weekly topic for 4/12/09

[shell.scraps]

As a new quilter, I have wondered this. What do you do with everything that you make? Do you only make for yourself? Do you make for gifts? Do you make to donate to local causes? Do you make them just because?

[Misty]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

I haven't made enough for it to really count. But I've kept everything I've made. However, since we started the Quilts For Kids Chapter a lot of my future projects will be going to that charity. (Which you ALL should get involved with, they rock!) In general though, there's always new fabric that I love and I just want SOMETHING made out of it.

[niki]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

The first quilt I ever made was a wall hanging and It had blocks that you when joined together would form a cat figure. I made it while I was pregnant for my youngest son.(it was not perfect, but I at least made an attempt.) Then I took a break from quilting. I started up about two years ago and I made my mom a lap quilt for mother day. I made myself a quilt with a gift I received from co-workers for a local quilt shop and I supplemented the fabrics from fabrics I bought in Hawaii. So that quilt has special memories for me. I am now making finishing up 3 lap quilts. Two are for my two closest friends - they are like sisters to me. I am using the same pattern I made for my mom, it is easy at least for me. It is called the yellow brick road. I am giving them the quilt for Christmas. I can hardly wait to see their faces. Neither of them are sew and they have seen mom quilt, so I know they like the pattern. The other quilt I am making is for my oldest son. I hope in the future to make smaller items. I just started getting those charm squares and I can see how they can be addictive!

[Natalie]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

As a new quilter, I have wondered this. What do you do with everything that you make? Do you only make for yourself? Do you make for gifts? Do you make to donate to local causes? Do you make them just because?

I would have to say, YES! All of the above!! For me, quilting is like art...it doesn't necessarily have to go to someone but, it fills a personal need to create something, to try new techniques, new patterns, new fabrics, etc. If they happen to be perfect for someone then yay! If not, no biggie! I am trying to make sure that each of my kids get a quilt from me...but other than that...who knows! I am also a huge supporter of donating to charity, I love knowing that this thing I do for fun can directly impact someone else for good (this works for gifts too! It doesn't seem that hard to me, but, most people really appreciate this as a gift!) I make quilts because I like to!

[shell.scraps]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

as a second part to this question...

if you are creating just for the creative side of it, do you just do the tops or do you have it quilted right away?

[jenny]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

Shell What do you mean by the "right" way?

[jenny]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

When I first started quilting, I tied my quilts because I just wanted them to be done. Then I would have them machine quilted when i could afford it. Then I started hand quilting, first out of necessity and then out of enjoyment. Now I mostly have my quilts machine quilted as I give a lot of them away and I want them to last. I am not sure what you mean by the right way. I do remember when I started hand quilting, my friend who was teaching me made me take out some of my stitches and redo them. I wasn't happy at the time but was really glad later. I love that about learning, where we start is never where we end up when we are willing to learn. I love seeing my progress in my quilts and there is a satisifaction in taking time to really do a good job. Does this help? :roll:

[shell.scraps]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

Shell What do you mean by the "right" way?

not the "right" way...right away...

do you quilt the tops as soon as you finish them or do you put them up for quilting later? I would never profess to know the "right way" to do anything LOL

[Misty]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

hahaha. Oh Jenny... I love you!!!

I'm of the mindset that if I don't get my projects finished now, I'll never finish them, because that's just how I am... so if I complete a top you can bet I'm getting it quilted asap. Well, as soon as there's money of course.

[stitchywoman]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

Alright I think I'll go ahead and tackle this question. It's a toss up honestly Anytime I sew I almost need it to be for the creative side of me because I so rarely get to fill that need... But at the same time there is a lot of necessity goin on right now to so.... honestly.... I still say both

The need at my home is for bed size quilts but I usually only have money for the smaller stuff so I creatively make something smaller and then give it away or sell it! Depending on how lucky you are!! I think the other reason I've been sticking to the smaller side of things is that I'm really just feeling my way around right now and I need to build up my confidence before I all out tackle the big stuff that I want (to want) to keep! :? Did that make sense? :|

Anyhow, on finishing I have always tried really hard to finish quickly what I start because otherwise no matter how cute it is there is a blackhole in my craft room that sucks up unfinished projects and they rarely escape it!

[Natalie]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

Me too! I try to finish a project right away! Other wise I lose valuable space in my brain thinking about all the stuff I haven't finished while the new ones(projects) are marching on in! I just can't have unfinished stuff laying around...it makes me CRAZY and if I see something that I want to try...I had better do it quick! Otherwise, it'll get pushed out by all the others(pending projects) or I'll just talk myself out of it! I know I am a NUT! oh well!

[sewhot]

Re: weekly topic for 4/12/09

I think if I didn't get my project quilted right away, I would lose interest.....So, I am on the "get it quilted asap" road.

Also FYI, did you ladies know that we offer machine quilting through the website? It is a mail order program that is awesome!! Super reasonable rates, and fast returns!! If you don't have a local quilter you are in love with, give us a try!! You may have just found your new BFF!