Can this Man Learn to Quilt? (Or Should he Even Try?)
Let’s get this straight; I’m a man. By definition that gives me the attention span of a gnat on a hot summer’s day. If I fell off a building I’d get bored on the way down. So, would this be an issue when learning to quilt, or can one accomplish this before he hits the ground? I’m thinking no, so that means I’d have to learn patience; lots and lots of patience. I think I’ll start by reading the Book of Job.
Let’s assume I suddenly break out in a rash of patience, for the purpose of this blog anyway. So now what? “Quilting for Dummies”? Maybe, but I’m not dumb. Do they have a book entitled “Quilting for Ex-Cops with a Bad Sense of Humor and Zero Patience”? Or, better yet, a DVD? I’d be all over that!
I asked my fiancée, Michelle, if she’d teach me. She’s still laughing. I’ll take that as a maybe … She’s still laughing, so I guess I’m going to be self-taught.
I can do this! You’re talking to a guy that, as a child, attempted to perform surgery to de-scent a wild skunk I’d captured. Please note the word “attempted”. I will not disclose the outcome, nor will I recommend my procedure to the medical community. That was over 50 years ago, and the smell is just beginning to dissipate from my hands. Tattoos are less permanent. So we’ve established I have a can-do attitude. Will that be enough? The skunk didn’t think so, but hey, he’s a skunk, and he’s no longer with us anyway!
I believe with my new-found patience and can-do attitude, I can learn to quilt! Maybe I should mention something else: I have the hand-eye coordination of a walrus. A #10 quilting needle (I’m only pretending I know what that is) in my hands is sure to result in severe blood loss to someone, most likely me. This means my first quilt would end up being classified as a biohazard. What kind of protective gear do you guys use anyway, Kevlar?
Well, I’m not about to cave in over a little blood loss! I’ve got patience, attitude, and no fear for my well-being. I’m ready!
Maybe I should take this opportunity to disclose one other little handicap. The only subject I ever got a “D” grade in was geometry. Now, I never dreamed failing geometry would come back so late in life to bite me in the rear. Nobody ever told me, “Son, pay attention in geometry, or you will never grow up to be a quilter”. I’m really going to have to rely on my can-do attitude to forge through, dang it!
I need advice.
Rick
 Jackie D Date 5/6/2011 9:33:25 AM
I live in Durango Colorado & our Quilt show at our county Fair has been won by a man several times. I think it is pretty cool that you would even want to learn to quilt! Good luck!
LaDonna (aka Ma'am) Date 5/6/2011 9:33:27 AM
Check out Ricky Tim's (http://www.rickytims.com/). He is one of the premier male quilters in the industry if not THE premier one. If he can do it, anyone can (MALE or FEMALE) if they have the desire and mindset.
So, snuggle up to your girlfriend and ask here again, only this time, you are prepared with back up that men can quilt!!!
Good luck!
Carol Date 5/6/2011 9:36:38 AM
Rick,
Everything you talk about is in the past. If you want to quilt then you should quilt. Besides, there are machines involved and what man doesn't love machines. Go for it. I assume you are an ex cop so you have had lots of problem solving. And believe me quilts require problem solving. If nothing else, the colors are worth every misplaced stitch. Start simple, ASK FOR HELP, and go for it. Don't forget to post a photo of your first quilt. Mission accomplished. What a feeling.
Jo Anne Date 5/6/2011 9:37:42 AM
Thanks for being a writer with such a great, dry sense of humor. I needed a chuckle.
Hillary Date 5/6/2011 9:53:07 AM
At a minimum, Rick, you should start a humor blog. Your writing style is engaging and your humor delightful.
That said, I have ADD and I quilt so if I can do it, you can do it. I'd say pick up a book that looks appealing or take a class. For the sake of your relationship do not have your honey teach you.
Start simple, don't obsess about perfection, adopt an "oh *expletive* well" attitude and you'll do great. Cut it wrong, oh well, seam isn't perfectly straight, oh well.
