davidwent

I'm just beginning this topic to see what you all think.
As a child I remember watching my grandmother make me a quilt, that I still have some 50 years later. She had a treadle sew matching a pair of scissors and a fabric tape measure. Her quilts were/are amazing.
Are we now depending on gidgets and gadgets and modern machines too much?
I know we can whip out amazing quilts in days instead of weeks/months, I am just wondering if new is always better?
David

erstan947

I feel like I have blended the old and the new. I do some hand quilting but I must have my rotary cutter. To me the best of both worlds:)

Happy Treadler

I really love the 'old way of doing things', and I actually only quilt on treadles and hand cranks. There ARE some things I won't give up, like my rotary cutter.

I still think anything hand made rather than bought is very special indeed, no matter how it's made.

hobo2000

David, I have thought about that too. G'ma used to draw her pattern on cardboard cut it out, stack up fabrics and draw around each template then sit at night and cut them out. She used a treadle, which I now use. I think it would be great fun to get a bunch of us to each make a small quilt not using anything but paper, cardboard, treadle, scissors, etc. We would learn to really appreciate what we have but would know how to do it without the frills.

sjscribe

David, I agree with you. The majority of quilts I love were made decades ago without the assistance of the 'tools' we have today. However, with that being said, I think the abundance of patterns and designs is a factor in using the 'tools' -- they provide quilters with the desire and the ability to try making something new and different. I find I have to work very hard to keep myself in check from: buying every 'tool' and from starting too many quilts. My favorite quilts (that I've made) have taken time and a lot of thought, were not rushed, and did not include the use of many new 'tools' (the newest 'tools' used were a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler).

ConnieF

I know all the older ways to quilt but love all the new ways too. I have my DH's grandmother old treddle and I used to be in a sopping/ gift place and I was up stairs and just electric lights no electricity ad I sewed on a treddle and everyone was so amazd....
I will also forever keep the rotary cutter and a few of the rulers... Smile
ConnieF

raptureready

As far as I'm concerned the answer is a great big YES!!!!

If I had to do it the old-fashioned way I'd never do it. While I know how to do it that way and know that I can if need be I also like the option of not having to.

When you think about it, it isn't all that different.

What used to be cardboard templates are now acrylic.

What used to be scissors are now rotary cutters
and best of all .....

What used to be day long quilting bees are now week long quilting retreats.

Yeah, for me I'll take the new stuff.

Quilter7x

Nope, I don't think quilting has become too modernized at all. I think it's all personal preference. I would not have taken up quilting if I had to do everything by hand and use a treadle machine. I absolutely love my computerized embroidery sewing machines and all the tools, patterns and gadgets I have.

I do agree that to make a quilt entirely the old fashioned way would give people appreciation for what they have today.

lvaughan

Just think a treadle machine was a modern convenience at one time. I have no idea how long scissors have been around and exactly how fabric was cut previously, but they were a new invention or a luxury to some at one time and they still sewed and I'm sure quilted.

Jeanniejo

Your grandmother probably made one quilt at a time. Quilters now have several quilts in progress at the same time. Right now I have at least 12 I'm working on. We want to be quicker so we can use all our stash up before we die !!!