March 30, 2010

Question For Quilters

I've really enjoyed getting to know the featured quilters better, and so thought I thought I would ask each of you a quick question!

What is your favorite part of making a quilt?  And why, if you care to share.

For me, I love putting the rows together, and seeing my vision realized.  I also really love tacking down the last few feet of binding, and finally having a finished quilt!

What about you?  Is it the cutting? pressing? selecting fabrics? piecing?

Tell me!

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen that I've been working on a pattern the last few days.  Above is a peek of what I'm up too, you might notice that my seams are all pressed open - old habits die hard!  I'll share more after I have a few friends test the pattern.

Blessings~
Amy
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95 comments:

Brianna said...

Love picking the material for the quilt and then seeing them all sewn nicely together at the end.

Terriaw said...

My favorite part is piecing. It's meditative and the best way to be creative, putting fabrics back together in a new configuration. After that, I love picking out fabrics for a new project, and I love sewing the blocks together, and I love pressing too.

I have been watching your progress on Facebook, curious to see what's in store!

Quiltin Jenny said...

My favorite part is seeing the first finished block, and taking the finished quilt out of the dryer.

Wow, you'd think I'd finish more stuff since I love it so much! Wonder why I still have all these UFOs!

Jacque said...

For me it is the hunt for the perfect fabric color choices and then the piecing.

Jewel said...

I think my favorite part is picking the fabrics and then seeing my vision realized when it all comes together in the end.

Emma said...

I love the designing, and I'm another who enjoys hand sewing the binding, but my favourite part at the moment is the quilting - seeing the beautiful shapes and textures appearing beneath my fingers.

C said...

Funny enough, I really enjoy the cutting. Maybe not my most favorite part, but I do love it. Perhaps because it's the first time I really get to know all the fabric. I also love putting the rows together. Another one is cutting off extra batting and backing after machine quilting the quilt.... then it looks like a quilt to me!

OliveStreetStudio said...

for me, it is the beginning (selecting the fabrics) and the end (final result!). There are times, like for my poor husband, where he chose the pattern and the colors and I'm half-way through, but haven't touched it in 3 years! oops....maybe I should dig that one out???

Nancy said...

I like putting the right pattern and the right fabrics together to make a great quilt. Then I also enjoy hand stitching the binding.. it means I get to pick a new pattern and new fabrics very soon...

Anna said...

I LOVE cutting - but mostly only if I'm doing a pattern because then you get these nice, neat piles of the exact same shape in a variety of colors... Otherwise, I'm with you on the last few inches of binding - it's a great feeling to finish.

What do I hate? You didn't ask, but I will tell: squaring up blocks. Grrrr.

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

My favourite part is seing my design come alive (or not in some cases). Right after that comes giving a quilt away.

Jamie said...

My favorite aspect is picking out the fabric and then deciding on the design. I love drawing out my vision and then putting the fabrics together. Once I get the quilt back*, there's so much excitement to see it all put together and then relax on the couch with the quilt to bind it.

*I'm not that fond of the actual quilting process. If I had a machine more suited for it, I might, but at this point, I prefer to send my quilts out for beautiful quilting.

wishes, true and kind said...

I love so many different parts, and making a quilt has so many unique stages. I love the first glimmer of an idea and then fleshing it out. I love choosing colors/fabrics. I love cutting those gorgeous fabrics in preparation. I love piecing. I love finishing the top, and I love hand sewing the binding. (My least favorite parts are making the back and prepping for the quilting -- layering, pinning, etc.) After finishing the top is when my quilts tend to get added to the pile while I move on to the next one....

silversmith said...

i think my favorite part of quilting is when the top is finished and i open it up to show my hubby...who always says "i love it! can we keep it?" then it's hanging it in the tree to get pictures - my first real glance at how it looks finished.

Leslie said...

my favorite is the hand binding at the end...although i always feel a little bereft when i am done since the project is finished.

Lauren The Artist said...

I love the designing part of making the quilt... but I do also really like applying the binding by hand at that very last step.

audreypawdrey said...

I love finding the fabric and then piecing. The best part is when it comes out of the dryer and is all crinkly, warm, and finished!

lisa said...

every step of a project I think "oh I just love this part of a quilt, this has to be my favorite part." I like everything from the selecting of fabrics; ok I think that's really #1, escpecially when I get to buy them, to the cutting, the piecing, the putting rows together, the borders, the quilting, and the binding now that I am not intimidated by it. The things I don't like? Pressing (bad bad iron/board combo) the basting, and half square triangles. Dont like is way too mild for that too. I hate, lothe, despise, avoid patterns with hst's!! (p.s. my verification word: "tringle")

Megra said...

I love choosing my fabrics and the whole creative process of coming up with a pattern for the quilt top. I enjoy each step of the process until it comes to basting my quilt and machine quilting. Not that I won't enjoy machine quilting, I simply haven't had the courage to attempt it yet!!
missnettiequilts.blgospot.com

imquilternity said...

I'm guess I'm the "difficult child" because I can't answer your question and pick just one thing. I LOVE it all...I do and I'm grateful that I do because it makes quilting fun (as well as therapeutic) and spurs me on to create more quilts!

jenashford said...

My favorite parts are cutting & piecing.

JariJari said...

i love every part of quilt making except basting!! LOL

Live a Colorful Life said...

Each step of making a quilt is enjoyable, each for its own reasons. Which is why I have multiple projects going on at the same time. Kinda depends on my mood. The only thing I absolutely HATE is putting the quilt sandwich together. I think I may need to try spray basting because I sure hate pinning.

Jane McCarthy said...

I love adding finished pieces to my design wall and seeing it become real. Also love machine quilting and pulling the finished product out of the dryer, all crinkly and warm!

ilovebabyquilts said...

I like the hand piecing. I like looking at the smallest motif on the fabric and the grain of the fabric and appreciating the tiny details. That's why I like Heather Ross!

Heather said...

its definitely the design process. Love deciding what i want it to look like, collecting the fabrics and getting started. Once i have several blocks/strips finished and confirmed that my design will work, thats enough for me. I am ready for a new project. Hence I have dozens of started projects

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

One of my favorite parts in getting the fabric in the mail! It all looks so cute online but when it arrives in the mail I'm like a little kid at Christmas! I get all giddy! :)

Trudi said...

Can I say may favourite part is ALL of it! LOL, I love playing with the colours and fabrics, cutting I try and do all at once so I can sit and really enjoy the piecing. Seeing it all come together. Searching for just the 'right' backing, layering up and quilting I love! And most of all I love seeing how different a quilt looks after it's quilted. But like you say Amy, there's something rather satisfying about sewing down the last few inches of binding and getting that label on. And then there's the giving of something special. The best part of all :)

Unknown said...

Some of you are making me laugh! I do love the entire process as well, but those few moments that I mentioned in the post are when I get the most excited about what I'm doing :)

Nancy Page said...

I really like (actually I love) the cutting, the peiceing, then putting the rows together, and lastly putting the borders in place. I love the process of doing these things and seeing it all come together into something unique and colorful. Then I let the professionals do the quilting. Then I can do the binding and the label. Then I love the great sense of accomplishment that comes with seeing something complete.

This is an interesting question. I hope you get lots of interesting answers.

Have a great day.

http://teaandquilts.blogspot.com

em's scrapbag said...

My favorite part is watching come together on the design wall Seeing it gain a personality and then binding it. Cause soon it will have a life of it's own.

LiahonaGirl said...

I enjoy all aspects, but what I like the best are
1-combining fabrics and a pattern to envision the perfect quilt and individual blocks, and then making the blocks
2-giving the quilted top to my mom to bind :-)

Lisa Caron said...

