Panchita

I'm a bit of a 'Have A Go' quilter. As in, I'll have a go at whatever takes my fancy, lol. If it works, great, if not, oh well.

Although saying that, I would never attempt FMQ on a 'proper' quilt top until I was happy that I could do a decent job. That's what practice sandwiches and dog quilts are for!!!

Of course this is how I ended up with multiple UFOs - I bit off more than I could chew at that point in my skill set and had to put it aside until I figured out how to progress. I am gradually working my way through some longstanding UFOs right now and finding it very satisfying to actually finish some off...

I would say that I regard quilting as a hobby, and don't feel any particular pressure that "I should do X, even if it doesn't interest me, because that's what quilters do". So quilting techniques that do not appeal to me are simply passed over without guilt. Same for pattern styles that do not appeal. There is far too much that *does* appeal (and too little time to do it in!) for me to waste time forcing myself to do things I'm not interested in. Again, for me quilting is my hobby - it's supposed to be fun for me, not grinding work. And I am not someone that enjoys being scared. YVMV

MicheleC

I get excited to try lots of things. It is not always fear or failure that prevents me from trying. If I see a new to me technique that interests me, I usually try to read as much about it as possible. It is often learning more about the technique that helps me determine if it’s for me or not. I love looking at art quilts. I admire the people that make them greatly. I know that art quilting is not for me. I’m just not wired that way.

I’m still relatively early in my quilting journey, so I’m usually willing to try any piecing technique at least once. My problem is more along the lines of seeing so many things I want to try that I can’t focus on one thing to try!

I can’t think of a part of the process that intimidates me now. I have been intimidated by the whole thing when I started. I had never even sewed before my first quilt. I couldn’t sew a straight line for the life of me. I was under the (false) impression that quilts needed to be completed on a long arm due to a misunderstanding on my part. When I learned that I could finish them at home, the process of quilting them scared me. It wasn’t until I found the QB and Angela Walters YouTube videos that I had the confidence to finish even if I did screw up. “Finished is better than perfect.”

Time is the only thing that limits me now. 😊

Railroadersbrat

I've always 'auditioned' new blocks before I decide if I'm going to do a pattern or not. It's a habit that I'm glad I got into because there have been several that I just did not expect to work out and then somehow, the light bulb over my head goes off, I try it again and it's a success.

Taking scraps to find out if you're even going to like the block process or not is something I really believe in. For me, quilting has always been relaxing, fun and meditative, it should never honestly be 'work'. Just in the past year, I've conquered my fear of 'Y' seams and my fear of curves because I worked out whatever issues I had before I made the quilt, just by practicing on scraps. Now my quilting world has opened up to other possibilities and when the time comes to explore those, I'll be a lot more relaxed and comfortable. So I guess I'm excited to try, what's the absolute worse that could happen if I'm working on scraps first?

Rhonda Lee

This is the same way I feel. I'm not afraid to try something new, but if I really can see it's not for me then I give it up.
Is your longarm new to you? Mine is. For me I have to take it slow in order to learn. I have come a long way with it and I do have software that is somewhat intimidating but it doesn't need to stop the learning. I've been so excited to have a longarm. Message me and we can exchange some ideas if you'd like. -Rhonda Lee-