"Because this is the way I was taught to .. "
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oak Ridge North, TX
Posts: 7,172
the wonderful quilter who got me started many years ago did everything by hand -- my seams need the durability of using a machine to stitch them and I have learned to admire machine quilting too
#22
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,431
I think it's important to learn the basic rules of sewing and why it's sewn that way. Then change the rule to fit your style. I love wide binding. It's easier to sew and miters perfectly. I use single fold 3 or 4 inch wide binding. If the border is pieced I fold the binding to the back with a tiny width showing on front. I don't half my binding to be even on both sides. I can cut the wide binding on the bias and the scallop it, the curves fold almost automatically. This is called a facing in sewing terms. I use it for binding sometimes.
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Michigan Thumb
Posts: 1,956
I suppose we all evolve as we go and learn new things. That is what is wonderful about learning anything really. I learned to quilt with cardboard templets and cutting out with scissors while eye balling a quarter inch. Then I hand pieced the little pieces together. I don't think I would still be quilting if that had continued. Thank goodness I was around when they invented the rotary cutter and mats. Then all the clever women who figured out easier ways to make blocks and all the wonderful new rulers. We have come a long way, haven't we?
#24
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
I love learning new things. Like turning binding corners without taking the quilt out of the machine. And joining binding ends with the magic triangle. And breaking the rules when it comes to making bias seams in the binding. (Mine are more like 20º instead of 45.
Anything that saves fabric and makes things go easier, I will try.
Anything that saves fabric and makes things go easier, I will try.
#26
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,184
Speaking from The Police Department, "Quilt Police" are not looking at "how" you do something, they are looking at the results. :-)
#29
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,585
I don't make many quilts -- I am a rank amateur and I'm okay with that. But, I have been making clothes since way back when -- so I come with a lot of ingrained knowledge and experience. That isn't the reason I got started in making quilts. My grandmother, who passed away in 1993, was my inspiration. She made many, many quilts -- all hand-pieced, and I still have some of those quilts today. I have a tendency to do things that may not be "according to what whoever says", but according to what works for me. I think that's what every quilt-maker should do. I am a self-taught -- and yes, I'm still learning. I consider the day a total loss if I don't learn something, and days are too precious to lose.
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