Why do you quilt? We have several reasons and it is so fun to change them up for my lectures, along with changing up some of the quilts.
I like to start with my first quilt. It was so fun to be sharing this at The Stitchin' Post since this is where I took my first class! Nothing like meeting full circle. Here's my beginning sampler I made in a class with Jean Wells.
And in no particular order, a few reasons I quilt:
For friendship. I met a couple of friends in CA and we all made a quilt like this, swapping pieces, parts, and fabrics.
My quilts are much more photogenic than I am!!
To comfort others. This is part of a little quilt we made for a friend diagnosed with cancer.
And some of these blocks came from her sewing room, which I assembled into this quilt. (That's comfort for me!)
Bring awareness- This is a little quilt I purchased from Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. I treasure this one especially because it is made by a friend whose mom had Alzheimer's and has since passed away.
I'd love to hear one reason you quilt. Please leave me a comment.
Thank you to those who have committed your support in one way or another for my projects close to my heart. Love to you all!
How sweet of you to include my little quilt in your talk!
ReplyDeleteI quilt as a creative outlet. Playing with color and design is so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI am making gifts for generations yet unborn. To say "I was here."
ReplyDeleteit makes me feel centered....and a part of forever
ReplyDeleteI quilt for the connections it creates, with friends who also quilt, for the recipients of the quilts and for the simple joy of creating.
ReplyDeleteFor all of the reasons you said in your post, and to leave a bit of myself for my kids and grandkids. And hopefully to pass along the love of quilting to at least one of them.
ReplyDeleteEven though we are all following the same basic recipe, it amazes me how endless the variations are. It's the opportunity to take raw materials and create something purposeful and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI quilt to wrap my loved ones in comfort and my love. When my oldest grandson was 5 I gave him one of his many quilts for his birthday. He loves them and at 17 owns quite a few. He stayed with me after school every day and I was always working on a quilt while he did homework. He told everyone at his birthday party that "Nana puts lots of love and blood in her quilts". LOL Out of the mouths of babes.
ReplyDeleteDear Lori,
ReplyDeleteto make something special you can not buy, like your quilts, they are beautiful.
Greetings,
Sylvia
I have always painted, done all kind of crafting, crocheted and now it's quilting. There's a part in me that needs to be expressed but not with words as there is no words to describe some feelings; the desire to help strangers in need, to comfort a crying child, to lend support to a suffering soul, etc. Quilts are my voice in many ways.
ReplyDelete;^)
Lori son tan bonitos todos tus edredones!!!
ReplyDeletehice edredón para sortear, lo recaudado fue donado para investigación del cáncer
saludos
Loved hearing 10 of your reasons, and your beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteThere was such a drawing to quilts at a young age that I jumped on board when I found a class in the late 80's. There is always more to learn and wonderful people along the way.
I quilt because I LOVE to sew. I have always loved it - even as a child. It is so rewarding and relaxing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. I love hearing the reasons why people quilt. I have many reasons too. I waffle between reasons 1 and 2. I think the most important reason is that I just have to create things that I think make the world more beautiful and quilting is my medium. A really close second place reason is that I want to leave something of myself to world that will last long after I am gone. I do love making quilts to give comfort to people as well. And my forth reason would have to be that I must make quilts to use up the fabric that is overflowing in my house and that I cannot leave behind when I go!
ReplyDeleteI quilt to soothe my soul! When life gets chaotic, there is nothing like sewing some seams or quilting by hand to take me to my happy place!
ReplyDeleteI quilt to soothe my soul! When life gets chaotic, there is nothing like sewing some seams or quilting by hand to take me to my happy place!
ReplyDeleteIt's not really a choice -- I am driven to make things -- it's what I've always done -- and I discovered that the things I most enjoy making are quilts.
ReplyDeleteI quilt for all the reasons you so thoughtfully mentioned, but I also quilt as therapy. Planning and working on a quilt gives me something positive to focus on when I need a break from worries.
ReplyDeleteI do love making quilts as gifts and comfort quilts are the best.
ReplyDeleteI do need to make some for myself, would love to have them all over the house, so time to do some serious quilting this year. Once I get better at sewing and quilting, I can do charity quilts, love being able to help others.
Debbie
I enjoy making quilts for warmth and comfort. Greetings
ReplyDeleteSo many reasons, many that you mentioned. Mostly though for me, it's because I so enjoy the creativity and making beautiful things. Everything else is kind of a by-product.:)
ReplyDeleteI quilt for many reasons as well. One reason I quilt for Quilts of Valor, is to show honor and give thanks to the members of our military that have served our nation.
ReplyDeleteReally liked what you shared about some of your "reasons" for quilting.
ReplyDeleteI have always needed a creative outlet. It is very therapeutic to me to create and get lost in the zone, and being kind of an intense person, I need to get lost an awful lot! The higher my stress level, the more I quilt. : )
So enjoy reading your comments and those of others on why we all love to quilt. I found myself saying to myself "Me too....me too!" I want everyone I love to have a little something I made just for them.....and to give to others who may not otherwise have something handmade. And.......I LOVE doing it all!!!
