What are some of your personal rules/guidelines for when you are making a quilt?
 

The question was brought on by this thread: (Which is very entertaining reading, by the way! ;) )

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...e-t195281.html

I've kind of learned the hard way that following some of my personal guidelines makes things turn out better - with less hassle - in the long run.

Anyone else?

Thanks for the link. Your right, just started reading it. VERY entertaining.

No guidelines for me. I'm a rule breaker. I use my quilts. I gift my quilts. If they don't care for them, I don't want to know!

If I do have one personal rule or guideline....I try to grow as a quilter with each new quilt. Enough said.

I will bookmark this thread and check back later.:)

My personal rule is to have fun and enjoy the process! If I get frustrated or start having major problems, I walk away for the day and start again the next day.

I think this is a philosophigle (excuse the spelling please) question.

"Quilt Police" implies the imposing personalities who negetivly judge and condemn people for not doing it their way. Since it's their way or the highway, there's no telling what they think personnally at the moment. Therefore I don't even give them the time of day.

On the other hand, if you enter a quilt in a judged show, you are asking for, not their opinion, but how it conforms to a predetermined set of rules. This has been helpful to me, "Quilting for Show: a Practical Guide to Successful Competition Quilting", by Karen McTavish, published by On-Word Bound Books, copyright 2007.

I now do mostly art quilts and so I've determined to "break the rules". In judging, some rules still matter, unless I make it clear the I intended to break that rule. In some shows that's OK and in others it's not.

Finding a new way to accomplish something is welcome in most circles.

We all like to know how to judge our own work and some predetermined set of rules somehow makes us feel we can achieve "Master Quilter" status. It's very freeing for some of us rebels to learn to listen to our own inner voice and not defend it, just go with it. To me quiting is an expression of who I am. I like things tidy so very rarely are there loose threads, but sometimes that's how I feel. I have a subbtle dry sense of humor, so often there's some odd spot on my quilts. Matching points has no purpose to me, so my quilts intentionally don't match points, intersections, etc. This is about me, no one else. I think each person chooses for herself what is important to them and go with it. That's success.

So be yourself, everything you were made to be. Enjoy the journey to find out what that is.

I have to love the colors and the color combinations that I'm working on. Color has become so important to me. I may not be a perfect piercer or quilter, but I love to select colors that hum together. (How the fabric feels makes a big difference to me, too).

No rules for me, I'm just happy making quilts.

Same here. And since I make mostly scrap quilts, I figure there were no rules to start with:D

the only thing I can add in my own quilting world is I (try) to always measure twice, three times, four times- as many times as it takes to figure out I have it right before I cut- so I don't wind up with messed up measurements. it took me years to figure out how to keep things from growing out of control...now I sketch my design out on graph paper and figure out the sizes before I dive into my fabrics. I also strive to learn new techniques, try new things as often as possible....but asking about 'rules' is like asking Picasso the rules of painting...do what feels right TO YOU and don't worry about whether or not others see YOUR VISION.

My main rule is that it is completed in a timely manner. If I strived for every quilt I make to be a masterpiece I would still be on the first one. It was certainly not a masterpiece but it still serves a purpose after more than 40 years. My husband lays on it when he is looking under the car or truck for a problem.

Sometimes I make a special effort into following the rules, other times I do my own thing. Depends on how I want the final outcome. Certainly I follow the rules to achieve a quilt that will wear well and not fall apart.

i try to follow the basic 'rules' for making a quilt. but if the rules get broken, i don't worry about it. none of my giftees are quilters, so they appreciate whatever they get.

My first rule for myself is to have fun. I quilt for the satisfaction of completing something beautiful. I don't think I have ever made or seen an ugly quilt. In January, I made a new rule for my self: "Don't start an new quilt until I get my UFO's Sandwiched, quilted and binding put on." How is that working out for me? Not! I love the piecing process, and on two occasions, I felt the need to make quilts for someone else. One for my cousin who was diagnosed with cancer and one for a baby shower. My UFO's still remain unfinished. I think this happens with most quilters.

My first rule for myself is to have fun. I quilt for the satisfaction of completing something beautiful. I don't think I have ever made or seen an ugly quilt. In January, I made a new rule for my self: "Don't start an new quilt until I get my UFO's Sandwiched, quilted and binding put on." How is that working out for me? Not! I love the piecing process, and on two occasions, I felt the need to make quilts for someone else. One for my cousin who was diagnosed with cancer and one for a baby shower. My UFO's still remain unfinished. I think this happens with most quilters.

Rule No 1 that I never break: I always close my rotary cutter after each cut. I never cut with the rotary cutter without a safety device for my fingers.

I wear shoes in my sewing room and when I'm sewing. I will not sew over pins. I don't pull my thread from the machine from the top, always from the needle. I won't use old bobbins. I guess these are my only do or don't sew at all rules I have for myself. Other rules are made up as I go or broken.

Have fun and don't sweat the small stuff.

I'm with you, BellaBoo! I observe nearly all of these, especially the safety stuff. However, I use my own standards for what is acceptable. I just finished machine quilting a queen size quilt for my bed - first time I've ever machine quilted a large quilt myself. I used my new HQ Sweet Sixteen and it's what I call "doodle quilted." I doodled freemotion, with something of a plan, but neither the designs nor the stitich sizes are totally consistent. I am really happy with it, and plan to enter it in a local display, but I will opt NOT to receive the jury notes as I'm sure they will have lots to say about how I could "improve" my next quilt. I know what is not perfect, but I'm accepting my own work. No, not work, PLAY!I plan to post a pic when I can figure out how to get a decent picture of it. It's too big to hang anywhere.

