Original Design vs. Patterns?
Dear readers,
A few weeks ago I attended a meeting of the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild. When I asked why I joined - I replied that I wanted to be excited and enthusiastic about quilting. If you remember, I felt that while doing the actual quilting - rather than piecing - I literally felt that I was working in a sweatshop. I discussed my concerns of my previous quilting experiences with the group.
A few members thoughtfully offered that my issue with boredom is hat I was using a pattern, rather than my own design. And, they shared that they felt the same issues with quilting patterns.
But then I began to reflect on the experience. Perhaps this is true as well with making commercial patterns. I did very much enjoy making my own designs from my slopers (or basic blocks). Of course with commercial patterns, we do tend to move a bit more up and down from sewing as well - pressing, cutting, recutting, etc. And, the design for garments are much more three dimensional.
We did a challenge block - which I sketched out; surprisingly (or perhaps not so) - I actually found it easy (except for the execution - I have never attempted applique).
We were asked to make a modern block for the challenge, with something borrowed (which we exchanged - the wonderful striped fabric), something old (the red circles), something new (the background and green), and something blue (blue circle). I like to experiment with space. I made two - one with the machine applique stitch and one with an absolutely horrible satin stitch.
Better execution of a applique machine stitch:
Horrible execution of a satin stitch, below - obviously I need some improvement of my technique:
Any thoughts from readers, do you prefer your own designs, or do you, like me, struggle to adapt commercial patterns?
P.S. Visual inspiration:
Final modern quilt square challenge, second try.
A few weeks ago I attended a meeting of the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild. When I asked why I joined - I replied that I wanted to be excited and enthusiastic about quilting. If you remember, I felt that while doing the actual quilting - rather than piecing - I literally felt that I was working in a sweatshop. I discussed my concerns of my previous quilting experiences with the group.
Photo courtesy of Chicago Historical Society, Link Here.
(they don't exactly looked thrilled, do they?)
But then I began to reflect on the experience. Perhaps this is true as well with making commercial patterns. I did very much enjoy making my own designs from my slopers (or basic blocks). Of course with commercial patterns, we do tend to move a bit more up and down from sewing as well - pressing, cutting, recutting, etc. And, the design for garments are much more three dimensional.
We did a challenge block - which I sketched out; surprisingly (or perhaps not so) - I actually found it easy (except for the execution - I have never attempted applique).
Satin Stitch Fail
Original sketch
We were asked to make a modern block for the challenge, with something borrowed (which we exchanged - the wonderful striped fabric), something old (the red circles), something new (the background and green), and something blue (blue circle). I like to experiment with space. I made two - one with the machine applique stitch and one with an absolutely horrible satin stitch.
Better execution of a applique machine stitch:
Any thoughts from readers, do you prefer your own designs, or do you, like me, struggle to adapt commercial patterns?
P.S. Visual inspiration:
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