Precision
Went to my first quilting class on Thursday night. The class was great, but I have mixed feelings about quilting. You see, quilting is all about precision. Or at least that’s what I got out of the first class. Precision in cutting your fabric, precision in pressing (not ironing!), precision in sewing a 1/4″ seam, etc. I find all that precision to be more than a little stressful, after spending all day drafting precisely worded documents at work. I need my hobbies to be relaxing! (knitting, anyone?)
That said, I really learned a lot in the class - both quilting and general sewing techniques. My favorite tip for sewing was to start all seams with a piece of scrap fabric, and feed in whatever you are sewing after the scrap. When the “real” sewing is done, finish the seam with another scrap of fabric. That way the fabric doesn’t get distorted at the beginning and end of the piece, and you don’t waste much thread.
I had the same problem as Ruth when sewing my 1/4″ seam. I think pretty much everyone in my class ended up using tape to mark 1/4″ rather than using a 1/4″ foot. Apparently it is difficult to make an accurate 1/4″ foot or something… Weird.
My nine patch blocks turned out pretty well, I think. They measure 6.5″, just as planned, so apparently all that precision worked in my favor.
After the class, I talked to my administrative assistant at work (she is an avid quilter) about my quilting precision-related stress. She assured me that it is possible to be accurate without being anal (her words, not mine!), and told me that the minor imperfections in a finished quilt are what give the piece character. Hmmm - I’m not so sure I can deal with that, but it’s good to hear from a seasoned veteran that perfection is not the result that all quilters are trying to achieve.
On a completely different topic, anyone going to Stitches West? I’ll be there on Friday with Lynette, and I think Angela is going to be there that day too. Anyone up for a lunch or dinner meet-up?
