Is It Hard Enough Yet?

Let me preface this post by saying -- this isn't about the really challenging stuff in life (family issues, health issues, etc.).

I have been in computer hell for three weeks.  My Dell computer desktop with Windows 7 finally decided to stop working.  I spent a day researching new computers and decided on an HP Envy. Amazon had a great deal on a factory refurbished model and I bit.  (Note to self – sometimes it doesn’t pay to be cheap.)  The transfer of information from my old hard drive to the new computer appeared to go really well (everything done in one evening).  I was feeling great.  

Then the latest Windows updates hit and refused to load.  I've now have spent six hours on the phone with Marlin (the HP supervisor) and others in Manila, followed by the better part of last weekend reloading programs, researching issues (every program appeared to have at least one challenge) and testing to ensure everything still worked.  Somewhere in the midst of a number of Outlook issues (which I still haven't completely resolved), I thought "This is really hard.  I would much rather be quilting, because quilting is EASY!"

Do you think quilting is EASY?  

For those that say “yes”, I’m guessing you wouldn’t have always said that.  When I originally started to quilt, even operating the sewing machine qualified as hard.  I’m pretty sure my first instructor thought teaching me was hard as well as I kept loosing the top thread because I cut my threads way to short so I didn’t waste thread.  (If you look at my waste can in my longarm room, you would tell me that I have come a long way on that front.)   But I loved it – and by the second quilt I had found a lifetime passion. 

In the early years I took a lot of classes.  If there was a quilt show, I would sign up for 3-4 classes. At the local quilt shop, I picked at least one new class each quarter.  I then began buying quilting books and magazines and watching quilting shows on TV.  Now I consider quilting relaxing and most aspects I find “easy” (at least most of the time).  

Do you think quilting is DIFFICULT?

If so, please share in the comments section what you find the most challenging.

My primary goal in pattern design and instruction is to address piecing challenges for all levels of quilters.  In particular I have worked hard at keeping the needs of the more novice quilter in mind.  Now I do design quilts that look really complicated.  They have lots of pieces ..and lots of different types of units. (I don't want to get bored.) 

You may be surprised to learn that quilters at all skill levels successfully complete these seemingly completed quilts.  Their success is aided by very detailed and well illustrated instructions.  Each step in my patterns is diagrammed.  I believe in showing placement of rulers in these diagrams.  I promote (and illustrate) tools that allow for over-sized piecing that are cut down to required sizes. As a result many of my patterns have lots of pages. 

I encourage the more novice quilter to work through the quilt one step at a time.  When you are on step 1, focus solely on that step.  Don’t’ worry about the future steps.  The more experienced quilter will quickly jump through many of the steps.  (In fact I find, many don’t read the written instructions at all – they just jump to the diagrams and piece from that.)

If you haven't tried one of my patterns, take a look at my newest releases.  As an extra incentive I am offering 10% off on these two new patterns this week in honor of Mother's Day.

Mother’s Day Offer

I know this is a busy day for many quilters.  I’m heading up to North Dakota to see my mother for the weekend. 

I would like to celebrate with you as well by offering 10% off my newest two patterns, Modern Maze and Ferris Wheel.  All orders will be fulfilled when I return on Monday.

Ferris Wheel

When going to the fair as a child, the ferris wheel was my favorite ride.  I loved the view at the top and enjoyed colorful lights late at night.  This quilt can be made with 8 fabrics or the medium and dark fabrics may be made from scraps.  If made from scraps, Charms work for the Dark; and Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters for Medium 1 and 2.

Ferris Wheel Pattern by On Point Quilter

Finished sizes:  

• Wall Hanging (36″ x 36″)
  
• Lap (66″ x 90″)
• Queen (90″ x 90″)
  
• King (114″ x 114″)

Recommended (optional) Tools:   

• Tucker Trimmer™ by Studio 180 Design
  
• Corner Pop™ by Studio 180 Design
  

To make construction easier, sections in the quilt use oversized piecing along with the mentioned specialty rulers.  If you chose not to use the specialty rulers, alternate instructions are provided.

Purchase here for sales price of $9 (regularly $10).

Modern Maze

Modern Maze Pattern by On Point Quilter

Create your own maze with these asymmetrical blocks. There are endless rotation possibilities. The quilt may be completed with four fabrics or may be made from scraps.  
Finished sizes includes:

• Wall Hanging (50 x 50)
  
• Lap (70 x 90)
• Full (80 x 90)
• Queen (100 x 100)

Recommended (optional) Tools:

• Tucker Trimmer 1™

Purchase here for sales price of $9 (regularly $10).

Happy quilting.

 Kari 

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