Self taught quilter missing the basics
03-15-2011, 10:35 AM
#81
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,422
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
If you spend the time and effort in the prep work, the rest will be easier. Accuracy in cutting, accuracy in a consistent seam allowance, pressing so the blocks can nest, squaring up the blocks.....It is a pain to be sure, but the top will be better for it.
And it sure makes for a nicer looking top!
03-15-2011, 10:49 AM
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida
Posts: 946
Great thread. I've only read the first 3 pages so far.... and picked up about a dozen! tips. (I'm a newbie too... only quilting on and off for 3 years or so). Before that, I did home dec and costuming.... and I have found that while I can create some fancy, smancy historical costumes with some seriously hard 'couture' detailing, topstitching, insertions and the like...BUT... I can't sew a perfect 1/4" seam to save my life! lol!
So here's my tip/what works for me: I have to sew at a steady, medium speed and use my 1/4" foot that has the lip that hangs down. (you push the fabric edges up to that lip.) I have the other kind of 1/4" foot, that just measures the 1/4"... but ya think I can keep the seam exact with that? Heck no.
I expect it's something in the water.... lol!!!!
Oh... and when the books tell you to just "lock the seams" and stitch the blocks together without pinning them... do not believe them! They lie! Take the extra time to pin your block/piece intersections all the time. When working with bias edges (like sewing seams on triangles inside the block) pin before you sew all along the edge to help stabilize the fabric. Carol Doak said it best, "Honey, ignore what I say and do what WORKS for you!"
So here's my tip/what works for me: I have to sew at a steady, medium speed and use my 1/4" foot that has the lip that hangs down. (you push the fabric edges up to that lip.) I have the other kind of 1/4" foot, that just measures the 1/4"... but ya think I can keep the seam exact with that? Heck no.
I expect it's something in the water.... lol!!!!
Oh... and when the books tell you to just "lock the seams" and stitch the blocks together without pinning them... do not believe them! They lie! Take the extra time to pin your block/piece intersections all the time. When working with bias edges (like sewing seams on triangles inside the block) pin before you sew all along the edge to help stabilize the fabric. Carol Doak said it best, "Honey, ignore what I say and do what WORKS for you!"
03-15-2011, 10:56 AM
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Florida
Posts: 946
Originally Posted by craftiladi
Originally Posted by grammy17
Oh--this is about quilting?...I thought this was therapy class.
03-15-2011, 04:58 PM
#86
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: las vegas nv.
Posts: 2,452
Originally Posted by debp33
Originally Posted by craftiladi
Originally Posted by grammy17
Originally Posted by kathy
i think most of us are learning on our own and if we ever quit learning....we're dead! :shock: good luck and hang in there, we're all in this together
If I weren't a self taught quilter I probably wouldn't be a quilter, as I am not the easiest person to teach things to, just ask my kids who always said it was just easier to do it for me...but they have since long moved out & left me on my own....so I thank all of you who are so willing to share your knowledge & kindness.
03-15-2011, 05:01 PM
#87
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: las vegas nv.
Posts: 2,452
Originally Posted by kwendt
Originally Posted by craftiladi
Originally Posted by grammy17
Oh--this is about quilting?...I thought this was therapy class.
Oh haven't had italian wedding soup in years, if you were closer I would gladly accept it..Thanks:}
04-08-2011, 10:33 PM
#90
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Spokane, WA.
Posts: 67
I sympathize with the lung issue--just got out of the hospital (9 days) with an asthma exascerbation. Thought my useful life was over for a few weeks! I'm now healing and ramping up my strength and energy so I can go back to a very intense job. But while I'm home, thought I'd order a few jelly rolls to try out the book my daughter got to help occupy my time. I may be very weak right now, but with the addition of some actual oxygen into my system, I am able to think, and am planning the design around the strips. Hope you are feeling much better by now.
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