Quilt In A Day

[SherryG]

I went with a quilting friend to a Eleanor Burns supper and talk last night. My mom and grandmother quilt and I've watched them. But I don't understand the difference in the quilt-in-a-day method and the old way?

[auntjana]

Accuracy and speed in your piecing - and lots more fun.

QIAD uses many new techniques and rulers that makes it easier for you.
Jana

[QUODDYNLILLYMOM]

Hi SherryG! Welcome to the much easier world of El,s quilting! There's a mighty big difference. When I was young, I learned two different ways to quilt. One was by hand with pieces cut with sissors to match the rest of what was in progress. My grandmother used what ever she had or was given to make quilts for the beds of the miners that lived in her boarding house so her quilts were practical. what did not go into rugs on her loom went into quilts. her gift quilts were still hand made,but they were "purty" and the patterns were somewhat complicated with flowers made on whatever she had to sketch on and they carbon paper (a rariety for her and a treasure) was used to transfer these patterns to a box and then cut out again with sissors.It was tedious, but a chance to "sit s spell" and produce a wonderful gift with little money. Her feather tick batting was then covered and hand tied and then a fancy embroidered pillow case was made to match the quilt. These were special! In the late 1950's, I learned to sew w a machine and make all sorts of things including quilts with patterns that still required sissors and templets that i made w cereal boxes cut to size and measurements exact with rulers. I sewed a lot over the next 50 years sewing for my large family & making charity items and then decided that my fabric extras needed to be used faster than I could use it if I could only quilt faster. I was hesitant to try these pizza cutter fabric cutters that I was told needed a special surface to cut on,but
I tried and felt this was it. We have all sorts of special equipment at our beck and call to work with and El has developed ways to make it even faster and more accurate. She uses strip methods of cutting a lot and her flying gueese are very quick and accurate. So give it a try--both ways and I am sure that you will appreciate her way!--Good luck and have fun--ps start small you might want to use her quick trips and the its elementary books.

[QuiltGram8]

SherryG: Lucky you, to live in Paducah. You have Eleanor right in your front yard!!! Soak it up!!! Many of us will never be able to walk into her shop or attend one of her classes.

We have learned from her just as well. We have watched hours of her TV shows. Recorded the favorites and paused the video to draw a diagram and take nots.

I also grew up watching my Grandmother, mother and aunts, do their quilting by hand and machines piece those tiny pieces cut with scissors. I knew I wanted to learn, but when I found Eleanor,
I really got the "bug"

She is amazing and so entertaining. I love her!!!!

Velda

[purrfect-lady]

El has taken many old, traditional patterns that were tedious to cut and piece and streamlined them by devising methods of strip cutting. In most of her quilts, strips, or larger pieces are sewing together and then cut, making the process simpler and faster. Her background is in special education and this had really helped her to make her patterns a lot easier for people like me to understand.

[CaroleJ]

Quilt In A Day patterns are always clear and easy to understand. I was so lucky to have found Eleanor's methods...and am blessed I live within driving distance of her west coast shop!

Honestly, I would not be a quilter now if it weren't for QIAD...and Luanne Stout's QIAD Rail Fence book! (Thanks again, Luanne!!) I tell people all the time: if you can sew a reasonably straight line and cut fabric on the straight of the grain, YOU CAN MAKE A QUILT. Then I recommend Eleanor's books and methods; they are the best I have found.

Carole
Quilter since 2004

[Quiltmom]

Eleanor Burns was the person who really got me interested in learning how to quilt. Everyone said it so correctly. Her techniques are so simple and easy to understand. You are lucky to live in Paducah and visit her shop. I was there when I went to the quilt show in 2008. it is nice. I have also been to her California shop when i was visiting my son's family. They live at Camp Pendleton so I bribed my DGSs witha trip to ToysRUs if they went first to Eleanor's shop with me. It worked. LOL

Believe me you will learn alot from Eleanor. Good Luck!

[Irishgram]

I was so fascinated by watching Eleanor on TV, many years ago, and the way, she tossed the scraps over her shoulder, I had to start quilting....My oh my, that was years ago and she's still the best.....

[girl]

Hi SherryG,
El way is the best. I learned with a book and templet and had no ideal how at first. I been quilting for about six years now and still learning. I buy onsale or I don't buy it. Or coupons is my best friend!! I manage to have charm blocks from extras pieces of fabric and have smaller blocks I just don't know what to do with. I only live about seven hours away from Paducah ky. Welcome to the world of quilting and great to have you with us.

[wardfan]

Hi SherryG. It's great to see another Paducah quilter on the board. It sounds like you are getting the quilting bug so I hope you find a pattern you like and jump in.

Beverly