Until now, I have been reserved about 'grading' my patterns.
You see, unless I know your background and attitude to sewing, it would be hard to recommend to you a 'beginner', 'intermediate' or 'advanced' quilting pattern.
I've been teaching people to sew and quilt for nearly 8 years. I've seen complete beginners take on technical patterns with a 'bring it on' attitude and totally nail it. I've seen seasoned sewists attempt beginner level techniques for the first time and have near nervous break-downs! And I've seen everything in between.
One thing I've learned is that your APPROACH and ATTITUDE to your learning is key!
Yes of course we have different learning styles; yes of course we have our preferred techniques and comfort zones. Sometimes additional support or explanation is needed from others, and of course experience can count for something. But never underestimate the power of a mind that is open and teachable to new things. (I also find a healthy dose of patience and determination go a long way too!)
No matter how long I've been sewing for, I still have much to learn. When I try out a new technique for the first time, I become a beginner all over again!
We all have different perspectives of what these terms mean. I get 'beginners' in my classes who have never used a rotary cutter before, and some who have; some already know how to use a sewing machine and some don't! Some know what quarter inch seams and fat quarters are, and others look at me like I've got 2 heads! The term 'beginner' can be quite a broad umbrella!
Trying to define such subjective terms as 'beginner', 'intermediate' or 'advanced' within nebulus parameters isn't always helpful. For instance, a pattern marketed as 'intermediate' or 'advanced' may put off someone who has been sewing for only a short time (and yet would be more than able to complete it), or someone who has been sewing for years but hasn't tried much variety in their sewing. Equally, a 'beginner' graded pattern may rob a veteran sewer of the joy of a satisfyingly quick and uncomplicated make (my favourite kind!).
I appreciate that guidelines are sometimes needed, even if they are out in the ball park somewhere! I'm not against patterns being graded (though perhaps a more informative explanation should be given about the techniques involved, rather than just the typical 2 out of 5 stars/spools/scissors rating for example.)
What I'm not keen on is someone else, like me, or any other pattern writer, telling YOU what you are capable of achieving or not achieving. YOU are in charge of your learning.
So my questions to you are these?
How helpful are pattern gradings to you?
Do you pay much attention to them?
Would you like to see more of them?
Do you find a disparity between the levels across different pattern producers?
Do you define your sewing ability by one of these categories?
I'm keen to hear your thoughts on this. At the moment I''m reviewing some of my existing patterns and writing new ones! Your comments will help me enormously.
Thank you,
Jude xo
I never really look at gradings, just the pattern and see what i think. The less i knew the harder things i tackled! First thing i tried was single girl...
ReplyDeleteI do think there is a disparity accross different sources. Maybe it would be more helpful to have info like "features applique" "learn yseams" etc.
For clothing I look at the pattern rating as it often means a huge amount of accurate fitting needed. For crafting I just look at what I like and don't take notice of the rating. Sorry not much help there.
ReplyDeleteI too take little notice of ratings but find I need both the written word instructions and lots of pictures too if it is something I have not done before, I struggle not being sure how to press seams too if the pattern does not say whether to press open or to one side. Hopes this helps, your instructions on projects in the magazines are always very clear so you have got it right
ReplyDeleteI too look for things like: contains Y seams, needle appliqué, Pre-cut friendly, etc as I completely agree with you: attitude is key.
ReplyDeleteGood discussion. Nowadays I just look at whether I like the look of the project but it is useful to know if there are particular techniques involved. When I was a beginner it was helpful to know if something was going to be achievable for my skill ability. Perhaps you could say "suitable for beginners" , "suitable for the enthusiastic beginner" if it had some developing/more tricky elements. Got to say your patterns are always so well supported with photos that they make attempting new things more fun than frightening. Bet you'll get lots of food for thought from the comments.
ReplyDeleteI never look at the gradings as even the most challenging techniques can now be tackled in this modern age of Google! I do however hate rotary cutting and sadly am probably always destined to be a beginner in this field!
ReplyDeleteA great post that I agree and recognise so much of - perhaps, as the others have commented, guidelines such as "experience with rotary cutters required" etc.
ReplyDeleteI ignore the gradings as I find that they are not the same from one company to another. I have several quilting books which I love that have graded patterns and I often personally disagree with their systems. Perhaps as an alternative it might be useful to list some key skills involved like HSTs, needle turn appliqué etc. x
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to see what people say to your questions. As I consider myself an advanced sewer I tend to think I can make most any quilt, which is not always the case, but I muddle through anyway. I don't look at a the ratings but wonder if others do and how the rate pacts their choices.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's all about good, clear,precise instructions with ideally good, clear photos to help. Your patterns are always great but I find sometimes with the magazines I'm left to do some guess work.
ReplyDeleteI don't pay any attention to the ratings on quilting patterns, but would on dressmaking patterns and, to some extent, knitting patterns. Although I'm always knitting above my weight with the latter!
