On Topic Rant - Sort of long

Steve-

Tell the *itch that you use muslin backings to show off your exquisite quilting where she must need to hide her pathetic attempts in a mess of "small florals". AND... you can tell her you are a well-loved and honored and respected member of The Largest Quilt Guild In The Universe (RCTQ) and we think you are doing a GREAT job with your quilting and we are proud of you and the fantastic work you do.

:-P~~~~~ to her!

Jeez, I thoroughly dislike people with those kinds of attitude! GRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

Dammit, Steve, print out my post and hand it to her!!!

Leslie- thoroughly steamed over this!!!, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

I can't believe that she can call herself a "quilter." I always say that quilters are the best people - boy, do I feel like an idiot!! >:(

Does she not know that some of the most beautiful quilts in history were backed with muslin - in fact, used muslin for the top??? Does she not know that some of the most valued quilts in history were made with linsey-woolsey - once considered the lowest grade cloth available at that time???

What about feedsacks? They were "free" - and used in many quilts that are priceless today - not only that, but that "free" fabric back then is a rare collectible today!

She's a boob, Steve ... and you should be congratulated for not only biting your tongue and being professional, but also for restraining yourself and not smacking her in the head! What makes her attitude even worse is that there are many future quilters that could be turned off from quilting by her attitude. If I had a nickel for every time that I heard that quilting is a "rich woman's hobby" *I'd* be a rich woman!! And it's doofuses like her that keep that stereotype alive and obnoxious!

And FTR, I often use plain ol' muslin in *my* quilts - just because I might stint a tiny bit on the backing doesn't mean I'm stingy on the work and love that go into'em!!

Hugs to you!!

-- Connie :)

Okay, Steve, take a deep breath, and remember ---

TANQP (There are NO quilt police!)

. . . . . except, the self-appointed *itches who criticize others' work, but probably can't "take the heat" themselves. To comment on your concerns, during most of the 19th and 20th centuries, muslin and other solids were the most common backings for quilts. When prints are used for backing, it sometimes is an indication that the quilting stitches need to be "hidden'. Before I offend 90% of the people reading this, I have to say that I usually use prints, or more often pieced prints, as backing myself.

G>

I'm sure her attitude would have been different if she were a democrat? I am missing that part. I sit with a crowd of women at guild that are old hippie type war protesters and republican women's club members too. They all quilt and rarely does political bashing come in to the picture. It just isn't necessary. I think you are sort of closed minded yourself to start there-you asked otherwise I wouldn't mention that.

I listened to a talk by a quilt judge last year. She suggested quilts with musl> Okay everyone. Fasten your seatbelts for this one.

Dearie me. I suppose in her perfect world (God preserve me from her perception of perfect!) all those ancient historic quilts made with bits of clothing and left-over scraps, with a batting of old blankets and a backing of an old sheet are not quilts! While it would be nice to afford the sometimes inflated prices of a posh quilt shop, we cannot always do this, and where we purchase our fabric and what we use for batting and backing has no bearing on the quality of quilting (though long term it may have an impact on how long our quilts last and how well they survive in use). I have to say that I choose my backing according to how and where the quilt will be used: a bed or wall quilt will get a much plainer backing than one where the backing is designed to show. Thus the space quilt I made for my son has a mad space themed back as I knew it would be dragged all over the place, and those I have on the sofa have fun backings, but my Christmas wall hanging will probably get a bit of sheeting!

The poor deluded woman is 'barking through an inappropriate orifice' as I said in another group about something a bit different. Looks like I'm on your side, Steven!

Well first two of my sons will be sad to learn they shouldnt quilt as men... hmmmm They were pretty good too (being sarcastic of course) Maybe you could point out some of the more famous quilters such as Kaffe Fasset (probably messed up that name) who are gasp and horror... men. I personally save my money on backing and use good fabric for the tops. I use an extra wide flannel that equilter sells to back my quilts normally, or the on sale Fabricland stuff (which is not bad, but definatly not $15+ per meter our LQS charge.) Why would you want anything but muslin on the back of wall hanging anyhow? So the wall can look at it I guess. The only time I ever regretting my choice in backing was the time I tried out a new technique on a baby quilt I thought would not be well liked so I used the cheapest wallmart fabric I could fine... turns out the pattern I chose for the top was the pattern that was chosen for the nursery. Anyhow, some people are snobs, and some people are quilters IMO

Carissa PS I have always called my sons over when you post your pictures as they like to see what other guys are doing ;)

Yes, I will admit that I am more on the liberal side of things. I was hoping more to present her personality, perception of things so that you all would know where she is coming from in one sense. It does color us all to some extent. That was more of what I was trying to get across rather than be biased, but thanks for pointing it out.

