As you pointed out, even the "experts" disagree about the rules. Just do what you love. Enjoy it. The only "rules" are those that you set for yourself.

I think I am going to change my screen name to "The Outlaw Quilter" if there are quilt police, I'm breaking every law and not caring a bit.

PS. I also wear white after labor day and have managed to evade the fashion police now for a long time too :-)

My now 90 year old aunt taught me to hand piece when I was 15 and she taught me to use 1/4" seam allowance.

I think that that was probably used from the beginning bore out of necessity. A much larger s.a. on small pieces would have been difficult to get to lay flat (remember we have electri iron and they might have finger pressed) and all he s.a. would have distorted the block. Also, the limited access to usable fabric probably forced a very conservative approach its use.

Those women were no different from us. Through trial and error they problably figured what worked best and the 1/4" s.a. for piecing became a standard.

I think it is important to remember that all this "rules" are really just guidelines. The people who write the books are offering us lots of options. It is our responsibility to determine which work best for us. We are very fortunate to have so many options.

My grandmother wore out scissors, used newspaper (if she was lucky enough to have it) for templates and wore out a treadle machine, which was probably near impossible considering how many of them are out there for us to enjoy.

Sometimes when I am using a rotary cutter, I think of my granny sitting by the Warm Morning heat stove and rug hooking by kerosene lamps because her newly acquired electric had gone out again.

I am seeing more and more template quilts in magazines again. Just shows us that what is old is new again. There was probably something soothing about sitting by that heat stove in the evening and tracing templates onto fabric and then cutting them out. I love this memory. How fortunate that we are able to quilt for pleasure rather than out of necessity like those quilters who helped to perfect the art we enjoy so much.

Do what you want to do!!! As for seam allowances, just make sure they're all the same and remember your blocks will be smaller than stated in the pattern....if you use a pattern!!!

I'm a baby boomer as well. Will be 65 in January. I'm not one to follow rules either regarding this art form. Of course I realize there are some basic rules of thumb to know to even get started but than again I believe I'd fit best in the Crazy quilting arena more than the traditional way of todays quilting.

The quilt police as you state mostly are I believe with juried quilts at shows. Those that want to follow those rules usually are the ones who enter their projects in them.

I most likely will never do what is coined a traditional quilt. I'd rather play with my fabrics/fibers and fabric paints and applique "crazily" and it be one of a kind than for it to look like everyone elses.

I just go about doing it the way I want it done and enjoy my efforts no matter if anyone likes it or not.

what quilt police? it is your quilt do it your way and don't worry about anyone else. a mistake? Can you see it on a galloping horse? in reality, it is design change.

In my studio/my world (LOL) I make the rules!

*I* make the rules!!!!! :lol:

Honestly, I do things the way I like them. Maybe they`re not "traditional" or whatever...but it works for me, and I am happy with the outcome. Until I start showing quilts for judging, I'm gonna do what suits me an my quilts and makes ME happy. If you want a 1/3" seam, more power to you.

My cousin is a professional quilter and told me "there are no rules"...If you like it and it works for you, your the judge....So I do my own thing trying to learn a few things but if I like it...it's my rules....

Soryy, no real police! But when other quilters say something "should" be done one way or another, I suspect it's becasue it's the "way it's always been done". I'm sure using a template was radical at some point, and then using a rotary cutter, now the GO!. But other things like 1/4" seams are there becasue most people find that easiest to use, and it gives quilters a common measurement when following patterns. But if 1/3" suits you better - go for it!