►►NOTE: I used the term "Layer Cake" in this video, which is actually trademarked by Moda -- but it is a term frequently used by quilters when referring to a 10" x 10" square (similar to how we might use the word "Kleenex" interchangeably with "tissue," or "Xerox" with "photocopy"). At 5:00 into the video, I am simply referring to 10" x 10" squares that are cut off grain. I am NOT in any way calling this a Moda product (I have found Moda products to be good quality and accurately cut). The gingham square in the video can not be found in any Moda Layer Cake. Essential Tips for How to Create the Perfect Quilt Block Every Time - Free Workshop → www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com/opt-in
While sewing today, I thought of another one: manufacturers who keep making the usable width of fabric smaller, sometimes because the selvage is extra wide. I grew up sewing clothing in the 70's when the standard width of fabric was 45", so now when I can't even get 42" usable width, I get annoyed!
A relative through marriage asked me if I could repair the quilt his GRANDMA made him. Not having seen the quilt, I asked what was wrong with it. He said it was moldy, dirty and had holes from mice eating at it while it was "stored" in his outdoor, floor-less shed! When I told him no, he had the audacity to ask me if I would make him a quilt! 😮
@@debramccafferty2918 when I found out he didn't take care of the quilt his GRANDMA made him, I was appalled! There was no way I would consider making a quilt for him. 😐
I am new at quilting, not sewing. My peeve about myself is what I used to say about quilting..." why would someone cut up a perfect piece of fabric into little shapes just to sew them back together again?" .. now with a few quilts under my belt.. I get it😊
@palominogirl2732 🙄 I barely fix holes for my family, and now, only if it's on a quilt. I stopped sewing clothes years ago. My daughter's both know how to sew, and use a machine, so they can fix their own clothes.😉 Besides, they both live over a hundred miles away, or more. We've had two family members that liked to delegate me, or my hubby, to fix things, or make them from scratch...my MIL, and a niece on my side. Finally told them that we have enough projects to do, thanks, and we're not really looking for anymore!
I get so tired of people telling me I could sell my work. I do quilts of all sizes and some small art pieces. No I can't sell them. People do not want to pay for the true value of this. So I just quilt for gifts and for my own personal satisfaction and use.
Why they have not invented a sewing machine that doesn't require bobbins is beyond me. Use 1 spool on top and 1 on bottom and they run out at the same time. No winding bobbins, no running out of bobbin thread and no waste for bobbins that have too little thread to use. It would be genius!
How do you use a spool in the bottom thread?? I just can’t grasp how this is done. Early sewing machines didn’t have a bobbin at all - they did a chain stitch which was very easy to pull out. I’d really like to know how to use two spools as I’m not fond of filling bobbins - I now use pre-filled ones usually in white which is close enough to my light grey too threaded that it doesn’t matter! I only sew with a certain thread and a certain color unless I’m sewing on very dark fabrics!
They do have sewing machines that don't use bobbins - they are chain stitching machines. Some regular lockstitch machines can do a chainstitch with special attachments.
Annoyance: Using the word, "salvage" (to rescue or save something), instead of the correct term, "selvage/selvedge" for the lengthwise edge of fabric. "Selvedge" is a weaver's term from the phrase, "self-edge." It is the long edge of the fabric where the weft/width yarns loop back around the warp/length yarns creating an edge that does not need any extra treatment to keep it from unraveling. It has a "self edge." The beverage container in the sewing area can also be hazardous. In high school, a friend of mine had her open drink container in her sewing area. An open saftey pin was unkowingly flicked into it. She drank the beverage and swallowed the open safety pin. She had a tense, painful night in the hospital. I think of her every time I sew and have a drink container close by. I make sure to keep it closed/have a lid on it.
LOVE your salvage-selvage explanation!!! Thank you! Also - WOW! I never even thought of a pin getting into the cup. Thank you for sharing that...truly a hazard waiting to happen. Thanks for watching!
@@joyfulandmerryquiltingI have a cup holder away from.my sewing table. Snack is also away from it. I realized when I reached for some pretzels, and had actually headed to the straight pin dish. Made some changes in my habits right then.😏
The first quilt I made was a lap quilt and it is so full of mistakes and goof-ups, but it keeps me warm. I have thought of "fixing" my first quilt but then I decided not to because it shows me how much knowledge I have gained and how far I have come in my quilting journey. Folks like yourself who take the time to create quilting content for beginners like myself are awesome - and I love that there are so many different ways of doing things presented on TH-cam. Thanks for your efforts.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad you left your first quilt "as is". I did the same with mine, and I still love it today. You're correct - it's a reminder of how far we have come as well as marking it as the beginning of a wonderful journey! Thanks for watching!
You have to make a few bad quilts...because it is called a learning curve. Keep the one's that don't represent your best work or use them a utility quilts for the beach or boat. That's what I do!
Ahem...as I look at my full coffee cup not 8 inches from my machine, the dog on the floor at my side, the opened rotary cutter on my cutting table, an iron poised nearby, red light blinking angrily at me. I feel ...judged. Giggle. I am chaos incarnate. I still enjoy watching, learning and discovering new quilt things, knowing for a fact that I will never have a perfect quilt, a clean, uncluttered work space, because I know what works for me and how my mind works and revels in the creative maelstrom of my thoughts. Thanks for a peek into an uncluttered calm, mind. Sometimes I wonder what it would feel like.
No judging here...we can't help our "pet peeves" - they just are what they are. Sometimes it's just nice to be able to clear the air by saying them out loud! I have commited and continue to commit every "quilting crime" you described! They are all pet peeves of mine - as I said at the beginning of the video - whether I do it, or someone else does. We often just can't help it! :-) Have a joyful and merry day, and continue to enjoy your quilting - that's what's important! Thanks for watching!
LOL! I have a stray cat - who had four kittens 6 weeks ago. They are like having monkeys in the house! Joyful, yes, I haven't had a kitten in almost 20 years, and those were the two barn cats. I'm enjoying them - but, have to be very careful rolling the chair. They just knocked two square rulers off the sofa. OH, three dogs inside, too. And my vet went on vacation just when the kittens are old enough to be weaned and mamma spayed. I put my coffee on a rolling cart!
@palominogirl2732 I once had a kitten who would park his self on the backside of the machine, trying to catch the chain pieces I was sewing. There were no fast and furrious sewing when he was around, always vigilant for paws to come peeking...
I get annoyed when someone writes, “I’m sew excited.” Using sew instead of so was cute the first time I heard it. But now it’s like nails on a chalkboard.
My pet peeve is when people ask how much you would charge for a “small blanket” crib blanket. When I give a price, for a design they want, they GASP, tell me they can buy one cheaper at ……(fill in the blank) . I tell them, go there and buy it then. It will be the same as hundreds of others.
Yep! People who do not sew/quilt/make/create have absolutely no concept of how much the fabrics/yarns/components of the craft in question cost let alone the cost for your time to make the item in question. Have had this happen many. many times in the three crafts I do. I won't make things to order I only make to gift (and never tell them what I am doing), or for myself.
I agree. I recently made a quilt for a fund raiser. It was put in a silent auction, I valued it at $850 being conservative. Minimum bid was then put at $250 by the organization. So many people were shocked at the “expensive” value of the “blanket”. They had no idea of the cost of the fabric, the long arm work, plus the time involved. Only 1 person even put in a bid and it turned out to be a lady I had talked to about the factors involved in trying to determine value. At least she knew what a bargain she got. I just kept reminding myself that it was a donation on my part, it still raised some funds for a worthy cause, and I got some fabric out of my overflowing stash.
@ruthhilsdorf3210 Similar experience donating to a worthy charitable auction. I decided to just make a donation and give my quilts to worthy people. Quilts of Valor: the military puts their life on the line, and children in tough situations: Project Linus. No worry about the value now!
Mary, I agree with everything you listed as pet peeves! I am a seamstress from way back, and grew up pressing and ironing Everything multiple times and at every step! I've seen so many TH-camrs lately using up their scraps and Not Pressing 1st - or else lightly rubbing the iron over the fabric and leaving the wrinkles in. I can't stand that!!!
Drives me nuts, too!! We can't sew properly without pressing now and then. Wrinkled scraps don't cut it. Even if loosely folded. Scraps stuffed in bins?? Egads, Press them!
I hate seeing wrinkled fabrics being cut in videos! Makes me cringe! Especially when they have an iron right beside them! I thought I was just being OCD😳
I agree with Pg 4526 people asking for free quilts. Then say “it can’t be that hard it’s just straight seams. Non sewers have no clue what quilters go through. and the work it is to make one.
Yes, precuts not cut correctly really drives me crazy is a big pet peeve. Also, I so wish that sewing machines had a way to let you know that the bobbin is low!!
My machine does tell me that my bobbin is getting low...but there's always a lot of thread still on the bobbin so I leave it in...and I just don't check it until it's too late.
My Pfaff and Viking have a low bobbin warning that warns way too soon. They use the same bobbin, and this youtube video shows how you can wind the bobbin to solve that problem: "Husqvarna Viking Topaz 50 22 Bobbin Thread Sensor"
@JRJonesOD . that sure isn't very helpful, then. If I know I'm going to be sewing a long seam for curtains, bindings, or sewing rows together, I'll check it, first. But, I wouldn't want to rewind too early! What tondo with thee thread till on it? You can't really wind more over it, I think that affects the tension. I get birds nests if I tried that.
I loved the Bobbin Chicken phrase, I laughed out loud! I will forever be saying that to myself when I start wondering if my bobbin thread will make it just one more seam :)
Oh yes, I agree with them all. The blanket one, does really really bug me. Did a huge king size quilt for mother in law and she still calls it a blanket. Some people are just not quilt worthy.
I made a simple comforter with fabric printed to look like a pieced quilt for my MIL once. She went on and on about all the work I must have put into it.🤷♀️ I told her the crocheted afghan I made her the year before took a lot more effort! (I just needed a break because of two wedding quilts I had made for nieces the same year I made her the cheater comforter). She just brushed off the 'pretty blue blanket' I said I made as something I probably bought and wished I could make, because I'm a quilter, it's her daughter that crochets!' 🤔 I told her I'm able to do both, my husband and girls backed me up! Made no difference in her mind. This annoyance covers All crafts. Some people just don't "get it" beyond their mindset ideas. Believe me, I brought the blue afghan home with me for our couch when it came time. The red comforter was kept in the car for awhile, and eventually given to our dogs for their kennel stays.
#3 Recently a youtuber I watch, received a lap quilt as a gift. He really liked it (it was an old truck) and he proudly proclaimed "I'm going to make it in to a curtain for my camper!" That poor fabric artist, I felt her pain... #5 The Red and white plaid is woven (both sides are the same), the green plaid was printed. #14 I can't use precuts, so many horrible experiences. Also hate pinked edges. I think the only thing I would add is, being offered a nominal amount of money ($50?) to make someone a queen size quilt, out of batiks and within two weeks. 🤣
They have NO clue, do they?? Starting with cost of fabric, our time, etc. "Nope, I need a good 2 months, $400, for basic.squres or jelly roll strips. Patterns with triangles will be more and, I may still need to wait in line to get it quilted...which will be extra.💁♀️ Frankly, I really no longer even have space to make a queen sized quilt. (I struggled with our camper.curtains this past week, and they weren't even as big.). Oh,.and by the way, we have two kitties, and a basset pup, and their shedding season has started."😂 Now monthly really want a quilt from me?😏
Ha ha!!! I just bought fabric on sale to make a quilt as a gift. I'll have to inquire to find out if they have a queen or king size bed. I'm sure I will need more fabric for the pattern have in mind. Istil need to purchase batting and back fabric and possibly binding fabric. Probably a 125.00 to 150.00 dollar project , plus weeks of time. Quilts r works of love. And gifts to people that hopefully appreciate them. One U tuber added her materials and time spent at $15.00 an hour for a queen size quilt and the total was $1,690.00 That's why not many want to pay quilters for their craft.
