Quilting became a passion for me when I realized the unlimited possibilities it offered me for discovery, for companionship, for entertainment, for study, for a peaceful activity while pondering, and, most important of all, to create something of beauty.
Many years ago I was talking with a friend who had just found her way out of a severe depression. As we talked she said, “It was not my husband, nor my children, nor my religion, nor any of my family that gave me the desire to fight back and find healing from the blackness. It was the quilts I had not yet made.”
She then said, “What is the difference between me and my next door neighbor? She quilts too. She makes a baby quilt now and then, and a quilt for a family member for a special occasion but that is all. She is not at all compelled to quilt the way that I am. What makes me different?”
I have thought often about the question my friend posed. I have also offered this question to students from time-to-time over the years and I have discovered that for every individual the answer will be different.
One student spoke of how the quiet time she spent alone with the repetitive process of hand quilting had helped her to heal from the loss of a child and the trauma associated with that loss.
Another told of how she felt that in today’s fast-paced work place, we rarely have the satisfaction of seeing something we invest our time and efforts into through to completion. We are just a part of “the machine” the generates a product or an effort. Quilting to her was immensely satisfying because from conception of an idea for a quilt to the final binding process the quilt was all hers. She created it from start to finish.
For my friend recovering from depression, I believe it was the discovery of self that creativity (in it’s many forms) so beautifully reveals. That is why my friend was compelled to pick up her life again and create the quilts that were still within her. She was still exploring her potential as a person and an artist.
The one thing that all of the answers I have heard have in common is that the choice to quilt is about fulfilling personal needs in one form or another.
Why are you compelled to quilt?
Caron Mosey Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pmVisit Caron Mosey
What a great post!
Quilting centers me. It calms me, it takes me away from the hustle and bustle of life and all its stressors. It allows me to “get away” and thing about other things… or, it allows me time to meditate while doing a peace-giving, hands-on relaxation technique.
If I don’t have something to quilt, I go nuts. The tiny, repetitive stitching for me is better than any glass of wine I could drink to help me relax. It’s patience for my brain.
Caron in Michigan
http://blog.caronmosey.com
Patti Chartrand Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 3:14 pmVisit Patti Chartrand
Hello Jeana, I asked this question on my blog some time ago and loved reading all the answers. Some answered in comments on my blog and some answered in posts on their own blog.
Here are links to my two postings on the subject, just in case you are interested in reading them:
http://hardenbrookgirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/why-do-you-make-quilts.html
http://hardenbrookgirl.blogspot.com/2006/08/friday-thoughts.html
tracey Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 4:01 pmVisit tracey
at first, i started quilting out of boredom. i was 19 and my husband and i was recovering from a car accident. i had watched dh’s grandmother sewing at her treadle and figured that it was something to pass the time. from there, i messed with quilting a bit, but i could have walked away from it all and not be bothered by it.
three years later, i was a new mom. i desperately wanted something that i could occupy myself with during nap time. i had been buying quilt magazines here and there and wanted a quilt of my own so badly but never could afford to buy one.
looking back, i realize that quilting has become my one ‘personal’ thing. there are times that i wonder if i’m anything more than a cook, a maid and a taxi driver. i am devoted to being a stay-at-home-homeschooling mom, however, i have that need to make something with my own two hands that will *last*. i need something to show for my time, in a way. with children as well as in marriages, there are times when you have to wait to see that ‘fruit’ come forth…sometimes years. with housework, it doesn’t stay clean longer than an hour or two. however, with quilting, i can express myself…my *whole* self, and have something tangible as well as comforting to show for that time.
at this point in my life, i can’t imagine laying down my needle and thread and walking away from it permanently. it’s become part of me.
great question, jeana!
tracey
Marianne Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 6:40 pmVisit Marianne
I got started by collecting antique quilts here and there. I have always admired the art form, but thought I could never make one myself. Then when my daughter was 2, I should say rather difficult daughter!, I decided to try and have been hooked ever since. Said daughter is ready to graduate from HS this May. When she started school, my reasons evolved. It became more of a calming and centering endeavor for me. As soon as I step into my sewing room, nothing else matters. The relaxation and stress-free environment re-charges my “batteries”. It’s also made me less of a perfectionist. And that’s good.
sharon Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 10:01 pmVisit sharon
I quilt because it makes me happy. I love when a project is completed. It’s a wonderful thing to do and who doesn’t like a quilt? You can pass them on to your family once your gone. My grandma quilted and my mom quilts. Before my grandma died she made every grandchild, child, and great grandchild a quilt. She had breast cancer and had to do alot of it by hand and she was in pain the whole time but did complete every quilt.
Darlene Says:
February 1st, 2008 at 11:39 pmVisit Darlene
I believe that everyone should be passionate about something. And, I have a strong passion for quilting. I never thought I’d feel this way about it but I do. I wish I could verbalize how I feel when I spend time with my needle and thread – I experience an wonderful inner peace. It’s time with just me and my thoughts or day dreams.
I could babble on and on but you know exactly what I’m trying to say.
Great question!
Juliann Says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:37 pmVisit Juliann
I have always loved fabric and sewing and quilting is a creative outlet for me. For the most part, it is a solitary activity, one that gives me time to think and wonder. But even though I do most of my stitching and quilting alone, there is something about quilting the makes me feel connected.
