Can you really make a quilt in a day?
02-18-2012, 09:26 PM
#121
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
I've made some Irish chain quilts in one day. They are about as easy as it gets.
I just figured up all the time I spent cutting, sewing, quilting and finishing my first lap quilt. I counted up 35 hours, give or take a couple of hours. I know I'm a quilting newbie, but I've been sewing for a long time, so I know my way around the sewing room. I started wondering, is it really possible to make a quilt in a day? Is Eleanor Burns really saying you can make a quilt in a day or is that just a figure of speech?
02-18-2012, 10:14 PM
#123
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So. California
Posts: 3,769
I just figured up all the time I spent cutting, sewing, quilting and finishing my first lap quilt. I counted up 35 hours, give or take a couple of hours. I know I'm a quilting newbie, but I've been sewing for a long time, so I know my way around the sewing room. I started wondering, is it really possible to make a quilt in a day? Is Eleanor Burns really saying you can make a quilt in a day or is that just a figure of speech?
02-19-2012, 02:12 AM
#124
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 45
My question is why would you want to? Why race to complete? IMHO quilting is a hobby to be savored and enjoyed. Quite honestly how nice is a quilt that was raced to completion? Seems if you are racing to finish you will be cutting corners and not piecing very precisely or checking your seams to ensure they will hold up. I just don't get it.
Yes I love to see the progression and yes I love the feeling of accomplishment I have when finishing up a quilt but I think that is because I choose peicing patterns that are complex and visually interesting. I want my quilts to hold up to hard use and I want them appealing enough that they WILL be used.
I carefully and thoughtfully select my quilting designs and motifs to compliment and enhance the piecing or carry on the theme of the quilt. I just don't understand the enticement of racing to complete a quilt just to get it done.
Yes I love to see the progression and yes I love the feeling of accomplishment I have when finishing up a quilt but I think that is because I choose peicing patterns that are complex and visually interesting. I want my quilts to hold up to hard use and I want them appealing enough that they WILL be used.
I carefully and thoughtfully select my quilting designs and motifs to compliment and enhance the piecing or carry on the theme of the quilt. I just don't understand the enticement of racing to complete a quilt just to get it done.
I agree life is a rush. Quilting is my time to relax.
02-19-2012, 07:47 AM
#125
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 10,703
This whole thread seems to have turned to the idea that a quilt in a day means you are rushing. It does not. For those who think life is a rush, making a quilt top in a day actually teaches you to be more effecient and organized not rushed, and this leads to one great end. You can actually create more time to do what you love to to which is quilt!
peace
peace
02-19-2012, 08:25 AM
#126
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mars
Posts: 2,549
Like someone else said, "Quilt in a Day" is a way of encouraging people who want to try it, but think that making a quilt is a lifetime endeavor. 
(that's what I used to think)
I can make a quilt in a day, but it would look like I made it in a day, too.
I spend too much money on fabric and thread to race through a project just to get it done. I want it to be as complex and neat and "perfect" as I can make it.
This one was a block of the month - ten fabrics, ten blocks every month. It took two days to do the blocks every month. It took five or six days ( a few hours each day) to sew the blocks together and put the borders on and a day or so to piece the back. It's far from perfect, but since HST's are my sworn nemesis and this quilt consists entirely of HST's, I'm happy with the progress I'm making. The majority of my points are where they belong, and if I had to ootch and scootch a little here and there, that's fine. No hurry.
I found a nice longarmer here to baste it for me because the darn thing is too big for my 8' square basting table. And I erred in my math somewhere, so the first thing I need to do when I pick it up is add 3" of fabric all around to the backing. But, I try to enjoy even the little bloopers when they come along. I learn more from those than from the "successful" days and troubleshooting is fun.
The bottom two pictures are the layouts from EQ for the whole top and backing.
(that's what I used to think) I can make a quilt in a day, but it would look like I made it in a day, too.
I spend too much money on fabric and thread to race through a project just to get it done. I want it to be as complex and neat and "perfect" as I can make it.
This one was a block of the month - ten fabrics, ten blocks every month. It took two days to do the blocks every month. It took five or six days ( a few hours each day) to sew the blocks together and put the borders on and a day or so to piece the back. It's far from perfect, but since HST's are my sworn nemesis and this quilt consists entirely of HST's, I'm happy with the progress I'm making. The majority of my points are where they belong, and if I had to ootch and scootch a little here and there, that's fine. No hurry.
I found a nice longarmer here to baste it for me because the darn thing is too big for my 8' square basting table. And I erred in my math somewhere, so the first thing I need to do when I pick it up is add 3" of fabric all around to the backing. But, I try to enjoy even the little bloopers when they come along. I learn more from those than from the "successful" days and troubleshooting is fun.
The bottom two pictures are the layouts from EQ for the whole top and backing.
02-19-2012, 03:22 PM
#127
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Dalton, MN
Posts: 334
I wondered the same many times. I think it would be a lot of pressure and for me that would mean mistakes.
I enjoy doing quilt tops and it would take the enjoyment out of the project. I'm not one that would at the last minute decide to make a quilt for a birthday or such, just a day or two out. Also, I need time to find a pattern and then to find the material to match the pattern. Guess I'm funny that way!!!!
I enjoy doing quilt tops and it would take the enjoyment out of the project. I'm not one that would at the last minute decide to make a quilt for a birthday or such, just a day or two out. Also, I need time to find a pattern and then to find the material to match the pattern. Guess I'm funny that way!!!!
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