Had a quilting realization yesterday--I've come full circle. When I first started quilting, I did everything by hand because I didn't know much about using a sewing machine, and mine was temperamental to boot.
When I finally got a good sewing machine, I vowed to become comfortable with it, and was happy that it would enable me to make the quilt ideas I have in my head a reality in a more timely fashion.
Okay, now I have become comfortable with machine, and I can make blocks more quickly. So far so good. Then I tried my hand at FMQ (with a lot of help and support from you wonderful RTCQers). It was a challenge, and I came to realize that while I needed lots of practice, and I suspected that there might be some sewing machines that were better for FMQ than my current machine. Started thinking about eventually investing in another machine (one with a bigger harp, etc.).
At about the same time, I started my first new hand-piecing project in years. (It has curved pieces, and I always do curves by hand.) It suddenly hit me. Although I always enjoy quilting, I was enjoying the handwork more than any quilting I'd done in years. Hmmmm.
I'm now finishing up any machine quilting related projects I already have started, and in the future plan to only do hand piecing and quilting. Full circle, eh?
No worries about my machine though. I'm tinkering around with making my own clothes patterns. So far, I've done only simple things--a couple of nightshirts and a dress. I'm quite pleased with the results though. So my sewing machine will not be neglected. :-)
Best regards, Michelle in Nevada