pokeyscorner

Right on !!

Sharbank

In my humble opinion, quilting is an emotionally fueled art hobby. I have been quilting since I was a child. I started when my feet could work the treadle on my grandma's Singer. We made doll quilts out of old clothes, fabric scraps and feed sacks or anything else we could find. It was joyful for me at 5 or 6 yrs old to be able to do what my mother and grandmother did. The results were functional and even beautiful to me and to her. Quilts generally have a story that goes with them. I have never felt like cuddling up to an oil painting when I need comfort from life's happenings. Quilts have bound my family together for generations and I get great personal satisfaction from creating new ones. I like the challenge of new designs. I love the requests from my grandsons for new ones. I do believe that quilting is an art. I also believe that painting is an art. Every art has its tools, history and motivation. Sometimes it is good to compare apples and oranges. This has been a good discussion topic. Thanks for posting.

RedGarnet222

Ahhh Well. Here is the thing.... The better sewing machines last longer, do more and make a perfect stitch with less problems. My first bernina lasted 35 years and was still like new when I passed it on to my sister a couple years ago. It was used and used and used. Can a cheap machine do that? I know the answer already. I had three machines before hubby bought that one.

The better fabric lasts longer and looks better after years too. As a matter of fact, they are easier and nicer to work with.

The tools are just that, tools! Why not have nice tools that work well and are accurate.

Gee... I think this is a no brainer.

I am a long time quilter and I think I can judge whether or not the cheap stuff is good enough or not. This should be every persons right to choose what to use.

I think experiance is talking when someone suggests good quality.

JoanneS

I consider my quilts to be how I'll be remembered long after I'm gone. I've made many for family that will probably be passed down, although some have been 'loved' so much that they won't make it to the next generation! That's part of the reason why I use the best equipment I can afford. I bought a top of the line embroidery machine with a very large throat for ME to make it easier to machine quilt my quilts.

I label all my quilts with my name, the date and the town I live in. Who knows? Maybe some day someone will wonder who I was? Isn't that part of the reason why we're supposed to label our quilts? There are over 100 quilts out there with this label, and I'm into the 2nd 100 now.

I haven't been able to hand quilt for several years, so I bought my first embroidery machine to use for quilting. I haven't looked back!

I still look for bargains in fabric and equipment, but if I need something or, more importantly, love a fabric that's not on sale but don't need it right now, I buy it. I know I'll eventually use it. And I have more than enough fabric to use in my lifetime. I've declared a moratorium on buying more, but it's a 'loose' moratorium - because if a fabric 'sings' to me, I'll buy it without feeling guilty. I try to not look at fabrics on-line or in the CT of Keepsake catalogs, but I still do!

squires1042

I agree, and we are who we are because we take what we see, hear, and do and make it our own, we are all unique in our our own way.

My advise to people starting out is to get what you can afford, that will do what you want it to do and then later you can grow into something else. IE going to a sewing machine store and coming out with a machine with all the bells and whistles you know you won't use or need. Stand firm and get what works for you.

iwillquilt

First, I did not read all the posts. Second, I was not offended at all. Third, my reply is I have no painting skills, wouldn't know one kind of brush, canvas or paint from another. I have a hard time picking fabric color/patterns for my quilts. But after it is all done my quilt IS my art. My choices. My time, love and care put into it. Would you appreciate my finished art? I don't know. Maybe. I appreciate the finished product. Worked hard for that moment of pride and relief. Does the person I made it for appreciate it? Usually. Not always. But that is ok. I am happy with my accomplishment. I always will be. Or it will get used for the dog bed or to cover the lawn mower. My art, my choice. Enjoy your art class. Enjoy your process. Enjoy your finished projects. Share your love and let others make thier own choice of art. JMHO

carolynjo

When I teach quilting, I take my tools (well labeled) to class with me. I have 2 or 3 kinds of rotary cutters, mats of varying size, markers of different makes, several different manufacturers' rulers, etc. I encourage my students to use my tools for 2 or 3 weeks and THEN they go and buy their tools, knowing which ones they like best, which one feels best to them, which ruler they can read best, etc. A lefty sometimes needs different rulers than a righty. I don't want my students to spend lots of money on tools they can't or won't use. I have had any complaints yet.

maviskw

Don't worry about it. We don't offend easily.LOL I was going to say that artists that consider themselves professionals usually want to sell their work, not give it away. The way it sounds here, most of us give our quilts away. A few sell them, but also there are a few fabric artists who have quilts hanging in the "Halls of Fame". Most of us are just enjoying ourselves and trying to put our time to good use, or some such thing.

Jo Anne B.

Points to ponder: We all do the best we can, with the best we have.
We love what we do and we do it with love.
One quilt is better than no quilt.
Like the fabrics we sew, we/they are all different and that is what makes us and them so special and
beautiful.

My grandmother quilted only by hand, no fancy machine, recycled old clothing for fabric, yet her quilts are far superior to mine in beauty and difficulty, I can't fathom that I will ever achieve her expertise.
Her quilts are the most beautiful, and precious things I own.
Just my two cents...

omgtimmcgraw

as a new quilter 2yrs ago when my real mother ( whom as not in my life for 30yrs) got me into quilting i was so excited to learn a new project i can do. she told me to get a pair of scissors and only use them with fabric. she told me she will get me a rotary cutter and seam ripper. that was the advice i was given. i ran out to the store and got a ruler and matt and fabrics to start. i got what i could afford. i think with anyone who is trying something out new you dont want to spend to much on tools just in case it is something you will not stick with. well today i am upgrading my tools husband has made me a sewing desk and has expaned my desk several times and i have my own room. now on my second machine 4th quilt and not stopping any time. i know with me buying what i can afford and not investing to much at first to something new help me make the decision i love this art/hobby/craft and i have all the tools i started out with. they work as good as the more pricey tools now and they are back up for my mother when she forget hers.