least favorite part of quilting

Right now--sleeves and labels since that is what I'm trying to get done on my Quilt Show entries! : > )

It changes. I used to hate applique... then I made friends with it. At times I even enjoy it now. Then I really hated doing the binding on quilts. But now I get out my Classic Art of Quiltmaking book, and Pat Storey's mitred corner tutorial pieces, and I'm all set. After that, I decided I didn't like borders. Then it occurred to me that they were difficult for me. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean you shouldn't try it, or attempt to do better at it. So I'm making friends with that just now. I suppose machine quilting makes me tense, since I forget to stop hunching over while wrestling the quilt around. So that's the not-so-much-fun part for me the now.

-- Jo in Scotland

I've been doing it every week since age 19. I'm numb to it already. ;-)

Melanie: See if you can get a Harriet Hargreaves book on machine quilting. Even if your library only has an early edition, you can read about how she bastes a quilt on a small surface. I only have the early edition, so do not know what is included in the updated versions. HTH. PAT in VA/USA

In that case I'll definitely look out for it here in the UK. Thanks for the tip, Pat, and the endorsement, Taria.

And I'll add my endorsement, too, Mel! I've been using that method for years -- except for last weekend, when I basted a small piece in class. The tables were very crowded and narrow, and I just couldn't do a good job, which is why I have puckers on the back of this quilt. Grrr. But it was a learning piece, and it may become our new QI's bedding.

New QI, eh?! Hope you'll soon be in a position to reveal all >g< . In message , Sandy writes

Congratulations on the new bunny, Pat! :D It seems to be the season for this sort of thing, doesn't it? Dexter doesn't yet love Bisou, but he's doing very well with her so far -- mostly he just ignores her, but at least he isn't hiding from her and pining. And when I take her outside, he feels compelled to accompany us, so that's a good sign. :)

LOL! Thanks, Taria. :)

I'll second or third or even tenth this one. I was one of those who used to always crawl around on the floor and wrestle with the stupid backing, batting and the top trying to get it all to lay flat all at the same time..... then I read her book (I have the fourth edition) and I have never done one on the floor since. We have one of those 5 ft tables with the folding legs and I drag it up from the basement when I have a quilt to baste, set it up and when I am done I put it away again. It is the perfect size, I sit in my chair while I am doing it, and I almost NEVER get tucks and pleats in the backing anymore and the ones I do get are small enough to work out. Yeah my fingers still get sore from the saftey pins but it is all worth it when the quilt is finished perfectly because you took the time to baste it well!

And besides the tips on basting, it was one of THE BEST books on quilting I have EVER purchased! It improved my quilting tenfold.

I would have to say my least favourite thing is cutting :(