What A Waste Of Time And Money
03-26-2011, 09:00 AM
#61
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 203
Originally Posted by quiltergrrl
Bought a pre-cut quilt kit at a local quilt shop about a year ago at the urging of the woman who runs the shop. This was going to be my second quilt.
When I originally went to their shop, I knew nothing about sewing and went to their Saturday quilting with the promise they would be happy to teach me to quilt. I did buy my fabric from them.
I had to stop going after my first quilt because of a death in the family and I was downsized from my job.
Finally had time to piece it, only to find out that when the single blocks are pieced into blocks of four, they're just enough off to cause major problems (about 1/4 inch off between all four) and I don't know that I can go back and square these up enough to make them work. It's so beyond my limited skills.
*Sigh*
This is the same shop that made fun of the colors I chose for my first quilt, then offered no help when I said I wanted to machine quilt it instead of using their long arm (which of course cost me additional money - and my quilting looked like heck. I really wanted my first quilt to be nice.)
I guess I'm just a slow learner but I will never, ever darken the doors of this LQS again. I'll be driving over to Kaufman instead.
Being a newbie and somewhat insecure, I made the mistake of trusting them.
When I originally went to their shop, I knew nothing about sewing and went to their Saturday quilting with the promise they would be happy to teach me to quilt. I did buy my fabric from them.
I had to stop going after my first quilt because of a death in the family and I was downsized from my job.
Finally had time to piece it, only to find out that when the single blocks are pieced into blocks of four, they're just enough off to cause major problems (about 1/4 inch off between all four) and I don't know that I can go back and square these up enough to make them work. It's so beyond my limited skills.
*Sigh*
This is the same shop that made fun of the colors I chose for my first quilt, then offered no help when I said I wanted to machine quilt it instead of using their long arm (which of course cost me additional money - and my quilting looked like heck. I really wanted my first quilt to be nice.)
I guess I'm just a slow learner but I will never, ever darken the doors of this LQS again. I'll be driving over to Kaufman instead.
Being a newbie and somewhat insecure, I made the mistake of trusting them.
Don't let anyone tell you what you have to do in your quilt....they can suggest something but the bottom line is that it's your quilt and you are the one buying the fabric...They should be grateful that someone is there in the first place...Maybe you have to drive farther but you will probably get better service...When the other store has to close their doors because of their rude service, maybe they will think about how they have treated their customers...Very few shops I have been to don't help me...they love to see what fabric each person puts together...All they ask for in return is to see the finished product...I tell them that it might be awhile and they just laugh and say that's OK too...So keep going with what you like...
03-26-2011, 09:11 AM
#62
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 1,419
Sure wish there was a "LIKE" button one could easily use for lots of these comments. I think they are right on. So glad you continue to pursue quilting. I would hate to show you my first quilt: wrong type fabrics, seams that don't match, ugly hand quilting (in contrasting colors yet!)... But I hold on to it to see how far I've come. Onward and upward!
03-26-2011, 09:47 AM
#63
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,229
I wonder how a store like that can stay in business? To fix your blocks you can find a coordinating fabric (or one you just like), frame each block log-cabin style to make a border, then square them all to the size you needed for your pattern. You never know, it might come out looking even nicer than the original. Don't be discouraged though, everyone here is very helpful and not like those nasty store people you had to deal with.
03-26-2011, 10:38 AM
#64
Power Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Suring, Wisconsin
Posts: 15,364
Sorry that things are not going good with quilting. It is good that everyone has their own color choices. One of my best friends uses more browns and greens in almost all her quilts and I'm a pastel quilter. How boring it would be if we all made our quilts the same!! Good with your project.
03-26-2011, 12:29 PM
#68
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Odessa, Washington
Posts: 1,872
Originally Posted by grugirl
I love the idea of breaking all the rules when I quilt.
Pre-wash your fabric...or not, your choice, not a rule
1/4 in seams or scant 1/4 inch seams...your choice, just be consistent, not a rule (and I know I'm not consistent :oops: )
Press seams to one side or open, and press after each seam or when you are finished with the block or whole top...your choice, not a rule
Use starch, press with steam or dry...your choice, not a rule
Press fabric before cutting...your choice, just makes it easier :lol:
Color choices are totally your choice...it's YOUR quilt and only you have to be happy with it. (working on a hot pink, hot orange and black right now that would curl some quilters' toes!)
Oh, I know a rule...don't IRON triangles, just press them or they get wonky...but maybe wonky works for you (I've made it work for me!)
OK, I need help here...what ARE the hard and fast RULES for quilting...other than giving credit to the pattern designer and quilter if you don't do it all yourself???
Have a blast with your new addiction...it is a fabulously fun one and this board if filled with wonderful experienced quilters just waiting to help you with any question you may have!!
03-26-2011, 12:55 PM
#69
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northern New Hampshire
Posts: 1,936
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with them. Some people don't understand the meaning of customer service but I so happy you didn't give up on quilting. You are not slow you only require direction and technique instruction. A pattern and directions are not always clear especially if you don't know what the name of a techique means. Perhaps you can find another quilter here that lives close enough to give you a hand if classes are finacially out of reach right now. If no one lives close by just ask us someone surely has the experience to help guide you. Ask and you shall receive. :D
03-26-2011, 01:47 PM
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Williams, AZ
Posts: 604
Originally Posted by Farm Quilter
Originally Posted by grugirl
I love the idea of breaking all the rules when I quilt.
Pre-wash your fabric...or not, your choice, not a rule
1/4 in seams or scant 1/4 inch seams...your choice, just be consistent, not a rule (and I know I'm not consistent :oops: )
Press seams to one side or open, and press after each seam or when you are finished with the block or whole top...your choice, not a rule
Use starch, press with steam or dry...your choice, not a rule
Press fabric before cutting...your choice, just makes it easier :lol:
Color choices are totally your choice...it's YOUR quilt and only you have to be happy with it. (working on a hot pink, hot orange and black right now that would curl some quilters' toes!)
Oh, I know a rule...don't IRON triangles, just press them or they get wonky...but maybe wonky works for you (I've made it work for me!)
OK, I need help here...what ARE the hard and fast RULES for quilting...other than giving credit to the pattern designer and quilter if you don't do it all yourself???
Have a blast with your new addiction...it is a fabulously fun one and this board if filled with wonderful experienced quilters just waiting to help you with any question you may have!!
Yes, as I was told, the quilt police live only in your head!
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