Tuesday, July 23, 2013

5 Quilting Myths Debunked!

1. Quilts must be perfect. 

I prefer "finished" over "perfect." That it pleases my eye and I'm digging the fabrics is a given. If we can let go of the idea of perfection for every little detail, we can get a whole lot more done. That's not to say that slap-dash is as good as well made (it isn't), but a quilt can certainly be lovely, well made and finished without perfect points and exactly matched seams.

2. Quilts must be made completely by hand.

I hope we all know by now this is utter nonsense. If you love handwork, great! Do handwork! If you are comfortable at the machine, by all means put the pedal to the metal and machine sew. Or, do both (I like to mix it up). Whatever method gives you pleasure in the making is the way to go.

3. Quilts take a REALLY long time to make. 

An emergency baby shower gift quilt can be whipped up in an afternoon. A good sized quilt top can be accomplished in a few days. If you know a long arm quilter, even better- she could quilt a queen-sized behemoth in a matter of hours. But between you and me, this myth can be kept under wraps. Let them THINK it took you ages if it enhances their appreciation of your awesome quiltmaking efforts... Shhhh...

4. Quilts should be bed coverings. 

Or table runners, placemats, mug rugs and wallhangings. Or free form, wonky, patchwork, experimental thing-a-ma-jigs that have no real "purpose" other than the fact that you enjoyed its making. That in itself is purpose enough.

5. Quiltmaking is a dying craft. 

This one is my favourite. Classes full of eager new quilters tell me a very different story. I teach a lot. Classes are often sold out with wait lists, and the people I have the pleasure of meeting in these classes frequently tell me that the quilt they are about to begin is their very first one. I rub my hands together and tell them "welcome to my world" with a gleaming eye and a wink. 
Also, spend a little time on the Internet and you will find numerous Modern Quilt Guilds, multiple quilting   tutorials on YouTube and dozens of quilt-alongs. Those quilt-alongs include projects for all levels of experience, from easy beginner quilts to epic samplers like Dear Jane and the Farmer's Wife.

Quiltmaking dying? Far from it.

So, with Five Quilting Myths Debunked, keep calm and quilt on, my friends- our quilty To Do list projects won't sew themselves! :-)


3 comments:

•stephanie• said...

Well said. And now I'm off to put the border on my row along quilt.

Nicole said...

So true! #4 Sometimes it really is about the joy of the process. I have a bunch of experimental thing-a-ma-jigs that I have no idea what to do with!

Bearpawquilter said...

Love your philosophy! Since I have been reading blogs, my bookmarked "to do" list is so long, I won't live long enough to get through them all. Didn't like the "modern look" until I started reading blogs. Now my short batik phase is over and I am buying lots of Kona white and modern looking fabrics. Not enough sewing hours in the day. Good thing I am retired! From Alaska N