Three Things Machine Quilters Should Stop Doing

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When it comes to improving your machine quilting skills, following a "Don't Do" list can be an effective way of enhancing the quality of your work. Based on a lecture given at QuiltCon, Angela Walters shares the things that you should stop doing to become a better quilter.

Star Members can watch Angela in Episode 1306: No-Pin Curves and Quilting Modern.

Comments

#13 Ann Fahl 2016-03-19 11:42

Bravo! What a thoughtful video. No matter how long a person has been quilting the "comparison thing" is always there. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. :roll:

#12 Darci Bodin 2015-12-30 13:48

Thank you - just thank you. Sometimes it is very hard to accept a compliment. I just hope that the recipients appreciate how much work is involved. Some do and some don't.

#11 Denise 2015-12-30 13:33

I started a quilting group named "Stitches of Hope" for Victory in the Valley ( a cancer support organization in Wichita, Kansas) several years ago. The quilts are given to children and adults newly diagnosed with cancer. Many of the quilters have had cancer or have had a loved one diagnosed with cancer and they wanted a way to give back to other survivors. Over 2,000 quilts have been made and given to Victory in the Valley all with donated fabric. Are they perfect? No! But each has been made with love and prayers and I have have had recipients share that they felt the love and hope in the quilt they received.

#10 Terrie 2015-12-30 12:45

What an inspiration? I definitely needed to hear each on of these "Do Not Do". Often I get so wrapped up in the difficulty of a project and procrasinate, not getting it finished. So thank you for such great words of wisdom not only pertaining to quilting, but other facets of our lives. Blessing and thank you-Happy New Year to you and yours.

#9 Linda 2015-12-30 12:00

Angela, You are wise beyond your years. I have so many tops waiting to be quilted on my beautiful slightly used long arm it's ridiculous. I have fun with community service quilts, but freeze when I try to quilt one of my own. I will try very hard to heed your advice. Thank you so much!

#8 JoyceM 2015-12-30 05:15

Hi, Thank you. I make quilts to donate to the hospital. I often drag out the process because I want it to be "just right". Hence, less quilts made and a unecessary stress. Recently the nurses at the hospital relayed some of their stories of the quilt recipients. In various ways the quilts meant sooo much to them. So as you just said so nicely, remember the purpose. They don't see if it is a simple layout or a if it was simply quilted, they see someone cared enough to think about them and to add some comfort to their situation. I have been keeping that in mind and it helps me be more productive and enjoy the craft. Thank you for reminding us all to enjoy and appreciate what we do, no matter the purpose.

#7 kimmquilt 2015-05-14 14:54

Hi Angela, Your last piece of advice really hit home. I recently quilted a quilt I had pieced for a 5 year old boy with leukemia who attended school with my granddaughter. As I gave it to my daughter to take to the little boy in the hospital, I thought to myself, "I hope no one notices all the mistakes in the quilting." I had rushed the quilting process so they could get it to him so he would know that his fellow classmates were thinking and praying he would get better. After listening to your Three Things Not to Do, I realized I was not thinking of the purpose of the quilt. Thank you so so much for reminding me that that is the most important thing to recognize. This little boy's parents posted a pic on their blog of the little boy in his hospital bed underneath the quilt and he had a smile on his face. That was the purpose of that quilt!!

#6 AnTEakes 2015-05-14 09:56

Right On! SISTA!

#5 LinAnn 2015-05-14 08:57

Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I am verrry guilty of putting my work down because there are so many "art" quilts shown on this website and elsewhere. I have never felt any of my work was good enough to show. I love to sewing whether it is a quilt, placemats, and a purse. I sew because I have a huge need to make something.

#4 AuntJo 2015-05-13 15:59

Angela you are an inspiration! Thank you for these three things not to do !! I am having a hard time seeing through these tears. Grandpa 's story was so touching thank you for sharing this..
My husband always tells me you can't see that mistake you are talking about across the street. I feel both the adults and children have been able to use my quilts and love them !! That's what it's all about. Many thanks.
Hugs, Jo

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