I think it depends on the area in the country. I grew up in the northeast. My grandmother always called it material. It took me many years, after starting to quilt, to start calling it fabric. It's the same with "soda" "pop" and in Massachusetts it was called "tonic". You just have to be tolerable for regional differences.
@@C123abc In many southern states you have white pop and dark pop. White pop is Sprite or 7*up. Dark pop is Coke or Pepsi. Normally you just ask for one or the other and they serve you whatever they have.
Thanks for this. When I see the word ‘boarder’ - I think of someone on a skate board or a surf board. Of course, a renter also works. My rotary cutter is never left open. It has a spring action, so as soon as I let go, it is closed. I can’t even count how many times I have seen posts on quilt group about people who had to get stitches because of cutter accidents. One person dropped her cutter, and it sliced into her foot, cutting an artery!! When you were swinging yours around, all I could see was it slicing into your face!!!! How absolutely horrific that would be! Happy quilting. 😊
I get aggravated with quilters who are presumably teaching at least some beginning quilters, and talk about pinning with disdain. "You COULD pin this but I never do". As if using pins is a character flaw and those who don't pin are somehow superior. You won't go wrong using pins but you sure can go wrong not using them. If you don't need to pin, then don't in your own life, but teaching it as unnecessary is setting people up for frustration.
Yes - I know it's not popular but I ALWAYS pin...especially intersections, borders, and larger pieces. I never understood why there are those who don't. I just don't get a good finish without pinning and I ALWAYS share that information when teaching. Thanks for sharing.
Ooo - it absolutely drives me crazy with so many quilters in videos who do not pin! I come from a hand piecing only background (1979) when pins were necessary, plus my Mom was an excellent seamstress and used pins generously. I use them as many as I think I need and then maybe add a few more! Not pinning when as a beginner can cause difficulties - when I reach new quilters, I tell them that I pin and they can choose whether to or not, but it is more helpful if they do at the beginning. They can choose not to if they feel comfortable but I dint recommend it. I love all my pins for different uses!!!😁😁
Power issues are the worst! I have eased the pain by using an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) between the outlet and machine. The UPS gives about 5 minutes of battery power so I can end the sewing session calmly. It also protects my machine from dangerous surges, etc. I loved the video!!
#4 I will add that I've heard this used on popular quilting channels : saying " binded" . Binded is not a word. Past tense of bind is bound. I bound the quilt.
Oh yes, so many of these resonate with me. Re: pets walking on quilts with pins... While making my very first patchwork quilt, I really didn't know what I was doing and I had bought a package of super sharp quilting pins to baste my quilt sandwich. My older sister was visiting from out of town and I had just finished basting the quilt right in front of her in the middle of my living room floor (leaving ample space for anyone to walk around my project to get anywhere). I sat down to rest a little bit and my sister immediately got up and walked right across the middle of my quilt with bare feet then jumped up and shrieked in pain. It happened so quickly and I never imagined she would do such a thing, so I was caught completely off guard. She watched me put all those pins in and I had accidentally jabbed myself several times (suddenly jerking my hand back every single time and yelling "Ouch! Man, these pins are unbelievably sharp!") and it honestly didn't occur to me to say to her, "Hey, whatever you do, don't walk on my project." or "In case you hadn't already picked up on this, these pins are super sharp so don't put your bare foot on one of them." After she stuck het foot on a pin and bled on my quilt, she got really mad at me and blamed me for her injury. WTH?!
I also can't stand it when the title of a quilting demo video indicates a "No Waste" pattern, but then they proceed to cut off and throw away an inordinate amount of fabric or demonstrate an unnecessarily wasteful technique.
I still can't get used to the word "sewist". Or to sew/draw "acrossed", I don't even know how to spell that! I don't understand why expensive quilt fabric is printed off grain.
I have pets in my home.Although not in my work area, I always tell people when they buy a quilt from me or I give them a quilt that I do have pets in the home. 😊So if they have allergies please wash it first
My pet peeve are quilters changing names of established terms. Like "flimsy" for "top", "webbing" for "chain piecing", and my favorite "low volume" for "lights".
Yes - it can be so confusing to new quilters. We do have a quilting "language"...with words that can be foreign to new quilters. I'm not excited about adding to the confusion by creating new terms. Thanks for sharing!
I share so many of these. Hubby uses the term afghan…ugh! I bought a rotary cutter that only engages when squeezed (gentle squeeze) for cutting. It’s been a game changer since I could never remember to close mine. Watching YT with wrinkled fabric - I want to scream IRON IT!
I agree! I do have the squeeze rotary cutter, but I prefer the handle on my "close it yourself" model. I should use the squeeze cutter for my videos - that way I don't have to think about it. Thanks for sharing!
I started quilting 20 years ago. As I watch TH-cam with folks from around the world, different words are used for the same thing. Such as flimsy for quilt top. I think it's fun to hear. I grew up with material. Now it is fabric. Two of my cats were quilt testers. But only for family quilts. I miss Freddie and Holly. I do close my rotary cutter frequently. I don't sew over pins anymore. I'm not perfect, but my bad habits have lessened. Sew there.
I'm so sorry Marion - this was simply for fun. If you felt like fingers were pointing at you, that certainly wasn't my intention. Thank you for watching.
Mary I chuckled all the way through this . I felt every one them. LOL. Well the flood has to be my biggest pet peeve to not have all my fabric with me. Luckily I found someone in Church that I have known her whole life that is going to babysit my LongArm. 😊😊😊😊 She was in my best friends quild. So it will be taken care of and all the ladies in the group will have access to Quilting. The best thing so will I. I am so happy I cried when said yes. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊I thank You so much for your Joyful videos.
You're so welcome Gwen and I'm so glad to hear that you have had some wonderful news! You have certainly been through a lot, and I'm so glad you have such a wonderful group of friends that are there for you! That really brings me joy!
I made a quilt just for my car. I got it in a zippered plastic bag (I know! I know!!!) But it's for emergency in the winter or picnics the rest of the year. But yes, if I spent $10-15/yd on fabric, thread and batting just to be a trunk liner, I'd have kitten...
I agree with you, totally, but keep in mind, once you gift something to someone, whatever they do with it is their business. In those cases, I keep in mind that they didn't appreciate my work, and they will never get anything else I make, again.
Many of your pet peeves are mine also. I no longer have worry about the electric going out since we now have a whole house generator. Thanks for this video.
To have a whole house generator would be AMAZING!!! We have a generator, but it doesn't automatically switch over when the power goes out. That would be my dream! Thanks for sharing!
I found out a loooooong time ago and precuts aren't always cut to the shape they're supposed to be and, like you, ya have to cut them to the correct size. One of my huges pet peeves are the pre-cuts with the pinked edges. One manufacturer might have the full width at the bottom of the "v" but another one might have it at the top of the "v" but you don't know until you measure...each piece! Pineapple fabrics has Matt's precuts and I've not have a problem with any of those precuts, they are spot on and without the pinking on the edges.
I hate pinked edges. I won't buy pre-cuts that have been pinked. Not only can you never figure out where the actual edge is, but I use a seam guide and the extra fabric means readjusting the guide. Just say NO to pinked edges!
These were all great! ❤ My biggest quilting pet peeve of all time 🔥 is the recent trend of some TH-camrs to call a quilt top a flimsy. A quilt top is NOT a flimsy. Nothing I put my hard work and care into is flimsy. From the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: “badly made and not strong enough for the purpose for which it is used. Rickety.” Webster’s Dictionary: “Poorly made.” It feels good to get that off my chest. 😝
Well, that's a stitch! Oxford Dictionary (British) definition, is there a second definition?) because the use of the word 'flimsy' for quilt top is mainly spoken by what I have heard from the British quilter's or those descended from British roots , for example some Australians.
@@camagnuson6108 Sorry, I’ve been quilting for 25+ years, watching PBS quilt shows and TH-cam videos for years, and I’ve never heard a quilt top called a flimsy until recently. The name of a quilt top is a quilt top. That’s what it’s called. 🙂
That is a "blanket" statement. I've found there are just too many other details that go into making that statement! Totally my personal opinion! Thanks for watching Kitty!
Maybe. I don't believe perfect is attainable. But....with the cost of materials, and all the time and effort put into quilts, we sort of owe it to ourselves to do a good job. I've got two twin-sized quilt tops on my shelf, and I made them out of leftovers from another quilt. Then I pieced a gorgeous border, and beautiful corners. But...the quilt isn't as good as the effort I put into the edges--a simple, scrappy 9 patch. I'll finish them eventually, but I wish I'd put more thought into them. With the costs of batting and backing, and the effort to sandwich and quilt them, I should have aimed higher.
I think that phrase is sometimes construed to mean it’s ok to be sloppy but I don’t look at it that way. To me, it means that when you have done the best work you are capable of but all the points aren’t perfect or there is some other issue, don’t let it stop you from finishing. The more projects you make, the better you will get at those areas that need improvement. Also, if you finish and THEN notice an issue, don’t be ashamed of it if you did the best work you could do, and don’t let it stop you from making another quilt. The fact of the matter is that most people won’t even notice it - I find I am much more critical of my own work than others are.
Yes - that's exactly what I said in the video when referring to my first quilt. It wasn't perfect (or even close) but I'm so glad I finished it. I did my very best even though the workmanship is not even close to perfect. Others may equate "finished" as "sloppily finished" rather than doing their best - cutting corners, skipping important steps, etc. just to get it done. That's where I disagree with the statement.
My pet peeve is pre cuts not being the advertised size. Fat quarters being wonky or short cut. Love the phrase playing bobbin chicken!! If it's ok I'm going to borrow your saying - it's so funny and so right. 😂😂
Precut plaids---never bother with them them for the reasons you note. Love plaids on a back or for binding, but they are distracting. Now, here's my pet peeve.....use of stripes etc in blocks where the rotation is goofed up so your eyes go all googly. With respect to "finished is better than perfect", it goes in line with the saying that "perfection is the enemy of the good". When we start out, none of our quilts are perfect because we are in our learning curve. I would reframe it to "A finished quilt, to the best of your current ability, is better than an unfinished quilt." It takes time to learn and master all of the techniques that are now second nature to those of us who are more experienced. Other than that, quilting is about preferences, and I try not to let other's preferences or foibles turn into peeves.
Hi Mary! I thought it was all pretty funny from your view. Your pet peeves are 100% right on. Especially the checked fabric. Time for me to straighten up my sewing area again. 😼. I need to figure out what hand sewing project to take on a trip. Cross stitch most likely. When I travel in my RV the sewing machine comes along. Please take care. I really enjoy your website. Marion in Oregon.
New Subscriber alert! It's ME!!! YAY!!! I have a fabulous sewing area that I enjoy very much. It's on the 2nd floor of the barn we had built back in 2010. We live in the country and needed a place to store my husband's farm tractor. We are not farmers, but he has a farm tractor. I share my upstairs sewing room with my husband. Besides the tractor he uses to plow up my veggie garden, he repairs sewing machines in his tiny work area. He is almost the last sewing machine repairman in Ohio, and he is very good at this. The barn measures 24' x 24', but I only have half of that space for my quilt making. The other half is filled with about 350 Vintage sewing machines that husband bought, fixed and stored up there. After 11 years of gathering all these machines, he announced that he wants to sell them. Okay do it! I need more space for my fabric and for Kevin. And who is Kevin? He is the cat I rescued in March of 2023. He is my helper when I sew. He stays out of my way, just sleeping under my sewing table. But Kevin needs more room for all of his toys and bowl of treats. My drink of choice in the sewing room is a bottle of water. If it spills, I'm okay. I'm done with my rant except that I also DESPISE #3!!!