We are from different student groups, but must work together in order to plan for the state conference. All jobs, personalities, likes/dislikes, and anything else comes in to play in some fashion from the aspect that we need to plan meetings, ceremonies, and workshops to reach all of our students. From that aspect, we all try, and succeed reasonably well, in working together as diverse people and organizations.

I listened to a talk by a quilt judge last year. She suggested quilts with musl> Okay everyone. Fasten your seatbelts for this one.

Here's my opinion. She's an idiot. Who doesn't deserve a second thought. AFAIC, the only reason NOT to use plain muslin on the back is if your quilting just won't stand up to close inspection.

Cindy

Thank you Carissa for raising your sons to see the diversity of people and their skills in life. There is hope yet.

Steven Alaska

Carissa PS I have always called my sons over when you post your pictures as they like to see what other guys are doing ;)

Some people can talk a lot of rot, Steve. They don't realise that *they* are the only ones being belittled - it's like an own goal - by themselves. People who think they are impressing others by these means are definitely deluding themselves; and, if we are strong enough, are to be pitied. It is terribly hard not to sink to their level and bandy comparative words and challenges about; but, if you do this you will look back and regret that you didn't maintain your dignity, while she completely lost hers. So, you keep a tight hold on the 'high' ground, and leave her to wallow in her position. As Leslie said, your work is held in great regard here, and there are a lot of us! So, don't begin to doubt yourself; just realise what we were told at school is very true "empty vessels make most sound". . In message , steve writes

No comment on the wannabe bit - that's her problem and you are right to ignore it.

FWIW - I try to use feature fabrics on the backs of my quilts, or even piece or applique an entirely different design so they are reversible. I suppose that because the front and back are often VERY different in style they are not "real quilts" according to this "expert"! But the choice of backing is like everything else in quilting - maker's choice.

I have used muslin on the back of some quilts, but I prefer to use it on the front. It dyes beautifully, makes a great background for applique, and sets of quilted areas just ine - thankyou very much. If I don't want to make a "fancy" back for something I can always use a high count cotton sateen sheet for a nice finish. I wonder what she would think of that? I guess she thinks that you have to follow patterns exactly too. While she is probably annoying, I think it is rather sad to see someone so constrained by what is "right".

I have friends who insist that if it isn't traditionally hand quilted it isn't a REAL quilt. They are entitled to think that way, but my answer is - if my forefathers (or foremothers lol) had had sewing machines.rotary cutters/etc available to them they would have used them. They were hardworking practical quiltmakers who used what they had to make utility items that were also beautiful. They would have leapt at the chance to do such things quicker and easier!

I teach quilting, and I always insist that newbies learn the "rules", but only so they don't break them through ignorance. They need to know why something is considered a "rule" and what the consequences are of breaking the "rule". But once they have the basics, there are no "rules" in my classes. They have taught me new ideas many times lol.

Next time she gets on her high horse, just smile pityingly and think (to yourself) of all the great things she must miss in her life with attitudes like that. There is no point to trying to correct people like this. We can only hope that one day she realises what she is missing, and that in the meantime she doesn't put too many people off trying new things.

BTW - I love all your work.

Last thought - you could always leave a magazine article laying around and wait for her to comment, then tell her what other quilters REALLY do. A good example would be the Sharon Schamber quilt that someone mentioned recently here. It has amassed heaps of awards, and it is gorgeous. It was also put together with glue and coloured with pencils!

