Comments on: A Passion for Quilting

By: mary burns

mary burns — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:57:44 +0000

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

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:05:50 +0000

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

By: Kristine Haas

Kristine Haas — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:07:01 +0000

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.

By: May Kristin

May Kristin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:14:40 +0000

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.

By: Jan

Jan — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:56:10 +0000

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.

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:13:27 +0000

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

By: Christine

Christine — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:10:29 +0000

Quilting is like breathing, if I don’t do it I turn blue!

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:00:30 +0000

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.

By: Juliann

Juliann — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:37:24 +0000

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.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:39:45 +0000

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!