Many say differently, but I say, “There is no cheating in quilting.”

Google “Cheater Quilt,” you’ll get 169,000 results.

Now try Googling “Cheater Quilts,” you’ll get 294,00 results.

If you want to, search on “Cheater Quilt Patterns,” you’ll get 572,000 results.

What is a “cheater quilt?” They tell me it is fabric designed to look like patchwork or applique that allows a quilter to skip most of the piecing, getting to the borders, quilting and binding faster.

Some people even call the self-binding technique “cheater binding.” (You know, where you trim the backing bigger than the quilt, fold it to the front and stitch it down.)

But, not me. I’m boycotting any form of the word “cheat” when it comes to quilting. After years of quilting I’ve learned that there is no such thing as “cheating” at quilting. Quilting is manufacturing. Just as industry has improved production techniques, tools and materials, Quilting techniques, tools and materials evolve over time.

To me, this is not “cheating,” this is “improving” and it makes more time for me to quilt more things.

Live well. Quilt Well.