ReplyDeleteI quilt for the creative challenge and because I enjoy making things. Oddly I really do not like to sew!
ReplyDeleteQuilting is my creative outlet and the best way to get my fix of colour and fabric. It has also been a fantastic way to make new friends.
ReplyDeleteI love to sew, be creative and use colors. It also gives me a feeling of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteI have a 'first quilt' that looks a lot like that - sample blocks are a classic start! Interesting question Lori - my main one is probably 'Creativity' - can't help myself making something and over the years it has been mostly quilting - but I have tried my hand at knitting, sewing clothes, macrame, folk art painting, cross stitch, tapestry, embroidery, quilling, card making, calligraphy, and the list goes on!
ReplyDeleteI think it's because I have to! I need to be creative and I love to sew and give something cuddly to my friends and relatives.
ReplyDeleteI always loved to draw so when I discover the patchwork, it was like drawing with fabrics and their colors...friendship came after and maybe the surprise to discover my ability to make a quilt or create one....and share it with my family and friends all around the word ! (I haven't so many uhhh ? ) Ah Ah !
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, let a little bit of mine on earth !
Always enjoy hearing the stories behind the quilts. It brings them to a personal place! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm a much happier person and easier to live with if I get to spend a bit of time each day being creative with needle and fabric! My husband agrees! Lol! I love the color and patterns ! Being able to give them away and the surprise other s feel when wrapped in a quilt is a great reward. They feel the love enfolding them.
ReplyDeleteI quilt because I love to see the joy on a person's face when they receive one of my quilts and then snuggle into it.
ReplyDeleteI quilt for creativity and for my love of quilts. It's also great therapy all along the path from the time of deciding what to make on. And I love the fabrics and colors. I also love the comfort you can pass on with a gift of a quilt, and the memories in quilts I have been given. My favorite is the one I watched my grandma make for me.
ReplyDeleteI quilt for creativity and for my love of quilts. It's also great therapy all along the path from the time of deciding what to make on. And I love the fabrics and colors. I also love the comfort you can pass on with a gift of a quilt, and the memories in quilts I have been given. My favorite is the one I watched my grandma make for me.
ReplyDeleteSo many reasons I love to quilt! The creativity, the distraction, the playtime, the challenge, the friendships, the ability to give to both self and others, to celebrate the building of home and family . . . so many reasons.
ReplyDeleteI view quilting like an artist with a blank canvas--you start with a pile of fabric and an idea and when you're done you have this beautiful creation. I've always loved fabric and when I go to a quilt shop I want it all. Also love the friendships that have come with quilting. Jan Horn
ReplyDeleteSEW many reasons to quilt...I believe I was destined to quilt, so at 1st it was the challenge of learning what seamed an overwhelming encounter. The joy of fabric, design & then the outcome. Learning to appreciate 'things don't have to be perfect', and joining together with like minded women to share each others joys & sorrows. Meg
ReplyDeleteI just love how parts and pieces turn into something useful. I have been quilting for about 38 years, off and on, but have never made a quilt for myself. I am too busy making them for others, I guess. I love those pillowcase dresses. I have never made one, but I know there are a lot of places that give them. I may try one to see how I get along. I am not much of a clothing sewer but they look easy.
ReplyDeleteYou have great reasons to quilt listed here. I think those motivate me as well. Also, for a more frivolous reason...I love the excuse of playing with the pretty and fun fabrics or just putting the colors together to make quilt designs. I quilt because I can't seem to stop :-)
ReplyDeleteI quilt because I feel I have to! Something inside me is motivated, inspired and always challenged by making quilts. I love quilting for other people as well as repairing their well loved quilts and making memory quilts for them. I just have to quilt!!
ReplyDeleteI just have to! It's part of who I am & makes me, ME.
ReplyDeleteI am kind of DRIVEN to quilt. I have a lot of time alone at home since my children are all grown. My not totally Empty nest is my Quilt Zone where I am happy to create and improve my precision in my blocks.
ReplyDeleteI feel I can still learn and the friendships I have through quilting helps me to do that.
What a great post and I've loved reading the comments too. One reason I quilt is for the creative satisfaction of creating something one of a kind, pretty, and useful. I believe it's in their use that quilts become more and more beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDifficult to pick just one reason... so I'll have to sum it up with saying... "I quilt for the good of it"! :-)
ReplyDeleteTo play with the colors and fabrics. To have lovely gifts. To decorate my home. To feel tied to other women. To keep my collection of Humble Quilts quiltalongs going.
ReplyDeleteLucy (in IN)
Hello. Thanks for sharing this insightful post. I enjoyed reading it. I like the first quilt you made from the class with Jean Wells. Is there a pattern for it? If not, could you share information about each block? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRenragjdatgmaildotcom
I love to quilt for several reason, first because I like the fabric's smell and texture, also when I start a project I'm so excited and I can't wait to see my work finished, and last but not least I want to leave a sign of my presence for the generation to come.
ReplyDeleteRina, in Sicily.
I quilt because I'm obsessed with fabric. The patterns, the colors, the way it feels in my hands. I started first collecting fabric. Then one year I decided to learn to quilt so the fabric could be enjoyed by others as well as myself.
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