I do patchwork (by hand and machine) and applique (mostly by hand), and may use this as an opportunity to practice my skills without having a huge project to get mired in (because I can do something different every time).
I feel the same way, bald soprano. I'm so excited to get to try some things out without feeling like it's unfinished if I don't do a full quilt. I also have an excuse to by really cool fat quarters!
I used to know how to cross-stitch, so I'm going to attempt to cross-stitch plums, then centre the cross-stitch on a fabric square. I just need to dig through my boxes and boxes of supplies and find everything!
Hmmm... I may be a tad over my head with this. I'm happy to help, but I'll need to do a bunch of practice/learning squares first. If any of you have any advice, please spill it!
A pep talk for crocheters and knitters and quilters who are new at this.
I volunteered to teach knitting and crochet to kids in our public school system. I did it for several years. They were in grades four to seven. Some were learning disabled. They all learned without a problem.
Some tips.
Use a large crochet hook and thick yarn when you are starting out. You can see what you are doing more easily. I would use at least a size H hook or an 11 knitting needle.
Crochet is easier then knitting but both are pretty easy to learn.
Don't use a fuzzy or eyelash yarn at first, these can be difficult to work with since they are thinner and you can't see the stitches. You will be able to use fancy yarn soon. I always combine thin or fuzzy yarns with a regular strand of yarn to give the work some body. It is very easy to use two yarns together.
You will be able to expand your skill after you practice the easy stitches.
Practice your basic chain for a long time. I made the kids crochet a chain that went across the room before I taught them a crochet stitch. If you can chain, you can crochet anything.
Crocheting is just pulling a loop through a loop. Nothing more. You can do it.
Don't pull your loops too tight at first. Relax and go with the flow, make it a zen moment.
Finding your stitch tension is important, and when you pull your stitches too tight it makes it much more difficult to do subsequent rows.
Remember, this is a handmade item, made with love. Perfection is not the point.
It is just yarn. Throw it away if you don't like it. Don't spend a lot of time trying to fix things, just toss them in the trash.
Some of the easiest quilt patterns are rail fence, nine patch or a log cabin. Stay away from patterns with triangles if you are an inexperienced quilter.
Get a book by Eleanor Burns, I am not crazy about her on TV but her books are great for beginners. The first one I used was the rail fence book.
Contact me with questions or for a pep talk at Autistic.child.area@gmail.com
Maybe we can have some open threads for ideas, questions and tips.
Nancy, I'm a novice myself. I've been quilting/sewing for about two years. My only advice is to try a lot of different things to find what works for you. I like paper piecing because the accuracy and precision is what I have most trouble with. Others find hand sewing calming and more rewarding. And some are incredibly creative artists. Try it all, see what you like.
If you have a quilt shop in your area they probably have classes, and many are run by very friendly people who will be happy to help you out.
Liberal biology teacher mom with many interests and little ability for follow-through; working on that. Transplanted midwesterner now in the northeast.
18 comments:
I do fabric, quilt squares.
I do patchwork (by hand and machine) and applique (mostly by hand), and may use this as an opportunity to practice my skills without having a huge project to get mired in (because I can do something different every time).
Sure, I could do a sampler, but this is more fun!
I do fabric quilt squares.
I feel the same way, bald soprano. I'm so excited to get to try some things out without feeling like it's unfinished if I don't do a full quilt. I also have an excuse to by really cool fat quarters!
I will be working with fabric. I'm not fancy though and I don't own a sewing machine. I'm going to do my best!
I do both patchwork and applique, and sometimes I have weaving samples, which could be yarn too, I guess!
I quilt, and I sew in general(clothing, costuming, etc)
I can do appliques, but they never look pretty.
I do patchwork quilt squares
I used to know how to cross-stitch, so I'm going to attempt to cross-stitch plums, then centre the cross-stitch on a fabric square. I just need to dig through my boxes and boxes of supplies and find everything!
I do fabric - quilt squares and general sewing.
Anything and everything. I have about 10 UFO quilts (unfinished objects) that I could work on.
The one I hate is the tesselation quilt. I used Smithsonian Civil War Fabric so it is beautiful, just too complicated for me. I hate matching points.
Hmmm... I may be a tad over my head with this. I'm happy to help, but I'll need to do a bunch of practice/learning squares first. If any of you have any advice, please spill it!
A pep talk for crocheters and knitters and quilters who are new at this.
I volunteered to teach knitting and crochet to kids in our public school system. I did it for several years. They were in grades four to seven. Some were learning disabled. They all learned without a problem.
Some tips.
Use a large crochet hook and thick yarn when you are starting out. You can see what you are doing more easily. I would use at least a size H hook or an 11 knitting needle.
Crochet is easier then knitting but both are pretty easy to learn.
Don't use a fuzzy or eyelash yarn at first, these can be difficult to work with since they are thinner and you can't see the stitches. You will be able to use fancy yarn soon. I always combine thin or fuzzy yarns with a regular strand of yarn to give the work some body. It is very easy to use two yarns together.
You will be able to expand your skill after you practice the easy stitches.
Practice your basic chain for a long time. I made the kids crochet a chain that went across the room before I taught them a crochet stitch. If you can chain, you can crochet anything.
Crocheting is just pulling a loop through a loop. Nothing more. You can do it.
Don't pull your loops too tight at first. Relax and go with the flow, make it a zen moment.
Finding your stitch tension is important, and when you pull your stitches too tight it makes it much more difficult to do subsequent rows.
Remember, this is a handmade item, made with love. Perfection is not the point.
It is just yarn. Throw it away if you don't like it. Don't spend a lot of time trying to fix things, just toss them in the trash.
Some of the easiest quilt patterns are rail fence, nine patch or a log cabin. Stay away from patterns with triangles if you are an inexperienced quilter.
Get a book by Eleanor Burns, I am not crazy about her on TV but her books are great for beginners. The first one I used was the rail fence book.
Contact me with questions or for a pep talk at Autistic.child.area@gmail.com
nancy, if you email me I can send you some instructions and easy/learning pattern ideas. my email is on my profile (just click on my name).
That goes for other people, too, of course :)
Thanks Anne and Bald Soprano! I look forward to entering the cold dark months of winter with a new hobby!
:P
Dagnabit... that was me above - "Nancy"
Maybe we can have some open threads for ideas, questions and tips.
Nancy, I'm a novice myself. I've been quilting/sewing for about two years. My only advice is to try a lot of different things to find what works for you. I like paper piecing because the accuracy and precision is what I have most trouble with. Others find hand sewing calming and more rewarding. And some are incredibly creative artists. Try it all, see what you like.
If you have a quilt shop in your area they probably have classes, and many are run by very friendly people who will be happy to help you out.
I'll do fabric, patchwork squares.
I sew and quilt. Applique...well, I can sew little pieces together at least. :)
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