Hands down my favourite part it picking the fabric and piecing the blocks. I love putting on the final borders and seeing the finished quilt top. I usually get into a funk when I am quilting the project and trying to get the binding ready...that is because I am usually running out of time to get the project finished!! I always fall in love with the quilt again when the last little bit of binding and the label goes on.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Piecing and playing with the layout. I love seeing the blocks arranged. I'm not a big fan of borders only because I don't like wrestling all the fabric, but by the time I get to borders, I'm anxious to see the top finished, so I keep going. ;-) I press seams open to reduce bulk a lot of the time. ;-)

Just JaiCi's Crafts said...

My favorite part of making a quilt is picking the pattern and choosing the fabric. Lately, I have let my sister design my sewing projects, and my 3-year old son (believe it or not) pick out my fabric!!! The combinations have turned out amazing and no one can believe that my son is picking out such an important part of the sewing process...I just love having him involved...I want him to grow up knowing the importance of sewing and creating!!!

Amy said...

picking out the fabrics and the moment it is all finished!

SaraVictorious said...

My favorite part is definitely the quilting. As a hand quilter, the bulk of my time making a quilt goes into the quilting. I love the calm repetition of the quilting, but I also love the feeling of all that fabric under my hands.

CitricSugar said...

I think I like hitting those marks: Fabric picked. Check. Fabric cut. Check. Blocks finished. Check. Rows sewn. Check. Top finished. Backing finished. Sandwiched and basted. Quilted. Bound. Removing cat from quilt.

I love reaching those points and looking forward to the next (or looking back at what I've finished). My least favourite is the quilting part. I'm simply not that good at it yet and I can NOT free-motion to save my life. Part machine, part PEBCASM (problem exists between chair and sewing machine...). Someday...

SewCalGal said...

Difficult to pick a favorite. I love to doodle and design, buy fabrics, cut, sew, bind, use. But I guess I get most excited when I see the design come together and the top is completed, just like I do when the binding is on and the quilt can be given away or used.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

SewCalGal said...

Difficult to pick a favorite. I love to doodle and design, buy fabrics, cut, sew, bind, use. But I guess I get most excited when I see the design come together and the top is completed, just like I do when the binding is on and the quilt can be given away or used.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Monica said...

My favorite part is piecing the blocks. Next to that, I love hand-stitching the binding on. I'm afraid of the quilting part, though. Still trying to master that.

mandbrid said...

#1 - Selecting Fabrics
#2 Piecing
#3 - Hand stitching the binding on

HATE - pressing. But I do it anyway.

Unknown said...

My favorite part is getting the whole top done so I can see that it has all come together. My least favorite part is choosing the colors and fabrics. Although they always turn out well, I am so overwhelmed when faced with walls upon walls of choices. I prefer buying fat quarters all matched up already.

Cheryl Arkison said...

I often ask myself this, and I'm hard pressed to pick one answer. I actually enjoy it all. I think my favourite part is when I square up a quilt. That's when it actually looks like a quilt to me. And there is somethign very meditative about handstitching a binding.

Allie said...

My favorite part has to be the binding - because I'm DONE, lol! I love pretty much all of it but the finishing has to be the best. Can't wait to see what you're working on!

sandra said...

my favourite part is choosing the fabric and the colors, then sewing it all together,my least favorite is the cutting and I love hand quilting but hands won't do it anymore, but finishing is the best.

Alice Regan said...

Can't wait to see what you are working on!

I think the best part of quilting is seeing the quilt for the first time after all is pieced. It's fascinating to see how your work beautifully comes together.

I'm having a 200th post giveaway, stop on over if you can.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

I think my favorite part is when it is finished, especially when it's my own design. It such a relief to see it came together and looks the way I envisioned it. My second favorite is designing and picking the fabrics.

Jocelyn said...

My favorite part is piecing. It is like putting a great puzzle together.

Heather said...

I have to agree with you Amy. I love the piecing of the rows together. I love seeing it become one piece! I get giddy just thinking about it :D

BJ said...