It sounds like you have an absolutely amazing oasis!!! I'm sure every quilter who reads your post is going to envy the space you and Kevin share! And when it comes to the sewing machines - WOW - what an amazing connection to quilting history! I hope you have joined our www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com community! I have a 5 point free workshop on the site, and then you will receive notifications every time we have new content or any announcements! You sound like a naturally joyful and merry quilter and we would love to make your acquaintance! Welcome!
My pet pee e is when people say sew a quarter inch on EITHER side! You can start sewing on either side but you are sewing a quarter inch on BOTH sides of the line🤢
Yep..learned the hard way, left my rotary cutter open and swiped my fabric to lay it down….cutter there to the side…😮grabbed my two fingers so fast ( still attached …just did a skim swipe, a wee bit worse then paper cuts) because all I was worried about was getting blood on the fabric. 😊 All was good a couple bandaids took care of! But I take care to “close” my rotary cutter…or use a self locking one now!
After knocking over my cups multiple times (all over the house, not just my quilting studio), now I only use Travel Mugs with Spill-Proof Lids. You have to push a button for the liquid to come out, and nothing comes out if you knock it over. Contigo is my favorite brand.
Sorry, but the whole “fabric” scissors obsession is one of my biggest pet peeves! For many years I only had two pairs of scissors, 8” Fiskars and small needlework scissors, both of which I purchased when I got married at age 18. I was fortunate that my Fiskars came with a blade cover with sharpening rods built into it. I still have and use these today although I do now, at age 69, have some specialty scissors for other crafts materials as well. Also, use drink containers with covers and set them away from your work as you would when using a keyboard to stop preventable spills. Good quilting.
I have a pair of very old Wiss scissors that have cut just about anything including small Christmas tree branches and are still as sharp as they were originally. I do guard my scissors though!
The greatest thing to come along for me was left handed scissors. No one touched them because they couldn't use them. Yes,the struggle was real for left handers far too long.
@@linetteevans8337 My late sister also. She had so much trouble in high school home economics class back in the 70’s with the teacher harassing her and not letting her bring her lefty scissors to school, till our mother had a “talk” with her with the girls’ vice principal present. Then no problem…the school bought several pairs. Amazing, sometimes, what can be accomplished with a little advocacy.
@robinmeadows4758 my grandson was in a sewing class this year. The teacher commented that she had to order 4 pairs of the left-handed scissors. I know lefties have always adapted, but why were these not available from past classes? I purchased him his own pair.
Pet Peeve #1 in my book: People who like us to think that their work is or usually is "perfect", just not this time. I cringe EVERY time I hear "It's not perfect but...". Come on, lady, it NEVER was going to be perfect. NO ONE's work is "perfect". STOP IT!
I taught a youth class several years ago, and one of the 16 year olds called me on the carpet when she complimented me and I dismissed the comment. Her response was "I hate when people can't just accept a compliment without making excuses." I never forgot that. Sometimes we just need to say "Thank you." rather than come up with every reason why "it's not perfect". Lesson learned from a wise 16 year old! :-) Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!
Wow I can totally agree with pretty much everything but my two biggest peeves are using boarder for border and pre cuts that are not accurate. I especially dislike pre cuts that have pinked edged because they are never accurate and it drives me crazy!! Thanks for the great video.
Teachers saying: -“salvages” -“pressure feet” -“never use poly thread - it will cut your fabric” -“you MUST (or should NEVER) prewash” -“cut fabric into individual pieces” (when most often the more efficient method would be strip cutting) -“just use cutting mat lines” (rather than ruler) for cutting.
I agree...however, I have found that it is possible to use the cutting mat for some cuts...especially using some of the new mats that are accurately calibrated. For intricate cuts, however, I have to agree with you,..a ruler is the only way! NO CUTTING MAT cutting for some projects.
Poly thread years ago would have been a no-no but the poly we have today is just fine. I’ve started using pre-filled poly bobbins in my machine and it works beautifully.
You read my mind! Not only un-ironed fabric but I cringe when watching videos trying to cut large pieces accurately on a tiny board. Ironing, as well on a tiny board.
I was giggling at your pet peeves, as most are mine as well. Your first peeve watching a messy cluttered area I want to reach into the screen and clean it up 😂😂 Miss 4yrs was doing a craft with her mum and said “ no mama you have to tidy up your table first before you start again, that’s what nana and I do” 🤷♀️teach them young lol
11) Calling it a “pressure” foot instead of the correct “presser” foot. 2) TH-cam quilt influencers who never show the backs of their quilts after zipping through them a mile a minute. 3) Machine manufacturers that label their models as “quilting machines” only because they have 200 built in stitches. (that hardly ever get used in quilting).
I relate to many of these. The one about pets gets me. I was actually at a quilt shop and the lady was trying to cut fabric for someone and kept having to move the cat to the side of the table. I know you’re not talking about shops but just had to share.
My pet peeve regarding pets is when quilters film with their pets walking all over their fabrics, sewing machines, cutting areas. In addition to safety issues, it is very distracting to viewers.
At 5:00 you called your 10" square part of a Layer Cake. Moda has the rights to that particular term, so are you saying that Moda prints gingham off grain?
@PowerToolsWithThread No I'm not saying that at all - I apologize for the confusion. The term Layer Cake is actually trademarked by Moda, but a term often used by quilters when referring to a 10" x 10" square. (Such as Kleenex when referring to a tissue or Xerox when referring to a photo copy.) I am simply referring to 10" x 10" squares that are cut off grain and not in any way calling this a Moda product. The gingham square in the video can not be found in any Moda Layer Cake. I'm very sorry for the confusion. I have posted a pinned comment with a clarification below the video as well as a clarification in the description of the video to clear up any confusion. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
And that's why I never sew over pins. I've had the timing go out on my longarm when I hit a pin accidentally...I can't even imagine doing it on purpose! Thanks for watching!
I see you have received many comments regarding this video! Right now my number one pet peeve is when a "You Tuber" refers to a quilt they have made from a set of manufacturer precuts, i.e. charm pack, jelly roll, etc. as "scrappy"! This really gets my goat. This is NOT a scrap quilt!!!!! Scrap quilts are made from SCRAPS of fabric a quilter pulls from their stash. Quilts made from a set of precuts can be described as colorful, beautiful...whatever. I can see them wanting to push their fabric lines and that is fine but please do no insult true scrap quilters in the process!
Thanks for sharing! I totally see where you're coming from. It seems as though the term "scrappy" has almost taken on a new meaning with some quilters. While a scrappy quilt, as you said, is a quilt made from leftover scraps, there are those who use the term "scrappy" when describing the overall look of the quilt, referring to a quilt as scrappy simply because it was made from a variety of fabrics - whether it be actual scraps or pre-cuts. Just my opinion...
I'm NOT a professional or very good with English but I do know that unpicking means not picking. It just plucks my nerves that professional people would say such a thing .
The one about not calling a quilt a blanket made me smile. I've made that clear to my son and his family, so on occasion, they say blanket to see how I react. 😊
I agree with most of your pet peeves. I've experienced frustrations, etc with every peeve you mentioned. The only one I don't consider a peeve is the 'finished is better than perfect'. Those words have really helped me on my quilting journey. Being a little OCD about many things in my life, that quote has actually made space in my life for imperfection. I still try my best but then am able to leave it there. Previously I would have driven myself nuts trying to get something 'perfect'. Anyway, it was fun watching your video!
I agree with some of your pet peeves. The biggest one for me is when someone I have given a quilt to responds by saying "thanks so much for the blanket." LOL
I'm so excited to have you join me!!! We just launched our Joyful and Merry Community Quilt Guild to begin on May 2nd. Here's the video link if you'd like to watch to see what we're all about - we'd love to have you as part of our group! www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com/foundingmemberzoomreplay?fbclid=IwAR38ezKJXg-p87pz-jWEyShRBQImx3qTihgOf6x6W0MZXn2eLCkGAeIt1HQ
I've had my needle snap with such force that a shard hit my glasses when I accidentally hit a pin. Sewing over pins is dangerous. Set in poofy sleeves hide pins....
When I first started quilting I tied my quilts. I didn't have the money to pay someone else to quilt them and I hated wrestling with them and my domestic machine. Then I had someone tell me they were not quilts unless they were quilted. If they were not quilted they were comforters. I kept tying my quilts and then I gifted one to the daughter of a friend. My friend had another friend who always sent her quilts to a longarm quilter. My friend's daughter told her mother that at least I could say my quilts were completely my work. I was so moved by this that I continued to tie my quilts until I found a place I could rent a longarm machine. Today my quilts are still all my work. Another pet peeve of mine is watching a TH-camr who's cat is all over the table and then the person picks up the cat and loves on it. I have better things to do with my time then watch you love on your cat. I'm a pet lover myself but I usually push through the parts that have nothing to do with quilting. And I am so with you about someone cutting with a rotary cutter pulling it back toward themselves. It is like nails on the chalk board!
So glad you mentioned this. I guess you could say I don't appreciate 'quilters' on TH-cam who only make tops and then have a pro-long-armer finish it. They didn't really make the quilt in my opinion.
I never understood sewing while standing. I love watching YT for quilting ideas but there are some that need to edit. One is so messy, disorganized and always licking her finger. Another has such a cluttered work area, I guess it's all her products she is trying to promote. I totally agree with all of your pet peeves, thank you!
I sew while standing because I have back and knee problems. Getting up and down from a chair is painful. My kids got me a table for my sewing machine that moves up and down, and it was a game changer. If I'm sewing lots of pieces at once or attaching binding or other extended sewing task, I will lower the table and sit in a chair. But if I'm sewing a few pieces, then going to the ironing board or cutting table, yes, I will stand to sew and not have a lot of up and down out of my chair.
I thought I was the only person who loathes “finished is better than perfect.” I feel like it gives people permission to be sloppy. And Angela Walters (whom I do admire) is often credited with saying it first; Voltaire & Aristotle each said essentially the same thing in other words.
I make miniature quilts. They require all the techniques of a full sized quilt without requiring a second mortgage to pay for the fabric. But they are not a " really pretty POT HOLDER!!!"
These are good peeves you mentioned, and good peeves in the comments. My peeve is mistakes on patterns. It's as if everyone thinks they are a designer, but don't test their patterns before publishing them. Another peeve is when someone says, "I seen him yesterday." It should be "I SAW him yesterday".
Thank you so much! As a pattern designer...I have to stick up for other designers as well as myself. :-) I always make the quilt 3 times after designing it. I follow along with the pattern, check, double check and check a third time, and there always seems to be SOMETHING that gets missed. We try our best...and it's always so upsetting when we find we missed a mistake. Thanks for watching!
@@joyfulandmerryquilting I test quilt patterns for 4 different designers and an online quilt magazine. I don't get paid for doing it, just get the completed, corrected pattern after it's published. One person will throw in a coupon to get one of her other patterns for free sometimes. The magazine extends my subscription by 3 months for every quilt I test. It might take a little longer for the quilt to get to market, but it helps alleviate issues that the designer didn't see. They all just solicited for testers in their newsletters. I can choose whether or not to work on a particular pattern, and they all have varying deadlines which factor into my decision to work on it. Most are 3-6 week turnaround times.
My pet peeve is more about sewing machines. I have bought two in the last 5 years. One mid range and one is pretty much top of the range. Each from different makers. Both machines refuse to fill a bobbin properly, meaning I have to refill my bobbins more often. Something I never encountered with the many very cheap machines I have purchased over the years.
