06 September 2014

My 10 Quilty Little Secrets

I LOVE this idea. I've been wanting to write a confessional for, like, forever! Amy, at 13 Spools, has shocked the quilting world with her disdain for Aurifil (sister, I hear ya) and wonky log cabins (can I get an AMEN!). Such fun, and I wanted to join in.

Be prepared. I will most likely offend you.

1. I don't like Kona Solids. Let's just get the tomato throwing out of the way now. Don't like the feel of them. Never have. Never will.
2. I never, ever, EVER hand sew a binding. Ever. Machine stitching. I have five kids, who drag my quilts around the backyard and spill things on them and use them for forts. I need some seriously sturdy binding on those babies.
3. My oldest WIP was started in Seattle. I've had another baby since then (who turns 3 next month), moved twice, and put a husband through law school. Yikes!
4. I don't do low volume, negative space, wonky, or improv. So. Not. Me.
5. I don't really get the fuss about pressing instructions. Yeah, I know people like things to nest, but I always screw them up. I forget which way I'm supposed to be pressing which row/column, so I just press everything open and my life is so much simpler.
6. Scrappy. I'm easing into it, but the whole scrap-vomit look will never happen. My OCD brain can't handle it.
7. I have never prewashed. I know, I live on the edge, but I'm not the only one!
8. I have a lot of projects going at once. I love it and I hate it. I want more finished, but there are constraints that I have to live with. It's not going to keep me out of my sewing room.
9. Crapplique (borrowed this term from my friend Cristina) is not for me. Do it if you like, but don't try to convince me otherwise.
10. I am close-minded, because I detest batiks. All of them. Haven't met one I like yet. This makes me a fabric bigot, and I'm not afraid to own it.

So write your own, and link up. these are such fun!

15 comments:

  1. Lol.......I hate Batiks too..!

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  2. Didn't offend me, that looks a lot like my list! That was fun to read!

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  3. Your list of Quilty things is pretty good, mostly you seem to be a no fuss kind of quilting gal. Thank you for not trashing Aurifil thread. I happen to love the Aurifil thread and don't understand all the Quilty things girls negative comments. I feel about paper piecing as you do about appliqué. Have a Quilty Day!

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  4. It was very brave of you to post this, but I so love your honesty and have to say there are a few points there that I will agree with you on. I don't like the stiff and scratchy feel of Kona solids, but the amount of colors they have is amazing. I found a solid collection a few years ago though that was so soft and almost sateen like and I don't remember the name of it, I would love to get more. Every time I find a piece in my stash I just have to fondle it for a while. I haven't gotten into the low volume I like the way it looks, but I always need to add something interesting to it. I use to prewash every fat quarter I brought home, but tired of untangling them. I like the crispness of the new fabric. I do wash though if there is any kind of smell to it. I am trying to learn to applique as I really like the look and the ability to add a little more of an artistic touch to my quilt. I have done mostly fusing, but want to do more hand applique for something I can do while watching TV in the evenings. Sometimes I just need some hand work and get bored with embroidery though I do enjoy that too...maybe I should tie the two together in a block or two. I have not liked batiks, but I adore Edyta Sitar and some of the batiks with her prints are calling me...I like the look of them together almost like a solid with shadows.

    Thanks for being brave and sharing...I'm sure there are many who would agree with you on a few of your points!

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  5. I am with you on most of these things except, I do like batiks and a small (very small) amount of appliqué. I really really don't want to ever make a scrappy quilt even though I save fabric scraps. Why? I just don't know. Thanks for posting your list. It very freeing to go against the grain.( couldn't resist,sorry)

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  6. Omg! Hilarious! Shhhh..I dont prewash either, I figure it all will shrink all together later!

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  7. I love your list. Even the things I don't agree with. I just love how we can do things our own way to make our own quilts. That's what's important.

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  8. Love this! Agree with all but the machine binding, though I have done it on occasion, I love the calm of hand stitching. Moda Bella Solids rule when a solid is called for. And controlled, planned scrappy works for me. Thanks for sharing! Love your blog!!!

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  9. I'm always curious what people like to use for solids. Which solids do you prefer? Love reading everyone's different preferences in these posts! :)

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  10. i loved this, thank you so very much

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  11. true confessions! i hate batiks...it is nice to hear someone else say it. some quilters and shops treat that like sacrelige

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  12. We are polar opposites in quilting, but I really liked reading your list. Seems like it's a miracle you find time to sew with all the kids. Lyric Kinard also has 5 and she also manages to follow her sewing bliss. She's written a design book. Thanks! Lee Anna at not afraid of color lapaylor.blogspot.com

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  13. Haha...this is funny. I had to go check out 13 spools to see what this was all about:) I admit, I do love Aurifil, but like you, I can't handle batiks:)

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  14. Oh I completely agree with so many of your points. 1 2 4 6 10! I began with hand binding, but found I sewed bindings on, then the quilts were left sitting around without it sewn to the back, because I moved on to the next project. I don't think I'll ever hand sew another!

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  15. Wow! I could have written it... Thanks!

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"The more things you do, the more you can do."

Lucille Ball