Sunday, June 23, 2013

"What would I do in my life without quilting?"

My friend Lee, a fellow guild member, recently asked me this question in an exchange of emails.  I wanted to comment on it, and I asked if she would allow me to use her story in my post. She was explaining why she couldn't attend our inaugural retreat; she was in New Mexico with two other quilting friends from IL and MI!:

"We sat in the courtyard and sewed all afternoon in the sun--that's where I finished most of the baby quilt I just showed at the guild. Then we would go out to dinner and after dark we sat around the dining room table and did our best with the feeble overhead light.  One advantage of hand-sewing--we didn't have to drag machines out west!

What would I do with my life without quilting?"

That statement sat with me. What WOULD I do in my life without quilting? Read more? Write more? Watch more TV? Exercise more? Do more dishes (lol)?... Throughout middle and high school, I looked for my crafty outlet. I was addicted to scrapbooking for a while - something my mom and I did together all the time. But then it became somewhat cumbersome (Example A: I have two whole scrapbooks that are sitting waiting to be started - all the pictures are even ready!). Now, sewing, fabric collecting, blogging, and quilting are EVERYTHING to me.

Every week day, this is how my day goes:
6:30am - get up and get ready for work
7:15 - eat breakfast and drink coffee at the computer, where I catch up on quilting blogs
7:40am - about 5pm - teach, plan, grade, and in between, think about latest quilt
While driving anywhere - think about  FMQing (something about driving a car reminds me of driving a sewing machine)
5pm-12am - take at least a half hour to sew. Rest of time: go to gym, make dinner with husband, grade, plan, and reading more blogs/type blog posts

Weekends:
Whenever I don't have much planned, besides the inevitable schoolwork, I sew. And it is FABULOUS.


(Check out my brand new design wall as of yesterday more soon!)

I've made so many friends just in the past three years through quilting. Of course, many of them are YOU, who I have swapped with, and chatted with online just because we love it all :) At first, I was SOnervous about going to the interest meeting for the Central Jersey Modern Quilt Guild in December 2011, because I didn't think there would be anyone near my age there. I was a senior in college at the time. That was naive because I learned that age doesn't matter when it comes to an art form. Now, I'm the webmaster and VP, and it is so fun to see my friends every month, in person, to talk about quilting and sew with!


I've made all kinds of things for my friends, family, and apartment. I've even shared my quilts with local first graders. I've sold t-shirt quilts and lanyards to people all over the country, and this blog has been a vehicle for my creative outlet.


It makes me happy beyond belief to know that I'll have quilting for the rest of my life. That is, until my new Janome takes its last breath. I'll probably cry a river. Then, I'll have to go buy another machine... but that day is very far away indeed. ;) Either way... I finally feel at home with my creative outlet.

I just wanted to share my thoughts about this. Thanks, Lee, for sharing your thoughts. What would YOU do in your life without quilting?

Linking up to: Let's Get Acquainted


12 comments:

  1. I started quilting the year I graduated from college. When I finally started full time teaching after earning my certificate 3 years later quilting really took a back seat. Elementary kids are mentally tiring! Then a move about 5 years later left me with minimal sewing. Years of illness stopped sewing altogether, then grad school. I did turn to other creative activities when I was disconnected from quilting-scrapbooking briefly, jewelry making,drawing/watercolors, other small sewing. But when I started quilting again it was like a body part had been found again!

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  2. Honestly I think I'd be very depressed. I'm not being overly dramatic - quilting soothes my soul! This is a great post, thanks for sharing :)

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  3. I've been quilting almost 4 years, and it has definitely become an integral part of my identity! I'm not sure what I would do with out it, it gives me focus and momentum. It also keeps me thinking critically and creatively. And it's given me something to do other than be a Mom--which is incredibly demanding emotionally and physically. Quilting has become that my outlet, it keeps me happy and sane.

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  4. Quilting has been a life saver for me. We live on a farm. Farmlife is extremely isolating all year long. My blog and quilting has been wonderful for my heart!

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  5. I think we are pretty much all thinking the same thing....there is no life without quilting!! The friends I have made make it all worth it! Thanks for letting us look into your quilting world.

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  6. I love this post! What WOULD I do without quilting?! When I go a day or two without turning on my sewing machine, I get anxious and grouchy. I've found that I need to read like I need to sleep, and quilting is getting pretty close in priority! I also love how it opens up an avenue in my life for love, generosity, and sharing (you make a quilt FOR someone, to keep them warm; you swap ideas, critiques, and compliments--and sometimes, fabrics!--with other quilters).

    LOVE that fabric pile in the last photo, too. :)

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  7. No quilting??!! That is like no oxygen! Quilting is my passion. After God,the hubby and Ayden it is where I give my ALL:)

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  8. I feel the same way as many people who quilt do. I love it!! I can't see my day with out it. I am an illness that keeps me from working. I wanted to become a nurse. I had been a CNA in a nursing home for many years and had just started back to work when I became sick. All my dreams were ripped away. My children were still very young so between them and my illness I was busy. But then after an 18 month stint in taking care of my failing father-in-law before he passed away I was bored. The kids were older and I felt better. I got into reading quilting blog and have been hooked since then. It has filled my time with fun and love. I have enjoyed running along the same quilting path as you.

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  9. I have made so many friends in the last 12 months through the online quilting community, it is a joy to be able to share it with friends online and in real life too. Love your new design wall, and the blocks on it. Thx for linking up :o)

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  10. I guess we all quilt for the love of it, nothing else matters.

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  11. love your post! I think without quilting, I would not feel like myself, and I would carry a lot more of my stress around (not to mention, that I would probably eat everything in my pantry when under stress). It is something that I consider a need in my life, and it keeps our whole family happier!

    btw- I love your blocks on your design wall- they rock!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  12. I'd fall back on knitting, I'm sure but there would be some hand-stitching or embroidery too!

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Let's start a conversation! I love comments and I'd be happy to reply to all who have an email address accessible. Thanks for commenting!

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