Quilters

[Faye]

I would like to know who really likes to quilt. I want to learn but am not sure I'll ever learn more than I already know. For some reason I can't seem to get into anything lately. I do love quilts though.

[Shamrock1121]

I taught quilting years ago, and I'd say a good way to complete a quilt is to consistantly set aside a period of time to work on it - be that between 6-7 a.m., or 7-9 p.m. everyday, or every Wednesday afternoon.

If you have "waiting time" to use (time where you have to wait in the car for kids to get out of school when you pick them up, etc.) then choose a quilt with 12- or 18-inch squares that you can easily take with you to work on.

Join a quilting group for inspiration and support. Birds of a feather..... A shared interest is one that will last much longer. You can make smaller projects, not just large quilts.

Oddly enough, I like to quilt, but don't like to piece, so I try to get what I consider the tedious part done quickly so that I can get to the hand quilting.

-Karen

[Faye]

Thanks for the encouragement, Karen. I think part of my problem is that I want to do things that are to large a project for my abilities. I don't have a room I can turn into a sewing room and just don't have room for quilting frames in the rest of the house. I threatened to hang them from the ceiling like my Grandmother had them! I have been sewing for years(since my 37 year old daughter was a baby) but never did more than help my MIL hand quilt some. I never pieced a top and it seems like a daunting task with so much to remember.

[leera]

Faye,one of the best ways to get started in something new is to start small...........

Try a lap quilt or a wall hanging.........crib quilt......smaller projects(they are simply miniatures of a big one)........then work your way up to full sized quilts.

They can be very daunting,especially when all you have is you to work on it.

My Mom has two sets of quilting frames that were her Mother's and Grandmother's.....and absolutely NO WHERE to set them up.

So she made her own portable,fold-able,movable one........with some PVC and heavy clothes line.I'll have to have her set it up so I can take a picture of it.

Although I do not hand quilt,I can't.my hands just won't take it.........I machine sew everything.Then rather than quilting,I use old fashioned"ties"............I'm still working my way up to machine quilting........... :)

[MYellowRose]

Faye I got a book on quilted pot holders from House of White Birches that shows something like 100 different ones. The reason I bought it was so I could carry a project with me. I haven't started any yet as I'm always short of money but you might want to check out the books offered on their website and see if you can find one you like.

[Faye]

I would love to see a picture of her frames, Leera. I had thought about ordering one of the kits to build my own but they are expensive. MYR, I'll check out that website. I used to order books from them a lot.

[MNMOM]

I belong to another forum (Nutmeg's) and we have a quilting party going on. Leera and Gypho are also members. There are ones that have joined that have never quilted before and we were each sent a 12" square to come up with an idea.

I have my sewing room set up in my basement and I use a very large pool table when I'm working on quilts.
I have hand quilted and machine quilted quilts, with machine quilting you can turn out a quilt alot faster.

I also have a pvc quilt frame that I purchased long time ago, it works great for hand quilting.

I agree with Leera, start on something smaller , it won't seem so intimidating.