You're not tr
TOM RAMBY Date 5/6/2011 9:57:19 AM
Yes, men can quilt - they invented the sewing machine. I have been quilting for 12 years, started at age 60 - my wife insisted I had to do something while watching the football games. I have my own stash and sewing machine. Last year I completed 25 quilts & wallhangings. I do American Wild Life - Elk, Deer, Eagles, Birds, Wofves, Buffalo, Fish, etc. I worked in the oil fields as a rougthneck, driller & toolpusher and now in real estate. Men can do anything they set their minds to do.
I belo
Debra Brown Date 5/6/2011 10:20:03 AM
You can do it. The only advice I can really give is you should start with quilt in the day, like a log cabin or irsh chain. Have fun.
Kay M Date 5/6/2011 11:15:45 AM
Try Ricky Tims' Caveman Quilting. (and yes at one point he had a DVD on the topic) Other male quilters include Michael James, John Flynn, Joe Cunningham, George Serano. And there have been other men influential in quilting. My own husband has his own quilting fabrics and made blocks and IF he can do it, anyone can. But be careful - it may be addicting. Best of luck ---
mary matthews Date 5/6/2011 11:20:27 AM
Yes, men can learn to quilt. I teach independent living skills to Developementally Disabled clients. I have one gentlemen who is a fanastic quilt maker. He designs his own quilts. It is addicting!!!!!!!!!
mary matthews Date 5/6/2011 11:20:42 AM
Yes, men can learn to quilt. I teach independent living skills to Developementally Disabled clients. I have one gentlemen who is a fanastic quilt maker. He designs his own quilts. It is addicting!!!!!!!!!
Suzie Date 5/6/2011 11:39:20 AM
PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH MY EMAIL ADDRESS
Yes, of course you can quilt. I have severe ADHD. I am 61 years old now. I sew, knit, quilt, cross stitch, do bead embroidery, make broomstick lace & do french knitting. I've won nearly 100 needle arts awards. Most people with focus problems can hyperfocus on a few things. This is mine. If I can overcome my obstacles, I know you can , too.
If you want to see some pics of my work, email me again and I will send some.
Nancy C Date 5/6/2011 11:44:38 AM
Of course you can learn to quilt Rick. AND you have a master quilter to help you. Some of the best quilters are men. Ricky Tims is just amazing! Good Luck. ;-)
anna w lawrence Date 5/6/2011 12:24:00 PM
Rick, Rosy Greer was a needlepointer. Your attitude is great...the main thing I would make sure of is that you LOVE your quilting project, each and every last piece. That makes the entire process doable.
Break a leg....(sorry... I have a theatrical background and thats our good luck wish)
Bonnie W. Date 5/6/2011 1:09:50 PM
Dear Rick, I am a woman, and I run a gun store. I have no interest in guns (don't hate them), but couldn't care less. If I can do this, you can do quilting. But, here's a thought - - - you probably know about guns, and I already know about quilting. So, would you like to come help my husband's dream come true, and I can qult for the both of us!!! What do you think?
Seriously, quilting is very rewarding, and it's much easier to do math for something you enjoy than for school. If you have
Bonnie W. Date 5/6/2011 1:15:47 PM
continued: a creative mind, you can do all parts of quilting, which is great fun. If/when you get frustrated, just set your work aside for a day or two, and you'll come up with a solution! So, get those walrus hands going and go for it! Bonnie in Casper, WY
Don L. Date 5/6/2011 1:36:09 PM
Rick,
I really like the graphic elements of the quilt, but not interested in all the work involved in the rest of it, so I have bought some fabrics and intend to sew them together as I wish without the backing and filler. Then I figure I can either frame it if I want to keep it as an art piece, or I could just pin it up on a wall, as examples. I think people love quilting because it's really about being as creative as you want, you are limited only by your imagination, and we are all capabl
Jackie Wisherd Date 5/6/2011 2:39:49 PM
Inspite of all you've said you have a main ingredient to become a quilter....that gung-ho attitude....I say Go For It
Marnie Date 5/6/2011 6:11:48 PM
All I can say Rick is go for it. You can do it. My patience, waxes and waines from time to time also. But I will be dang if I will let inanimate objects get the best of me. It is the stubborn streak in my that keeps me going. I signed up for very basic beginning classes at a local (100 mi away) shop and just jumped in after a 1 1/2 of procrastination. I didn't even know how to properly thread my machine, let alone fix and maintain it. The ladies in my guild tried to get me to sew things a
Denny Date 5/6/2011 7:53:02 PM
Rick:
Whether, or not, you realize it, you've inherited quilting skills from your grandma. In the logging camp, during the 40's, she and a group of friends had regular quilting parties. Go for it my man!
