Are there still quilters out there, who prefer hand piecing and hand quilting?

Question

Are those machine pieced/quilted quilts anything worth?

Answer 1

There are many quilters who prefer to hand piece and hand quilt. Jinny Beyer is a well-known quilter who advocates hand piecing (see her website below). There are two schools of thought on which is faster. For people who machine piece, they can get more done in a single block of time. But people who hand piece can take their work with them and work on it whenever they have a few minutes - waiting in line, etc.

Both produce beautiful work. If I'm understanding your second line correctly, you're wondering if machine pieced/quilted quilts are worth anything. Of course they are. In fact, the sewing machine has been around for a lot longer than people think - since around 1850. Within a few decades, anyone who could afford it had a sewing machine, and used it to piece their quilts. Remember, there were two reasons to make quilts - as useful but attractive bed coverings and as decorative "status symbols." Those who were making bed coverings wanted to make it as quickly and easily as possible, so they used machines if they were able to afford them. Those who were making status symbols used machines because they wanted to show that they had the latest new thing. Even Amish quilts are often pieced on (non-electric) treadle machines - it's about efficiency.

I think that quilting is a fantastic way to express your creativity, regardless if you use a machine or sew by hand. I've oohed and aahed over hand quilted whole cloth quilts at the quilt shows, and I've exclaimed over the intricate machine pieced and quilted ones as well. They are both beautiful, and should be judged on their own merit, not by comparing them against each other.

Answer 2

I learned to hand piece and hand quilt. While I absolutely won't make or purchase anything machine quilted, I found that hand piecing was tedious, and the effort wasn't worth the results. It's a hidden seam after all. I have seen some nice machine quilting though. Those computer controlled quilting machines have some great patterns. I still prefer hand quilting though.

Answer 3

Absolutely! I do both hand and machine piecing, as well as quilting. (I do admit the majority if machine quilted though!)

The hand-work is so nice to take along - can be done while waiting in the car for the kids, at a dr.'s office, sittingin grid-locked traffic ;-) or just about anywhere.

I currently have a queen size English Paper-Piecing project on the go, as well as machine pieced projects in various stages of completion.

Answer 4

While the idea is nice, the time involved does not produce a better quality. Most times if better quality is achieved, then it creates value. There are very elaborate quilts being made regardless.

I prefer to make a quality product. Applique means handwork. Sewing a series of straight lines does not.

Answer 5

i still do it i leaned when i was young but im only twenty so....but i have half a quilt done but i dont have the patience to finish it!