Is quilting really supposed to be "Quick and Easy"?
#41
I'm not a "quick and easy" type person. I treat my quilts as art, design my own patterns, and often have no idea how to construct what I've designed until I actually start trying to make it. I prefer to work with small units, both pieces and finished blocks. The current design has 2.5" blocks and the next one has 3".
All that may make more sense if you consider that I've been quilting for over 4 decades, am retired, live alone, and have many professional artists in the family.
That said, I totally get why a great many quilters prefer "quick and easy" even if it's just for some of what they choose to make. It, in very few cases, translates as "haphazard and messy".
Circumstances, tastes, and experiences change and the "quick" quilters of today may very well turn to "slower" quilters at some future time. And if not, isn't it GRAND that we aren't all identical!!
#42
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
If you like quick and easy, fine. If you like something more involved and time-consuming, fine. What frosts my cookies is that nearly every quilt magazine on the market is screaming "quick and easy" from the cover, and there are hardly any offerings for those of us who are interested in something more detailed, more intricate, more demanding of our skillsets and time. I'm a huge fan of Yoko Saito and a lot of her Japanese students who have now become renowned quilt artists in their own rights. I'm entranced by their absolute dedication to quality quilt design, construction, and detail.
#43
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,139
Quilting is supposed to be fun. Otherwise, why do it?
"Fun" is defined differently for each of us. Having said that, most of my quilts would be considered quick and easy. I am profoundly color challenged, so most of my quilts are limited to 4, maximum of 5, fabrics. More than 5 confuse me and it shows in the quilt. I found that out the hard way...
Also, I am somewhat impatient, my hands don't work like they used to, etc, so I like big blocks, strip piecing and so on. My absolute favorite quilt pattern is the old standard, the Checker Board. With the right fabrics, it is stunning.
I've made a few quilts that were so easy, yet unique, even I was amazed. For those quilts, I just 'saw' the quilt when I saw the fabrics. The fabrics literally told me what to do with them! That is the part of quilting that I really love - the giant creative leap that seeing fabrics occasionally gives me.
"Fun" is defined differently for each of us. Having said that, most of my quilts would be considered quick and easy. I am profoundly color challenged, so most of my quilts are limited to 4, maximum of 5, fabrics. More than 5 confuse me and it shows in the quilt. I found that out the hard way...
Also, I am somewhat impatient, my hands don't work like they used to, etc, so I like big blocks, strip piecing and so on. My absolute favorite quilt pattern is the old standard, the Checker Board. With the right fabrics, it is stunning.
I've made a few quilts that were so easy, yet unique, even I was amazed. For those quilts, I just 'saw' the quilt when I saw the fabrics. The fabrics literally told me what to do with them! That is the part of quilting that I really love - the giant creative leap that seeing fabrics occasionally gives me.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 619
Any method that brings happiness & enjoyment to the quilter is the right method. there are times when each of us needs a quick & easy or a meticulous work of art. It depends on what else is going happening in a persons life or the reason for the quilt. If one my daughters want a quilt they can take on picnics & throw on the ground, it will be a quick & easy. What ever brings you joy.
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
I have hard time when some folks try to rush through everything just to finish. To me, that defeats the purpose of quilting. I think the reason we quilt is to enjoy the process, not just to see how fast we can rush through it. I Sometimes, I think, we get caught up in the idea of how fast we can do something and not enjoy it.
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Grass Lake, MI and Bradenton, FL
Posts: 785
I feel differently about "quick and easy" now that I'm retired. When working full time my "spare" time was so precious and I could only devote small periods of time, so quick and easy was the way to go. But now that I'm retired I want to try something more challenging. However I still have the tendency to rush things and I'm trying to slow down and do a better job now that I have more time.
Last edited by janjanq; 07-17-2018 at 05:35 AM.
#47
I have yet to make a "quick and easy" quilt!! I can make the easiest pattern difficult in no time at all. I little change here, a little add there and I've just made it difficult. My friends just laugh at me.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 659
Most of the time I enjoy doing something challenging but occasionally I enjoy a simpler, easier, smaller project. I have found some easy patterns (i.e. 60 degree triangle tablerunner) very striking when done in a beautiful fabric.
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