joan Date 5/7/2011 5:35:38 AM
I would recommend that you find a beginner book about quilting. Find a local quilt shop and take a beginner class from a pro--as they usually have lots of experience and it's good to know the basics. And if the teacher is good, he/she will show that many different options/ways to quilt--there are many!!! If you live in the Mpls, MN area, there is a local quilt shop, who has a male teacher who has the patience of a saint, former educator... Keep in mind that each quilter has to find their own
Carolyn Date 5/7/2011 9:27:27 AM
Go talk to Dave at Quilt Works in Bend. I'm not sure if he ever finished the quilt he was supposed to have done in April. You 2 should get together.
Carolyn Date 5/7/2011 9:35:03 AM
Go talk to Dave at Quilt Works in Bend. I'm not sure if he ever finished the quilt he was supposed to have done in April. You 2 should get together.
Colleen McKinney Date 5/8/2011 5:58:41 AM
Rick,
Shawn & Chris Laviollette in Killeen, TX are a husband & wife dual who both quilt. Both design & make quilts plus they run a long-arm quilting business on the side. Shawn is a truck driver who takes his machine with him. Chris works in a fabric store.
I just learned to make quilts two years ago. I am not great in math or geometry, however, the tools you use are very similar to woodworking tools. If you can build something out of wood or metal, you can make a quilt. You can make
Robin Date 5/8/2011 6:06:31 AM
Awwww go for it! However, if it doesn't work for you, you've got a great sense of humor...write a book about the experience!
Jan Date 5/8/2011 9:35:30 AM
LOVE your writing...made me laugh! Geometry?? I didn't even take it. sometimes I am intimidated by the angles, but I like good challenge--and men are usually good with them. So, go for it. And I am with Robin, if it's not for you, write about your experience! I know it would be great reading!!
Joanne Date 5/8/2011 10:19:37 AM
While quilters appreciate a sense of humor, we are very serious about our craft. Whether we are very good or just so-so, we take it seriously. While Michelle was laughing, she was also saying to herself, what a great guy! He wants to do what I do. That's what we do for you guys all the time. Do what YOU want. If you really want to do it so you understand what she is talking about, that's great. If it's to compete with her, find something else. While all of the male quilters I've observed
Andrew Date 5/9/2011 10:02:33 AM
Rick,
As a retired cop, and husband of a serious quilter, I'd have to say "Find another hobby".
Even if you get it right and do a great job, will you be able to proudly show it to your buddies without getting laughed at and beat up?
And, what if you're better at quilting than your significant other? It would ruin it for her, and you'ld wind up cooking for yourself and sleeping on the couch. If you must sew, put together a Batman style uniform and go fight crime anonymously. Take up woodwo
Andrew Date 5/9/2011 10:22:59 AM
. Take up woodworking or restore an old Corvette (something involving lots of expensive tools). Time to 'Man-Up', big guy.
Ricky Tims Date 5/9/2011 11:04:47 AM
Hmmmm - I'm all about doing whatever the heck in life floats your boat. Yeppers, if you wanna do it - you CAN do it! If you don't want to be all precise, you don't have to. As far as being bored - well, I sure ain't! - LOL - Ricky Tims
Linda Date 5/12/2011 10:34:54 PM
Men are ususally very good with technical problems. I have seen some men's quilting and they are prefectionists. Your best asset is your want too. Just have fun with it. You'll get hooked. Good Luck and look forward to hearing how you progress.
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