My greatest talent and enjoyment lies in putting fabrics together. Color is my strength. I wish I had employees to sew my quilts for me. I have over 30 of them sitting here ready to make or finish. I'm getting through them though. My goal is to complete a bunch more this year.

Audrie said...

It really depends on the quilt... but I think I get the biggest thrill when I'm binding because it means the quilt's almost done! Hehe Piecing comes a close second.

Arlyn Parker said...

My favorite part is the peaceful (pieceful?) rhythm of "sew-press-sew-press", followed by removing the freshly washed and finished quilt from the dryer!

Emily said...

I started listing all the steps! It would be easier to just say the one part that is hard for me to enjoy: layering the quilt with the backing and the batting. That is why I have a lot of tops!

Anonymous said...

Love choosing fabrics, deciding and/or designing what will be done, and piecing. After that the joy in the process is less intense. Until, of course, it's done. Gail

Shawn said...

Choosing the fabric, seeing the quilt start to come together, the quilting, hand stitching the binding and I think my very favorite is taking it out of the dryer after the first wash. Amy we are working on a project with the same fabric ~~ starts with an "O",it kind of reminds me of 70's fabric.// Can't wait to see yours!

Cris A said...

I'm with you, I love the instant gratification of putting the rows together!!

Georgina said...

I love the planning, lie awake at night dreaming colours! Love the piecing - seeing the plan evolve into fabric. Love making the top and layering to get the cosiness. Dread basting and I am scared to billyo of the actual quilting as so much can (has) gone wrong for me!And it is physically demanding! I am trying out quilt as you go and also trying to teach myself free-motion quilting - but my heart is in my mouth!

Sand and Sunshine said...

I love everything but the cutting.

Anonymous said...

Picking the fabric and hand sewing the binding. Hmmm, the first and last bits - I wonder if that's significant?!

B said...

I am one of the weird ones who loves the actual quilting. Granted, I have only made 2 and done diamonds, but I digress. That's when it feels "real" to me.

Lynz said...

Handsewing the binding, definitely! I can't make up my mind if it's knowing the quilting is finished, seeing it nearly all done or going back to my handsewn roots that I love so much.

Cindy Stagg said...

I really enjoy piecing; deciding what colors look best together and in what order. There are endless possibilities, and I love looking at the finished product and saying, "I did that!" To me piecing is the most creative part about quilting - and I love being creative!

meli B said...

It has to be the hand binding. Sometimes I don't even wait until the end to do it!

Anonymous said...

I like finding the perfect pattern. It sets the mood.

Meg said...

It's a three-way tie for me. I love pulling fabrics (stash therapy--drool!), putting together the blocks (especially the first few, to see how it's going to shape up), and hand-tacking the binding.

(Least favorite? Cutting and sewing sashing/borders. Blech! LOL)

Jessica Hanley said...

I LOVE piecing. I'm not that great at picking out fabrics that go together well. My cutting is never accurate. When I finally get past all that choosing and cutting, I just let go of the worry and do a little stretching of pieces to put the "puzzle" together. And then it all looks okay in the end.

Crafty Chookie said...

Hello there.
I love trying to quilt my own tops... I don't have a huge quilting machine, so the challange is to use my small machine, on my little table without bunching the layers...Can be very fustrating but rewarding when it works out.
Cheers :-)

Nicole Gendy said...

My favourite thing about quilting is the designing part. I love picking out the fabrics to put into the design, or in the case of improv piecing (which I recently got hooked on, designing as I go along.

I will admit that finishing off the binding is a great feeling! And getting it out of the dryer after being washed, and its all crinkly and soft...ahhhh...so good.

scottylover said...

My favorite part is picking the fabrics for the project, then testing them to see if I like them together. I sure have learned what I don't like that way! :)

Sandy A in St. Louis

Unknown said...

I have to say, I love the whole process! Right from picking the fabrics, down to sewing the binding down. Love it all!!

Jenny said...

