05 November, 2010

Dedication

Full disclosure: this is not my quilt. In fact, I've had no hand in making it at all. I did make one suggestion, but it was shot down.

My SIL is making this for her son. In fact, she is making quilts for all her kids for Christmas. Well, in the interest of full disclosure, my brother is helping too. Very dedicated. Her fussy cutting is also dedicated. As is her construction technique - one square, one row at a time.

I'm sharing this (with her permission) to remind us that we all put things together differently. I know how I would make this quilt, but her approach is totally different. When we sew together I'm constantly trying to get her to loosen up and let things happen, and she forces me to to stop and reflect on some of the decisions to make. Her approach works for her. And that's what ultimately matters - in the process she is content and is happier still with the end result.

What do you do when faced with a pile of 3'' squares in blue and white with a snowy/Christmas theme to the piece?

13 comments:

Islay said...

Mainly I think I wouldn't attempt any fussy cutting! Plus there would be a lot of chain piecing in my life.

Construction is such an important part of the process for us all though, and it's lovely that everyone uses different methods that they're happy with.

Mary said...

What would I do..........I would be spending many, many, many years making that quilt. And I have done that! Sounds like the first quilt I made as a child.

Unknown said...

I can totally appreciate her dedication and attention to detail. ME? I'm just too lazy. I'd strip sew it. However, Id keep it super into perfect squares, so I love where she's going with it!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

There are times strip piecing is the way to go, but the fussy cutting and taking time has its place too. In fact most of us might like to try it if we weren't in a whirlwind all the time.

Suzanne said...

It certainly is amazing. I wish I could click the picture and make it even bigger than it is. I can appreciate both sides to the conversation (one by one or strip piecing). I was taught by a woman who cut each square out by hand, traced sewing lines on each edge and hand sewed the entire thing. I thought machine sewing was cheating. I also learned how to strip piece. I think there is a place for each, especially when I'm happily stitching squares together at a doctor's office or in the carpool line. I just haven't figured out how to power my machine from my cigarette lighter.

elle said...

The best of both! I'd do a lot of strip piecing but when I was about 2/3 done I'd stop and begin to add the square by squares. Compromise???

Amanda Jean said...

i loved the first paragraph of this post. it struck me as hilarious for some reason or other. your SIL's quilt is going to be stunning! i'm more of a cut one square at a time (but usually not fussy cutting!) and piece them all together later. that's how i roll. maybe inefficient, but i do love the process of it all.
good for you and your SIL for pushing each other. that's awesome...we all need that!

San-Dee said...

I love the idea of different approaches since I'm basically teaching myself as I go-years of experience with clothing, quilting? a real newbie of only about a year. I just wanted to let Suzanne know you can buy this cool little device at Radio Shack that plugs into your lighter/accessory plug and allows you to plug in a regular plug-kids got it when they wanted computer access to movies on a driving trip to FL one year. It would work for her sewing machine....

jess said...

Your blog post is right on the money, and it defines one of my best friends and myself. We always try to show one another 'our way' of doing it...
I have to ask, is she using pins to keep those blocks up?

Anonymous said...

I'd be lazy and make something small...maybe a quilted pillow. I just get too bored sewing row after row of the same block.

Laurel H. said...

Gracious me; with this approach, she thinks she'll finish this quilt--and others--THIS Christmas?

snore stop said...

I also learned how to strip piece. I think there is a place for each, especially when I'm happily stitching squares together at a doctor's office or in the carpool line.I like your way of
presentation.

Margaret T. Zenk said...

My lazy gene would have me using fusible gridded webbing. Sort them into manageable blocks, say 25-patches, iron the squares in place, then sew the rows. I am doing the scrap vomit quilt that way, and so far so good.