Self taught quilter missing the basics
03-09-2011, 01:02 PM
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Originally Posted by 0tis
There is more than one way to skin a cat" (an awful saying but gets the point across) so even if we don't do it like the experts perhaps our way works just as well or better.
I have learned an enormous amount about shortcuts, techniques, inspiration, motivation on this board. Amazing group! And no quilt police.
03-09-2011, 01:04 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Grafton, WI
Posts: 465
I too am self taught. I have no quilting friends. No quilting family - except some distant relation I see once a year.
Most of the critical basics I have learned on this forum and from the 'basics' sections in magazines and books. For years I overlooked these sections, but recently I actually read them and found some great tips. Also watching episodes of Sewing with Nancy and Fons and Porter have helped a great bit.
Good luck!!!
Most of the critical basics I have learned on this forum and from the 'basics' sections in magazines and books. For years I overlooked these sections, but recently I actually read them and found some great tips. Also watching episodes of Sewing with Nancy and Fons and Porter have helped a great bit.
Good luck!!!
03-09-2011, 01:28 PM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,284
Also check for books at your local library. I learn in Home Ec. class so many years ago I really can't remember how I learn the basics, but pressing not ironing is also important. Pressing is just putting your iron down and do moving it, then lifting and repeating. This prevents stretching of your blocks that can happen if you iron (moving it back and forth). I do know the first quilts I made did not stress the scant 1/4", I'm not exactly when that sneaked into the quilting scene. LOL
03-09-2011, 07:06 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,284
Originally Posted by Kappy
Also check for books at your local library. I learned in Home Ec. class so many years ago I really can't remember how I learned the basics, but pressing not ironing is also important. Pressing is just putting your iron down and not moving it, then lifting and repeating. This prevents stretching of your blocks that can happen if you iron (moving it back and forth). I do know the first quilts I made did not stress the scant 1/4", I'm not exactly sure when that sneaked into the quilting scene. LOL
03-09-2011, 07:29 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Wilbur, WA
Posts: 757
The 1/4" seam is really important. A little bit off on a lot of seams can make a big mess.
Borders: Measure across the center of the quilt, cut, PIN, then sew. Don't change the order of this and don't omit a step!! Repeat for the other two sides. Repeat for every border!!
If you lay the quilt top on the floor and it doesn't lay flat, fix it before you try to quilt it or before you send it to be quilted. If it's not square and flat before quilting, don't expect it to be square and flat after quilting.
Borders: Measure across the center of the quilt, cut, PIN, then sew. Don't change the order of this and don't omit a step!! Repeat for the other two sides. Repeat for every border!!
If you lay the quilt top on the floor and it doesn't lay flat, fix it before you try to quilt it or before you send it to be quilted. If it's not square and flat before quilting, don't expect it to be square and flat after quilting.
03-09-2011, 07:34 PM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central PA
Posts: 5,573
One thing that I learned that has helped, is that when you are sewing 2 pieces or blocks together, if one is a smidge larger, place that on the bottom next to the feed dogs. It seems to help ease in the fullness.
03-09-2011, 07:34 PM
#29
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 269
i have taken a kazillion classes but still learning! i highly recommend the tutorials on the missouri star quilt website--they are easy to follow and very helpful for filling in knowledge gaps! check them out if you ahven't already!
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