This has got to be one of the questions I am most frequently asked. The problem with the question is that there are different kinds of time when it comes to making a quilt.
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Design time, which may include drafting your own design or choosing which pattern to make. |
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Supply acquisition time, also known as shopping time. You know as well as I do how long it can take to find the perfect fabric for a project! |
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Planning time – what techniques will we use, in what order will we execute them? |
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Prep time – washing and pressing the fabrics, cutting them out, maybe marking the design lines. |
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Assembling time – hand or machine sewing the quilt top. |
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Then comes the quilting time, which may include all the same steps – design, supply acquisition, planning, prep – and then the actual quilting time. |
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And finally, the finishing time – binding, hanging sleeve, label. |
Now let’s face it. This process is not always linear. We don’t always start at step 1 designing and work our way sequentially through to the binding. We run into issues:
- a fabric didn’t work or we run out thread → back to shopping time
- we piece the first few blocks and decide to change the layout → back to design time
- we get the thing up on our design wall and something is off → back to planning time – or consulting-with-our-friends time.
- or we get to the next step and we don’t know what to do next or we are afraid so we go into the ever-popular procrastinating time!
Another factor to consider is that different kinds of time require different conditions. Machine quilting time requires a sewing machine and electricity whereas appliqué can be done pretty much anywhere. Shopping time requires a store to be open and time to get there and back, so it has to be scheduled accordingly. Design time is an interesting one. I find I need to be in a good place emotionally – open, inspired, at peace. It’s pretty hard to design when you’re in a hurry or feeling frazzled or you’re hurting; whereas handwork can be calming and soothing – the perfect antidote for a grieving spirit or a long, hard day.
For this reason, we may have multiple projects on the go at the same time – one in the planning stages, one for handwork, another for machine work – and a few dozen for procrastinating.
So when someone asks how long did it take to make that quilt? – how can we possibly quantify all these different kinds of time? The only way I can answer this question is with elapsed time. Usually I know when I started and when I finished, so that’s the best answer I can provide.
Shawna McPherson says
Kathy…I am sure that you receive thousands of messages and that it is impossible to reply to, or perhaps even read them all. I want to tell you that the spiritual nature of everything you do is as inspiring as the art that comes from your faith. I love handwork, and it is for the therapy as well as the creation. I have been a law enforcement officer for over 28 years and I have specialized in forensic investigation since 2004. This has taken a toll and I struggle with PTSD and anxiety. Quilting was a therapy I found at the most critical moment…God’s work I’m sure. Thank you for what you contribute to the world.