Thinking a lot about quilts this morning. Not only did I
crawl out from under two of them this morning when I finally got out of bed,
but I stepped around another one lying on my floor in a heap. And passed
another three on my walls. Looked at another one hanging up at work – also mine.
Started a list of all the quilts I have finished. I am up to
27 so far. I’ve gifted 6 that I remember, so there may be more. I don’t keep
very good track of the ones I’ve finished. It’s mostly the process for me.
Of the ones that are more complicated than basic squares or
rectangles in straight-ish lines,6 are made with my own piecing pattern. One is
from a pattern Donna made. All the applique work is my own design except one. 1
complete quilt is from a commercial pattern.
I have 10 that need to be quilted or are in the process of
being quilted. Two that I am currently actively working on piecing.
And a lot more that exist only in my head or in my quilt
journal.
I love quilts, obviously. J
I love the art, the craft, the time and the effort. I admire other people’s
work. There are better quilters than I am, people who make a living designing
fabric, doing classes, selling quilts. I am not one of those. Maybe I never will be. But I learn more with
every quilt I make, and from most of the quilts I see. I learn what other people like, what sorts of things win at shows, and so forth. But at the end of the day, what's more important? Winning a show or enjoying the quilt I make? One day I may design one that checks off both boxes - we shall see. Either way, I will keep making.
I am not a visual thinker. I think in words – if I
visualize, it is usually the words scrolling across my brain. But in quilts, I
think in pictures and texture, and sound – the sound of the scissors and the
machine, and the tearing of the fabric.
I used to ponder what kind of quilter I am – not
traditional, not modern, not art. I didn’t fit a category, which is fine with
me. I am a utilitarian quilter. I want my quilts to be used.
Most are at least throw-sized. Those that aren’t, *shrug* can be hung on the
wall as art, I suppose. Up to 29 counted now, forgot about a matched set of
smaller ones.
I’m a little selfish. I wish there was a Patreon or
Kickstarter or something for quilting – lots of people chip in to give me money
so I could stay home and make quilts. There isn’t, though. So I make quilts in
my spare time and when I match a quilt with a person, I give it away.
I like quilts. They warm, they comfort, they speak to me. They tell me about people and about the things that intrigue them. They welcome. They decorate. They fill a niche that no other art form can, as far as I am concerned.
Why do you like quilts?
