A lot of people feel that they “don’t have a creative bone in their bodies,” but that isn’t necessarily true. You may not be able to create a masterful oil painting or write a memorable poem, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a story to tell.
Several of my friends have turned to quilting as a way to express their creativity and tell their stories. When one quilter ran out of beds to cover and walls to display her art work she turned to quilting coats, table runners, vests, skirts and tote bags. I think I would like to have one of those vests, how about you?
Pat Burston (Newsday: Long Island, N.Y. October 30, 2010) writes about crafters who quilt, whether by hand or machine, and the limitless possibilities for self expression. An artist is an artist no matter what medium they use to convey their message. Quilting can tell a family story or be given to honor special events such a marriage or a new baby or to comfort a soul.
Your first exposure to quilting may have been at your mother’s knee, a visit to a quilting museum, or maybe just a trip to a local fabric store. Quilting isn’t just a way to use up fabric scraps (which is probably a good thing because a lot of us no longer sew) but it a unique way to capture memories that are important to you.
The idea is not to think of quilting as just “busy work” but rather a process of self-reflection. Answer questions such as what is your favorite color, what were your most rewarding accomplishments or what message would you like to convey? Narrowing down to a specific theme might be the hardest part of the entire process.
While some quilters lean toward tradition designs, there are those who like to go all out. You can experiment with different colors, different fabrics, or even use hand-painted fabrics and photo-transfer techniques in your work. It may take hours, days, or months to finish a single quilt, but it will be the work of a lifetime. Many quilters keep their quilts in the family but a good many groups lend their time and their talents to charity auctions, hospitals, homeless shelters and nursing homes.
It is never too late to start something new. Find a class or join a group. You will enjoy the camaraderie as well as the wonderful finished products. No two quilts will every turn out the same. Please don’t let this age old craft become a lost art.
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