Many people come into my shop saying they would like to learn to quilt. Some say they have “had a go” but they are not very good. This is mainly a confidence issue.
room for improvement
Only on one occasion has this been true. One piece of work was ghastly but in general, the standard of work is so beautiful.
Quilting in the barest form is learning to cut in straight lines and sewing in straight lines. Of course, there are so many tips and tricks that one can learn to improve, develop, and push the boundaries of quilting but for the first-timers who want to get into quilting then it is not really that hard.
Pointers
As for the one that was ghastly, it was easy to give pointers on where a different approach could be taken to achieve different outcomes. the person came back a few days later and the difference was amazing. Still not very good but it was such an improvement.
As time went on and over 3 months of coming in and getting tips, free of charge, the person finished the baby quilt top and it was really nice. It was to be a present for the newest addition to the family tree and it was to be an heirloom quilt so we put a name tag on it and off into the sunset that quilt went.
Over the last 4 months the person has passed away but the recipient of the quilt, with the baby, came in to let me know and say how much the maker was helped by me and to say thank you.
Quilting is not hard. It can be but if this tale says anything it says that if in doubt, go back to basics and start again. This will be a treasured heirloom now and the person who made it will be remembered, hopefully down the centuries.