I read an article recently that had me nearly falling off my chair laughing. I was written by a disgruntled food blogger, who was obviously more than a little fed up of people saying ‘I hate x, can I substitute y’ and ‘I can’t get z, is it really important’. On the blog that I regularly read that linked to this post, the writer had once been asked if the entire ingredient list could be substituted!
Now it got me thinking because I was recently watching one of the several Craftsy classes I’ve picked up, but had never watched before. I was rather astounded by what things people got their knickers in a twist about! Here were the things people were more interested in than learning how to do some improv piecing:
- Whether seams should be pressed open or to the side, and whether it should be different on the front and back (and let me tell you, there were some pretty silly ‘facts’ being bandied about, a number of which contradicted each other ;o) )
- Having to do maths. What was the point of measuring and cutting and things, couldn’t you just wing it because the people in question hated maths. Really people?! Quilt blocks by their very nature require you to measure and cut things! The point of this section, incidentally, was to ensure that pieced backs were perfectly aligned with the front…
- Whether or not you could, or even should iron over painter’s tape
- What sewing machine was being used
That last one irritates me every time I see it in the comments section on a blog, rather like people that ask what camera you use. One of my good friends is a professional photographer, and he takes amazing photos from his phone, his little compact and his professional kit. Can I replicate that with the same tools? Not in a million years! It’s his eye for the photograph and years of experience that helps him get the shot, not the tool. I know people with technically inferior sewing machines to mine who do amazing FMQ. Can I do that with my fancier machine? Err, no, not right now, because I haven’t the skills within myself, whatever the machine may be able to do. For instance have you met my friend Jess? Yeah, not in a millions years lol
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| From Jess’ recent Full Moon Lagoon finish |
One day, when I grow up, I want to be able to FMQ like Jess. Think I’d better get practising ;o)
So what is it that freaks you out in either online classes or in person classes? Does the way the seams are pressed matter to you, or are you happy enough to do whatever suits you? Would you create a big noisy fuss at having to measure something? I’m curious :oD
* Please note that this post was scheduled in advance as I have no internet access this week, please bear with me and I’ll respond to comments as soon as I can.
My jaw hit the table when I saw that quilting–wow is that amazing!
The first point on pressing seams calls to mind a comment a co-worker made about something: "This is only my opinion, but I know I'm right." I informed her that the rightness would make it a fact, and the two statements couldn't logically follow. She did not appreciate that. I'm glad she doesn't sew, hahaha.
I admit freely to being one of those folks who asks what equipment is used….in part because I'm sometimes looking for someone to ask what is probably a stupid question of….like what tension settings you use.
I only ask about pressing if I'm making a block for someone else who might care. Also…um..measuring, key. just saying.
LOL. People can ask all kinds of inane questions only to get really upset by the answers when they are not what they want to hear. In retail, I once had a lady ask me, and I quote, "What are these appetizer plates used for?" To my credit, I did NOT answer her sarcastically. Instead of saying "Are you F&&*%^ stupid?", I said, "Well, madame, in addition to APPETIZERS, you could use them to serve dessert, or do a lovely arrangement of different candies on your coffee table. They're also pretty enough to set on your dressing table to hold your jewelry or loose change at the end of the day…" Another customer came up to me later and told me they admired the way I handled her. I'd like to say it was that customer's only stupid question but alas….
Obviously one has to measure, and obviously seams need to be pressed a certain way…unless you don't care where the points meet on your squares, stars or whatever it is you are sewing. Goodness, if they have these issues with sewing, maybe they should move to something more "free-style" like painting. I've never had a problem with rules–they're there to help. When it comes to cooking, I've always felt that when you make a recipe for the first time, the least you can do to show a little credit to its author/creator is to make it right the first time. If you want to play around with it after that, by all means….but you have to be prepared to take the good or bad that can follow.
I'm happy enough to follow someones directions with things like seams and stuff, but left to my own devices I cant say I care too much! I am always looking for advice that makes things easier though….
I tend to go with the flow and press my seams depending on my mood , sometimes open, sometimes to one side. I measure to within an inch of my own life. I dont have a choice about what sewing machine I use so I just suck it up and hope for the best. I will read instructions and take them as a guide but if it makes more sense for me to do something my way I will. I hope I'm not one of those idiots that asks dumb arse questions or challenges things that make complete sense !
