Some revisionist ideas

No bricks coming from here. I like solids too. And I like prints. How I use them depends on what I want to say and how I want to say it.

-Debbie

John wrote in news:b12e9499-a3ec-4807-840a- snipped-for-privacy@c12g2000yqj.googlegroups.com:

Let me get this clear.......you like solids??? Yes? ;-)

Um... Me too:

Maybe it has to do with whether you're 'left brained' or 'right brained'. Most, not all, men are 'left brained', very ordered, logical to a fault, in their thinking; most, not all, women are 'right brained', more artistic, creative, in their thinking. I like solids too, and I'm 'left brained'. To test which you are, just fold your hands together with the fingers inter-laced; if your left thumb is on top, you're 'left brained'; if your right thumb is on top, you're 'right brained'. It's just my own theory, and may not hold water.

Michelle

Not a red flag to me, John. I, too, like solids and tone on tones more than anything else. So, no bricks from here - too far to fling them anyway! . In message , John writes

You're definitely not alone, John. I find myself selecting a focus fabric (a print of some kind) and then selecting all tone-on-tones/marbles, etc. to go with it. I don't think I've ever made anything totally from solids (or looks like solids), but I can see it happening!

Why would we throw bricks, John? First of all, everyone is entitled to an opinion and to preferences. Second, the reason the fabric companies make solids and blenders is that people do like them. Personally, I used a lot of solids when I first began quilting, but now I prefer the blenders -- though that doesn't mean that I don't like solids. If I had to pick among solids, blenders and prints, I'd pick them all. ;)

John, I agree with you totally. I don't make a lot of "traditional" quilts except for the children's quilts I make for charity. I tend more and more to work on art quilts. And I'll tell you something -- more and more of my stash is becoming solid or nearly solid. If I want more motion I make it with thread. Yes, way too often I am totally seduced into buying some wildly colorful and adorable print. And there it goes into my stash and there it typically stays until I give up all hope of using it for myself and put it into a give away quilt.

Ok, that's all. I agree with John in good part. Although I love the effects those of you who are "real" quilters get with the designs and colors and patterns. I really have a hard time doing it. My baby quilts are usually made simply and easily -- a square of kid's fabric is set on point in the middle of a foundation. Then strips of pretty fabric are flip and sewn around the block until it's finished. Pretty, fun to look at, easy to do.

(Not really expecting bricks) Sunny

For years before we retired, I collected solids. After only one quilt limited to solids, I gave them to DDIL to line the purses she loves to make. In a similar vein, one night at the gallery, our guest instructor had us paint a landscape using only one color. They were lovely. Mine sold for a hefty price - but I don't ever want to be that restricted again. Give me prints. Stripes, giraffe spots, polka dots, sunlit roses, Monarch butterflies and purple swirls. Even when an appliqué calls for solid black, I have to have mine with a fine dusting of confetti. Solids? ZZZZzzzzzzz. Polly

No argument from me. Sometimes only a solid will do. My first quilt had seventy-two different solids in an 18" square quilt--it's called "Solids on Sale." :-)

[Note that if you ask the fabric store staff to cut 1/8 yard each (all the budget would allow) of seventy-two different fabrics, they will be extremely pleased and less inclined to order you out of the store if you replace the bolts as they are finished with them. 8^D ]

Monique in TX

John wrote:

Oh goodness, John, nobody here is going to argue with this! We all like solids just fine, only some of us also like mixing. My own preference is for a bit more texture, such as tone-on-tone or marbles. But I don't like novelty prints much at all, although I use them if they turn up as scraps.

One thing I have learned about the Amish, after having lived among the most conservative group of them, is that they are constantly pushing the "rules" as they apply to how the community adapts to the dogma, as it is interpreted by their bishops. They are a group that is constantly in flux and it is a constant source of division and fracturing and reforming of units. Not nearly so monolithic as we outsiders might think.

John

It must be very difficult for the young people. Especially the ones that attend public schools.

I had to chuckle when I was walking around Lehman's and heard a young Amish mother wondering out loud where her Mennonite driver went. They don't own or drive cars but they aren't above riding in one.

