MY SOUL IS FED BY NEEDLE AND THREAD
....ohh and pencils and paper

Sunday, January 27, 2019

To Quilt or Not to Quilt?

May not be news to many of you but I am a definite "ponderer "....those who know me really well.....say perhaps I doth "ponder" too much!
But it's who I am and I doubt that will change now....I also like a good old waffle about what's going on in my pondering state. So today folks you are the recipients...like it or not! If not  you are welcome to come back another day.

The catalyst for this recent ponderence was two things really...firstly comments said with a smile on the dial by some non quilters. You will have heard them too...
WHAT are you going to do with ALL those quilts? How many beds do you have to put quilts on hahaha? Gee you must spend a lot of money on fabrics!  Aren't you sick of making quilts?  I  wish I had time for hobbies! WHAT are your kids going to do with ALL this STUFF when you're gone????

NOW! As I do 'try' kindness first, I  refrain from saying .....what are you going to do with ALL those empty wine bottles and trashy magazines you love (and NO I am not a wowser) and  don't worry....NO there isn't one left to you in my  Will lol!
It intrigues me with all the waste and minute by minute gratification  today that creating a quilt is seen in a negative light!
The other thing was a project that has proven a bit challenging for me and thus being avoided....namely my Yoko Saito quilt. As it is this month's UFO project I have been working on it....and yes an hour in....problems!
Several reverse sewing episodes and it has to come out again because it's crooked!
So it got me thinking......what is it about making quilts that intrigues us so? Particularly when things go awry!
Gorgeous fabrics and designs that grab our attention for sure....but why do we have four beds in the house and twenty quilts plus numerous projects under construction.
For me? Honing the skills I have learnt over many years. It doesn't happen overnight.....why should I not use them and continue to improve them!

Rising nervously to a challenge and meeting it in your own way, encouragement from friends along the way is definitely good for self esteem and your soul.
Having the joy of seeing my needlework in my home and remembering all the experiences that went into making that quilt......choosing fabrics, stitching along with friends and the pleasure of creating something useful and beautiful.
I quilted long before I blogged so whilst it's nice to share what I am making with likeminded people I have just as many quilts made and given away that haven't made it to a blog post....so I don't think it's for 'poser' value!

You can express your tastes and creativity in a myriad of ways....that says YOU!
And express love to others also.
I do love the invisible thread of connection to all the needlewomen that have gone before. To me its a shout out to say.....what you created with your heart and hands really mattered....thanks for the inspiration!
And attempting to do projects in a manner they would have recognised feels lovely to me....
My conclusion is because the gentle coming together of needle, thread and fabric soothes my soul. My mind quietens. It brings me relief from this crazy world we now live in and the stresses of life.  I like that it's not finished in 5 minutes. It is my happy place.....even when unpicking happens. It's FUN!
To me it is also the act of creating.....I don't care if there are 20 in the cupboard....one day they will warm someone or make them smile. I shan't be here to care!
Lastly but definitely not least is the magic circle of wonderful women who ply their needles.....who constantly inspire and assist with a helpful hint or that piece of fabric you need to finish a quilt, who go to their stash and contributions to your new 'scrappy' arrives in your mailbox unsolicited.....ahhh makes your heart smile!

Thanks for staying with me if you have......I love being a quilter and needlewoman! How about you?
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

28 comments:

  1. Hi Michelle beautiful post my friend ,I love seeing your beautiful work,I admire people who can make quilts,it's something that I really struggle with. I have quite a few at home that I need to get back to ,hopefully this year I can get a couple finished. I love that you follow your heart and challenge yourself and make such beautiful things that make your heart sing. I don't see any negatives with what you are doing,hope you have a wonderful day Michelle,Namaste xx

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  2. HI Michelle - When I was younger, I was bothered by others' criticism, it nagged at me, but with age, comes wisdom (supposedly), so I please myself, and try shrug off comments. I have stashes of both fabric and yarn, in finished and unfinished situations. I enjoy reading your blog, and am in awe of your endeavours, both in quilting and your drawings. Enjoy what you do - ignore the negatives, and keep on creating. I love it all.

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    1. Thank you Jill for your lovely comments. Yes I agree with your thoughts about it too xxx

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  3. You have explained what doesn’t need explaining beautifully Michelle.
    I agree with you whole heartedly x

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  4. Well said, Michelle.....I couldn't agree more! For me it's the joy of being creative; I started making my own clothes as a teenager and have continued sewing ever since, branching out into quilting several years ago. I just let those "what do you do with them" comments go by with a smile......my quilts, my business.