A friend sent me a link recently to the comments section of a sewing forum where someone was asking how to make reverse flying geese. Yes this lady wanted separate instructions on how to make the geese in a plain colour rather than patterned fabric because she already knew how to do it with patterned fabric…sheesh
I do like to chuck the odd grenade in to the conversation for a laugh, but I tend to try to sound more intelligent than I am, not vice versa!
In all fairness, I might ask about the sewing machine question, but only because I desperately need to get a new machine and I like seeing how certain brands and models work IRL (not just with a sales person touting it's charms). I do totally agree that even if I had Jess' exact set-up, it would take me many, many months of continuous practice to even come close to her beautiful quilting. The girl has skills!
Oh and I always press my seams open if I can. It's been born out of personal preference (I think it looks neater) and the idiosyncrasies of my aforementioned machine. It can't really quilt well over anything thicker than a few layers, so the doubled up seam allowances you have with side pressing really effects the stitch quality for me.
It is practice, practice practise…
The only thing that bugs me with the online classes is when they show how to mark a piece of fabric and then I can't see the mark they make.
I like to do whatever makes my block look better – although as past experience has taught me, that is not always the best way!
I am happy to take offered advice it it's sensible (like pressing a certain way for a certain block) but I don't even use my rotary cutter the "correct" way! So I can happily say I am a suits myself girl!
People get hung up about the strangest things. I think some of the stupid questions are to do with a lack of confidence but some of them are just down to the complete absence of a brain!!
You're right. On the free Craftsy 2013 BOM, people got right upset that Laura sewed over a couple pins. You would have thought she had committed a cardinal sin!
I always laugh at sites like allrecipes, where people comment on the recipes, by saying it was great, then telling how they changed it. Rarely does someone actually make the recipe as it is written. I'm tempted to comment on a cookie recipe and set out so many substitutions that it makes, say, an apple pie!
Love the idea of the changes to a recipe!! It is one of the things I laugh about often 🙂
My rule is, make it the way you are shown at least once, then go at it if you feel the need.
Lush
Ok if we are being honest here it is generally the people that irritate me more than anything!! I am generally willing to throw caution to the wind and sew over pins, press seams in all sorts of directions and even tie a quilt if necessary but occasionally I am fighting the urge to simply punch someone because they are just…..well……ridiculous!!! Oh and get this….I taught quilting for a bit and really loved it! LOL
Oh I think I am enrolled on the same class 😉
I did not read any of the comments of the students in the Craftsy classes I have watched so far. I think in part because I just want to learn from the instructor and partly because I was probably sewing while I watched. I suppose that says something about my focus in a class. I figure you learn everything that teacher wants to share and then at home you can put your own spin on it. The teacher has enough on her plate to explain what she planned usually.
I actually enjoy doing the quilt maths! I think what annoys me the most is the thought that there is only one way to do things. I was once at an Open Sew where a lady, who had been quilting way longer than I had, felt the need to watch my every move, then enlighten me how to do all the things better. "Press to the darks! Press, don't iron! When was the last time you oiled your machine?" Beware the quilt police 😉
I try really, really, really hard to never read the comments on newspapers, training videos & you tube.
It is almost always a disaster when I do. LOL
Lush
Every day a school day I say – and please ,please do a tute on reverse Flying Geese……………..
Uh-oh, I might be one of those substitution people..only I don't ask, I just sub away. And, I'm afraid I must admit, I tried to put a 22 inch zipper in a 17 inch tote today….I have no idea how the math came to that, but it sure enough did. ??? Must be another "don't ask, just do" incident. It's always been my philosophy to keep my mouth shut and let people think me the fool, rather than open it and prove 'em right. (Samuel Clemens)
Wow, that is amazing quilting!! I'm the quiet person in the class laughing at the nitpicking people as I finish my project and they are sweating the weird stuff. then again, my points aren't alwyas perfect.
A couple of things freak me out, also known as give me this shits. When people ask dumb questions, eg do I have to measure. Come on people, engage your brain. Your here to learn how to do something, follow what you're told, don't question it. I'm a teacher so I get such dumb questions all the time. YES YOU HAVE TO! Secondly, when you take a class that is about learning to quilt and the instructors just say oh I don't do that (fmq), I'm not good at it so I don't teach it. If I'm in a class that is about learning all different quilting techniques I want to learn them, not just what the teacher can do. If your skills are that basic, maybe don't offer to teach? Generally I'm the one in a class that others turn to for help when they don't understand. Oh dear, that makes me sound like the worst student, the one who thinks they know more than the teacher! I'm not, I'm just a good explainer!