I've got a bee in my bonnet that been buzzing around for over a year now and today, I've finally had it and it's got to come out! I am a very heavy browser of quilt patterns. I love them, love buying them, love how they inspire me and make me dream how to use my stash with them, love the fabric shopping needed sometimes....you get the picture. Doesn't matter to me who the designer is or if it is in a book, magazine or single pattern, if I like it then I will get it. That is until the past year or so.
Now, this is not a critical attack on quilt designers, so please don't all email me hate mail. These are just my observations and my OWN frustrations...again, that bee..
I love finding a new quilt that I just WANT to make. What I hate and find so frustrating is the sizes that quilt patterns are being made in these days. Just today, I was checking out some new patterns, was really excited about two of them but when I checked the quilt sizes, one was 56 x 86 and the other was 76 x 76. I mean, what's up with that!!! Who the heck has a bed in those sizes. I don't know about you guys, but I have a normal, regular sized bed. It came from one of those stores that carries alot of regular sized beds. I guess the 56 x 86 could be a lap quilt for a really tall man and the 76 x76 would fit a double with a nice overhang but that pattern didn't even offer the information needed to make it queen size or any other size. It's just so frustrating these odd size quilts that are being designed. I guess my point is, I don't mind if it's designed an odd size but for what I pay for the pattern/book, couldn't they at least offer the info needed to make it fit regular beds or more bed size options. I don't want to have to sit and figure out all the calculations needed to make it fit my bed. I don't want to "throw" on some extra borders to make it fit. As a result, I find myself being very choosy about the patterns I buy. It's too bad, because there are alot of nice patterns on the market that I would buy, if only. I know you can't please everyone but am I the only one who has noticed all these weird sized quilts!??? I'm just saying "what's up with that?"
There! The bee's out and I know it won't be making any honey but at least the buzzing is gone lol!
Last week, I whipped up this little mini with KT fabrics. It was a kit from the shop. It always amazes me that small doesn't mean faster! LOL! I spend a whole day piecing the little thing :)
This quilt is from an old magazine that I don't even have the cover for anymore. It looks totally different with the color choices I made. I'm not particularly happy that I can't see the stars. I think I should have placed the beige to make the stars instead of the darks. It just needs the borders then it's another "top in waiting"...like I needed another of those ;) lol!
13 comments:
I agree with you whole-heartedly! I would very much appreciate more "normal" sizes in quilt patterns!
What pretty quilts you made in this post!!
Well, as a pattern/book writer, I found your bee was interesting. I do tend to agree with you, and frequently I will work out the various sizes, but I have sometimes wondered if people do want that, so thanks for putting your point of view.
I absolutely LOVE your mini by the way.
I agree with you. For the most part, I make bed quilts. In our house, we have 2 king size beds. Our son and daughter-in-law have a king bed. Our daughter and son-in-law have a queen bed. Patterns for king quilts are difficult to find. In the past, I have done the math and calculated so that I could make a smaller, odd sized quilt into the size that I needed. With what patterns cost, I, too, am no longer buying unless they give me queen and king directions.
I don't make many bed size quilts for my home and do tend to just decorate with them so never gave this much thought. You are right.
Hi Shell, I am glad I don't have those sizes on my patterns!! I love both quilts here, I think that second one is very, very interesting. Even though you don't see stars, actually I wouldn't even have looked for them, I like it! Gerri
I really found your "bee" interesting. We tend to use quilts as lap quilts only so I don't think of making bed-sized ones other than as gifts.
Love your little quilt -- it's adorable!
Your rant made me laugh, thank you.
I prefer quilts that offer size adjustments. In most cases I can size the patterns up to fit my needs, it is extra work to calculate the extra fabric needed.
I now look closely at patterns for clarity, and clear directions. I find myself going back to designers that provide the style I desire.
I agree with you entirely. Wall quilts are great, but one only has so many walls! Most of my quilts are for actual beds. I like Judy Martin's books because she provides multiple sizes and layouts. You'd think designers would realize that by appealing to all sorts of quilters they would broaden their customer base. Just good business if you ask me. :)
No feathers were ruffled here. I understand what you are saying. I've been making lots of small quilts lately, no particular reason, that just seems to be what I like at the moment, so I haven't noticed. I'm going to keep my eyes open for odd sizes though. I just tend to assume a larger size would fit a bed! Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
I agree with you and I'm soooooo very tired of having to figure out how to make it fit a bed. I have kids getting married now and I like to give them a nice quilt to fit their bed (queen usually but have done a king). I hope the designers listen to you bz I don't buy many patterns now either and I look for ones with regular bed sizes in them.
Cindy
I completely agree about the sizing, no particular designer in mind but everything seems so geared to using just the pre-cuts and a little yardage so all we get are "lap" size quilts, which I never make. I hate buying the wrong amount of fabric and having to re-figure the number of blocks for a quilt. I love the patterns that offer choices.
Hi! Greetings from Finland! Your quilts are so fantastic! It's so nice to find other quilters all around the world! :)
I so agree with your "bee". I too have only so many walls to use and laps to fill. My belief is that because the designers, (maybe encourage)by fabric manufacturers are to sell, make money. So the ideal of smaller is because it is quicker to make and time is money, get that quilt made and book/pattern out there. Then there for quilters will be able to make more varity of quilts. Which means sell more books, pattern and fabrics. So many quilters I have talk to want to make something that quick. Plus I think another part of the equation is the economy right now, a portions of quilters just do not have the finances to do large projects. But no matter what the reasoning behind it, I wish they should consider including bed sizes in their patterns. Ok I need to stop buzzing too. Thank you or letting me get it out of my system.
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