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  5. Lovely post Michelle. I was asked once what my husband thought about my spending so much on fabrics ect as there was a stall at the patchwork group i was in & i'd bought a few thing. I told the woman "nothing, i don't have one". Well she didn't know what to say. It's my business what i buy with my money & if buying fabrics & patterns to make beautiful quilts ect brings me happiness & joy then it's not any one else's concern. Keep on with showing us the beautiful quilts you make & the patterns you have designed. Hugs,xx

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  6. Love your pondering
    I know what you are saying about Why so many quilts I get asked all the time
    So much joy in creating them and I agree with all your reasons for quilting xx

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  7. You could not have expressed it better. I totally agree with your pondering. I see my needlework as therapy despite the moments when an expletive emerges from my mouth when something goes wrong.The people who say they haven't got time usually do have time but they choose to use it in a different way. I like doing small projects because I can learn different techniques more quickly than when I make larger quilts. I make quilts because I like them. Who knows what will happen to them when I fall off my perch but it really doesn't matter. What matters is that I enjoy it. As a carer, mother, grandmother and wife without much social life I find great comfort and satisfaction doing something simply for me. Even if I am making it for someone else, I am still doing it for me. Embrace your creative spirit and go wherever it takes you. Xxx

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  8. sometimes we just don't need a reason for a new quilt... it's just because. Well said my friend - creativity rules! Makes me happy...
    Hugz

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  9. I most certainly do! Thank you for a lovely post Michelle. xx

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  10. Non quilters just don’t get it! Quilting and my other hobbies keep me out of the bars and off the streets. 😂😂 Hugs,

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  11. Theres nothing wrong with a good ponder! Quilters are the nicest people, and we understand that we just have to create. Whether it's all hand done and takes years, machined, or a bit of both. The decisions made, fabrics chosen, and seeing it all slowly come together is a wonderful thing. As to all those quilts we have, my daughter commented "Guess I'll have to have all those quilts you made when you die".

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  12. Wonderful post Michelle, I am a ponderer too, nothing wrong with that!! What we choose to do with our time is what we love to do and no one elses business, people make thoughtless remarks I think. It is a wonderful thing to create something, to express yourself in fabric or create something from a few clues you get from another person. We all continue to learn as we go through life, it is a good thing to challenge yourself, try a bit harder do something new. I love reading your blog and seeing what you are creating. Long may it stay that way!!

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  13. What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  14. ah Michelle, you've said it so well, and it warms my heart when people tell me they wish they could do what we do...they think they don't have the 'talent'....and then being able to show them and encourage them...makes it all worthwhile! xox

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  15. A timely & well written post Michelle. I thought I had commented but it must've disappeared off into cyberspace somewhere! I am not a quilter myself but I love to stop by & see what beauty you are working on ... they are always so very beautiful & different. I LOVE love what you create. Please always keep up your gorgeous quilting Xxx

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  16. Wonderful absolutely agree encore !!!
    Also I know what you mean about yokos quilt but I also know it will come together beautiful 😘😘😘

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  17. I think that you have echoed my thoughts on the subject beautifully. I have often "pondered" this subject especially when looking to start a new project but the "pull of the finish and sense of achievement" keeps me going as I hope it does you.

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  18. Well said!! We quilt because ... we want to and it makes us happy! :0) Non-quilters don't always understand that we enjoy the 'doing' as much as the 'having'. Our hobby is much cheaper than therapy ... and will keep us and our loved ones warm in the end ... not to mention our lovely quilting buddies we make along the way. I could ask similar "why" questions of my friends and family who spend a fortune and hours each week at the gym ... but I'm too polite! :0) Looking forward to seeing where your quilting journey takes you this year. Bear Hugs! KRIS xx

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  19. Not only is it a happy place but at some stage it's also a hope and a goal that sometimes ends with a finished useful item that also gives lots of happiness ....... I'll be sew happy to finally get another quilt that stays here that can be used on OUR bed lol ...... my happy place also comes with creativity in the form of crochet, knitting and gardening! Love it! And no need to explain 😜

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  20. Lovely post Michelle - You should always do what makes YOU happy...xxx

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  21. Great post Michelle! I agree with all of what you said! And as for me... I know I have more fabric than I will ever use, but I also have no where near enough quilts made for us, let alone others!!! Here's to enjoying our journey! xx

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  22. Hi Michelle, just read your wonderful blog, all I can say is here, here. Creating is my best friend gets me through the good & the bad, my home is full of homemade things & all though it's not for everyone it's just fills my heart. The saying, needle & thread feeds my soul is so very true.
    Love reading your blogs & seeing your beautiful work. Take care xxx

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comments Sue and for stopping by. Continued happy stitching to you too x

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  23. Great post Michelle. I no longer feel guilty starting new things!

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  24. I never say I'm bored as I always have something to do, sew, read, crossword puzzle, go for a walk, whatever. If I want to make another quilt I can. Well said on all points. Nowadays I tend to make smaller quilts ( Love those baby ones as they leave my house but a part of me goes with them) I'm leaving a legacy as are all quilters and like so many have said I love your work! x

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  25. Oh Michelle, what a wonderful post! And I agree with everything you have said here. I too have been asked THE question - what are you going to do with all those quilts? But of course, those questions come from non-quilters - they will never understand, that simply - I love living with them!
    xx

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  26. What a great post Michelle and I also love being a quilter and needlewomen. :)

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