Hello again! Apologies for being absent for so long – between being ill and running a Cub Scout day camp, I was left without time for much else. But – I’m healthy and ready to roll with more quilting! I was perusing a Facebook group yesterday and happened upon a question and string of comments that had me thinking about things quilters say – that they should not.

“There are no quilt police”

I am starting with this one because, let’s be honest, if you’ve been around quilters for longer than five minutes you have heard this said. It’s not true.

I’m not saying that there are people who will go around telling everyone else what they can or can’t do – oh, wait – that’s exactly what I’m saying.

Hmm. I think there are a couple of different camps – ‘quilting is art so there is no real right or wrong’, and the ‘there is definitely a right way and you’re doing it wrong’.

I think the folks in the first category are the ones who say there are not quilt police, but the folks in second are who I would put into that very category.

So on to the things the quilt police say…

“You can’t use sheets as backing”

This happens to be the question I happened upon yesterday that had me fixated on this topic. Okay. So I will admit – this is not something I have done, but it isn’t because I’m opposed to it. There are lots of reasons someone would choose to use sheets as backing. Cost, size, ease, convenience, recycle, among others.

Here are some pointers I picked up from some of the super helpful peeps who replied to the question.

• Use a lower thread count sheet to avoid skipped stitches when quilting. The higher thread count has a denser weave and the needle doesn’t always go through nicely. The looser weave will allow the needle to slide through while quilting.
• Take care with removing seams/hems for ease of use as a back.
• Wash and dry the sheet to remove some of the stiffness, etc – and may help alleviate potential uneven shrinkage.
• If you are quilting it yourself – knock yourself out! If you are taking your quilt to a longarmer- please ask if the sheet is okay – not all quilters like to work with sheets, just like they may have a preferred batting brand or type. Just make sure you’re on the same page.

So if using a sheet works for you – please do so, just keep those points in mind and you should be fine!

“You can’t mix batiks and cotton”

Yeah – I’ve heard this from a local quilt shop. I don’t go to this shop anymore, and this is part of the reason. I want to be able to create without naysayers crowding my space and killing the joy I have while doing it.

As many people I know do this on a regular basis (as do I) I believe this is a myth. There are some consideration though:

• Batiks don’t shrink. Stating the obvious – they’ve been wet before. A lot.
• Batiks do have some funky stuff in the fabric that some peeps are very sensitive to – all this to avoid mold when shipped from overseas.
• When washing for the first time, the fabrics will have a different appearance as the cotton will shrink (unless you have prewashed it and already taken care of that)

To be honest – I have a serious love affair with batik. Always have. Always will. I personally don’t have issues with any of the above – but I understand that some people might. Go ahead and try washing the batiks to rid them of the chemicals, and feel free to avoid mixing them if you don’t like the look.

“You HAVE to pre wash your fabric”

I heard this one a couple of months ago – it was in connection with some of the above conversation about batiks. What I found so interesting was the obvious bias of the person who said it (LQS employee and that shop tears fabric – they have their reasons but I don’t like it as you have to buy extra). You can ask any group of quilters this question and the answers will be pretty decently split. It’s a personal preference.

Some pros and cons:

• Prewashing is a good way to deal with shrinkage, bleeding, and with the gross chemicals.
• Bleeding can easily be remedied with a shout color catcher
• You might find it is necessary to buy more than is required for your pattern to accommodate the shrinkage
• Hard to prewash precuts

Definitely personal preference here. Do what is right for you and ignore the rest!

“Hand Quilting is the only real way to quilt/ If you didn’t hand quilt it then you didn’t really make it”

Um, yeah. Okay.

So while I have hand quilting on my Quilt It List – I do enjoy getting things done this century. Enter technology. For anyone who has the time and inclination to hand quilt their projects I say enjoy! I myself enjoy handwork but find no shame in using technology as well.

Whether or not it is hand or machine quilted – you still made it! Be proud!

“Having someone else quilt is cheating / If you don’t quilt it then you didn’t really make it…”

Also a ridiculous statement.

Yes, there are ‘those’ people who make it seem as if they do everything from weave their own fabric to quilting it, but let’s be honest for a moment – those people are rare and I would guess many are exaggerating.

Reasons to have someone else quilt your project:

• You haven’t tried (or yet honed your skills to your satisfaction)
• You don’t have the space to baste or to manage the quilt in your domestic machine
• You don’t have the time
• You want it done and really like your quilter 😊

Reasons to quilt your project yourself:

• You are on a smaller quilting budget
• You aren’t afraid to ‘fail’ by making a mistake. Or a hundred of them
• You have learned that it is totally possible to quilt on your domestic machine
• You enjoy it

I fall into the quilt it myself category, and this started by necessity. I didn’t have the funds to pay but I was comfortable trying.

So I did.

On a very basic and small sewing machine – it can be done.

Create your project and enjoy it when its done- whether you quilted it or had a quilter handle it – it’s still yours and you should be proud!

“I would never leave that mistake in there….”

Yeah, well – I’m going to keep this short. Who has time for that kind of negativity in their life?

Life is full of mistakes – if it bothers you and you can fix it then by all means, do so. If you are over this project and you’re the only one who will notice then who cares? 😊

“You can’t possibly put those fabrics together….”

I’ve looked a fabric on bolts and questioned what someone would have to be thinking to buy it.

Then I met Renee.

Now I look at those bolts differently.

Renee has this incredible eye for color and has created some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve seen. All because she focuses on the colors before the pattern.

Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone- and don’t listen to the naysayers. There are lots of peeps who give outstanding advice that is meant to be helpful. I think most of us can tell when someone means well and when someone is just plain mean.

Worst case scenario you have extra fabric for your stash if you discover it doesn’t work before you’re done, or you have a nice quilt to donate to charity.

“I would never machine stitch (or any other non hand finishing method) my binding….”

Again- reasons.

I know people who create samples for quilt shops – at the rate they create these, nobody has time to hand stitch binding down.

I have also heard that when doing something for a baby some people prefer to machine stitch just so it will hold up to a lot of washing.

Reasons. We all have ‘em and they’re probably pretty good ones that we shouldn’t judge. Learn from, yes – but not judge.

“I NEVER buy fabric at (insert chain store name of choice here – there are plenty), I only buy fabric at a quilt shop….”

Again- reasons.

Budget?

Location?

Seriously. Do what you need to do to make sure that you are happy with the outcome. That is the important part.

I could go on with this topic but I won’t – because again, reasons. Personal preference. It’s all good as long as you’re happy with your project go for it!

“Oh. That was a kit.”

I’ve not heard this one myself, however a woman I sometimes sew with was told this by an individual at a quilt guild. She was a newer quilter and showing her completed project when another member busted out with this little gem. She never showed another item again.

Really? The fact that it was a kit mattered why? She’s never felt comfortable sharing another item because of that ridiculous comment, which means there was less inspiration in the room for other people.

Remember – you have done the work – be proud. I will tell you that often times if you see a quilt on display and fall in love with the fabric and pattern – the kit might very well be the best way to go. You’ve saved yourself time and energy so you can go home and sew – what’s not to love about that?

If you fall in love with the pattern but not the fabric – go shopping and enjoy yourself!

 

Okay- I’ve ranted enough for one day. Suffice it to say, I feel for people when they ask questions and then receive comments meant to hurt instead of help. I would love to see our quilting community be a place where it is kindness first instead of judgement.

Let’s go quilt!

Amanda