Just like everyone else new quilters make mistakes. Mistakes are part of the process of becoming a master quilter regardless if you are making art quilts or traditional quilts. Most of us are not proud of our earliest works. Yet, when an artist is accomplished, they make it look easy. The artists have practiced so much that it is hard to imagine that they ever made mistakes. Here is a review of several mistakes new quilters make.
Mistake #1-Poor Fabric Choices
Thinking one can make a quilt out of just any piece of fabric that they have. Yes, people make quilts out of used clothes or fabric that they have. But for a successful piece, their choices are based on their knowledge and their experience with that fabric. Plus if there is a problem then an experienced sewer or quilter will have an idea about how to fix the problem.
There is a reason that commercially available clothing patterns list the types of fabric that would work best. New quilters can stick with 100% cotton for the most success.
Another Mistake New Quilters Make
An acquaintance with limited sewing experience wanted to make a baby quilt to give to a friend. She choose to use soft and stretchy fabrics that she had left over from other projects. Soft and stretchy materials are difficult to work with.
On the other hand, parents are rightly concerned about what will touch their baby’s skin. One hundred per cent cotton fabric is safe and the most comfortable for a baby. On the other hand, soft minky fabric is nice for a backing.
Mistake #2-Washability and Care of the Quilt
Cotton fabric that is 100% cotton is easily washed. My inexperienced friend chose a dark multicolored patterned fabric for the baby quilt. Of course,patterns and styles of choice change. However,most new families want a light colored quilt. They are also concerned about washability.The color choices for this baby quilt were dark. In my opinion, the colors didn’t even coordinate well. In addition, most parents would prefer new materials to be used with an infant.
Mistake #3-Lack of experience with a sewing machine
In my opinion, the major sewing machine brands are of good quality. Even older and more older machines work well. That said when I bought my Lily Husquavarna over 20 years ago, a particular brand of thread was recommended to use with the machine. Quite by accident, I learned that other brands actually had better results. People swear by their Bernina machines yet I read that they can be fussy about the correct needle being used for the type of project. Learning the quirks of one’s machine is part of the learning process.
Mistake #4 Lack of Process Planning
Creating an art piece takes a loose plan. One needs to have an idea of what part needs to be completed before another part. Often an inexperienced art quilter will create a beautiful part without an idea of how to mount or display it. For example, an intricite portrait will be created, Yet,the artist will then not know what they need to do next. How should it be displayed? What fabric would highlight the work?
Similarly, at the beginning of her art career,a very talented fiber artist would make nature inspired 3D works. She wanted them to be free standing. Yet, she made them without planning for the structure that would allow them to be free standing. As I tried mixed media and assemblage,I remembered that lesson. Consider the final structure first. How will it hang? How will it stand up?
Mistake #5-Poor Color Choices
Quite a few years ago, a friend asked me to make a baby quilt for a relative. We went to the fabric store together to choose some fabrics. These are the green and blue fabrics she chose. While each fabric has its merits individually, I would never have chosen them to be the only fabrics in a quilt. As it was an early commission for me, I didn’t feel at the time that I should say anything. However, this poor color choice stayed with me for a long time.Needlessto say, I have developed my artist’s voice over the years. I would definitely express my opinion if this happened again. It pushed me to rethink and validate my experience in choosing colors.
A friend mentioned to me today that her sister made a quilt for her.They had lots of blocks with hand embroidery added. The friend didn’t really like the quilt. Her sister said she didn’t have to keep it if she didn’t like it. The friend wasn’t sure what to do. She mentioned that her sister’s quilting skills were not so good. The sister mainly made quilts for the family. When I finally saw a photo of the friends’s quilt, I had to admit that it had some charm. Maybe not totally to my friend’s taste but still charming in its own right.
Nonetheless,this reminded me of the steps that people go through before they attain mastery. Lots of mistakes are made along the pathway to excellence. However, when someone looks at a quilter’s successful piece, the failures are not visible.
In Conclusion
My intent is not to criticize or shame someone’s efforts. We all start somewhere. However,I want to acknowledge the effort and experience that goes into the long path towards the mastery of skills. Our passion pushes us to continue to learn from the mistakes that new quilters make.
