Machine or Hand Piecing?
cyntia brogan
between machine and hand piecing? Is there a traditional issue involved?
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Sari Lynn Goldbaum
I'm pretty much a hand piecer at this point. I work in front of a machine all day (my computer) so the last thing I want to do on my evenings and weekends is sit in front of another machine ;*)
I never really thought about it at first, but the beginning quilting class I took turned out to be hand-piecing only, and I found that I *loved* it! It is so relaxing, and so portable! I can cut out a block, put the pieces in a zip-lock bag, and carry it anywhere with me. I always have a block in progress in my handbag. If I find myself waiting for half an hour at the doctor's office, I work on my block. On days when my carpool partner is driving, I sew for the hour commute each way. At lunch at least once a week, I get together with other hand piecers, embroiderers, needlepointers, and cross stitchers for a "Stitch & Bitch". It's fun to spend an hour visiting and working on our projects.
If you're the kind of person who needs to see immediate results, and lots of them, you may want to work by machine. But if you're like me, and find tht the process is as much fun as the end product, hand piecing is the way to go!
- Sari Lynn
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Sari Lynn Goldbaum sa...@ncd.com
by day: by night:
Technical Support Engineer avid novice quilter in
Network Computing Devices San Francisco, CA
Marina Salume
The main difference between hand and machine quilting
(besides the length of time each takes!) is that the
lines of machine quilting are much more obvious on the
finished quilt. So you need to plan out your quilting
design carefully. Some designs may make your quilt look
like mattress padding, not really desirable.
There is also a philosophical difference--for myself,
I can't bring myself to machine quilt any top that is
my "best" work. Maybe that's partly because my machine
quilting skills aren't very developed yet. So many beginners
think that machine quilting is easier than hand quilting--
but I don't agree with that. It takes lots of skill and
practice to guide the machine where you want it to go,
and your machine has to be adjusted correctly or your stitches
won't "lock" inside the layers. Start with small projects and
straight line stitching, then graduate to larger quilts and
curved quilting. Machine quilting is very sturdy, good for
quilts that will get a lot of wear, but look at all those
hand quilted quilts in museums that have lasted for hundreds
of years! It may be that the amount of quilting is as
important as what kind--if you quilt the minimum amount, the
fabric in your quilt will be subject to more wear and will
develop holes faster. So don't skimp on the quilting, whichever
type you do. The saddest thing at a quilt show is to see a
nice pieced or appliqued quilt top with just a few lines of
indifferent quilting. Do a great job on the quilting and even
a plain top will come to life!
P.S. I like hand quilting, did you figure that out??? :-)
--marina
Jennifer Robles
>I'm a novice quilter needing some advice. Is there a marked difference
>between machine and hand piecing? Is there a traditional issue involved?
Some people like hand piecing, and some people do not.
Hand piecing is popular because it is easily transportable. You can
handpiece on the airplane, but I suspect your neighbor would be more
than a little irritated if you set up your sewing machine. :o) The
other plus to handpiecing is that it is accurate. You can get perfect
points on a handpieced block.
But I believe the real reason that people hand piece is emotional.
Like hand quilting, handpiecing is relaxing. Also, handpiecers
are carrying on the tradition of thier actual or figurative
grandmothers. So your suspicion of tradition is on target, IMHO.
On the downside, handpiecing is very time consuming. I just have
too many quilts to make to spend time handpiecing. Modern teckniques
like strip cutting, chaining, and so forth do simplify hand piecing,
but they are meant to help us save time. And for many of us, time
is a valuable resource.
Machine piecing is enjoyable to me. It is quite satisfying to run
a bunch of little pieces or strips thru the machine, leap up,
scurry back to the iron, press, and then marvel over my handywork.
Another modern technique, foundation piecing, helps machine
piecing enthusiasts achieve the accuracy of handpiecing.
But when it comes down to what is better for the individual quilter,
it's a highly personal choice.
Jennifer
oak...@netcom.com
su...@logicom.com
Hi Marina,
I am getting ready to take an introductory quilting course taught by
a local expert. She will be teaching both machine and hand stitching. I
always thought that machine quilting was easier that hand. I would like
to learn hand quilting but am nervous that I can continue as I have
carpel tunnel syndrome in my right hand. Will hand quilting impede my
ability or should I concentrate on machine. I am really excited to
start and want to make lots!!! :)
am willing to try both!! :) :) :)
Suzie
Paul H Kron
I would also add that when you hand piece, you don't run over the seam
allowances, so you don't get the *harder* spots that you do when you
stitch over a spot where several seams meet.
And, I know this is ridiculous, but doesn't the back side of a
hand-pieced quilt top look neat? Well, I think so...
Gabrielle.
--
*****************
"...with licorice and jugs of wine for owls."
Matt Groening, 1985
***************************
Marina Salume
If you have carpel tunnel syndrome, hand quilting
can be stressful. I still do it but not for long
periods of time. And I have seen more and more quilts
that combine both kinds of quilting--so you could try machine
quilting in the ditch for the long straight lines,
and hand quilting for fancy designs in the open areas.
That might combine the best of both worlds :-)
And I have heard reports of people hurting
their backs and necks when machine quilting for long
periods of time, so be careful whatever you do, take
lots of breaks and give yourself enough time to enjoy
the process!
--marina
Judy Land
the sooner I get the top pieced the sooner I can hand quilt - which is my
first love--
I really do think it is a personal and emotional thing.
Try piecing a couple of blocks both ways -- see which you like better!
Judy Land
"quilt to live, live to quilt"Sent via the FirstClass (R) UUCP Gateway from Galaxy Online Services
(416) 515-2000 Support/(416) 515-2001 BBS/(416) 515-2020 Fax
Judy Land
Connie Benwitz
especially after a typical day at school. I love the finished product but I
also love the process.
Connie :-)
Pat Anderson
Connie....@f675.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Connie Benwitz) wrote:
My girlfriend *only* machine pieces and machine quilts. She has
nightmares at even the idea of doing anything by hand. I thought
I would feel the same way, but then when I tried it I found it
had multiple benefits. First off, I am not very good at machine
quilting, although I am very precise at sewing garments. I found
with machine piecing I just could not get the accuracy I wanted.
I kept ripping and stitching, ripping and stitching, doomed to
eternal frustration. Hand piecing, I have never needed to rip
out a seam. Thus, for me, it actually ends up being faster.
Side benefit was that I can hand piece or quilt while sitting
on the couch with my daughter, who has begun to express an
interest. So we sit and snuggle and quilt in the evening,
while watching TV. When I insisted on doing things by machine,
I didn't get to spend much time with my family.
Pat Anderson, p...@nwu.edu