My favorite part: finishing it. Having it done and seeing my finished work

Anonymous said...

Binding. Done. like. dinner. Baby! :)

hawghugger said...

The best part of quilting for me would have to be the design work. Finding a pattern, matching it with my stach, and creating a quilt.
The other best part for me, it reminds me of my Granny and her quilts, both, one of kind.

Unknown said...

lol...I love it all! hmmmm, I guess when I have the quilt top finished and I stand back and admire/critique my handwork! The danger in that is I've designed several quilts that are finished tops, but not finished quilts! I think I like designing the pattern, making the design into the top and after I see my vision together...I'm done...lol!
hugz
Pam

Unknown said...

lol...I love it all! hmmmm, I guess when I have the quilt top finished and I stand back and admire/critique my handwork! The danger in that is I've designed several quilts that are finished tops, but not finished quilts! I think I like designing the pattern, making the design into the top and after I see my vision together...I'm done...lol!
hugz
Pam

Unknown said...

lol...I love it all! hmmmm, I guess when I have the quilt top finished and I stand back and admire/critique my handwork! The danger in that is I've designed several quilts that are finished tops, but not finished quilts! I think I like designing the pattern, making the design into the top and after I see my vision together...I'm done...lol!
hugz
Pam

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I enjoy buying the fabric. Also piecing the quilt together and then finally, I really enjoy putting on the binding. My least favorite part is doing the quilting. Love & blessings from NC!

Susan said...

Binding and seeing it all come together :)

Shona B said...

I love the entire process of putting a quilt together but I have to say that my absolute most favorite part is seeing the face of the recipient when I give it to them. There is nothing else like it.

Janet said...

What I love is when I get an idea, it gels in my mind (usually at night when I'm lieing awake in bed) and I decide I am going to try it with certain fabrics etc. that I have in my stash, and I get up in the morning and pull them out and tada! they are perfect! Doesn't happen very often but when it does it's wonderful.

QuiltSue said...

I love doing the binding cos then it means I've almost finished this one and can start another one. I can't seem to have more than one on the go at the same time.

Nichole said...

i really enjoy piecing the top. i'd say making tops are my favorite part. everything that goes into it.

Dresden Quilter said...

I love the thinking process, when I have a person in mind and have to figure out what pattern, and what fabric to use. I hate cutting, enjoy piecing and do enjoy putting bindings on.

Melissa {polkadot chair} said...

my favorite part is the designing and shopping :)
That is probably why i have so many half finished quilts!
Melissa

Anonymous said...

I love it all. From the initial selecting of pattern and fabric to the hand stitching down of the binding!

RaisinCookies said...

I love how quickly things seem to come together towards the end of sewing the top together. You spend all this time choosing fabric, layout, cutting, pressing and sewing small pieces together, then suddenly the smaller pieces become bigger pieces and before you know it, you're done! Like playing dominoes, or something. :)

Anonymous said...

what fabric is that? love it!

Petit Design Co. said...

I enjoy designing the quilt (like in my head or on EQ6) and designing the actual quilting and I really actually enjoy doing my own free motion quilting. I don't necessarily enjoy piecing (takes too long) or putting on binding!

Sara said...

Piecing - I love putting a quilt top together...and I love doing the binding by hand...

Cathi said...

I love the planning and picking out the fabrics and hand piecing and then, at the end, tacking the binding down by hand.

zarina said...

It would have to be the piecing of the whole top (to see the whole picture) and the quilting it self (at the moment just simple stippling)

Elizabeth said...

I'm late to the show, but I love picking fabrics for the excitement and potential and I love it when it is all finished because I feel a great sense of accomplishment. And I love all the steps in between.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

My favorite part is definitely the dreaming it up part. With each step of the process I get slower and less enthusiastic, which is why I have four orphaned quilt tops sitting in my sewing room.

LisaE said...

My favorite part is selecting the fabrics, putting together the colors and patterns. Of course this often entails shopping for yet more fabric but I can suffer through :-)