On Feb 19, 11:45=A0am, "maryd" wrote:

They don't attend public schools. They have their own "Amish" schools that are located within the community and taught by a member of the Church unit. They only educate the children until the 8th Grade as that is the minimum requirement for the state education standards. They do not attend High School but go to work for the family business or farm until they are married at about 18-21 years of age. At that time they commit to the religion, and are baptized, and do so willingly. The School houses are built by the local Amish group of about 20 to 30 families, and is the classic one room school house, with boys on one side, and girls on the other, with a 2 hole outdoor privy. The families are usually rather large, by modern standards, and even though a few of the children grow up and decide to leave the faith, and therefore are shunned by all concerned, the number of Amish is continuing to grow, due to the large family size. More are born than leave. It is a very harsh and demanding commitment that some of them are tempted to leave, and if they do they are banned from association with either their family or others in good standing within the church group. This is the major difference between the Amish and the Mennonite church, which are both of the Annabaptist, or adult baptism, type of Christianity. The Amish shun and the Mennonite, don't. There is another, less known group, which is located in North Dakota and Southern Canada known as the Hutterites. They are Anabaptists, also, but they live in large groups in communal housing and are for the most part, similar to Communists, with the exception that they are Religious, and dress in a similar fashion to the Amish and Mennonites but they do allow some prints in their clothing like the Mennonites. The People are endlessly fascinating, and are true to their faith and commitment to the lifestyle, which is something that would probably not be possible without the commitment to the religion. I doubt that most modern, non Amish people, would put up with the restriction and challenging requirements of living that life. But they are wonderful to see and come into contact with,. Friendly and they do involved themselves in the greater community, as long as it doesn't compromise their beliefs. If you are interested, I can recommend a couple of books that give a detailed explanation of the society, with all it's interesting elements.

John

While I was in Ohio, I saw children playing in a school yard......... Both Amish and non-Amish children. I thought all attended that school. I am aware of the banning of anyone leaving the community. Also aware that Mennonite and Hutterites are similar but not as strict. There are both in this area and a large community of Mennonites in Oregon near where we lived. Just last fall I did some reading on the Amish and Mennonites.

What you may have seen is a mix of old order Mennonite children, and regular mennonite children, playing in a school yard. That might explain the mix of clothing styles. The Old Order Mennonite wear clothes that are very like the Amish and they use buggies, although the buggies are a bit flashier than the Amish. My Bernina Dealer is an Old Order Mennonite couple and they live in a brand new custom built ranch house, that they just built, across from their farm house and barn, that they have turned over to their son. They have retired from farming, and now just work in the Bernina shop. They also built a wonderful horse and buggy barn, and they have the most lovely buggy with beautiful padded seating that is fully enclosed and has lovely appointments on it. Quite the stylish conveyance. If it wasn't an small clapboard schoolhouse, in a setting within a group of farms, then it, most likely, wasn't Amish. The Amish schools are small buildings of a single room size, and that is about it, except for the privy out back. They would not likely have been playing with outsiders, as that is frowned upon by the parents. They don't want them to be corrupted by worldly ways. Of course, anything is possible, as the "rules" are constantly in a state of flux. And, there may have been some interaction between Amish and their neighbor children that is permitted up until the age of puberty.

John

Hi John,

I don't think there is a thing wrong with your preference for solids. Just like every musician/artist/writer has his own style, so do quilters. Your style is definitely more formal, tends toward the geometric (I can see the carpenter in your work ;-).

Me? My preference is for a quilt with as many different fabrics as is feasible, even if I'm controlling the color scheme (not totally scrappy). I am fascinated by what each piece of fabric brings to the quilt. I've tried, but I can't bring myself to make a quilt using the same fabrics in every block. I guess you and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum--but then that's just our own, unique styles.

So sorry, no bricks, John! ;-)

I like solids. I think when the blenders became popular solids got put on the back burner for many quilters. There are so many beautiful prints made these days that are really tempting many of us that we go with those. Anyone that likes vintage, classic quilts has to like solids. Everything seems to go in cycles and I was a few months ago wondering when solids would be back. I think the manufacturers are going to keep pushing the wonderful blenders though since there is more money to be made. On the other hand with the economy and attitude to make do with less perhaps the solids will make a comeback sooner than I expected. It is always fun to see just what quilts folks come up with. BTW, Kona solids are in the Joann ad I got today. 30% off just in case you have nudged anyone to give solids a try. Taria

Since you requested bricks, you will have to take a rain check. My PT'er won't let me lift them as of yet, let alone, try to throw them. I'd probably drop it on my foot.

On the other side, someone has to keep the manufacturer of plain fabrics in business. Rest assured, you aren't the only one. Happy to have some in my stash

Butterfly (If you truly wanted bricks thrown, I'd suggest another forum.......maybe Bricklayers? (G) Yes, I know how to and HAVE lain bricks)