Something to think about and discuss

**homesteadmamma** · 07-04-2005, 12:39 PM

I'm reading a wonderful, fun quilting book. I'll give you the title later. I want to discuss something that is in the book and absolutely thrilled me to know end.

The author says she is a "quilting outlaw". She follows no quilting rule. Doesn't use a color wheel, doesn't do perfectly pointy points or tiny little micro stitches. She goes on to say that now that we have come to appreciate quilts as art, to let's pay them the ultimate homage and drop the rules.

Further on in the chapter, she says the following:

~do you follow the rules because you like the results or do you follow the rules because you are afraid of the Quilt Police? You know who they are, quilters at your guild or mini-group. They are the silent type however you know what they are thinkng.

~do you quilt to please them. Are you afraid to bring an imperfect work to show because someone may whisper about it. She says, don't be. Quilting police are imaginary. The overwhelming majority of quilters are loving, accepting and feel honored to see your work.

She took top prize for a quilt in 1970. It was constructed from burnt orange, avocado green and earth brown, polyester double-knit fabric. It didn't have 3,000 pointy points, wasn't quilted with 24 stitches to the inch.

She then talks about quilts that were made before the Civil War. Homespun scraps, rusty scissors, thread salvaged from your master's old clothing and no straight-edge to boot. Now its a national treasure and hangs in musuems, worshipped by millions. (or hunted by those who are quilt fanatics who want them in their home and will pay top dollar for them*) Did the rules matter then.

Her best piece of advice Don't worry about judgments and realize that the rules are something you can embrace or reject at will, whatever suits you. Quilting styles, colors, and rules change with time. The only lasting thing is the love you put into the quilt when you sewed it. Instead of following the rules, have fun making it.

*I added that in myself.

What do you think?

~Do you follow all the rules?
~Do you enjoy the process when quilting or are you afraid some Quilting Police will criticize it?
~Do you allow yourself to make mistakes. I had an outstanding teacher when I took a quilting course a few years back. She always said "there is no mistakes, we just work around them". She was incredible in that she always told us, don't worry about the seam ripper. We'll figure something out to allow what you've done in the quilt. First time quilters loved her because she never pointed out a mistake has a mistake.
~If you make a mistake, do you work around it and implement it into your quilt or rip and rip and rip until you have it perfect.
~What is your favorite type of quilt - the perfect one or one thats made with love and you know it'll be used as quilts should be.

btw - I'll give you the title of the book and hopefully her website after our discussion. Its a great book!!

**dolphin** · 07-04-2005, 01:33 PM

I'm fairly new to quilting and have never had any lessons. I just follow the instruction in the pattern. If I don't like the way it's going, I will change it. If I make a big blooper, I do take it out and fix it but I'm not a perfectionist so I don't worry over the small mistakes. Most of the time when I've made a mistake and can't go back and fix it, no one else notices it anyway.

As far as the "colors" go, I use the fabrics "I" like.

**QuilterMom** · 07-04-2005, 02:43 PM

~Do you follow all the rules?
No!

~Do you enjoy the process when quilting or are you afraid some Quilting Police will criticize it?
I do enjoy the process, but am leary about showing anyone my work for fear of criticism.

~Do you allow yourself to make mistakes?
I sure do - I make plenty.

~If you make a mistake, do you work around it and implement it into your quilt or rip and rip and rip until you have it perfect?
Sometimes I rip it out, but not over and over and over. Most often I work around it.

~What is your favorite type of quilt - the perfect one or one thats made with love and you know it'll be used as quilts should be?
The one that's made with love.

**kaykwilts** · 07-04-2005, 02:55 PM

Is this book by Mary Ellen Hopkins?

**Missy** · 07-04-2005, 04:38 PM

I don't "follow the rules" I do what I like, how I like it. I put together what pleases me, even if I am trying to follow a pattern. I know there are alot of "this is how you have to do it" rules covering all aspects of building your blocks and of building your quilt. But I do it my way, and I look at it this way... I am making these to please me. It is an expression of MY artistic abilities, not of anyone elses vision. If they don't liek it, they can go make their own, the way they want to. It may not be right, proper, or widely accepted as correct, but it's mine.

**homesteadmamma** · 07-04-2005, 06:04 PM

Nope!!

I'll give the author and a website once we have a bit more discussion.

**patches** · 07-04-2005, 07:59 PM

I only make it the way I want it to turn out. That means that I rarely buy fabrics. I recycle used clothing. I also dumpster dive for old clothing if I think I can cut it up and use it.

I've only worked on a couple of small quilts so far and no, I don't show anybody that quilts...mine aren't pattern perfect.

Maybe I will start showing them though. Maybe just to encourage somebody else to not worry about the rules.

**Michele Annette** · 07-07-2005, 02:23 PM

~Do you follow all the rules?

For the binding, yes.

For everything else, No.

~Do you enjoy the process when quilting or are you afraid some Quilting Police will criticize it?

I love the process and I don't care about criticism.

~Do you allow yourself to make mistakes.

They happen naturally.

~If you make a mistake, do you work around it and implement it into your quilt or rip and rip and rip until you have it perfect.

It depends on the quilt I'm making. If it's a rag quilt a mistake may be more hidden. If it's pieced then the mistake may be costly as the block may not turn out the correct size and then be off in the final measurement of the quilt.

~What is your favorite type of quilt - the perfect one or one thats made with love and you know it'll be used as quilts should be.

Always the ones that are made with love!

**MandiDawn** · 07-07-2005, 03:35 PM

lol - I don't follow any rules, and the quilting police get me everytime!!
I never iron, ever.
I don't prewash fabrics - ever
I may put blocks in upside down once in a while, opps!!

My grandma freaks out and always fixes them. SHe has took my quilts apart before and fixed mistakes, without my knowledge.
but I figure she means well, so I just treasure the time I have with her.