I do not always get a square block so I just twist and turn and stretch until I get it right

I have been thinking about this a lot, and I think I have very few rules. My main one seems to finish one quilt before I start another. I am pretty successful at that, and I KNOW that doesn't seem to be the rule of many quilters. I never have any UFO's though. :)

(I think this started back when I started teaching...45 years ago. I didn't have much money, and I made my own clothes. Teachers only get paid once a month, and my self-imposed rule was if I bought fabric, I had to have it sewn into a blouse, skirt, dress, or slacks by the next payday, otherwise I should have waited to buy it. The idea of any kind of a stash was foreign to me....not now though....I have learned the art of stashing. :) )

Dina

No rules for me - I just sew quilts I think I will like and usually end up giving them away. Very seldom do I quilt a request - I'm such a mood crafter. Having fun is the most important thing to me.

Rules?? What are those?? I just enjoy what I am doing, and couldn't care less what anyone else, including the quilt police have to say. So far no one has turned down a quilt I have made them!;)

Rule #1: Enjoy the process.
Rule #2: See rule #1.

I'm currently working on a quilt that is requiring a lot of attention and work to get the seams to match up. My friends say it's too hard, or I'm a glutton for punishment, or they could never take this long to make a quilt. That may be true, but I'm enjoying the process. The end product will be worth it.

OK....I see the other safety measures....but what is the reason for not using old bobbins? Are you not using the old thread, or not even re-filling an empty bobbin that has been used?

1) Have FUN!! 2) Choose forgiving patterns!! 3) Have FUN!!! 4) Occasionally learn something new 5) Have FUN!!!
6) Quit quilting when I'm tired 7) Have FUN!!! 8) Whenever possible, quilt with a friend 9) Have FUN!!!!
10) Occasionally quilt for someone in need and last..... Have FUN!!!!!

I make quilts that I love, and hope the receiver does to. If they dont, I dont want to know.

I dont always measure everything, and if a long piece is wavy, I make it work anyway.

I dont make anything I wouldnt want to receive.

I dont care if my quilt is totally squared up.........it is beautiful to me.........

I give a piece of my heart with each quilt, so rules and quilt police are not particularly welcome!! :)

My "rules" are simple.
Pay attention to what you are doing so you don't mess up - again.
Pray for the recipient as you make it (whether I have someone special predetermined or not).
Enjoy the process - when it starts feeling like work, go do something else for awhile.
Keep trying new things - it might not be as hard as you think.
Practice makes perfect (well, better anyway)
Don't cut when you are tired (see first rule)

Thanks so much everyone for this thread and the one about the quilt police!!!! I feel so much better. I do pretty much all of those things, my family raves about my quilts, and instead of enjoying that I worry about all the imperfections. I'm so happy to know so many of you have the same problems and don't worry about them! It's a new day for me.

And lay flat - and fold neatly. (Opposite sides are approximately the same length and the four corners are approximately 90 degree angles)

Nothing's perfect. Do your best. Accept it and move on.

My rules - I only make what I want to make - and I'm not in a race. Take my time and enjoy the process. If I hate it - abandon it and move on.

I quilt by the Pirate Code - " And thirdly, the code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules."

My goal is to learn something from each project and enjoy the process.

I do have a few hard & fast safety related guidelines that I follow - closing rotary cutters and changing needles regularly. However, I also work barefoot, especially when stitching.

My hope is that my quilts, when finally finished, are pleasing to the eye and constructed well. Some mistakes I'll redo and others get left as is - it depends on if a mistake affects the overall quilt.

Cheers, K

I was wondering the same thing. What classifies as an "old" bobbin?

I always close my rotary cutter after using it (my yellow Olfa brand). I like my other one (a blueone, but not sure what the brand is) the one that automatically closes.

I try to always enjoy it. If it has become a huge chore, I start something else and give myself a break from it. Then going back to it makes it fun again.

Simple rules:
1. Enjoy the process
2. Always do the best I can today
3. Learn something new and improve skills with each quilt

I have learned the hard way not to skip details to get done quicker, like not squaring up half square triangles, or not measure borders to fit. I am not a perfectionist, and like to get things done in a hurry, so I have had to train myself to slow down and pay attention to what I am doing. Yes, I am all for enjoying the process, but I also want to be happy with the finished product. So I make sure to pay attention to details as I sew.

My number 1 rule is what ever works!!! LOL

Looks like we have a lot of answers in common!
1. have fun - this rule trumps all others!
2. be fearless - this includes trying new techniques, color combinations, and crazy ideas. Also not being afraid to "waste" the "good" fabric!
3. build with a mind for durability - I always tell people to use, use, USE my quilts!
4. follow my intuition - including deciding when a project needs a major rethinking and/or complete reboot!

Iron to the dark side...

My own first rule, if I am not going to enjoy the process, it isn't going to happen. I absolutely don't do quilts for those who won't appreciate the finished quilt.

If I drop a pin or needle, I stop everything until I find it... no exceptions. Sometimes that involves using a flashlight and wasting alot of time, but I don't want to "find" it the hard way.

My "rule" if you want to call it that, is that I have to be pleased. Personally, I try to do things so that the seams match and the binding is even, quilting is consistent so the batting doesn't bunch and the overall quilt is pleasing TO ME! But if someone else doesn't like to do it that way, then that's fine. I just want to like my end product.