Which step in the Process is Your Favorite
#1
Which step in the Process is Your Favorite
The ADD question made me wonder. My favorite step is drawing out the idea for a quilt. A piece of fabric will make an idea suddenly appear in my head. Boom. New project. I can't sew fast enough to keep up with my ideas. I think that's why I hop from project to project. You? What is your favorite part of the process?
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
Planning! I am seriously planned about 10 years out. Sometimes the projects are planned and I look for fabric, other times the fabric speaks to me and insists to be used. This year I had a hard time getting started with my own projects, otherwise there would be two civil war fabric tops already done. But that's ok, there is always next year.
I enjoy spending some time each day sewing. I just like the way it feels. So I'm definitely about the piecing part too. I'm currently working on an UFO for someone else and am really enjoying it... I find it rather fun and freeing that I don't have to worry about getting this top quilted down, once it is pieced it just goes out of my life, and I like that!
Quilting down is an issue for me. What I want to do is a higher skill than I can achieve on my own domestic machine. I had access to a long arm for several years and got spoiled and no longer have access, a big enough house or a big enough budget. I'm still figuring out how to keep up with piecing and get my tops quilted in a timely manner. Mostly I've decided that I like the planning and piecing and maybe I shouldn't worry so much about the quilting but I am changing project styles and sizes to those that I can quilt myself.
My least favorite step of the entire process is ironing. And I believe in prewashing which therefore means ironing, so I do it (a lot of it) but I don't have to like it.
I enjoy spending some time each day sewing. I just like the way it feels. So I'm definitely about the piecing part too. I'm currently working on an UFO for someone else and am really enjoying it... I find it rather fun and freeing that I don't have to worry about getting this top quilted down, once it is pieced it just goes out of my life, and I like that!
Quilting down is an issue for me. What I want to do is a higher skill than I can achieve on my own domestic machine. I had access to a long arm for several years and got spoiled and no longer have access, a big enough house or a big enough budget. I'm still figuring out how to keep up with piecing and get my tops quilted in a timely manner. Mostly I've decided that I like the planning and piecing and maybe I shouldn't worry so much about the quilting but I am changing project styles and sizes to those that I can quilt myself.
My least favorite step of the entire process is ironing. And I believe in prewashing which therefore means ironing, so I do it (a lot of it) but I don't have to like it.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 5,012
Funny...I actually like making the sandwich. It's the actual quilting that gives me headaches. I'm just not that good at it. Perhaps a more appropriate machine, or more workspace would help things. Nah...I just suck at quilting. My favorite part is the cutting and piecing.
#6
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 37
My LEAST favorite is sandwiching because I have very little space and it means moving the sandwich several times before sandwiching is completed. My FAVORITE is the hand piecing because I begin to see everything coming together. Since I've started doing the big stitch it is very relaxing to just sit and stitch. Goes very fast and the finished project is exciting.
Last edited by QuiltinGranny2; 09-11-2020 at 06:05 AM. Reason: left out reason for sandwiching
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,049
The most fun for me is gathering all the supplies I need and imagining how wonderful the quilt will turn out. I enjoy the sewing part, but designing is the most involving. Finishing gets done because the quilt has worn out its welcome and I need to get onto the next one.
#8
I would have to say that the piecing is the process I like most & sewing on the binding comes in a very close second place. I love to hand sew the binding to the back of quilt for the final finish. Since most of my quilts have been gifted /donated and the hand sewing is nothing that I have to put a lot of concentration into, I love to think about the person the quilt is going to & it is my personal time to pray for the that individual. Each quilt leaves my home with a hug and a prayer attached.
Sandwiching is my very least favorite thing to do. However, that may change when I get to that stage on a Cal. King quilt I'm making for our bed. I plan on using the quilt-as-you-go method & not putting any batting in the middle. We will see how that goes when the time comes.
Sandwiching is my very least favorite thing to do. However, that may change when I get to that stage on a Cal. King quilt I'm making for our bed. I plan on using the quilt-as-you-go method & not putting any batting in the middle. We will see how that goes when the time comes.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
Osewme -- I love you people who like to put on bindings. When I belonged to my guild, I could do the piecing and even quilting of crib/twin sized projects and then hand it over to someone who actually enjoys it! I know many people who do but handwork is not my strong suit. Y'all say it is relaxing, I try to not get tense
I do, however, like the look of a "competition" binding made from bias strips and mitered corners, invisible final seam and blind stitched from the back. I've tried other approaches and I just like it best. As I go around I repeat to myself "a kiss with every stitch" and I do think of the person it is for if I know that, and otherwise good thoughts as I go. If it is indeed possible to put in our prayers and hopes and well wishes and such things, I think quilters can do that.
And besides, it's always fun to do a last stitch declaration/30 second celebration even if no one else is there to celebrate. When I can, I bring my hand work to my Tuesday group.
I do, however, like the look of a "competition" binding made from bias strips and mitered corners, invisible final seam and blind stitched from the back. I've tried other approaches and I just like it best. As I go around I repeat to myself "a kiss with every stitch" and I do think of the person it is for if I know that, and otherwise good thoughts as I go. If it is indeed possible to put in our prayers and hopes and well wishes and such things, I think quilters can do that.
And besides, it's always fun to do a last stitch declaration/30 second celebration even if no one else is there to celebrate. When I can, I bring my hand work to my Tuesday group.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,097
By process of elimination I find piecing is my favorite process. I got a longarm as I am not into the nitty gritty work involved with none longarm quilting or doing intricate quilting(though I do truly admire what others can do). I do ruler work and pantographs, no free motion which if sufficient for me.
Except for some early quilts when I did the binding by hand I always do the binding by machine now to get it over and done with.
With the adaptions I've made I now like all of the quilt making process.
Except for some early quilts when I did the binding by hand I always do the binding by machine now to get it over and done with.
With the adaptions I've made I now like all of the quilt making process.