Anna Says:
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pmVisit Anna
Hi Jeana,
I quilt because it feeds my creative spirit and helps me cope with the stresses in my life. It joins me to my grandmothers. I love the feel of fabric and the sea of color that I find in fabric stores and in my stash. I love the puzzles of construction and that Aha moment when I figure out how the pattern works. I make quilts for others as an expression of love. They can wrap themselves in the quilt and know that someone loves them and cares about them. Quilting is a gift that I give myself- knowing that I have made something that may exist when I am no longer part of this world. Quilting is one of the great passions in my life besides my family and my profession- I am a kindergarten teacher. Quilting has brought me new friendships and connections with many wonderful people. My life has been enriched by quilting.
Christine Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 amVisit Christine
Quilting is like breathing, if I don’t do it I turn blue!
Christine Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 amVisit Christine
Jeana,
Please tell us about the applique piece with the children. It is adorable. I am assuming it is your own design. Will it be part of a new book or a pattern? soon?
http://libertystarfarm.blogspot.com
The Christmas parade of children is block number ten of thirteen applique blocks for my new Christmas quilt called An Old Fashioned Christmas. It is pictured where I stopped on Friday morning to post this entry. I have continued to work on it and it may be finished by the end of this weekend. My hope is to finish this quilt and have a pattern book ready sometime this summer.
I taught this as a year-long class last year at a quilt shop and three of my students have completed their quilts—all very different from mine. Their quilts will be shown in the book as well.
There is also a quilt retreat planned for July of this year in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that I am planning with my friend Linda. Details will be forthcoming soon on my website—thus the hurry to get the quilt finished!
Have a lovely weekend. Jeana
Jan Says:
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 amVisit Jan
This is the little box at the end of a multiple choice question – - All of the above.
On different days or at different times in my life I fit into each of these responses. The desire to quilt comes in from part my heritage and the passion comes from the world of quilting today. There is so much out there, so much to learn and so many friendships to make. I hope that I can take my needle and fabric with me or at least die with a project in my hands.
May Kristin Says:
February 4th, 2008 at 11:14 amVisit May Kristin
Thank you for this post! This is a little funny, because I am asking similar questions on my blog!
No one else in my family is quilting, so why am I? I have always done some crafting. I\’ve been knitting since I learned it in 4th grade at school. I had a clever teacher who taught us to knit and sew. I made dollclothes and accessories for the dolls.
When I discovered quilting in \’87, I was hooked. I love to work with colours, make them work good together in different patterns.
The quilting is my world, a world I can dive into and play, and my playmates understand me! My husband is working MORE than fulltime, and he is often travelling, so I am happy to have a hobby that is important to me.
8 years ago we got our third child. She was born with Down\’s syndrome. This was a big shock for me. Before she was born I had always been reading and sewing. But it took me nearly a year before I managed to sew or read a book again. I am not the same big reader I used to be, but I can say I quilt more than I ever did before! It is my world, my escape. And in this world I have some of my best friends.
Kristine Haas Says:
February 5th, 2008 at 12:07 pmVisit Kristine Haas
Why do I quilt? Because I have to. My great grandmother and my mother quilted. They were both quiet women. When someone commented on how quiet my great mother was she replied, Oh, I think plenty. My hands have to have something to do. While my hands are busy, my mind thinks plenty. It can soar, wander, relax, escape, whatever it needs to do. Quilting has taken me through many of life’s troubles and on many journeys. If there is not quilting in heaven, I don’t think I want to go.
Christine Says:
February 5th, 2008 at 2:05 pmVisit Christine
Jeana,
Thanks for the information about the applique quilt. I now remember you mentioning it in an earlier post.
The trip to Michigan would be an easy one for me, as long as we haven’t already moved back to Denver, which is beginning to look like a real possibility. I’m glad I was able to take your class here in Ohio when I had the chance last summer.
I have enjoyed each of your entries. I love visiting you blog and seeing the photos of what you are working on.
Have a great week!
christine
mary burns Says:
June 8th, 2008 at 12:57 pmVisit mary burns
Hi Jeanne,
I just found your blog and was very moved by your explanation of why you quilt (and others). I began quilting after my son was born (he is now 19). I always loved to work with my hands, I seemed good at it and totally love it. I was never really an “academic” as some people are, but soooo many times a needle & thread have brought me comfort in so many ways. Sometimes the things I make have “mistakes” in them and other times, the block or piece is very complicated, but figuring out all the little “quirks” is truly amazing to me. My confidence has grown in myself as well as my sewing abilities.
I have made quilts for each of my kids (3) but the most beautiful quilt I made was for my Mom (she is 85, now), it was pieces of material that her sister who passed away made, skirts, blouses, etc. So I cut up all the fabric and made a quilt for her that litterally “smelled” like her sister, whom she loved very much. It sits at the bottom of her bed and when she is having bad days, she pulls it over her and it gives her comfort. That by far, was the most important and beautiful gift I could think of to give her to help heal her heart.
So for me, quilting is a process that continues to challenge me but Oh How I Love the Ride!!
Hugs,
Mary