A Love Affair with Quilting 

Thirty years ago I made my first quilt for my sister's first child. What I thought was a one-time gift, turned into a love affair, because after that she had another child, and I made another quilt. Before I knew it I was making quilts all the time. 

People who know me know that I am as passionate about quilts as I am about writing. I belong to two quilting groups. I have lots of quilty friends and hang out with quilters. I follow numerous quilt pages on Facebook and any chance I get I go to quilt shows. If you've never been to one, especially a really really big one like the International Quilt Festival in Houston, well, there's just nothing else like it. It's huge! I suppose you could call it the Olympics or Academy Awards of quilting. But honestly, it's so much more than that. For me, it's both inspirational and intimidating because as I look at those works of art, and that's exactly what they are, I doubt my ability to make something so extraordinary. Even so, I can't help but be in awe of the artistry, the colorful array of perfectly chosen fabrics, designs beyond my imagination, and quilting so perfect it takes my proverbial breath away. 

I just love being around quilts, whether I could ever make something so divine as the quilts at the International Quilt Festival or not. I know what I do well. And I know what brings me joy. Because the joy is why I do it. Like my quilts pictured above, I pretty much stick to making quilts using fabrics and colors that make me happy. The collage bunny below is my latest foray into getting out of my comfort zone. I'd made only one collage before the bunny, the lemons quilt at the top of the page. So much fun. I know I'll be making another one soon. Yes, it brings me joy. 

When I began learning to quilt, I didn't have a sewing machine. I made that first quilt for my nephew by cutting out all the pieces with scissors, sewing the pieces together with a single needle and thread, and quilting it by hand. My nephew was six months old before I finished it and I worked on it every day. I point out how I made every aspect by hand because these days, most people sew their quilts entirely by machine. I too sew the top on my machine, which makes it go oh so much faster. When it comes to the quilting though, I often opt to quilt it by hand because.......you guessed it, the act of hand quilting brings me joy and a great sense of satisfaction. In some strange way, it connects me to quilters of long ago, who didn't have lovely sewing machines to do the quilting for them. Once in a while though I will hire a "longarmer" to quilt a piece that requires a more sophisticated touch, like the bunny. I could not have done the bunny justice by hand, but a wonderfully talented woman named Louise Klare could, and she did. I smile every time I look at bunny who now hangs in my sewing room. 

Life is too short not to live joyfully, don't you think? Well, I do, and that's why I'll keep on quilting and writing, and living as happy a life as possible. I hope the same for you.