I loved your pet peeves and #13 hit home with me. Many years ago I was making a christening gown for a grandson and spilled half a cup of black coffee on it. You know the mess that made and the aggravation it gave me cleaning that half complete garment. (Before that I had a close call with a chocolate bar) Since then my #1 RULE is "NO drink - NO food in my sewing room". If I get hungry or thirsty it's probably a good time to take a move & stretch break, go to the kitchen, eat or drink what I need, then return to sewing full and happy. Haven't had a food or drink mishap since.
Sewing over pins can break the needle. I had just gotten my first pair of glasses and was sewing. I went over a pin, the needle shattered, and I not only got a tiny cut on my cheek from one of flying pieces but my new glasses were chipped right in the center. I don’t sew over pins anymore…
We creative types tend to be messy. As much as our lack of organization might drive others crazy, their OCD drives me equally as crazy...and I bet we're, generally, happier people.
@@ladyjane3660 I agree. I am very ADD so get bored with a project taking a lot of time, so I start another one…. 🤪 right now I have 4 active projects going on. It looks like a bomb went off in my sewing room. 🤷♀️ glad to know I am Not the only one.
Mine always gets messy. What I don't like is trying to start something new on top of the mess that's already there. One mess can be organized chaos...a several-project-mess can cause too many issues along the way. I have to clean up one mess before I make another!
I think I'm a pretty happy person...and I do seem to have a mess waiting to happen with each project. BUT...I don't like more than one mess sharing my work area. :-)
@@joyfulandmerryquiltingEven as messy as I can be, I do have a breaking point, and just have to stop and regroup. I tend to go from one project to the next without taking the time to declutter from the previous project. Bad, bad habit.
Mary, I have to be the unluckiest person ever to buy pre-cuts. FQs where the gingham was as you described. Charm packs with writing which was supposed to read Merry starts here instead erry tarts ere. Jelly rolls never 2 1/2" layer cakes which didn't have all the squares as advertised. I live overseas and no fabric shop where I live I buy online and shipping is very expensive.Buying well known brands is no guarantee of quality. Contacted one manufacturer who told me they didn't deal with the public. To which I replied who do you think buys your fabric and whose money is helping to swell your coffers?
Isn't that annoying!!! I absolutely agree. I did buy a jelly roll that had the dreaded "v" in the center of each strip - I wrote to the company and showed pictures and they did replace it. We pay a lot of extra $$$ to have our strips "pre-cut"...and I want them to be usable.
As a former Home Ec. Teacher, I have a pet peeve regarding proper names of sewing tools. The biggest mistake many people make is the difference between scissors and shears. Shears have handle openings for your thumb & fingers & has a flat side that rides against the table when cutting fabric. Scissors usually have openings for thumb & 1, maybe 2 fingers & look the same when turned either way. They are used for snipping threads. Your "scissors", in peeve # 2 are actually shears.
Thank you for the information! I have found that it's a common misconception that 'shears' and 'scissors' are entirely interchangeable - but now I know they are not! Thank you! Interestingly, as the tools have evolved, people often use the terms interchangeably, even though each actually does serve its own unique purpose! Again, thanks for watching and for the information you provided. It's most appreciated!
I use a rotary cutter I have had/used since 1981. I have to sqeeze the handle to use, it also has a button (moves back & forward), that locks it. Even without being locked I can pick it up & the blade is secured, not exposed. Love it. I go through 4 to 6 blades weekly. I sew quilts 2 to 12 hours daily, 300 days a year. I make tops to sell, tied/wash/dry. They last for years. Have met countless women who told me stories of quilts they purchased years ago. My prices have changed up /down through the years to reflect what is fair, saleable, etc. I've been selling since 1975, started at age 9. My grandmother taught me to make my 1sr quilt, I'm 79. Hab WAY to much fabric, create "kits", will not tell the number i have . I also rug hook, knit, read, "awesome "cook, a widow and no tv or computer. Cell phone I'm not able to use most of the functions. I HAVE NO TIME TO BE BORED!!! Thsnks for your list, could add some, but need to get back to the tieing today.
Wow Patt!!! Sounds like you have quite an amazing quilting life!!! BRAVO!!! Thanks so much for sharing - you are truly an inspiration! And thanks for watching!
13! It bugs me when karen brown of just get it done quilts invites you to get your sewing and a cup of tea. I do not eat or drink while sewing. I wear too much food as it is.
The only one I don’t agree about is the “done is better than perfect“ but that’s because I don’t think it means to do something as quickly as possible to get it done. Rather I think it means that moving forward and not obsessing over every tiny thing is better. I have this in other areas of my life to where I have to remind people that it is better to make forward progress and do your best than to worry about whether it is absolute perfection. So I have this sign hanging in both my office and my room, just as a reminder that we don’t need to stall out waiting for perfection. But, I have a lot of people in my life who will freeze while aiming for perfection.
I believe that statement is all up to interpretation. As I said in the video, I was happy with my less than perfect first quilt because I put my heart and soul into it and did my best. BUT, my clarification was that if you simply skip steps and speed through the process while putting the blocks together, just to get it done, and then ending up with a quilt that may look sloppy or poorly made...then done, in my opinion, is not better than perfect. And again...I use the term "perfect" loosely. We'll have to agree to disagree. Thanks for watching, Vicki!
Once when I was new at quilting I left my rotary cutter open on the cutting table. Next thing you know, I was bleeding and I didn’t even know why! Luckily it wasn’t serious. Those things are so sharp that I brushed against it without even realizing. Be careful! 🙂
The only precuts I will buy are the ones that Matt Jordan (Jordan Fabrics) cuts himself. I have heard that some manufacturers are cutting bigger because of complaints about cuts being smaller than they should be. I have two pet peeves. All the fancy gadgets that new quilters are told they 'need.' Like papers so they can sew on the lines. Where's the creativity and the skill in that? But my biggest one... quilters on youtube who can't say selvidge and call it salvage. One got cute once and, after giggling, said, 'I know it's wrong but I just can't say that word.' Seriously? Great video.
I have found good accurate pre-cut fabrics from a variety of designers, which is encouraging. But, on the occasion where they are off, it can be VERY DIS-couraging! Thanks so much for your input and for watching!
►►NOTE: I used the term "Layer Cake" in this video, which is actually trademarked by Moda -- but it is a term frequently used by quilters when referring to a 10" x 10" square (similar to how we might use the word "Kleenex" interchangeably with "tissue," or "Xerox" with "photocopy"). At 5:00 into the video, I am simply referring to 10" x 10" squares that are cut off grain. I am NOT in any way calling this a Moda product (I have found Moda products to be good quality and accurately cut). The gingham square in the video can not be found in any Moda Layer Cake.
Essential Tips for How to Create the Perfect Quilt Block Every Time - Free Workshop →
www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com/opt-in
While sewing today, I thought of another one: manufacturers who keep making the usable width of fabric smaller, sometimes because the selvage is extra wide. I grew up sewing clothing in the 70's when the standard width of fabric was 45", so now when I can't even get 42" usable width, I get annoyed!
I agree. I always write my patterns assuming "40-42" WOF for that very reason. Thanks for sharing!
Also, when the WOF is different within the same collection, 40, 42 and 45.
I don’t like those big selvages as I do not use them - zero appeal!
I was just thinking the same. By the time you remove the selvage, you get about 42". 60" would make things easier! I sometimes buy 108" for borders.
Same here!! I also sewed clothes, and started to quilt in the 70s.
Why did they have to change the width so drastically???
You forgot the biggest one. When people say "Hey, you can make me a quilt." And really think you're going to make them a full quilt for FREE!
Oh yes...that can be an issue! Thanks for sharing!
While watching your video I kept saying YES, I AGREE, so much that my husband asked me what I was watching. Lol. Love your list.
A relative through marriage asked me if I could repair the quilt his GRANDMA made him. Not having seen the quilt, I asked what was wrong with it. He said it was moldy, dirty and had holes from mice eating at it while it was "stored" in his outdoor, floor-less shed!
When I told him no, he had the audacity to ask me if I would make him a quilt! 😮
@@mregister3945, what nerve! Like your time, talent, and money means nothing to him!!!
@@debramccafferty2918 when I found out he didn't take care of the quilt his GRANDMA made him, I was appalled! There was no way I would consider making a quilt for him. 😐
I am new at quilting, not sewing. My peeve about myself is what I used to say about quilting..." why would someone cut up a perfect piece of fabric into little shapes just to sew them back together again?" .. now with a few quilts under my belt.. I get it😊
Too funny! Yes - I know others who have not made a quilt yet, ask the same question! Thanks for sharing and for watching!
I said the very same thing!
My hubby refers to my quilting as "cutting up material and sewing it back together again" aaargh 😂
Welcome to the madness 😂😅
I hate it when people think that quilters are tailors also .. just because I sew doesn’t mean I can hem your pants it’s a different skill set
Totally different! Thanks for sharing!
Someone watching me cross stitch whilst waiting for my boys to finish a karate lesson asked me to make a three piece linen trouser suit!
What's worse is, "Hey, can you fix this whole in my jeans?" And it's up in the knee or crotch area. NO!
@@andifism wow, that takes some nerve!!
@palominogirl2732 🙄 I barely fix holes for my family, and now, only if it's on a quilt. I stopped sewing clothes years ago. My daughter's both know how to sew, and use a machine, so they can fix their own clothes.😉 Besides, they both live over a hundred miles away, or more.
We've had two family members that liked to delegate me, or my hubby, to fix things, or make them from scratch...my MIL, and a niece on my side. Finally told them that we have enough projects to do, thanks, and we're not really looking for anymore!
I get so tired of people telling me I could sell my work. I do quilts of all sizes and some small art pieces. No I can't sell them. People do not want to pay for the true value of this. So I just quilt for gifts and for my own personal satisfaction and use.
Thanks so much for watching - and for sharing!
I can relate to many of these. My one I find annoying is when someone close to me says..." Yeah she sews a bit and makes blankets...BLANKETS!!! "
That's truly a pet peeve commonly shared by many! Thanks for sharing!
And then the ones who think that because we sew we can make them curtains. No!
@@jylromain6439 I met a man who thought that since I quilted, I could make him a tailored shirt!
@@jylromain6439don’t forget the classic, oh, you can hem my jeans…..
Why they have not invented a sewing machine that doesn't require bobbins is beyond me. Use 1 spool on top and 1 on bottom and they run out at the same time. No winding bobbins, no running out of bobbin thread and no waste for bobbins that have too little thread to use. It would be genius!
There's always a new invention around the corner! Thanks for sharing and for watching!
How do you use a spool in the bottom thread?? I just can’t grasp how this is done. Early sewing machines didn’t have a bobbin at all - they did a chain stitch which was very easy to pull out. I’d really like to know how to use two spools as I’m not fond of filling bobbins - I now use pre-filled ones usually in white which is close enough to my light grey too threaded that it doesn’t matter! I only sew with a certain thread and a certain color unless I’m sewing on very dark fabrics!
@sandybruce9092 I'm not sure but something where you thread both the top and the bottom would great if they could.
They do have sewing machines that don't use bobbins - they are chain stitching machines. Some regular lockstitch machines can do a chainstitch with special attachments.
Eéŕ dr@@lisalu910
Annoyance: Using the word, "salvage" (to rescue or save something), instead of the correct term, "selvage/selvedge" for the lengthwise edge of fabric. "Selvedge" is a weaver's term from the phrase, "self-edge." It is the long edge of the fabric where the weft/width yarns loop back around the warp/length yarns creating an edge that does not need any extra treatment to keep it from unraveling. It has a "self edge."
