caspharm

I agree with I do what feels best for the project. I have taken classes and learned various methods for various projects, but find that some methods feel better than others for me. We all have our favorite ways to do things, but it is always fun to learn a new method and see if it works for me.

captlynhall

Yea to being open to try different things.

I prefer to wash fabrics before using but bought pre-cut tumblers out of beautiful Asian fabrics that were so beautiful. Of course I did not wash them, and they have made up a beautiful quilt. I will advise the recipient that the fabrics have not been washed so IF they ever have to wash it, it will be have to be handled carefully.

I do machine piece, love my little 2 yr. old Brother, but since all I use is a straight stitch, as long as the machine does a good job of that, the cost doesn't matter.

I only hand quilt. Partly because I love to do it. Partly because machine quilting looks too hard. Partly because I can't afford to send to a long-armer.

I use Magic Sizing instead of starch. It gives enough body to make a good cut, but I don't think it attracts critters like starch does.

I do prefer piecing at this stage, but perhaps on down the road will try applique. I do enjoy hand binding with a blind stitch which I think is an applique stitch.

I think quilting is like any other art. There are many mediums to work with and many ways to get to the finished piece. I hope to always be open to learning from others, but know I will choose what works for me.

crtwelvecats

I don't believe in rules cause they all don't work all the time for everything. So it is whatever works at the time and what I have on hand to work with. My girlfriend is from the school of only one way I drove her nuts. ex. she taught me how to do quillows and I wanted the tying on the other side than she said I had to do and kept flipping it over on me.
She found that I could do it on the side I wanted I just had to stick my hand in the pillow part to get it on that side. It was funny for me at the time but she sure was getting frustrated hahaha. I just said crafts and sewing is up to your own creative juices on your projects LOL
I guess I give her a hard time cause the more frustrated she gets about something the more I get the giggles can help it she reminds me of I love lucy sometime. Lets admit it lucy was funny.LOL

QandE2010

I agree wholeheartedly.

Nanaquilts44

Like a lot of you have said, I have learned so much from reading this board. It is wonderful for all of us to have a place where we can read tips, get help and share.
The words "easier" and "quicker" are ones I respond to when looking at a different or new method to do something. I love having choices and learning new things.

katesnanna

I'm a "whatever is the best way for me" kind of quilter and believe there is no right or wrong way just different ways. If I had to come up with one rule it would be "you must have fun"

Latrinka

You know what they say......the grass is always greener on the other side! LOL!

QuiltE

I think you missed have these on your list ......
* Thread choices and avoidances
* To set seams or not to set seams
* Sizing vs. Starch vs. Best Press vs. none
* Above, Homemade vs. storebought
* DSM quilting ... scrunch and puddle or roll and bundle
* Pre-cuts vs. yardage

QuiltE

Sometimes I do. And sometimes I don't!

I do.
I learn.
I adapt.
I change.
I learn more.
I adapt more.
I change some more.
I am a work in progress!

One thing that's certain in life ... CHANGE!

Tashana

I live to break the "rules". Who came up with them anyways? They seriously impede my creative spirit. This is why I will never fit in any guild. I have been sewing for 30 years, but I am fairly new to quilting. I am also a potter and vegetable gardener. (Yeah I know mud and fabric together - go figure.) The only rules I follow in my hobbies are the safaty rules, everything else is up in the air. For me, quilting is art and that said - the sky is the limit - no rules, no boundaries.
- I do not prewash my fabrics because I like them nice and stiff.
- Steam seams to affect the seams, so I use it only on whole cloth.
- I use foundation piecing with crazy quilts - there is no other way to make it work for me.
- And a big NO-NO - I grew up in metric system so 1/4" seam is still a mystery to me. My seams are all the same width, which is the width of my walking foot.
- IF I use binding (which is not always the case), I use my machine to attach it on both sides - nobody can tell.
- When I quilt by hand I use pearl cotton, ribon or whatever is bulky and visible, why bother going through all that trouble if nobody is going to see it.
- I think sergers have a place in a quilting room, I am just too lazy to fuss with it - they are more touchy than your regular sewing machine. I swear by them when sewing garments.
- The best sewing machine is the one you have and that works. I wish I had my old 1892 Singer, but I cannot ship it from Bosnia - too costly and it may never get here. I have a classroom model Singer 5050 and it is a workhorse.