I've recently seen several bloggers and "quilt along" online groups doing interesting (but easy) modern style quilts. These quilts would be very very easy to do with strip quilting methods. Yet the tutorial authors are having people cut hundreds of little squares (1.5 inches) and sew them together individually (machine work).

Do they honestly not know about strip piecing? Is there something about it that people don't like? Are the techniques protected by the originators? (that last one I find hard to believe, since it's become so pervasive, but maybe Judy Martin is a real stickler for protecting her ideas?)

Have you noticed this online? What do you think?

RST

Only thing I can think of is that with strip piecing, you have less control over where a certain print ends up being. Does that make sense? It's not quite as random as it would be using individual squares. I would still strip piece though. I doubt anyone analyzes a quilt design that much.

I've seen both types so I don't think there are copyright issues.

The particular quilt along that triggered my thoughts involves solid colors, in a very regular pattern, and would take less than 2 hours to piece if you strip pieced it.

Cutting out hundred of tiny squares -- yikes, I don't even want to think about the time.

This happens to be a very popular modern quilter, and she's doing her thing, so more power to her -- I'm not going to try to tell her how to do what she's tutoring the rest of the world on. But I have to wonder why make it harder than it has to be. I know for me, my accuracy is much better with strips too.

RST

no I haven't I would ask why not srips if I was doing it.

Now I'm curious-who is the quilter? I follow a lot of quilt blogs and many are popular modern quilters but I don't remember that type of quilt along.

and I agree with you completely.

Perhaps to use scraps rather than yardage?

Lol. Maybe for initiation. Anyone who has done it either comes out a better, smarter quilter(me) or on the flipside comes out a raving lunatic (dh).
Poor guy. Cutting all those tiny squares with an exacto blade. He got so mad when I gave it away to my bff ;)

Also really got to know my machine during that project.

It builds character.

I have been wondering the same thing, I've noticed this trend on a few sites and almost got caught and started to cut out my fabric before I realised it could be done a much easier way. I now make sure I read the instructions several times before I start the project, I usually have a simpler way to do it.

I am all for easy and quick.

what is wrong with them? I would strip piece anyday.