I have always loved and been fascinated by hand-made quilts. I love the color variations, the beautiful patterns, the thrift of using old clothing, etc. At one point, in high school, I even considered making a quilt for my Laurel class project that represented all of the Young Woman values. However, I am not much of a seamstress and my few disastrous attempts at using a sewing machine were well, disastrous. So, every time I think about taking up quilting, the thought says for about a week and then goes away. I am currently in one of my "thinking about becoming a quilter" stages.
Currently, I am reading all of the quilting-themed books by Jennifer Chiaverini. The books present quilting as such a fun, relaxing, enjoyable hobby. As I have been reading them, I think, "Wow! I would love to have a house full of beautiful quilts. I could join a quilting guild. Once I put the kids to bed, I could quilt." When in reality, I have no time to quilt. I have four kids under the age of 7 in my house. I am lucky to get dinner on the table.
However, that said, I want to make quilts so, I can make, to quote Jennifer Chiaverini, ". . .the act of creation, in piecing together beauty and harmony from what had been left over and cast aside. Her art would not endure as long as painting or sculpture but it would outlive her, and every time her descendants wrapped themselves in one of her quilts, she would be with them, embracing them." (From The Quilter's Legacy). I can still fantasize, check out quilting books from the library and enjoy the idea of one day becoming a quilter. I do want to become a quilter--maybe.
3 comments:
I took a beginning quilting class from my neighbor that was fantastic. She walked me through all the steps to make my own wall hanging. When I look at it now, I don't believe that I actually did that, but I do remember a few things and how to do them. If I did another, I'd have to ask her for help again, but I could probably do it if I set aside the time.
I love the idea of being a quilter as well. My mother used to quilt. I have a beautiful quilt that she made, but sewing is not my gig. I get all exited about a project and jam the machine on the first seam. But there is something contemplative and deliberate about the idea of being a quilter that is very appealing. I will have to check out some of these books if you've really enjoyed them. :)
I'm a quilter-quitter. I have grand ideas of making things and then I remember that I only know how to sew in a straight line and my machine is an antique Singer that is pretty finicky, and I don't know how to use it. Did I say that already? I can't sew worth a darn. But, I want to read those books.
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