1. My favourite part of quilting is piecing the quilt. If I had the money, I'd leave the quilting to someone else.
2. I sew over pins. If I take the time and put them in correctly, no problem. Other days, I'm lazy, and I bend a pin...or two.
3. Although I love the convenience of basting spray, I will often pin a quilt. I find I get puckers in the backing when I use spray, no matter how much effort I put into smoothing.
4. I need a pattern. I'd love to be able to create something in my head, but I'm not there yet.
5. I never hand sew my binding. Machine binding all the way. Who has the time? Or the patience?
6. I. Hate. Paper. Piecing!
7. I have far too many UFO's/WIP's. See #1, and I always see something new I want to make. I need to stop looking at magazines and on the internet.
8. I pre-wash all my fabric. It's a chore, but I'd rather the fabric shrink at the beginning of the process rather than at the end. I don't like to wash a finished quilt -- I like the crisp look. The crinkled look makes it feel used.
9. I forget to change the needle in my machine. Thank goodness I break needles from running over pins (see #2) from time to time; otherwise, the needle would never get changed.
10. What is the big deal with Aurifil thread? I have recently tried Aurifil, and although it's a decent thread, it didn't impress me much. And since it costs a lot more than Gutermann, I won't be using it unless I can find it on sale. I use Gutermann thread because one of my LQS often has 50% off notions, so I stock up. I have also recently tried the Essential thread from Connecting Threads. I do like this thread, and at about $3 for 1,200 yards, we have a winner!!
What are your quilty secrets?
# 9 and 10 - I am totally with you!
ReplyDeleteOh what secret quilting rebels we all are! Pssst.... #6 is no secret! :)
ReplyDeleteum I read about so many people running over pins. Be aware that bending a pin is nothing. When you hit a pin, you knock off your timing or get burrs on your machine works and tension goes nutso and trips to mechanics are expensive. Lucky you to not have trouble from the pin thing! I paid a hefty sum for breaking a needle fmq.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna at not afraid of color
Your list was fun and made me smile. I'm sorry to sound like the quilt police but I did gasp when I read that you run over pins. I'd like you to spend your money on fabric, not expensive machine repairs.
ReplyDeleteOh....I forgot....there is nothing wrong with using patterns. You're helping to support the quilters who make their living, making them.
ReplyDelete