ReplyDeleteHow thoughtful of you go pose these questions? We are always learning or wanting to learn etc. I love this thread and think there are some great comments. I have been quilting for 15 years but am still scared of some things so perhaps the inclusion of the techniques involved might help, eg involves paper piecing, my personal scary thing! Lol ....this would help people decide if the pattern is for them. Hugs Sue x
ReplyDeleteHow thoughtful of you go pose these questions? We are always learning or wanting to learn etc. I love this thread and think there are some great comments. I have been quilting for 15 years but am still scared of some things so perhaps the inclusion of the techniques involved might help, eg involves paper piecing, my personal scary thing! Lol ....this would help people decide if the pattern is for them. Hugs Sue x
ReplyDeleteI pay limited attention to the ratings, but I do like to look and see why a pattern has been rated as difficult- for example, a dress pattern is difficult because of a bias cut, or a spaghetti strap to be made, and then I decide if it is difficult, or more tedious and fiddly, and do I wish to bother! I am also aware that the right tool can make fiendishly difficult work fairly easily at times!
ReplyDeleteIt can be the old exam standard, Read it over until you understand! But sometimes, it is a case of, dive in as it will be clearer once you get started!
Totally agree! I'm a how hard can it be person and up for making something if I really like it - I can't say a rating has every put me off buying but it confuses me in applying a rating to any of the patterns I've made.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes choose a quilting project in order to learn a new technique but I read the instructions all the way through really, really carefully to be sure I can visualise how to do it before I commit myself (eg by investing in materials!). Even so, there can be snags, but I am a "learn by doing" sewer so I figure it out somehow most of the time. For me, the name of the technique is helpful since YouTube has rescued me several times! I look at ratings on patterns but then usually ignore them.
ReplyDeleteAs a very experienced sewist and quilt maker I would happily make any pattern, but I do pay attention to ratings. I would choose an easy/beginner rated pattern for a quick project, an advanced one if I feel like taking on a challenge. Beside difficulty rating, I do look through the pattern to see what techniques/supplies are used, and that is another factor to decide if the pattern is good for what I have in mind.
ReplyDeleteSaying all that, I often sew a quilt from my own ideas/pattern, and I would change details in a dress making pattern if I want to.
As a very experienced sewist and quilt maker I would happily make any pattern, but I do pay attention to ratings. I would choose an easy/beginner rated pattern for a quick project, an advanced one if I feel like taking on a challenge. Beside difficulty rating, I do look through the pattern to see what techniques/supplies are used, and that is another factor to decide if the pattern is good for what I have in mind.
ReplyDeleteSaying all that, I often sew a quilt from my own ideas/pattern, and I would change details in a dress making pattern if I want to.
Very interesting, It does put me off if i read that a pattern is advanced or something similar because i just think well that sounds like hassle!!
ReplyDeleteI tend not to look at gradings as I find them off putting when I knitted a lot. One man's difficult is another man's easy peasy as you say. Its a bit like grading a curry. My husband thought the five elephants for very very hot was just a nice menu doodle!
ReplyDeleteI believe most quilt patterns now are geared towards the machine-piecer. Unfortunately, I was taught hand piecing - and only picked up a few hints on machine piecing from videos and books. So even though I've been quilting for ten years, I admit freely to being scared of matching too many triangle points! When I see a pattern with 8 pieces of fabric meeting in one intersection (such as the centers of your pinwheels in your gorgeous Pinwheels and Prairie Points quilt) I sigh and think "It's not for me". I don't need to see the rating!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of the "bring it on" attitude. I've tackled a couple of bags / pouches - some with zips - on the machine and on my own with good results (so 3D items, not 2D items like quilts), including your own "holiday coin purse tutorial" from July 2015. The feeling of achievement is great! But sometimes a small snag (fusible web not sticking properly, for example) can mean the project remains unfinished - and that would not be the pattern-maker's fault! If it is a problem with the pattern, I would contact the author of the pattern (via email or through a website) and expect at least some sort of acknowledgement and an offer of help. A good "errata" page (by "good" I also mean "easy to find") on a website is part of a good "after-sale" service, I think.
I would also factor in the size of the project. If learning a new technique, I'd rather focus on a small project but I'd bear in mind that "small project" doesn't necessarily mean small pieces / small blocks! I wouldn't recommend trying paper-piecing with a 4 inch block made up of 20 pieces! So perhaps a pattern with instructions for a test block, for example, or with a link to a tutorial on a website would be interesting.
Tip : a friend of mine always uses Christmas themed fabrics when learning a new technique so she now has a matching set of blocks (future placemats?), bags, cushions and other 3D items!
Finally, magazines. I subscribe to Quiltmania and I don't recall ever making any of their patterns! Too intricate, too big (very often rated intermediate or advanced) - but gorgeous nonetheless! By the way, they sometimes publish "corrections and clarifications" in the magazine itself so if you find something you like in an old issue of the magazine, you don't have a quick way of knowing whether the instructions are correct or not!
I don't think I've answered any of your questions! I found I agreed with what you and the other commenters wrote! I just wanted to pass on my thoughs on the topic. I hope this helps a little.
I used to let ratings guide me, back when I was a beginner. I now use my store of knowledge to look at a pattern and decide if it's something I WANT to do, rather than one I CAN do.
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