The beverage container in the sewing area can also be hazardous. In high school, a friend of mine had her open drink container in her sewing area. An open saftey pin was unkowingly flicked into it. She drank the beverage and swallowed the open safety pin. She had a tense, painful night in the hospital. I think of her every time I sew and have a drink container close by. I make sure to keep it closed/have a lid on it.
LOVE your salvage-selvage explanation!!! Thank you! Also - WOW! I never even thought of a pin getting into the cup. Thank you for sharing that...truly a hazard waiting to happen. Thanks for watching!
I said that too. Drives me up a wall. And they know they're wrong and think it's funny.
@@joyfulandmerryquiltingI have a cup holder away from.my sewing table. Snack is also away from it. I realized when I reached for some pretzels, and had actually headed to the straight pin dish. Made some changes in my habits right then.😏
And there are reputable, longtime quilters who host TV shows and TH-cam channels that say it!
🤬🤬🤬 I SEE you, Eleanor Burns! 😹
Oh my gosh yes! I find myself almost yelling out loud to those people in the video.
The first quilt I made was a lap quilt and it is so full of mistakes and goof-ups, but it keeps me warm. I have thought of "fixing" my first quilt but then I decided not to because it shows me how much knowledge I have gained and how far I have come in my quilting journey. Folks like yourself who take the time to create quilting content for beginners like myself are awesome - and I love that there are so many different ways of doing things presented on TH-cam. Thanks for your efforts.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm so glad you left your first quilt "as is". I did the same with mine, and I still love it today. You're correct - it's a reminder of how far we have come as well as marking it as the beginning of a wonderful journey! Thanks for watching!
You have to make a few bad quilts...because it is called a learning curve. Keep the one's that don't represent your best work or use them a utility quilts for the beach or boat. That's what I do!
Ahem...as I look at my full coffee cup not 8 inches from my machine, the dog on the floor at my side, the opened rotary cutter on my cutting table, an iron poised nearby, red light blinking angrily at me. I feel ...judged. Giggle. I am chaos incarnate. I still enjoy watching, learning and discovering new quilt things, knowing for a fact that I will never have a perfect quilt, a clean, uncluttered work space, because I know what works for me and how my mind works and revels in the creative maelstrom of my thoughts. Thanks for a peek into an uncluttered calm, mind. Sometimes I wonder what it would feel like.
No judging here...we can't help our "pet peeves" - they just are what they are. Sometimes it's just nice to be able to clear the air by saying them out loud! I have commited and continue to commit every "quilting crime" you described! They are all pet peeves of mine - as I said at the beginning of the video - whether I do it, or someone else does. We often just can't help it! :-) Have a joyful and merry day, and continue to enjoy your quilting - that's what's important! Thanks for watching!
LOL! I have a stray cat - who had four kittens 6 weeks ago. They are like having monkeys in the house! Joyful, yes, I haven't had a kitten in almost 20 years, and those were the two barn cats. I'm enjoying them - but, have to be very careful rolling the chair. They just knocked two square rulers off the sofa. OH, three dogs inside, too. And my vet went on vacation just when the kittens are old enough to be weaned and mamma spayed. I put my coffee on a rolling cart!
@palominogirl2732 I once had a kitten who would park his self on the backside of the machine, trying to catch the chain pieces I was sewing. There were no fast and furrious sewing when he was around, always vigilant for paws to come peeking...
I also wonder about that. Won’t happen, but I wonder!
I get annoyed when someone writes, “I’m sew excited.” Using sew instead of so was cute the first time I heard it. But now it’s like nails on a chalkboard.
And that's why it's called a Pet Peeve! :-) Thanks for sharing!
My pet peeve is when people ask how much you would charge for a “small blanket” crib blanket. When I give a price, for a design they want, they GASP, tell me they can buy one cheaper at ……(fill in the blank) . I tell them, go there and buy it then. It will be the same as hundreds of others.
It's a difficult concept for non-quilters to understand. Thanks for sharing!
Yep! People who do not sew/quilt/make/create have absolutely no concept of how much the fabrics/yarns/components of the craft in question cost let alone the cost for your time to make the item in question. Have had this happen many. many times in the three crafts I do. I won't make things to order I only make to gift (and never tell them what I am doing), or for myself.
I agree. I recently made a quilt for a fund raiser. It was put in a silent auction, I valued it at $850 being conservative. Minimum bid was then put at $250 by the organization. So many people were shocked at the “expensive” value of the “blanket”. They had no idea of the cost of the fabric, the long arm work, plus the time involved. Only 1 person even put in a bid and it turned out to be a lady I had talked to about the factors involved in trying to determine value. At least she knew what a bargain she got. I just kept reminding myself that it was a donation on my part, it still raised some funds for a worthy cause, and I got some fabric out of my overflowing stash.
@ruthhilsdorf3210 Similar experience donating to a worthy charitable auction. I decided to just make a donation and give my quilts to worthy people. Quilts of Valor: the military puts their life on the line, and children in tough situations: Project Linus. No worry about the value now!
Mary, I agree with everything you listed as pet peeves! I am a seamstress from way back, and grew up pressing and ironing Everything multiple times and at every step! I've seen so many TH-camrs lately using up their scraps and Not Pressing 1st - or else lightly rubbing the iron over the fabric and leaving the wrinkles in. I can't stand that!!!
I couldn't agree more! Thank you for sharing and for watching, Sue!
Drives me nuts, too!! We can't sew properly without pressing now and then. Wrinkled scraps don't cut it. Even if loosely folded. Scraps stuffed in bins?? Egads, Press them!
I hate seeing wrinkled fabrics being cut in videos! Makes me cringe! Especially when they have an iron right beside them! I thought I was just being OCD😳
It makes my skin crawl when I hear someone say "cut accrosed"
Thanks for sharing and for watching.
ME TOO......grrrrrrr
or accrost
I agree with Pg 4526 people asking for free quilts. Then say “it can’t be that hard it’s just straight seams. Non sewers have no clue what quilters go through. and the work it is to make one.
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
Yes, precuts not cut correctly really drives me crazy is a big pet peeve. Also, I so wish that sewing machines had a way to let you know that the bobbin is low!!
My Husqvarna did. The electronics died after 20+ years.
My machine does tell me that my bobbin is getting low...but there's always a lot of thread still on the bobbin so I leave it in...and I just don't check it until it's too late.
My Pfaff and Viking have a low bobbin warning that warns way too soon. They use the same bobbin, and this youtube video shows how you can wind the bobbin to solve that problem: "Husqvarna Viking Topaz 50 22 Bobbin Thread Sensor"
@@marinaabad4995😮
@JRJonesOD . that sure isn't very helpful, then. If I know I'm going to be sewing a long seam for curtains, bindings, or sewing rows together, I'll check it, first. But, I wouldn't want to rewind too early! What tondo with thee thread till on it? You can't really wind more over it, I think that affects the tension. I get birds nests if I tried that.
I loved the Bobbin Chicken phrase, I laughed out loud! I will forever be saying that to myself when I start wondering if my bobbin thread will make it just one more seam :)
I play that game all too often. I usually win...but there are occasions... :-) Thanks for commenting and for watching!
Oh yes, I agree with them all. The blanket one, does really really bug me. Did a huge king size quilt for mother in law and she still calls it a blanket. Some people are just not quilt worthy.
Yes - there are some things that really are annoying for quilters! Thanks for sharing!
I made a simple comforter with fabric printed to look like a pieced quilt for my MIL once. She went on and on about all the work I must have put into it.🤷♀️ I told her the crocheted afghan I made her the year before took a lot more effort! (I just needed a break because of two wedding quilts I had made for nieces the same year I made her the cheater comforter). She just brushed off the 'pretty blue blanket' I said I made as something I probably bought and wished I could make, because I'm a quilter, it's her daughter that crochets!' 🤔
I told her I'm able to do both, my husband and girls backed me up! Made no difference in her mind.
This annoyance covers All crafts. Some people just don't "get it" beyond their mindset ideas.
Believe me, I brought the blue afghan home with me for our couch when it came time. The red comforter was kept in the car for awhile, and eventually given to our dogs for their kennel stays.
#3 Recently a youtuber I watch, received a lap quilt as a gift. He really liked it (it was an old truck) and he proudly proclaimed "I'm going to make it in to a curtain for my camper!" That poor fabric artist, I felt her pain...
#5 The Red and white plaid is woven (both sides are the same), the green plaid was printed.
#14 I can't use precuts, so many horrible experiences. Also hate pinked edges.
I think the only thing I would add is, being offered a nominal amount of money ($50?) to make someone a queen size quilt, out of batiks and within two weeks. 🤣
Thanks for the input and thanks for watching!
They have NO clue, do they?? Starting with cost of fabric, our time, etc. "Nope, I need a good 2 months, $400, for basic.squres or jelly roll strips. Patterns with triangles will be more and, I may still need to wait in line to get it quilted...which will be extra.💁♀️ Frankly, I really no longer even have space to make a queen sized quilt. (I struggled with our camper.curtains this past week, and they weren't even as big.). Oh,.and by the way, we have two kitties, and a basset pup, and their shedding season has started."😂
Now monthly really want a quilt from me?😏
Ha ha!!! I just bought fabric on sale to make a quilt as a gift. I'll have to inquire to find out if they have a queen or king size bed. I'm sure I will need more fabric for the pattern have in mind. Istil need to purchase batting and back fabric and possibly binding fabric. Probably a 125.00 to 150.00 dollar project , plus weeks of time. Quilts r works of love. And gifts to people that hopefully appreciate them. One U tuber added her materials and time spent at $15.00 an hour for a queen size quilt and the total was $1,690.00 That's why not many want to pay quilters for their craft.
THANK YOU soooo much for calling it fabric! my hair stands on end when people call it material!!
Oh yes...that's another one I forgot! :-) Thanks for watching!
I think it depends on the area in the country. I grew up in the northeast. My grandmother always called it material. It took me many years, after starting to quilt, to start calling it fabric. It's the same with "soda" "pop" and in Massachusetts it was called "tonic". You just have to be tolerable for regional differences.
@@brendagriffin6437 Do not care for the word "pop" when soda is meant. Somehow that sounds so wrong.
@@C123abc In many southern states you have white pop and dark pop. White pop is Sprite or 7*up. Dark pop is Coke or Pepsi. Normally you just ask for one or the other and they serve you whatever they have.
It was called material when I was a child!
Thanks for this. When I see the word ‘boarder’ - I think of someone on a skate board or a surf board. Of course, a renter also works.
My rotary cutter is never left open. It has a spring action, so as soon as I let go, it is closed. I can’t even count how many times I have seen posts on quilt group about people who had to get stitches because of cutter accidents. One person dropped her cutter, and it sliced into her foot, cutting an artery!!
When you were swinging yours around, all I could see was it slicing into your face!!!! How absolutely horrific that would be!
Happy quilting. 😊
Yes - there are so many accidents waiting to happen with our cutters. BTW - my cutter was closed when I was swinging it around... Thanks for watching!
I get aggravated with quilters who are presumably teaching at least some beginning quilters, and talk about pinning with disdain. "You COULD pin this but I never do". As if using pins is a character flaw and those who don't pin are somehow superior. You won't go wrong using pins but you sure can go wrong not using them. If you don't need to pin, then don't in your own life, but teaching it as unnecessary is setting people up for frustration.
Yes - I know it's not popular but I ALWAYS pin...especially intersections, borders, and larger pieces. I never understood why there are those who don't. I just don't get a good finish without pinning and I ALWAYS share that information when teaching. Thanks for sharing.
Ooo - it absolutely drives me crazy with so many quilters in videos who do not pin! I come from a hand piecing only background (1979) when pins were necessary, plus my Mom was an excellent seamstress and used pins generously. I use them as many as I think I need and then maybe add a few more! Not pinning when as a beginner can cause difficulties - when I reach new quilters, I tell them that I pin and they can choose whether to or not, but it is more helpful if they do at the beginning. They can choose not to if they feel comfortable but I dint recommend it. I love all my pins for different uses!!!😁😁
Agreed, I’m a proud pinner and a presser!
