Evy

Am I the only one who has trouble understanding Eleanor Burns' instructions? I feel like a total idiot. I received the pattern book for her lover's knot quilt and I'm lost just reading the instructions. I totally understand the block construction, but even with the charts cannot determine how many of each block I need. A couple people have posted photos of the lover's knot here on the board and I really love it.
I had the Trip Around the World pattern and totally gave up on that one. I made a TATW and it turned out well, but didn't use her method. In all fairness, I've used her log cabin method and it's great. Maybe I'm just not concentrating. I have an appointment with the cardiologist this morning and that's worrying me a bit. Maybe I'll just take the pattern book and read it on the hour and a half drive to the doctor's office.
Just feeling frustrated I guess!

QuiltnNan

actually, i feel the opposite about her patterns... they are very clearly explained and her diagrams are great. that being said, i did find that her lover's knot was a little more challenging than her other blocks. have you used other patterns of hers? by chance, did you go to her website to see if there are corrections to the pattern?

JustAbitCrazy

So sorry you are having trouble. It's not unusual to have trouble focusing or concentrating when you are stressed. There have been times when the most basic instruction made no sense to me, because I was completely misinterpreting something. That's when I walk away and return later. Good luck today with your appointment. I think you'll do much better afterwards, provided the stress is gone. ((hugs))

Evy

No I didn't check for updates and the pattern book I have is an older one, 1985 I believe. That's a good idea and I will check. I've used her log cabin and I have the braid pattern, but haven't tried it yet. It has to be just my fuzzy brain this morning.

sweetana3

She has a very specific style of instruction and I often find myself working ahead assuming I know what she wants me to do. I am usually wrong and get mixed up.

Unless you do them all the time, only do one simple step at a time and check, check, check.

Lori S

I find Eleanor Burns patterns to be one of the easiest to understand. Take you time and read each step and use the visual instructions to clarify any questions. Maybe make a scrap block just going step by step trying not to predict what comes next. Sometimes when I have trouble its because my brain is always two steps ahead and not fully concentrating on the step I am on( or should be on).

btiny36

Try watching this video maybe it will help http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ElX7BJx92s Here's someone who struggled with her's http://julie-annsworld.blogspot.ca/2...most-lost.html or go to google there seems to be a wealth of info there. https://www.google.ca/search?q=elean...h=979#imgdii=_ Good luck..I also have this pattern but haven't looked at it.

ragquilter

Everyone has a different way of understanding and learning. I find I don't care for Eleanor Burns, I have a couple of her books and when I try to read them, my eyes roll back in my head. I know she does beautiful work and most people love her, it is individual preferences. When I try to watch her videos, I get caught up in the way she talks and can't follow her. My favorite is Nancy Zieman and I'm sure there are lots of people that don't care for her teaching methods. I am easily distracted must be the ADD kicking in or menopause which has sucked most of my brain out of my head.

Rose Marie

Eleanor used to be a grammer school teacher so she talks like a teacher.
She was the main person I learned to quilt from, since she goes step by step and makes it simple.
Ive got several of her books and find them easy to follow.
I also like Nancy Zieman and Fons and Porter videos.

Wanabee Quiltin

Hmmmm. I find her patterns the easiest of any I have ever made. I made the Lover's Knot and the only problem I had was when I started to put it together and I had to add the side triangles, thought I would not have it right as it was a King Size quilt and my Queen bed would not work well with the layout. How can we help you ? This is not really a hard pattern at all and I would love to help you in anyway. I think you might not have your mind on the quilt as much as being concerned about the doctor's visit. We will all pray for your good health. BTW, my book is very old too, and it worked for me.