Yeah right!
 

My coworker's adult son "taught" himself to sew over the weekend. He wanted a background drop for taking pictures so he seamed two sheets together but of course first he had to figure out the ancient brother sitting in the closet!
So they were talking about his adventure when she mentioned that I quilt. He decides now that he can "sew" that quilting stuff cant be that hard cause "it is just sewing in a straight line. What's the big deal with that?"

Yeah, Right!

Oh yeah it was great to hear his take on sewing machines. He called bird's nests. ..spider webs. He didn't know that the foot had to be down and I forget what he called the foot. Apparently filling a bobbin was an eye opening experience

Like making a bird house and thinking you are now ready for kitchen cupboards.:D

He tried and did do the job he wanted to do but to be thought of and praised as knowing about sewing is ridiculous. He didn't do anything special in my eyes.

buy him a beginning quilting book

Just gotta love those wannabes who think they already know everything. NOT!

Dare you turn him loose with a rotary cutter ???????Something to think about . Hugs

Good for him. I hope he picks up quilting as a serious hobby and enjoys it.

I like this idea ;-)

My BFF passed away recently after having a stroke 5 years ago. Her sewing machine was handy so her DH decided to mend something - she said she heard the most horrible "clunk" and he was hollering - had sewed his finger!!! Guess it isn't so easy is it??????

OUCH!:shock:



Learn To Do By Doing ... at it's best!
The need was there, and so he did what he wanted.
Sometimes we do learn the best when we don't know that we "can't"!
And now onwards for him!

Actually he has us figured out ... it's all about sewing in a straight line


ITA with Holice ... buy him a beginners book and/or invite him over and help him learn some of the basics.

It can be easy.. but what did you want it to look like ? LOL.

We were just giggling.

:thumbup:I agree with Tartan! LOL, she always has the best replys.

I'd have to invite to a quilting party. Ha
peace

I'd encourage him to try it. Why be negative?

Lots of sexism here.

I think he would be best to take a sewing class for beginners. He needs to learn sewing can be dangerous. Sewing a straight line isn't always easy, let alone sewing a 1/4" seam line. He sure has lots to learn.

so, are you not willing to teach him some quilting? I would be happy that now that he has figured out a machine- and knows quilt piecing entails straight seams that he thinks he should take that next step= my sons and nephew all started innocently enough- then jumped in with both feet all 3 of them challenge me regularly- young men are adventurous- don't worry about *old stuck in the mud rules*, have great color sense and if they have a desire they should certainly be encouraged. after all- being able to sew a straight line is the foundation to successful quilts.

He has to start somewhere!

No I didn't say I would not teach him, I would teach anybody...he doesn't live here. I would be happy to teach him and he does have great color sense as he does photography. I just thought it was funny that he equated quilting with being able to sew a straight line.

Actually, I sarcastically said he would crap if he knew how much math was involved. His mom said he really loves math and he would probably really get into it.

My guys started with backdrops and costuming. None have taken up quilting, but they aren't asking me to do their sewing either.

One is now branching out into leather top hats and goggles (steam punk style) etc. and is searching for an affordable leather sewing machine for stitching his leather fans. He's getting started in what looks to be the beginning of a profitable business.

So you never know where the young man you are talking about will go with his humble beginning.

Give him all the encouragement you can - then you can say you knew him when. . . Lol!

My DS grew up watching me sew clothing, crafts, etc., but I didn't start quilting until after he had gone away to college. However, I taught him how to use my machine for stitching and mending, and he did a decent job. When I got a new travel machine, I called and asked him if he wanted the old one (a Bernette), and he jumped on it. He calls me up once in a while to pick my brain on how to do something or other.

Your friend's son just needs to be educated on what goes into making a quilt. He doesn't know, so I suggest you either educate him or ignore him.

At least he was willing to try. Hard to listen to someone who thinks they are an expert though after one try.

He will either like it and work hard to become a better quilter, or he will hate it and stop. Either way he's exploring a creative area for personal satisfaction, and personally, I would do what I could to help him.

It is putting one foot in front of the other and soon you will be sewing up a quilt. He might be naive, but at least he is trying.

I have been making quilts since the mid 70's, and Im still learning new things all the time.

Me, too. Everyone has to start somewhere and sewing two sheets together with a machine you don't know a thing in the world about is as good a place as any! froggyintexas

So much negativity. Why all the hate. Why not help instead of doubt? I say good for him!!

<clap><clap><clap>

ditto! give him a quilt book and answer any question he might have, he may be the next really huge name in quilting.

I generally try to encourage friends and tell them that it isn't hard - just have to sew a straight line. Last thing I want to do is intimidate anyone into thinking they can't do it. If I can do it....they can do it. Just takes practice and perserverance.

On buying a new machine years ago took my nephews 4 and 10 with me to pick it up. I was given an hours lesson with them watching. They carried the machine for me. When we got to their house I started evening meal they went quiet. On the dining table they had the machine out and looking for fabric. Oh yes they had definately been listening. They did break the needle going over a bump thank goodness. Without my brother's help to remove I would never have managed by myself. They can both sew and use a machine. They have also done quilt in the ditch and at the time due to age were very good at keeping to the speeds I said.
Never say no, when the interest is there they can . We need more males quilting and putting in their ideas.

Bless his heart! Poor little guy! But, let him try, he'll learn....

Sounds to me like he has a lot of confidence in himself- and that can be a good thing. Kaffe Fassett and Mark Lipinski had to start somewhere, too! Perhaps with proper direction, he could go places - or it could just be a flash in the pan and he'll go on to something else that's "a piece of cake"!

I wish one of my sons had taken a machine and tried to sew a seam! They never did and never will. I offered my DDIL one of my machines when I quit teaching sewing but she refused. Guess who can mend whatever needs mending :(
So: good for him :)

Well actually He did a great deal. First I know women who can't thread a sewing machine and would never be able to wind the bobbin. You have to give Him credit, He did what He set out to do, I would congratulate Him and offer Him help if He needed it. After all we all had to learn.

Now don't be too quick to judge! My husband had never sewn more than a straight seam and when I refused to upholster any more old cars, he did one himself and did a remarkable job. He doesn't want to quilt however, and really praises the quilts I make. He had never used an upholstery machine before or used any kind of pattern. He used the old upholstery for pattern where it was available and made his own patterns when it was missing. It was amazing to me. He ran out of the main fabric and bought a coordinating fabric and used it for pockets and trim. He has had lots of people ask who did his upholstery because they liked it so much!

I agree, give him a beginner's book for Christmas/birthday and let him find out exactly what goes into quilting.

Anael-since you offered one of your machines to your son and daughter in law and they refused, guess who WOULD NOT be doing the mending or sewing.