Power issues are the worst! I have eased the pain by using an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) between the outlet and machine. The UPS gives about 5 minutes of battery power so I can end the sewing session calmly. It also protects my machine from dangerous surges, etc.
I loved the video!!
Great tip and thanks so much for watching!
Always have a surge protector on your computerized machine, even if you don't go to the extent of a UPS .
Amen on the ironing! So many quilting videos show the presenter working with wrinkled fabric... I can't even watch!
Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching!
#4 I will add that I've heard this used on popular quilting channels : saying " binded" . Binded is not a word. Past tense of bind is bound. I bound the quilt.
Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching!
Binding is a word. It is the act of fastening, securing, and uniting.
@@carolrainbolt5669 binding is absolutely a word. BINDED,however, is not. The past tense of bind is bound, not binded.
Yep - grammer.com says: Binded is an incorrect word, the correct past tense of bind is bound.
The first two rules when I am teaching a new quilter is press the fabric, and measure twice the. A third time before cutting. Loved your video.
Thank you! Great advice for a new quilter!
Never mind selvage, it’s not that common - plenty of people haven’t mastered their, there and they’re!
True! Thanks for watching!
"me and him" or "him and I" get me down. But I know this is not about grammar.
You’re, and your, two, too, and to…and apostrophes! It’s not “two apple’s”! 🤬
Oh yes, so many of these resonate with me. Re: pets walking on quilts with pins...
While making my very first patchwork quilt, I really didn't know what I was doing and I had bought a package of super sharp quilting pins to baste my quilt sandwich. My older sister was visiting from out of town and I had just finished basting the quilt right in front of her in the middle of my living room floor (leaving ample space for anyone to walk around my project to get anywhere). I sat down to rest a little bit and my sister immediately got up and walked right across the middle of my quilt with bare feet then jumped up and shrieked in pain. It happened so quickly and I never imagined she would do such a thing, so I was caught completely off guard. She watched me put all those pins in and I had accidentally jabbed myself several times (suddenly jerking my hand back every single time and yelling "Ouch! Man, these pins are unbelievably sharp!") and it honestly didn't occur to me to say to her, "Hey, whatever you do, don't walk on my project." or "In case you hadn't already picked up on this, these pins are super sharp so don't put your bare foot on one of them." After she stuck het foot on a pin and bled on my quilt, she got really mad at me and blamed me for her injury. WTH?!
Oh my...sounds like a difficult lesson learned... Thanks for sharing!
Get ready. Here it comes. Guess she got the point of not walking on your quilt.
Sorry she bled on your quilt. Serves her right to get stuck for walking on a quilt! Who does that, pins or not?
I can't believe you should have to tell someone not to walk on your quilt. That was just rude.
😮
I also can't stand it when the title of a quilting demo video indicates a "No Waste" pattern, but then they proceed to cut off and throw away an inordinate amount of fabric or demonstrate an unnecessarily wasteful technique.
Thanks for sharing and for watching!
I still can't get used to the word "sewist". Or to sew/draw "acrossed", I don't even know how to spell that! I don't understand why expensive quilt fabric is printed off grain.
I agree with you on all counts! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, the word sewist drives me wild.
"Sewist" makes me cringe!
Thank you for mentioning pets. I totally agree with everything you said.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
I have pets in my home.Although not in my work area, I always tell people when they buy a quilt from me or I give them a quilt that I do have pets in the home. 😊So if they have allergies please wash it first
My pet peeve are quilters changing names of established terms. Like "flimsy" for "top", "webbing" for "chain piecing", and my favorite "low volume" for "lights".
Yes - it can be so confusing to new quilters. We do have a quilting "language"...with words that can be foreign to new quilters. I'm not excited about adding to the confusion by creating new terms. Thanks for sharing!
"Colorway" really bugs me. Why not call it "palette" or "color palette"?
Webbing is different than chain piecing.
Webbing is different than chain piecing.
Webbing is different than chain piecing.
I share so many of these. Hubby uses the term afghan…ugh! I bought a rotary cutter that only engages when squeezed (gentle squeeze) for cutting. It’s been a game changer since I could never remember to close mine. Watching YT with wrinkled fabric - I want to scream IRON IT!
I agree! I do have the squeeze rotary cutter, but I prefer the handle on my "close it yourself" model. I should use the squeeze cutter for my videos - that way I don't have to think about it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for calling out the misspelling of border! I see that all of the time and it bugs me also!
Just one of those things..... :-) Thanks for watching!
I think sometimes it is autocorrect on a phone.
I started quilting 20 years ago. As I watch TH-cam with folks from around the world, different words are used for the same thing. Such as flimsy for quilt top. I think it's fun to hear. I grew up with material. Now it is fabric. Two of my cats were quilt testers. But only for family quilts. I miss Freddie and Holly. I do close my rotary cutter frequently. I don't sew over pins anymore. I'm not perfect, but my bad habits have lessened. Sew there.
I'm so sorry Marion - this was simply for fun. If you felt like fingers were pointing at you, that certainly wasn't my intention. Thank you for watching.
Mary I chuckled all the way through this . I felt every one them. LOL. Well the flood has to be my biggest pet peeve to not have all my fabric with me. Luckily I found someone in Church that I have known her whole life that is going to babysit my LongArm. 😊😊😊😊 She was in my best friends quild. So it will be taken care of and all the ladies in the group will have access to Quilting. The best thing so will I. I am so happy I cried when
said yes. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊I thank You so much for your Joyful videos.
You're so welcome Gwen and I'm so glad to hear that you have had some wonderful news! You have certainly been through a lot, and I'm so glad you have such a wonderful group of friends that are there for you! That really brings me joy!
Making a beautiful quilt that took a lot of time and investment and seeing it used as a truck liner to keep the trunk clean......
Oh my gosh!!! YES!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Yes,yes. I put a lot of work into what ever I have crafted.
I made a quilt just for my car. I got it in a zippered plastic bag (I know! I know!!!) But it's for emergency in the winter or picnics the rest of the year.
But yes, if I spent $10-15/yd on fabric, thread and batting just to be a trunk liner, I'd have kitten...
I agree with you, totally, but keep in mind, once you gift something to someone, whatever they do with it is their business. In those cases, I keep in mind that they didn't appreciate my work, and they will never get anything else I make, again.
Making a baby quilt and finding it a year later in Goodwill
Many of your pet peeves are mine also. I no longer have worry about the electric going out since we now have a whole house generator. Thanks for this video.
To have a whole house generator would be AMAZING!!! We have a generator, but it doesn't automatically switch over when the power goes out. That would be my dream! Thanks for sharing!
I found out a loooooong time ago and precuts aren't always cut to the shape they're supposed to be and, like you, ya have to cut them to the correct size.
One of my huges pet peeves are the pre-cuts with the pinked edges. One manufacturer might have the full width at the bottom of the "v" but another one might have it at the top of the "v" but you don't know until you measure...each piece!
Pineapple fabrics has Matt's precuts and I've not have a problem with any of those precuts, they are spot on and without the pinking on the edges.
Thanks so much for the info! I couldn't agree with you more. I'll check out Matt's precuts.
I hate pinked edges. I won't buy pre-cuts that have been pinked. Not only can you never figure out where the actual edge is, but I use a seam guide and the extra fabric means readjusting the guide. Just say NO to pinked edges!
These were all great! ❤ My biggest quilting pet peeve of all time 🔥 is the recent trend of some TH-camrs to call a quilt top a flimsy. A quilt top is NOT a flimsy. Nothing I put my hard work and care into is flimsy. From the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: “badly made and not strong enough for the purpose for which it is used. Rickety.” Webster’s Dictionary: “Poorly made.” It feels good to get that off my chest. 😝
I hadn't heard the term "flimsy" used until recently. I prefer quilt top. Thanks for sharing!
Well, that's a stitch! Oxford Dictionary (British) definition, is there a second definition?) because the use of the word 'flimsy' for quilt top is mainly spoken by what I have heard from the British quilter's or those descended from British roots , for example some Australians.
Yes! There's a Canadian TH-camr who calls it a flimsy! Maybe because of British roots in Canada? But it grates on me.
The NAME of the pieced quilt top is FLIMSY! LOL! That's what it is!
@@camagnuson6108 Sorry, I’ve been quilting for 25+ years, watching PBS quilt shows and TH-cam videos for years, and I’ve never heard a quilt top called a flimsy until recently. The name of a quilt top is a quilt top. That’s what it’s called. 🙂
Always learning &/or being reminded! Appreciate what you share &:such a great ending lol !
Thank you! Thanks for watching!
I totally agree about pets around quilts! I quilt for Project Linus and we are so strict about no pet hair on the quilts or blankets!
Yes! Thanks for sharing!
That is why I can't make quilts for them, as much as I'd love to. Those hairs turn up out of NOwhere. I just can't escape the hairs.
@@wendywilson1736 Project Linus requires the quilts and blankets be laundered before they are donated. That could solve the hair problem.
I wash all Project Linus blankets and immediately put in plastic bags to store for donation...I have cats 🐈
Finished IS better than perfect.
That is a "blanket" statement. I've found there are just too many other details that go into making that statement! Totally my personal opinion! Thanks for watching Kitty!
Maybe. I don't believe perfect is attainable. But....with the cost of materials, and all the time and effort put into quilts, we sort of owe it to ourselves to do a good job. I've got two twin-sized quilt tops on my shelf, and I made them out of leftovers from another quilt. Then I pieced a gorgeous border, and beautiful corners. But...the quilt isn't as good as the effort I put into the edges--a simple, scrappy 9 patch. I'll finish them eventually, but I wish I'd put more thought into them. With the costs of batting and backing, and the effort to sandwich and quilt them, I should have aimed higher.
If better is possible then good isn’t good enough!
I think that phrase is sometimes construed to mean it’s ok to be sloppy but I don’t look at it that way. To me, it means that when you have done the best work you are capable of but all the points aren’t perfect or there is some other issue, don’t let it stop you from finishing. The more projects you make, the better you will get at those areas that need improvement. Also, if you finish and THEN notice an issue, don’t be ashamed of it if you did the best work you could do, and don’t let it stop you from making another quilt. The fact of the matter is that most people won’t even notice it - I find I am much more critical of my own work than others are.
Yes - that's exactly what I said in the video when referring to my first quilt. It wasn't perfect (or even close) but I'm so glad I finished it. I did my very best even though the workmanship is not even close to perfect. Others may equate "finished" as "sloppily finished" rather than doing their best - cutting corners, skipping important steps, etc. just to get it done. That's where I disagree with the statement.
My OCD would play well with yours!! 😉
Thanks and thanks for watching!
My pet peeve is pre cuts not being the advertised size. Fat quarters being wonky or short cut. Love the phrase playing bobbin chicken!! If it's ok I'm going to borrow your saying - it's so funny and so right. 😂😂
You're welcome to use it - not my phrase...but don't know where I heard it first. Thanks for watching!
Precut plaids---never bother with them them for the reasons you note. Love plaids on a back or for binding, but they are distracting. Now, here's my pet peeve.....use of stripes etc in blocks where the rotation is goofed up so your eyes go all googly.
With respect to "finished is better than perfect", it goes in line with the saying that "perfection is the enemy of the good". When we start out, none of our quilts are perfect because we are in our learning curve. I would reframe it to "A finished quilt, to the best of your current ability, is better than an unfinished quilt." It takes time to learn and master all of the techniques that are now second nature to those of us who are more experienced.
