WTxRed

I'm fairly new to quilting - about 16 months now (or 22 quilts) - so there are obviously a ton of techniques that I've not tried yet or even know about. For those of you in my shoes - do you ever read the instructions and just not 'get it'? On some patterns it takes me forever to figure it out, or find someone who's made it to ask questions to, and afterwards I have a big 'DUH' moment
I wonder if this will become easier with more experience/techniques under the belt or if this is because I read and comprehend very literally. And sometimes I do miss a step when it's not specifically in the instructions.
When making a new pattern, I do make one block to understand the process and I do stay with it until I get it 'right'.
Just curious if others experience these 'DUH' moments too?

Thanks!
Jan

QuiltnNan

yes, sometimes, iti's hand on practice that brings the technique to light
22 quilts in 16 months!!!! wow, you are a busy quilter.

lauriejo

This happens to me all the time, not just with quilting. I learn by doing, reading instructions frequently confuses me.

HillCountryGal

Short answer: YES.

I too always make one block first. Usually out of scrap fabric.. just to make sure I "get it".
Sometimes I can only do one step at a time, just to be able to wrap my brain around it.

I've been quilting a whole 17 months. Guessing this is a forever learning process.

When I used to sew/make clothing for the public and we would talk about my charges. My response was: If I have to read the pattern, it gets more expensive! Most times just looking at the pictures and from experience.. it was enough.

WTxRed

Thanks Nancy - My husband has been ill for the last 10-11 months and by the time I get home from work, he's already laid down for the evening. So while he's in the bedroom, I cut and sew. This way, I'm right here should he need me He is finally getting better so when he's back to normal, he's a quilt widower I do not hand quilt any of mine, they are all LAQ'ed but I do LAQ the majority of them myself.

kateyb

I have been quilting for about 12 years and I still run across directions that I have to study to figure out. It does help to make one block a step at a time. I am a visual learner. Sometimes I have to see someone else make it before I "get it". I love directions that have good pictures of the steps.

ube quilting

It happens to everyone. And that is when we usually get creative and develop our own way to do things.
It is always handy to post your ?'s here with a picture of the questionable matter. It really helps to understand better if there is a visual to help us decipher a problem and come to a workable answer. We all learn this way.

don't ever think you are the only one confused by instructions!

Right now at this minute I am trying to make an automatic button hole on my Bernina. Haven't done it in years and reading the instruction manual is to say the least, confusing!
peace

lauriejo

Pictures can be a wonderful help, if the person has a clue about taking them. I was recently looking at an online tutorial and the fabric in the pictures was dark brown. The pictures were also poorly lit. It was impossible to see what she was doing.

meanmom

I have been quilting for 8 years and often find the instructions confusing. I read them and say what in the heck are they talking about. Then I read again and again and usually I have an AH HA moment eventually. Sometimes I say the hell with the instructions and do it my way. Good luck.

mighty

Yes, I am better with hands on!