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Member since 12/15/02
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Posted on: 6/5/13 4:09 PM ET
I was reading a blog from a quilter who was asking what type of quilter was she. I started thinking about this. As in some of my enabling. I've heard well I never would do that. Or that is so much work I would try that. And my question is why not? And I bring this up from personal experience.

I always played is safe picking projects I felt I could accomplish easily. Stay away from anything appliqued. How would I possible sew around those shapes. I can't begin to tell you how much fun I've had appliqueing. And I'm not doing it the hard way. Press and stick and iron. No fooling with freezer paper or turning with a needle. Way too much time. Not I might try those things later. I have surprised myself how much I could do if I put my mind to it. And now I feel fairly confident to attempt anything that catches my eye. And you don't have to go big. Wall hangings and table covers are great ways to experiment with different things.

So if anyone asks me what kind of quilter I am. I would say I'm every type. Don't put yourself in a box and limit yourself. Be free. You might just be a amazed at what you can do.
  
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Posted on: 6/5/13 4:31 PM ET
Don't you think this could be applied to everything in life, in addition to quilting? Before the loss of my DH, the things we did were common interests and more often the things he preferred to do would occur more frequently than the things that were my sole interest. It was a conscious decision I made for a variety of reasons. So now, as I begin to include more of what I prefer, people will say "when did you get interested in this or that?" Sometimes I try things just because the opportunity is there.

So, yes, whether it is sewing or quilting or more generally living, don't limit yourself. Pick up that book you never thought about reading, take a walk, try a new recipe or new restaurant or new cuisine. You never know, it might be the start of something grand...
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"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin

"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown

“Be curious, not judgmental.” Ted Lasso
  
Member since 12/15/02
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Posted on: 6/5/13 4:37 PM ET
In reply to EleanorSews
Yes most definitely. But some of us have to take baby steps. I might not drive across town to see that concert by myself when no one else will go with me however trying a new applique is within my grasp. One thing about being a woman of a certain age, is the freedom. No more life police.
-- Edited on 6/5/13 4:37 PM --
  
Member since 12/22/10
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Posted on: 6/5/13 5:38 PM ET
There are no limits in quilting. I do a lot of applique, sometimes fused, sometimes freezer paper, sometimes needle turn. I prefer freezer paper over needle turn. I am not a raw edge fan.
  
Member since 4/12/05
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Posted on: 6/5/13 7:04 PM ET
Well, duh, of course I do. I often think I'd like to try this or that, but do not, as it could be too hard. However, once I start, I get stubborn and do not want to stop until I figure it out.
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Currently working on a boys quilt. Sized 40 x 40 inches. It has chickens, chicken eggs, cows, fish, sea life, afield with water, Dachshunds, mini sailboats, and many colorful other fabrics. The blocks are a 4 x 4 finished size, so many of them are needed.
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.

Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L

Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
  
Member since 4/15/06
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Posted on: 6/6/13 10:11 AM ET
I love all sorts of quilts! I started doing the 19th century stuff my mom preferred....then I went to bold Modern. Poking at Art quilts.

Now? I do whatever I want using whichever technique appeals to me! Mix it up!
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Bernina B380; Bernina 800DL Brother Nouvelle 1500; Janome 1000CPX
  
Member since 9/21/07
Posts: 1921
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Posted on: 6/6/13 10:42 AM ET
The only limits for me are things I don't like to do. I'm open-minded about what I will try once, but have no remorse about chucking any technique that bores me. Tiny little projects are great for this - placemats, greeting cards, little wallhangings just to try a technique without committing to a big project that will take me years to finish.

I work full time (often overtime) which leaves little time for crafting, and have food sensitivities so cooking meals from scratch cuts even more into the crafting time. This translates into I concentrate on projects that are quick start to finish. Fused applique is my friend. Cord binding is my friend.

I don't like to work intricate and fussy. I adore looking at complicated, precision work like Dear Jane Quilts and similar projects. They're beautiful. I would happily accept one and display it if someone were to gift it to me. But I don't have any desire to make one. Ever. When I do piece, which is rare, I'm more of an Eleanor Burns kinda gal. I like blocks that go together quickly. Blocks without matching points are even better. And if they have matching points, don't look too close.

I love mixed media. I love the combination of textures that can't be gotten with fabric and thread alone.

I get bored very quickly doing someone else's designs. So I scour the field for interesting techniques and make my own designs. Many are not that great, I don't care. I create out of need to create. Fear that the results will be less than spectacular is a deterrent to creativity.

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Tess

"I am a degenerate art supply junkie" - Jane Davenport
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - Gilda Radner
  
Member since 4/12/05
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Posted on: 6/6/13 10:49 AM ET
How true about the fear stopping our creativity. I tell myself I can do some things even though they will be a challenge to me . Once I start I usually don't give up. But there are times I know my limits and stop myself before I get too discouraged.
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Currently working on a boys quilt. Sized 40 x 40 inches. It has chickens, chicken eggs, cows, fish, sea life, afield with water, Dachshunds, mini sailboats, and many colorful other fabrics. The blocks are a 4 x 4 finished size, so many of them are needed.
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.

Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L

Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 6/6/13 11:01 AM ET
In reply to TessKwiltz
Right on, that's exactly how I am! Except the part about getting bored using someone elses design. I HAVE to use someone else's design just about all the time, or it would take me 10 years to create something. I'm too slow and not creative enough on my own.
But, I'll try something once, and like Learn, I'm stubborn to figure it out. But, I know my limits and my likes/dislikes. Eventually I'll try applique outside of the hoop, but it will be the fusible kind - no freezer paper for me.
I don't like fussy. I don't even like fussy cutting for quilting. I had to do that with the cowboy quilt and it almost drove me insane. Even with embroidery, I prefer simple, redwork or color work designs that aren't going to take me half a day to stitch out.
Now, I'll sew a button up shirt with collar and band in a heartbeat, which can get fussy, but that's because it's what I wear more than anything, and I knew I just had to get that technique down pat.
But, I still prefer the simple dolman sleeve knit top!
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Bernina 790 PRO, 570
Babylock Evolution


When life gives you green velvet curtains, make a green velvet dress.
  
Member since 2/17/06
Posts: 5558
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Posted on: 6/6/13 11:37 AM ET
I don't limit myself when it comes to sewing. I enjoy it too much.

I haven't been quilting for a real long time but I have been sewing all of my adult life, it is my escape and my outlet. I started with doll clothes and stuffed animals.

I LOVE the challenge of figuring out how to make something out of fabric. That was my favorite part of costume making. The dance teachers would give me a rough drawing of what they wanted, and I had to figure out how to make it. And make it so it could be VERY quickly put on and taken off, and fit a variety of sizes.

So for me quilting is just another form of sewing. I still look at quilts and the FIRST thing I do is think of how would I make this?

I fully realize now that I do not enjoy the BIG projects that have hundreds of identical pieces. BORING and tedious! I need variety!
I may be willing to take on a huge quilt that will take months to finish, as long as it is full of a variety of things to sew, NOT the same thing over and over and over.

But there is no quilt that I won't attempt to make because I don't feel like I would be ABLE to, just ones that I do not think I would enjoy making.
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Cathryn
  
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