Other than that, quilting is about preferences, and I try not to let other's preferences or foibles turn into peeves.
Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment!
Hi Mary! I thought it was all pretty funny from your view. Your pet peeves are 100% right on. Especially the checked fabric. Time for me to straighten up my sewing area again. 😼. I need to figure out what hand sewing project to take on a trip. Cross stitch most likely. When I travel in my RV the sewing machine comes along. Please take care. I really enjoy your website. Marion in Oregon.
Thank you so much!
New Subscriber alert! It's ME!!! YAY!!! I have a fabulous sewing area that I enjoy very much. It's on the 2nd floor of the barn we had built back in 2010. We live in the country and needed a place to store my husband's farm tractor. We are not farmers, but he has a farm tractor. I share my upstairs sewing room with my husband. Besides the tractor he uses to plow up my veggie garden, he repairs sewing machines in his tiny work area. He is almost the last sewing machine repairman in Ohio, and he is very good at this. The barn measures 24' x 24', but I only have half of that space for my quilt making. The other half is filled with about 350 Vintage sewing machines that husband bought, fixed and stored up there. After 11 years of gathering all these machines, he announced that he wants to sell them. Okay do it! I need more space for my fabric and for Kevin. And who is Kevin? He is the cat I rescued in March of 2023. He is my helper when I sew. He stays out of my way, just sleeping under my sewing table. But Kevin needs more room for all of his toys and bowl of treats. My drink of choice in the sewing room is a bottle of water. If it spills, I'm okay. I'm done with my rant except that I also DESPISE #3!!!
It sounds like you have an absolutely amazing oasis!!! I'm sure every quilter who reads your post is going to envy the space you and Kevin share! And when it comes to the sewing machines - WOW - what an amazing connection to quilting history! I hope you have joined our www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com community! I have a 5 point free workshop on the site, and then you will receive notifications every time we have new content or any announcements! You sound like a naturally joyful and merry quilter and we would love to make your acquaintance! Welcome!
Reference your comment on layer bakes, in England all vacuums are Hoovers. They hoover their carpet 😊
That is so interesting! Thanks for sharing! Just like some call all soda "a coke" or velcro for all loop fasteners, scotch tape, etc.
Love this and LOVED the ending.
Thank you! :-)
My pet pee e is when people say sew a quarter inch on EITHER side! You can start sewing on either side but you are sewing a quarter inch on BOTH sides of the line🤢
I never thought about that, but you are absolutely right! Thanks for sharing!
That's more of a grammar (vocabulary) problem, than quilting, IMO. But I'm with you on that!
Yep..learned the hard way, left my rotary cutter open and swiped my fabric to lay it down….cutter there to the side…😮grabbed my two fingers so fast ( still attached …just did a skim swipe, a wee bit worse then paper cuts) because all I was worried about was getting blood on the fabric. 😊 All was good a couple bandaids took care of! But I take care to “close” my rotary cutter…or use a self locking one now!
I'm sure that rings true with many quilters! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the interesting video. I agree with all your tips. Very well done!
Thank you so much and thanks for watching!
After knocking over my cups multiple times (all over the house, not just my quilting studio), now I only use Travel Mugs with Spill-Proof Lids. You have to push a button for the liquid to come out, and nothing comes out if you knock it over. Contigo is my favorite brand.
Thanks for the suggestion! And thanks for watching!
Yes I have a Contigo too. The other benefit of it is that it keeps your coffee hot for at least a couple hours.
Sorry, but the whole “fabric” scissors obsession is one of my biggest pet peeves! For many years I only had two pairs of scissors, 8” Fiskars and small needlework scissors, both of which I purchased when I got married at age 18. I was fortunate that my Fiskars came with a blade cover with sharpening rods built into it. I still have and use these today although I do now, at age 69, have some specialty scissors for other crafts materials as well. Also, use drink containers with covers and set them away from your work as you would when using a keyboard to stop preventable spills. Good quilting.
Thanks for sharing and for watching!
I have a pair of very old Wiss scissors that have cut just about anything including small Christmas tree branches and are still as sharp as they were originally. I do guard my scissors though!
The greatest thing to come along for me was left handed scissors. No one touched them because they couldn't use them. Yes,the struggle was real for left handers far too long.
@@linetteevans8337 My late sister also. She had so much trouble in high school home economics class back in the 70’s with the teacher harassing her and not letting her bring her lefty scissors to school, till our mother had a “talk” with her with the girls’ vice principal present. Then no problem…the school bought several pairs. Amazing, sometimes, what can be accomplished with a little advocacy.
@robinmeadows4758 my grandson was in a sewing class this year. The teacher commented that she had to order 4 pairs of the left-handed scissors. I know lefties have always adapted, but why were these not available from past classes? I purchased him his own pair.
Such a great video & love the ending. So many safety tips. Sharing with my guild. Thanks Mary🪡🧵
Thanks so much!!!! I really appreciate it Deb! Thanks for watching!
Thank you Mary. I really enjoy your videos. You give very helpful information with a great sense of humor. ❤
You're so welcome! Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching, Dee!
Pet Peeve #1 in my book: People who like us to think that their work is or usually is "perfect", just not this time. I cringe EVERY time I hear "It's not perfect but...". Come on, lady, it NEVER was going to be perfect. NO ONE's work is "perfect". STOP IT!
I taught a youth class several years ago, and one of the 16 year olds called me on the carpet when she complimented me and I dismissed the comment. Her response was "I hate when people can't just accept a compliment without making excuses." I never forgot that. Sometimes we just need to say "Thank you." rather than come up with every reason why "it's not perfect". Lesson learned from a wise 16 year old! :-) Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!
Great topic for your video this week!
Thanks - we had fun with it!
Wow I can totally agree with pretty much everything but my two biggest peeves are using boarder for border and pre cuts that are not accurate. I especially dislike pre cuts that have pinked edged because they are never accurate and it drives me crazy!! Thanks for the great video.
You're so welcome! Thanks for watching and thank you for your kind words!
Teachers saying:
-“salvages”
-“pressure feet”
-“never use poly thread - it will cut your fabric”
-“you MUST (or should NEVER) prewash”
-“cut fabric into individual pieces” (when most often the more efficient method would be strip cutting)
-“just use cutting mat lines” (rather than ruler) for cutting.
HUGE pet peeves for me, too!
I agree...however, I have found that it is possible to use the cutting mat for some cuts...especially using some of the new mats that are accurately calibrated. For intricate cuts, however, I have to agree with you,..a ruler is the only way! NO CUTTING MAT cutting for some projects.
Yup. Salvages seems to be way more common than selvages! And how about “patterin”?
Poly thread years ago would have been a no-no but the poly we have today is just fine. I’ve started using pre-filled poly bobbins in my machine and it works beautifully.
You read my mind! Not only un-ironed fabric but I cringe when watching videos trying to cut large pieces accurately on a tiny board. Ironing, as well on a tiny board.
I agree! Thanks for sharing and for watching!
My wife uses a small ironing board to starch and press small pieces of fabric before sewing …….
My pet peeve is quilting police….. they take the joy out of quilting
That is so true! Thanks for sharing!
I was giggling at your pet peeves, as most are mine as well. Your first peeve watching a messy cluttered area I want to reach into the screen and clean it up 😂😂 Miss 4yrs was doing a craft with her mum and said “ no mama you have to tidy up your table first before you start again, that’s what nana and I do” 🤷♀️teach them young lol
Too cute! Thanks for sharing!!!
11) Calling it a “pressure” foot instead of the correct “presser” foot. 2) TH-cam quilt influencers who never show the backs of their quilts after zipping through them a mile a minute. 3) Machine manufacturers that label their models as “quilting machines” only because they have 200 built in stitches. (that hardly ever get used in quilting).
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!
I just happened upon your video and you cracked me up because I agree with you completely! I am now subscribed for more laughs!
Thanks so much and welcome!
I relate to many of these. The one about pets gets me. I was actually at a quilt shop and the lady was trying to cut fabric for someone and kept having to move the cat to the side of the table. I know you’re not talking about shops but just had to share.
Thanks for sharing! I get it!
My pet peeve regarding pets is when quilters film with their pets walking all over their fabrics, sewing machines, cutting areas. In addition to safety issues, it is very distracting to viewers.
@@esthernormand7991 I agree!
At 5:00 you called your 10" square part of a Layer Cake. Moda has the rights to that particular term, so are you saying that Moda prints gingham off grain?
@PowerToolsWithThread No I'm not saying that at all - I apologize for the confusion. The term Layer Cake is actually trademarked by Moda, but a term often used by quilters when referring to a 10" x 10" square. (Such as Kleenex when referring to a tissue or Xerox when referring to a photo copy.) I am simply referring to 10" x 10" squares that are cut off grain and not in any way calling this a Moda product. The gingham square in the video can not be found in any Moda Layer Cake. I'm very sorry for the confusion. I have posted a pinned comment with a clarification below the video as well as a clarification in the description of the video to clear up any confusion. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Sewing over pins can put your timing out! Even when I took tailoring classes in University my instructors told us not to sew over pins!
And that's why I never sew over pins. I've had the timing go out on my longarm when I hit a pin accidentally...I can't even imagine doing it on purpose! Thanks for watching!
I have owned BORDER (not BOARDER)Collies since 1990, way before I started quilting. Number 4 has been a pet peeve of mine ever since.
There are so many ways to use the word! Hopefully we've all learned as we share! Thanks for watching!
I see you have received many comments regarding this video! Right now my number one pet peeve is when a "You Tuber" refers to a quilt they have made from a set of manufacturer precuts, i.e. charm pack, jelly roll, etc. as "scrappy"! This really gets my goat. This is NOT a scrap quilt!!!!! Scrap quilts are made from SCRAPS of fabric a quilter pulls from their stash. Quilts made from a set of precuts can be described as colorful, beautiful...whatever. I can see them wanting to push their fabric lines and that is fine but please do no insult true scrap quilters in the process!
Thanks for sharing! I totally see where you're coming from. It seems as though the term "scrappy" has almost taken on a new meaning with some quilters. While a scrappy quilt, as you said, is a quilt made from leftover scraps, there are those who use the term "scrappy" when describing the overall look of the quilt, referring to a quilt as scrappy simply because it was made from a variety of fabrics - whether it be actual scraps or pre-cuts. Just my opinion...
Background music on blogs or videos that is so loud that I cannot hear the words they are speaking.
Thanks for the input! Thanks for watching!
I'm NOT a professional or very good with English but I do know that unpicking means not picking. It just plucks my nerves that professional people would say such a thing .
I never thought about that - but you're absolutely correct! Thanks for watching!
The one about not calling a quilt a blanket made me smile. I've made that clear to my son and his family, so on occasion, they say blanket to see how I react. 😊
Ha Ha! I get it! Thanks for watching!
I agree with most of your pet peeves. I've experienced frustrations, etc with every peeve you mentioned. The only one I don't consider a peeve is the 'finished is better than perfect'. Those words have really helped me on my quilting journey. Being a little OCD about many things in my life, that quote has actually made space in my life for imperfection. I still try my best but then am able to leave it there. Previously I would have driven myself nuts trying to get something 'perfect'. Anyway, it was fun watching your video!
Thanks for watching!
I agree with some of your pet peeves. The biggest one for me is when someone I have given a quilt to responds by saying "thanks so much for the blanket." LOL
Thanks for watching!
I have never seen your videos before, but I love you 😂 this was a super fun video and I’m excited to check out your other videos!! ❤
I'm so excited to have you join me!!! We just launched our Joyful and Merry Community Quilt Guild to begin on May 2nd. Here's the video link if you'd like to watch to see what we're all about - we'd love to have you as part of our group! www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com/foundingmemberzoomreplay?fbclid=IwAR38ezKJXg-p87pz-jWEyShRBQImx3qTihgOf6x6W0MZXn2eLCkGAeIt1HQ
I've had my needle snap with such force that a shard hit my glasses when I accidentally hit a pin. Sewing over pins is dangerous. Set in poofy sleeves hide pins....
