn't see anyone else touch on: They're taping a video segment, so Jenny probably only has so much time to cover a number of instructions. She could very well be speeding along to make sure she hits all the high points in as short a time as possible.

I also did not take your post as critical either. Actually, I took it as a compliment to Jenny & all that she has done for the craft of quilting. Her business has revitalized the community she lives in & she & her family deserve a ton of credit. Thanks to you she got some of it this past couple of days with daily posts by members.

Yes, no worries!!! I commented, but just wanted to express my interaction with Jenny. Welcome to the blog and keep on posting!

Sometimes I have written something, and when I reread it before posting, I think that maybe someone might take umbrage with what I have said. You can't hear tone of voice here. I often put "LOL" after such statements telling people to take it with a grain of salt, or some such thing. We can make ourselves feel upset over the smallest things sometimes. LOL LOL LOL

I didn't think it was critical either. I read but did not comment. Lots of things can be learned on this board, so keep coming back. Welcome and have fun with your projects.

Hi Annie Pearl, welcome to our little quilting nook!!! Can't really add anything to what others have said so enjoy your day and your quilting!

I had a good laugh at this one also! Love this board!!

I didn't think your first post was critical at all! If some of the responses hurt your feelings I am so sorry. Jenny is wonderful, isn't she? Everyone on this board is at a different level and we support each other as we will support you. Keep quilting we will be here for you every step of the way as needed. Some on the board may have picked up quilting easily but most of us did not! It should be fun so don't put too much pressure on yourself. Pretty soon you will be the one supporting others. Warm Regards, GrammaNan

Welcome to the board! I did not take your post as being critical, either. Some people are always (it seems) looking to find fault and if that shoe fits, let's wear it. I am nowhere near perfect and the folks here are most understanding and helpful. I love to see people's questions answered in the most helpful manner. Keep on quilting' and do your best.

I didn't take your comment as critical. I've quilted for many years and am still very slow and sometimes not very accurate. But in the end I enjoy what I do and the machine quilting hides a number of my errors. I love Jenny and have seen her in person. She would be the first to admit her errors and the wonderful support she has of her "back-up" crew. Who knows what goes on when the camera is off! It's kind of like the sign I had in my classroom for years. "Martha Stewart doesn't live here so pick up after yourself." I think I will make a sign for me that says, "My name is not Jenny, so good enough is good enough."

I truly enjoy watching Jenny, she is my very favorite quilting personality. Yes, I've noticed her not so straight seams but it doesn't bother me. What drives me crazy is seeing all the long threads left on her projects! I assume she does that for the sake of time tho.

Ditto! So funny and I understand how you feel, ladysuds, because I've felt like doing that!
RipStitcher, hello from another Coloradoan! And your name would fit me too. I do a lot of ripping! Happy Quilting to you both.

Gee, there must be some touchy people! I guess that's the difference between an optimist and a pessimist - seeing things as positive or choosing to see things negatively. I immediately saw it as positive because I see Jenny as positive!

WELCOME TO THE BOARD from the most beautiful and glorious Shenandoah Valley of Virginia!! Great new friends just waiting to be met here - People who will share your passions, your triumphs (and praise them highly), your lows (with hands outstretched to pull you back up), 24 hours a day, from across the globe.....This is truly a wondrous group of people.

We look forward to future posts, pictures, and your growth as a quilter. Most of all - HAVE FUN with every aspect of your hobby....we all do......