8 Reasons Why We Quilt

Every single day across the continents of North America and Europe women, girls, and a few brave men, walk into quilt stores.  Every hour somebody, somewhere, buys a piece of fabric, or a notion, or something in order to make a project that is contained by the wonderful word “quilting.” But the question is: Why do we quilt?

Obviously we do it for reasons that make sense to us.  I thought I’d give you my humble thoughts on what motivates us.

 

  1. Quilting is a practical pursuit

I’ll start with the most obvious reason to quilt; we tell ourselves that our loved ones need blankets, so why not make them something special?

This is the hook, the very real reason we become quilting addicts.  Once you step into the shallow water of this justification, you can either go deeper or back out altogether.  If you stay in these shallows, it won’t be long before you’ll be looking at more intricate patterns, more exciting colors, and cooler notions.  All these things will lure you in deeper and before you know it, you’re swimming.

This is how I got hooked.  I told myself that I would make each of my 3 children 5 quilts throughout their lives, from babyhood to marriage.

Hah!!  20 years, 3 grown children, dozens of quilt projects (I’ve lost count), two sewing machines, half a houseful of fabric, and this website later… Well, as you can see, I’m totally addicted.

Another reason to quilt is:

  1. Quilter’s everywhere share a deep camaraderie

You can join quilting groups anywhere, walk into any quilt store, or go online, and be instantly welcomed and accepted.  That’s HUGE!

  1. Quilting creates something beautiful

Most quilts, of any size, are a work of art, and it’s a wonderful thing to create a thing of beauty.

Of course, it’s an added bonus when non-quilters are awed and amazed by your skill.  It’s a great feeling of superiority.  I always make sure that my sisters are aware at all times of my amazing skill.

  1. We can show off our quilts in public

Another reason why many of us quilt is to enter quilt shows to show off our quilts and skill, and to celebrate the creativity that’s involved.

(Quilt shows are also great for finding unique, new stuff and some of the latest colors, etc.)

  1. Quilting is fun

It’s a lot of fun to make something new and gorgeous and be praised and admired for it. As a matter of fact, I have to admit that I’ve gone way past addicted and am totally consumed by lust for new colors, new patterns, and new ideas and designs.

 

 

 

Facts About Quilting


Magenta arrow containing facts about quilting

 

Magenta arrow containing facts about quilting

 

Magenta arrow containing facts about quilting

 

Magenta arrow containing facts about quilting

 

Magenta arrow containing facts about quilting

 

Magenta arrow containing facts about quilting

Every now and then, I try to feel guilty about it, but then I remember Barb’s motto, and I’m good to go.  I want all of you fellow quilters to take Barb’s philosophy to heart when you’re tempted to justify quilting to yourself or others.

  1. We need something to keep our minds, hearts, and hands busy

Some of us quilt for no other reason than that we’re retired.

I got deeper and deeper into quilting when my kids could do most of their own homeschooling and I was left twiddling my thumbs.  My friend Barb got into it once she retired from nursing and found that gardening alone just wasn’t going to fill her life.

  1. We want to teach a skill to our children

I wanted my children – the girls and the boy – to be able to sew.

I had mixed results.  All of them can mend a simple hole, sew a button back on, and use a sewing machine.  None of them have ever sewn their own clothes, or given me any reason to believe that they will ever be able to read a pattern.

However, when I started quilting more seriously, I realized my mistake.

Quilts are much easier to grasp in concept that even a simple pants pattern, and you still learn many of the basics of sewing.

So, if you are trying to teach Home-Ec to your children, I would advise starting the sewing lessons off at the easiest level – potholders.  Once the kids have learned the basic sewing techniques patterns will be much, much easier to both learn and teach.

  1. We Quilt Because We’re Closet Masochists

This is my personal favorite.

Human beings are very stubborn, and enjoy a challenge, but quilting clearly shows that life is not difficult enough on its own, and my own sneaking suspicion as to why we quilt is because we’re closet masochists.

Politically correct people would say that we enjoy a challenge.  This sounds very fine and noble, but I’d be willing to bet that every one of you readers has had many moments of screaming, tearing out of hair, banging your head on your machine, and throwing your project across the room.

Finally – the best reason of all! 

Barb always says:

Quilting keeps us off the streets and out of the bars

And anything that does that has got to be a good thing!

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