I decided to try quilting another giant spiral.
This is my second attempt–my first was the silly strings sample/table topper I made in January. While I quilted it, around and around, I started thinking about how it's worth the effort to try something new at least twice (unless you completely hate the initial experience) and maybe three times.
Some years ago, when I was developing training classes and then leading them, I often said that the first time is stressful, because you are finding out if the content and how you present it is appropriate, the second time is less stressful, because you've tweaked the class based on your first experience and are now able to notice the more subtle stuff. By the time I taught a new class the third time, I could relax and enjoy the experience.
It's not so different with trying something new in quilting. This time around, I remembered my biggest discovery from my first experience, that it makes a big difference which way you travel and that you want to go CLOCKWISE so that as you spiral out, the bulk of the quilt is on the left side of the needle.
Later today, I plan to try something else for the second time–the faux piping binding technique. It's one of those things that seems to have travelled through my local guild and become popular. I tried it last fall when I re-bound my 2002 Block Lotto Sampler quilt and wasn't entirely happy with the way it looked in the corners so decided using actual piping worked better for me. But now that I've seen some beautiful examples from members of the guild, I've decided to try this one a second time, too.
Do you ever give a technique a second chance before you decide it's not for you? Are you ever swayed by trends that travel through your quilting circles?
I'm joining the parties for WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced and Let's Bee Social on Sew Fresh Quilts..
6 comments:
I like to give stuff a second try, too. It's those firsts that give me fits! I noticed people using a flange with their binding and that looks like something I might attempt. One more cold day and then things are looking up!
Glad to see you are giving the spiral quilting one more whirl. It looks fantastic and I love the effect. Thanks for sharing your experiences with teaching. I will be jumping into the ring this fall and it is reassuring to hear that it gets better with time.
I love the spiral quilting and I plan on doing one...eventually. Thank you for sharing the tip about going clockwise. I won't forget it. And yes, I do try different things that are going around on either Pinterest or the quilt guild. It seems like for everything there is a season!
I'm glad you mentioned to go clockwise. I have a quilt for my brother pin basted and wanted to quilt it (Trip Around the World) with a spiral (round the world) but didn't know the best way to go round. Thanks for the tidbit!!!
I love the spiral quilting on this-looks great! Maybe I might give it a try!
Trying something twice is good advice! Are you enjoying your spiral better this time around? I want to try doing some spiral quilting, but I need to get a walking foot first.
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