quilting-what's it take?

Absolutely! I really love her work, especially those snowflakes. They are breathtaking. And, yes, I had forgotten it was 'featherweight on kitchen table'. A great example. . In message , Pat in Virginia writes

When I started going to my local guild I was absolutely amazed at the work these women did. They really and truly are artists. Many 'little old ladies' that just surprised me over and over again. Some still don't use rotary cutters now that I think about it. I guess it is the quilter not the 'stuff'. The stuff does make it fun though ; )

Those women used to tease about how some kid like me got 'let > Paula has lived for many years in a small apartment, maybe just two

Sherry,

I have 2 wonderful Singer 15-91's. Love them both and if I could only have one Singer that would be it. It just free motion quilts so beautifully. I can sew on it for hours and feel like we are so in sync. One is in a cabinet and one is in the case. Both have their manuals and all the attachments I have been able to collect.

I don't think there is anything I can't work on with the 15-91, it is fairly simple mechanically so caring for it is pretty simple. There are attachments to make "fancy" stitches too. I don't use them as much as I use to but they are still much loved.

Marsha in Ohio

Jealousy is lousy, with a prefix added. All one needs to buy a long arm is money, and desire. No 'dues' needed. Those people who have e-mailed you don't have those things, but you did. Good for you!

Shame on those jealous ones who need to make you feel bad for having something you worked hard to afford. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Look at Karen McTavish! She bought a LA before she knew how to quilt, and look at what gorgeous work she does now. Some people just have to find the tool that "fits" them.... :)

That is brain freeze. Same thing as writer's block. It is just a reaction to pressure to make something perfect with little or no time. It has nothing what so ever to do with your ability to produce art.

While I'm here I have to point out one other important thing. In the old days a Master would have his apprentices copy works of art to learn how to produce art of their own in the future. So what if you copy things now, you are just at the beginning stages of learning.

Debra in VA See my quilts at

I think today's quick paced life makes many of us expect to produce quilts quickly and that expectation leads many of us to believe we need all the new gadgets and machines with all the bells and whistles. Keeping up with the Joneses also raises it's head in the race for the newest gadget. And those who would be quilt police have led us to a snobbish belief that only 100 percent cotton designer prints should ever be used in quilts despite the fact that quilts have been made from nearly every fabric imaginable.

Truth be known, I'm a throw back to slower times. All I need are scraps, needle, thread, and scissors to make this hobby feel right for me. I rather enjoy cutting fabric with scissors and sewing by hand. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

I'll probably never enter a quilt show, but I don't choose a hobby to win competitions. I'll probably never join a quilt guild because there isn't a local one, but I don't need one. I consider RCTQ to be my guild. No local guild can offer the same range of people, ideas, experience, and geographic locations as this Usenet news group.

Debra in VA See my quilts at

I keep hoping things will improve there, and check it regularly, but the only changes have been for the worse. There is hardly any message traffic there nowadays, and most of it is the arguing ones attacking each other now that they have no one else to gang up on.

Before I started quilting I found this group to ask a question about my grandma's quilt, then stayed because it was nice here. No one cared that I didn't quilt back then, they just accepted that I was interested in quilts and answered my silly questions. Now I've got the quilting bug, and this is my guild. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Debra,

I have tried to joined other groups. I have seen the fighting, belittling and bickering. It is so sad women choose to attack each other instead of nurturing each other. We are suppose to be a support team for each other, I believe.

This group is wonderful, at least that is what I have seen the short time I have been a member. Very supportive, fun and creative.

I am happy to say this is my guild too.

Piece,

Marsha in Ohio

I have a friend who used to be a Home Ec (onomics ) teacher years ago...and is now

84 yrs old. She started quilting quite a few years ago but started to make all her quilts totally by hand so that she could watch sports on TV with her dh. She has her quilting stuff on a TV table near her...no cutting mat...no pile of rulers.....no rotary cutter .. no specialty threads, etc. !!!....In fact , she has never owned those products !!...Her quilts are great and since she does a lot of applique a lot of them are her own design. It is amazing how much she gets done and so fast. I have so many rulers...some never used....and all kinds of the right threads and needles -- etc., etc. I was amazed at her sewing machine....the simplest of the simplest... and not such a good brand !!! She used to sew clothing and had a lot of pictures to show me as she had sewn for her dd's sports career. Perhaps simplicity is a good thing.. Mary in VT

*I* "keep up with Jones" and *I* have the 2" Button (pin?) to prove it. Never mind how I got it

Butterfly

Reminds me of when I first joined RCTQ and went to the LQS. Gal there asked if I "belonged' to one so I told her about RCTQ and showed her my 'badge' that someone on here had made for me. I got a discount :) Then the LQS went to 'punch cards' and that made ALL of us happier :) This is my One and Only Guild and that's the way it'll stay.

It feels 'right' here and your chair stays either by the King-Size-Cyber-quilt-Frame or up on the wall when you are away for some reason.

Butterfly (and the Dues and NO OFFICERS and No QP's can't be beat)

I have to agree with you there, Pat. I also enjoy my real-life groups, even though I hear more often about what RCTQ is doing. Once a month, though, I get to get together with other quilters in person and do as you do, and I love it. :)

Thanks for your notes, both Taria and Sandy. I realize that for many people it is impossible to have a home town group, for different reasons .... transportation, child/elder care, health, etc. One thing I did not mention, and it is worth a note, is that while large organizations (guilds) may not work for some quilters, a small home based bee of 4 or 5 quilters may be an excellent activity. Large guilds are not the only options out there. We can tailor a group to suit us.

I was once in a small bee that met twice a month, rotating hosting in our own homes. A certain friend wanted to join the bee but could not leave her disabled daughter home alone. So we agreed to always meet at her house, and we took turns bringing a dessert or snack. It was good for everyone, including the daughter. It was a nice group, and they gave me lovely blocks when I moved away!

Hugs, PAT

Taria wrote: