Mar

14

March 14, 2011

Overheard at the quilt show

Filed Under A story of another book, Admin notes, Books 

Last fall I was hanging out in my cozy little booth at a quilt show. An attendee came in, looked around, and said, “Oh, it’s more of that crappliqué.”

Well, she had a nice spirit about her and the way she said it was funny, so that actually made me laugh.

We started chatting and I asked her why she felt that way about appliqué. She told me that she had taken a class and had hated the process and the result. During our conversation I told her that there’s not just one way to appliqué and she just hadn’t found the way that suited her best. She agreed with that philosophy, and promised to give it another go.

I hope I helped this nice gal be more receptive to our polarizing pastime. What do you say to fellow quilters who have experienced frustration with appliqué?

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

• My talk with Pat Sloan on March 21 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time
•10-day blog hop, Book-A-Round 2, March 22-31.

Comments

14 Responses to “Overheard at the quilt show”

  1. Maritza on March 14th, 2011 11:09 am

    Yo les diría que no se desanimen. Hay que intentarlo hasta que nos salgan bien los trabajos porque es una técnica preciosa. Un beso

    I would say do not be discouraged. We must try until we work out well because it is a beautiful technique. A kiss.

  2. deb on March 14th, 2011 2:22 pm

    Kay also will say the same that there are many methods of applique. I usually have work with me and show them techniques. I have converted a few piecers..not all mind you but still some..LOL

  3. Jennifer Dancy on March 14th, 2011 4:30 pm

    I’d say they haven’t found the right project or method – or more specifically – haven’t found the right teacher yet…. I tried several times to learn, but when I finally got the right teacher, everything just clicked, and now I’m as addicted as … well, as you!!!!

  4. Virtual Quilter on March 14th, 2011 6:10 pm

    I would have laughed too … that’s the way it feels on a bad day, no matter what method I am using at the time! On a good day … love it!

    I start by asking what method they had tried and what sort of work they enjoy doing, then try to suggest a method they might enjoy.

    Judy B

  5. Mary Shipp on March 15th, 2011 2:23 am

    I agree with them that hand applique is a complicated technique to learn, just like riding a bicycle is complicated — and in the same way. You have to concentrate on several things at once. But we all learn to ride a bike, and given time, we can all learn applique. I also tell that that I had to really stick to it and take more than one class, but that all of a sudden it all came together — just like riding a bike.

  6. Sharon on March 15th, 2011 4:25 am

    I encourage people to try different methods until they find the one that works for them. I thought of applique as “THE A WORD” for a long time until I learned backbasting. I’m now trying to learn/like other methods of applique to add to my quilting knowledge.

  7. geomauldin on March 15th, 2011 6:41 am

    OMG – my first quilt class was a sampler – and one block was appliqué. The teacher said she hated appliqué and I can understand why. She taught the glue and paper method. We had glue everywhere, had to cut out the backgroune and had to wet the paper to get it to release from the block, etc. It was terrible. I can understand why she didn’t like it – but since then I’ve experimented with several ways to appliqué. I like using the ladder stitch and baste the piece to the block – all nice and easy!!

  8. kathy in nc on March 15th, 2011 11:22 am

    Oh pleeease…quilting-applique I learned them hand in hand. I guess it depends on your personal quest in sewing. I need to know everything, so when I took my 1st quilting class it covered everything including applique…that is why you take a quilting class. I did hand quilting & machine, I took my machine to class-so it was all covered. That was just a rude classless comment that person made-I wonder did she ever really try applique? I do think that people make it harder than it needs to be. When I was a kid I had an old book maybe needle turn that I learned from probally early ’60’s :) you know then you stuff a little polyfill. I know it has come a long was since then but that is how I learned at like age 11….it is not rocket science…meaning such rudeness is not called for & this person could learn if she read a book & tried right?

  9. Kay on March 15th, 2011 11:26 am

    Well, I guess you had to be there… I really didn’t take it as rude. Also, people often don’t realize that the quiltmaker/designer is right there. Many vendor booths are manned by employees. Be kindhearted toward our crappliqué quilter :).

  10. Donna on March 16th, 2011 4:32 am

    I know I used to feel that way – until I found ways of doing it – and now I enjoy applique a lot more! And it also serves as a reminder of how we should “behave”. :-) You were so kind to her!

  11. Toddy on March 16th, 2011 5:28 am

    It really is frustrating to hear applique refered that way. I love it but I to was very frustrated until I found back Basting or as it was resently refered to as “Perfect Placement”, (really love that term) There are so maney wonderful books and web-sits I wish those in fear would try again.

  12. tammy on March 21st, 2011 7:40 am

    I would ask why they did not like it – if they would like to learn – give me 2 hours of your time and I will have you doing needleturn applique.
    t

  13. Kim on March 21st, 2011 7:19 pm

    I tell the same thing when they frown about my gardening…….”you just aren’t in that place in your life yet when you’ll appreciate the process of”……filling the blank……”gardening, applique, hand quilting.”

    Happy sewing

  14. Jodi on March 22nd, 2011 5:11 am

    I found it hysterical! I teach applique, the freezer paper and starch method. My class is 5 hours! I think that many quilters just don’t get enough instruction or practice during the class time.