Ok Steve, speaking of buckling your seatbelt ..... she's an ass. Not the body part but the animal, which produces unpleasant noises from one end and stinky messes from the other. I'm just going to go way, way out on a cranky limb (didn't I tell you folks that I'm cranky today?) and guess that she's just a tad mite homophobic. Just a guess. Also, she's rude. Why on earth would one person badmouth another person's efforts? Here in town we have one or two of that type. They love to jab and belittle. If you buy fabric at JoAnn's or heaven forbid at Wal-Mart, then you are not really a quilter. And if you've never won an award, then you;re really not a quilter. And if you don't hang out at the designated LQS, not the other one.... which obviously is not quilty enough, then you are not really a quilter.

Burns my butt. I can't stand those women and I can't stand their husbands and I don't like their kids. They drive big ol' SUV's here on ice and snow and cut you off in traffic and take up three of the seven parking spots at the LQS with their one nasty ol' gas guzzler. And then they make snide remarks.

An example: At my dear friend's memorial serivce I told one of them that I had inherited my friend's stash. And she replied: (drum roll here for extreme insensitivity) -- 'Oh I saw her fabric at her garage sale and most of it could just be thrown away.'

Three years ago one of our very elderly quilters was fortunate enough to have her middle-aged son and his partner move to town to live and care for her. The son took up quilting so that he would haVe something to do with his mom, and because he spent so much time with her at quilty activities. Low and behold if he didn't win first prize at the very first quilt show he entered here. The "snide snipers" were aghast. How could it be? I mean after all, the man wears a pony tail! Ok, three years on and he's won lots of ribbons and bought tons of fabric and cares for his little Mama and he's been accepted quite thoroughly. But some folks still put quotation marks around his name when t hey say it out loud. Know what I mean?

Ok, it's safe to let thekiddies out again. I will pull over to the curb and shut up.

Steve, I'm sorry you have to deal with such a jerk. There's no cure for it, she'll never change. Just remember that you are better than that and that we all love you and your quilting and admire your work. And let's be honest, the opinion of just one RCTQ'er is worth more than the opinions of 1,000 nasty *itches.

Sunny I'm too cranky to hug anybody

Wrong??? Only if generations of quilters were/are also wrong! We buy (1) what we can afford and (2) what we like. Backings should be as sturdy as the fabrics used on the front, if only so that they don't wear out more quickly, but what's wrong with muslin? I used it exclusively on lots of quilt backs for years, until I moved to a place where I had more choices and decided to have "fun" with the backings. My quilts won lots of blues at the county fairs, even a Best of Show there once. Small county, but still ....

I think you were far more restrained than I probably could have been -- students present or no. I'd probably have very politely told her that generations of "bona fide" quilters have used muslin, that I (you) had been asked to teach classes, that there is room for more than one opinion in the quilting world. Grrr ....

y.) =EF=BF=BDWhere

anted please.

no no no no.. you are not wrong... and congrats for "keeping a civil tongue" and not bringing yourself to her level. I havent seen your quilts , but I am sure they are gorgeous. I am a fourth generation quilter and most of the quilts in the family had muslin backs... hugs Memere Neets

roflmao, Kate. clarifies one thing for me. as the line from a movie says, tho i dont recall which one..... "what crawled up her butt and died"

dont know what the cost of fabric is up in alaska. being 'part' of the usa i'd assume it cost much the same there as in the lower

1. downunder it costs a small fortune (th> Dearie me.

This is a teacher who has a narrow view of quilting? Does she have a narrow view about the rest of the world? My daughter who is a college senior and graduated top of her HS class would have a fantastic time with this woman. DD loves to make sure that those with a narrow view know that sometimes, other people may have a different opinion and both can be right! She sounds a lot like my home ec teacher when I was in Junior High School. This woman hated everything I did. Our first project was to make a beach cover out of terry cloth. I had never used a sewing machine before, had never sewn anything before and all this woman could do is complain about my stitches and make me pull them out 300 times out of the terry cloth. No wonder I hate to sew to this day. Still surprise myself that I will sit down at my SM and quilt.

Debbi in SO CA

steve wrote:

not to forget Ricki Tims, Raymond Houston, Mark Lipinski et al. seems to me most men see the world differently than women. their quilts reflect this difference. somewhat like cooking. :-D i wonder who does the cooking in her house? j.

RUN fast-don't walk-away from this person. One word describes her- RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How awful you must have felt. You do great work Gen