bearisgray

How much of what you first learned in quilting still works for you?

How far off that original track have you been willing to go?

Does what your first teacher/instructor said tend to be what you automatically do?

I did know how to do some sewing when I took my first quilting class - which was mainly learning how to piece by hand.

Overall, I think think the instructor did a good job. I still do a lot of the things the way she taught them. We ran out of time before we got to the quilting and binding part. I learned that from a book.

Some of the things I do remember: (This was probably early 1990's - don't remember exactly when)

How to tie a quilter's knot - very handy -
We used template plastic for our patterns - or we used hers.
Coats & Clark Dual Duty (cotton covered polyester) was what she recommended for sewing
How to hand piece - technique very similar to Jinny Beyer's -

I find it useful to hand-piece a tricky block - especially when I don't know how I might want to press it after it is finished.

I don't remember rotary cutters. i do remember tracing her templates to use for our blocks. Trace ON the line - not around the line!

ManiacQuilter2

I started to seriously quilt when rotary cutters hit the stores. I still stick with what the basics that I was taught. It is just more comfortable for me than trying new techniques like glue basting a quilt. Pins still work well for me. If I see a better way of making a quilt, I won't follow the directions. I look for patterns with good bones. I am not sure that many of our new quilters get into a LQS since there is so much that is easier learn than watching a video.

Caroline94535

I began quilting as a teen in the early 1970s.

There were no "quilting shops," no Internet, only a small selection of old books, and just a few magazines. Where I lived they were few and far between. (Yes, it was hard walking five miles to school, uphill, barefoot, and in the snow! LOL)

I taught myself to piece and quilt by reading news and women's magazine articles, a couple old books, and "studying" my great-grandmother's quilts. I never saw a Quilt Shop until I was in my early 30s.

Several older women in the community helped me learn, also.

I learned to...

- Always wash and iron the fabric I was using, which was mostly old cotton clothes. If new fabric was used, it must also be washed and ironed before cutting.

- Sharpen several #2 pencils before beginning to trace around the cardboard (cereal box) templates. I'd wrap clear tape around the edge of the cardboard to help the templates hold their shape longer.

- Never use the "fabric scissors" to cut the cardboard templates.

- Never try to cut out all the pieces and start sewing blocks on the same day.

- Arrange the "patches" into groups according to how you will piece them together, and have your pins, threaded needles, thimble, and scissors, all in one place.

- Wash your hands before beginning the piece work.

- Always press your patches before sewing over seams that crossed.

- Measure carefully, and press, press, press.

clem55

I learned to pre-wash , tear to get straight grain. I always do that!! I also learned that you don't HAVE to have every special ruler or template. My first quilts I made templates from cardboard, sandpaper backing, traced around them with pencil on single layer fabric, and cut out by hand. I used graph paper and colored pencils to layout my own versions and to see how much fabric to buy for each thing. I learned you can do without, but so much easier with all the new ways!!

Gramie bj

My Mom an grandmothers taught me to sew and quilt from a very young age. I still use all they taught me. The only real change for me has been the rotary cutter, quilting rulers, and plastic templates. I shudder to think of going back to scissors, a yard stick and old newspaper. LOL

Tartan

I still put the end of thread in my mouth to moisten it before putting it through the eye of a hand needle. The " esperts" say moisture cases the thread to swell but it always works for me.

bearisgray

I learned to wet the eye of the needle instead of the thread. It does seem to help.

For the sewing machine, though - it's still easier to dampen the thread.

mpspeedy2

I am basically a self taught quilter and for the most part sewer. I did my first sewing on doll clothes. Ironically my mother was a Home Economics major in the college she never completed. She let me have scraps of fabric that I used to make my doll clothes. I got my "formal" training in sewing in Home Eco in what was then junior high. I taught myself to sew and quilt. I am mostly a "hand quilter". I didn't even try machine quilting until I started making Linus quilts and other charity stuff. All of the quilting I have done for my personal use and items for those I know who will appreciate "hand" work is done by hand. I make a lot of use of my rotary cutter and use stencils to mark my items for quilting when necessary. I don't piece any more than I absolutely have to. My favorite is whole cloth quilting. I like to use pre marked fabrics or quilt around designs or images already printed on fabric. I am so good at it that I have several finished projects using preprinted designs that many assume are appliqued. I have an opposition to cutting up perfectly good fabric into little pieces and then sewing it back together before quilting it. I get twice as much done by not cutting up fabric only to sew it back together again.

sophiebernina

This is something I have recently learnt and now I find it much easier to thread my needles.

Doggramma

I never had a teacher when I started, but there are things that I've been doing all along: tie off and bury the threads; and, tear the fabric to get a straight grain before cutting out pieces.