Why Make Quilts?

I started this year by sharing why I make quilts, and my last post was specifically why people make baby quilts. Today I’d like to round out that list with a few more reasons people choose to make quilts:

Making a quilt is a form of creative expression. In fact, many quilts are made to display on walls rather than warm a body. Fabric is an artistic medium, just like clay for a potter or notes for a musician. There’s something in us that wants to create.
Making a quilt involves math, and some people think that’s fun. I loved high school geometry, but I usually buy a pattern and enjoy working on project where someone else has made all the calculations for how much fabric to buy, how to efficiently cut out pieces, and how large to cut pieces so triangles and other odd shapes come together in a beautiful way.
Making a quilt or some sort of project from fabric is a safe way to take risks and learn new skills without worrying about the results. If a quilter makes a mistake, it’s just fabric. You can buy more. Personally, I think this is an important lesson for everyone: learn to fail, practice failing, know that you can recover from a mistake.
Making a quilt can be a social experience. Some people exchange quilt blocks. Others come together to make comfort quilts for people who need to feel loved and special.

Make Quilts and More with the Online Community

Quilt designers, fabric designers, or simply people who like social interaction and accountability organize quilt alongs or sew alongs. During these events, people can work on a quilt or other sewing project at the same time as a number of other people. The online organizer sets the pace and offers a few tips to help everyone successfully complete their project. There’s no signup or fee. Just start sewing along and post your progress on social media, using the designated hashtags. (That’s how I joined the Choose Your Own Adventure quilt along, which I loved!)

Through social media, people cheer on the members of their little community and share their own tips to simplify a step. I found the quilting community on Instagram is full of people who are supportive, inspiring, and fun. If you want to try a sew along, follow @modafabrics and join the LOVEin’ sew along that runs from January 25 through February 14. The free Moda Love pattern includes three sizes: wall, baby, and lap quilt.)

Sew Along: The Pin Pal Challenge

This Christmas I bought myself the book Pin Pals by Carrie Nelson. And this month through mid-February Carrie Nelson invited sewists to make at least one pincushion from her book and share it on Instagram with the hashtags #pinpalchallenge #showmethemoda and #madewith martingale.

Since my goal for 2019 is to play more and have fun, this seemed like the perfect sew-along. So, in spite of other looming deadlines, I chased the squirrel, also known as a DrEAMi (drop everything and make it), thanks to Sandra and mmm–quilts!

Even though working with tiny patchwork pieces seems intimidating, they’re just scraps. It’s just a pincushion! No one cares if you make a mistake or your seams don’t line up perfectly. They’re just glad you showed up and they’ll cheer on your effort and success.

So I made a couple of pincushions and have plans to make a few more (fabric scraps gathered, pattern marked with a Post-It Note). I definitely made some mistakes along the way, and it was so freeing to not really care. I’m glad I made the effort and now I find delight in the little sculptures on my sewing table.