Yes - I agree. Thanks for watching.
When I first started quilting I tied my quilts. I didn't have the money to pay someone else to quilt them and I hated wrestling with them and my domestic machine. Then I had someone tell me they were not quilts unless they were quilted. If they were not quilted they were comforters. I kept tying my quilts and then I gifted one to the daughter of a friend. My friend had another friend who always sent her quilts to a longarm quilter. My friend's daughter told her mother that at least I could say my quilts were completely my work. I was so moved by this that I continued to tie my quilts until I found a place I could rent a longarm machine. Today my quilts are still all my work. Another pet peeve of mine is watching a TH-camr who's cat is all over the table and then the person picks up the cat and loves on it. I have better things to do with my time then watch you love on your cat. I'm a pet lover myself but I usually push through the parts that have nothing to do with quilting. And I am so with you about someone cutting with a rotary cutter pulling it back toward themselves. It is like nails on the chalk board!
Isn't it amazing how there are some actions that just irritate us! I guess that's why it' a PET peeve! :-) Thanks for sharing!
So glad you mentioned this. I guess you could say I don't appreciate 'quilters' on TH-cam who only make tops and then have a pro-long-armer finish it. They didn't really make the quilt in my opinion.
You are so on point! I completely agree with food and beverages in my sewing area…the only thing I bring in is bottled water with the cap on
Great idea! Water bottles are the way to go! Thanks for sharing!
I never understood sewing while standing. I love watching YT for quilting ideas but there are some that need to edit. One is so messy, disorganized and always licking her finger. Another has such a cluttered work area, I guess it's all her products she is trying to promote. I totally agree with all of your pet peeves, thank you!
Everyone has their own style, don't they! Thanks so much for watching!
I sew while standing because I have back and knee problems. Getting up and down from a chair is painful. My kids got me a table for my sewing machine that moves up and down, and it was a game changer. If I'm sewing lots of pieces at once or attaching binding or other extended sewing task, I will lower the table and sit in a chair. But if I'm sewing a few pieces, then going to the ironing board or cutting table, yes, I will stand to sew and not have a lot of up and down out of my chair.
I thought I was the only person who loathes “finished is better than perfect.” I feel like it gives people permission to be sloppy. And Angela Walters (whom I do admire) is often credited with saying it first; Voltaire & Aristotle each said essentially the same thing in other words.
Interesting history! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
I make miniature quilts. They require all the techniques of a full sized quilt without requiring a second mortgage to pay for the fabric. But they are not a " really pretty POT HOLDER!!!"
I love miniatures! I'd love to see what you've created! Thanks for watching!
These are good peeves you mentioned, and good peeves in the comments. My peeve is mistakes on patterns. It's as if everyone thinks they are a designer, but don't test their patterns before publishing them. Another peeve is when someone says, "I seen him yesterday." It should be "I SAW him yesterday".
Thank you so much! As a pattern designer...I have to stick up for other designers as well as myself. :-) I always make the quilt 3 times after designing it. I follow along with the pattern, check, double check and check a third time, and there always seems to be SOMETHING that gets missed. We try our best...and it's always so upsetting when we find we missed a mistake. Thanks for watching!
@@joyfulandmerryquilting I test quilt patterns for 4 different designers and an online quilt magazine. I don't get paid for doing it, just get the completed, corrected pattern after it's published. One person will throw in a coupon to get one of her other patterns for free sometimes. The magazine extends my subscription by 3 months for every quilt I test. It might take a little longer for the quilt to get to market, but it helps alleviate issues that the designer didn't see. They all just solicited for testers in their newsletters. I can choose whether or not to work on a particular pattern, and they all have varying deadlines which factor into my decision to work on it. Most are 3-6 week turnaround times.
Good point. Thanks@@joyfulandmerryquilting
@@kw1ltsThanks for that. Interesting information.
Thank you so much for that information! That is very helpful!
My pet peeve is more about sewing machines. I have bought two in the last 5 years. One mid range and one is pretty much top of the range. Each from different makers. Both machines refuse to fill a bobbin properly, meaning I have to refill my bobbins more often. Something I never encountered with the many very cheap machines I have purchased over the years.
Winding a bobbin is one of those tasks we'd like to do LESS often than MORE often. Why the change??? I agree - thanks for sharing!
I loved your pet peeves and #13 hit home with me. Many years ago I was making a christening gown for a grandson and spilled half a cup of black coffee on it. You know the mess that made and the aggravation it gave me cleaning that half complete garment. (Before that I had a close call with a chocolate bar) Since then my #1 RULE is "NO drink - NO food in my sewing room". If I get hungry or thirsty it's probably a good time to take a move & stretch break, go to the kitchen, eat or drink what I need, then return to sewing full and happy. Haven't had a food or drink mishap since.
Those mishaps tend to change the way we do things, don't they? Thanks for sharing Judy!
That was refreshingly funny!!! Thanks!!!
You're so welcome! And thank you for receiving it in the way it was intended...just to be funny! Thanks Camille!
Sewing over pins can break the needle. I had just gotten my first pair of glasses and was sewing. I went over a pin, the needle shattered, and I not only got a tiny cut on my cheek from one of flying pieces but my new glasses were chipped right in the center. I don’t sew over pins anymore…
Oh my goodness...yes...that can be very dangerous! Thanks so much for sharing! I agree...it happens more than we realize!
My work area is always messy! 🤪
We creative types tend to be messy. As much as our lack of organization might drive others crazy, their OCD drives me equally as crazy...and I bet we're, generally, happier people.
@@ladyjane3660 I agree. I am very ADD so get bored with a project taking a lot of time, so I start another one…. 🤪 right now I have 4 active projects going on. It looks like a bomb went off in my sewing room. 🤷♀️ glad to know I am
Not the only one.
Mine always gets messy. What I don't like is trying to start something new on top of the mess that's already there. One mess can be organized chaos...a several-project-mess can cause too many issues along the way. I have to clean up one mess before I make another!
I think I'm a pretty happy person...and I do seem to have a mess waiting to happen with each project. BUT...I don't like more than one mess sharing my work area. :-)
@@joyfulandmerryquiltingEven as messy as I can be, I do have a breaking point, and just have to stop and regroup. I tend to go from one project to the next without taking the time to declutter from the previous project. Bad, bad habit.
Mary, I have to be the unluckiest person ever to buy pre-cuts. FQs where the gingham was
as you described. Charm packs with writing which was supposed to read Merry
starts here instead erry tarts ere. Jelly rolls never 2 1/2" layer cakes which didn't have all
the squares as advertised. I live overseas and no fabric shop where I live
I buy online and shipping is very expensive.Buying well known brands is no guarantee
of quality. Contacted one manufacturer who told me they didn't deal with the public.
To which I replied who do you think buys your fabric and whose money is helping
to swell your coffers?
Isn't that annoying!!! I absolutely agree. I did buy a jelly roll that had the dreaded "v" in the center of each strip - I wrote to the company and showed pictures and they did replace it. We pay a lot of extra $$$ to have our strips "pre-cut"...and I want them to be usable.
My pet peeve is those you tubers demonstrating piecing and not trimming the threads before adding more sewing pieces.
Thanks for sharing - and thanks for watching!
As a former Home Ec. Teacher, I have a pet peeve regarding proper names of sewing tools. The biggest mistake many people make is the difference between scissors and shears. Shears have handle openings for your thumb & fingers & has a flat side that rides against the table when cutting fabric. Scissors usually have openings for thumb & 1, maybe 2 fingers & look the same when turned either way. They are used for snipping threads. Your "scissors", in peeve # 2 are actually shears.
Thank you for the information! I have found that it's a common misconception that 'shears' and 'scissors' are entirely interchangeable - but now I know they are not! Thank you! Interestingly, as the tools have evolved, people often use the terms interchangeably, even though each actually does serve its own unique purpose! Again, thanks for watching and for the information you provided. It's most appreciated!
I use a rotary cutter I have had/used since 1981. I have to sqeeze the handle to use, it also has a button (moves back & forward), that locks it. Even without being locked I can pick it up & the blade is secured, not exposed. Love it. I go through 4 to 6 blades weekly. I sew quilts 2 to 12 hours daily, 300 days a year. I make tops to sell, tied/wash/dry. They last for years. Have met countless women who told me stories of quilts they purchased years ago. My prices have changed up /down through the years to reflect what is fair, saleable, etc. I've been selling since 1975, started at age 9. My grandmother taught me to make my 1sr quilt, I'm 79. Hab WAY to much fabric, create "kits", will not tell the number i have . I also rug hook, knit, read, "awesome "cook, a widow and no tv or computer. Cell phone I'm not able to use most of the functions. I HAVE NO TIME TO BE BORED!!! Thsnks for your list, could add some, but need to get back to the tieing today.
Wow Patt!!! Sounds like you have quite an amazing quilting life!!! BRAVO!!! Thanks so much for sharing - you are truly an inspiration! And thanks for watching!
"Playing chicken with my bobbin" made me laugh out loud.
We all do it, don't we! Thanks for watching!
13! It bugs me when karen brown of just get it done quilts invites you to get your sewing and a cup of tea. I do not eat or drink while sewing. I wear too much food as it is.
We all have our own routine, don't we! I'm afraid I'm just to messy to eat and drink while I sew... Thanks for watching and for sharing!
The only one I don’t agree about is the “done is better than perfect“ but that’s because I don’t think it means to do something as quickly as possible to get it done. Rather I think it means that moving forward and not obsessing over every tiny thing is better. I have this in other areas of my life to where I have to remind people that it is better to make forward progress and do your best than to worry about whether it is absolute perfection. So I have this sign hanging in both my office and my room, just as a reminder that we don’t need to stall out waiting for perfection. But, I have a lot of people in my life who will freeze while aiming for perfection.
I believe that statement is all up to interpretation. As I said in the video, I was happy with my less than perfect first quilt because I put my heart and soul into it and did my best. BUT, my clarification was that if you simply skip steps and speed through the process while putting the blocks together, just to get it done, and then ending up with a quilt that may look sloppy or poorly made...then done, in my opinion, is not better than perfect. And again...I use the term "perfect" loosely. We'll have to agree to disagree. Thanks for watching, Vicki!
Good advise. Clever ending, 😊❤
Thank you! I can't tell you how many times we've had an interruption...right at a "good part". Definitely a pet peeve of mine! Thanks for watching!
Once when I was new at quilting I left my rotary cutter open on the cutting table. Next thing you know, I was bleeding and I didn’t even know why! Luckily it wasn’t serious. Those things are so sharp that I brushed against it without even realizing. Be careful! 🙂
The exact same thing happened to me - cut across the tips of two fingers and I didn't even know it. Not serious, but still.... Thanks for sharing!
The only precuts I will buy are the ones that Matt Jordan (Jordan Fabrics) cuts himself. I have heard that some manufacturers are cutting bigger because of complaints about cuts being smaller than they should be. I have two pet peeves. All the fancy gadgets that new quilters are told they 'need.' Like papers so they can sew on the lines. Where's the creativity and the skill in that? But my biggest one... quilters on youtube who can't say selvidge and call it salvage. One got cute once and, after giggling, said, 'I know it's wrong but I just can't say that word.' Seriously? Great video.
I have found good accurate pre-cut fabrics from a variety of designers, which is encouraging. But, on the occasion where they are off, it can be VERY DIS-couraging! Thanks so much for your input and for watching!