November 18, 2006 - Bread Or Threads??
Quilting was something I always wanted to do - I just didn't have a clue where or how to start.
Last year (05) my husband took a temporary teaching position in a little town 'far, far away'. We put all our things in storage and gallantly set off. We moved into a tiny two room cabin in a tourist park on the outskirts of Armidale, NSW.
While hubby was away at school each day the kids and I would shiver through our morning homeschool lessons until, at last, the sun begrudgingly shared some warmth. By then it was after lunch, and we would drive into Armidale to soak up the peaceful atmosphere of the quaint New England mountain town.
After a couple of weeks in our temporary home, a new friend showed us a quilt she had made - I was quite in awe of her skill. She declared that it was not very hard to quilt, and as we parted she loaned me some "Homespun" magazines, filled to overflowing with the most beautiful quilts I'd ever laid eyes on!
The rest, as they say, is history!!
For the last 15 months I have immersed myself, and my 12yo daughter in fabric, patterns, thread, fabric shopping, fabric, rotary cutters, fabric, fabric shopping, fabric.... did I mention fabric??
The avatar on this webpage is a portion of the first quilt I made in September '05. I named it "For The Love Of Mark". I had always dreamt of making a wedding quilt, and finally I did.
The quilt above is one that I made my eldest daughter for her 27th birthday.
I have made many, many more (shall add more pics in the weeks ahead) yet find that my appetite to create another is never satiated! I have given many items away as gifts which just means I have more space at home to start all over again.
I especially love adding embroidery and applique to the things I make. Wallhangings, cushions, journal covers, dolls, baby quilts, bags, household items, table runners....all these things become avenues for my addiction to thread.
Having a few different things on the go at any one time assures me that no matter what the time of day, or the weather, or the light - I always have something to keep my hands busy and my mind creating.
For so many years I prayed that God would open the creative room in my mind. I felt creatively stifled. Although I tried many things, it was not until this foray into quilting that I felt an "aha" moment - that moment when I just knew "this is it!".
I hope you enjoy the things I'll share along the way. This is really my way of keeping track of what I make - for posterity.
PS: A benefit I never realised until a few months into my quilting obsession was that when I'm in the throws of a new creation I loose my appetite....hence the title of this entry - "Bread or Threads?". If I'm in my sewing zone I'll take the threads every time! Just bring me a coffee, okay?
Comments
November 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by dragonmaiden53
Just wanna welcome you to HSB!
November 20, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Robin
This quilt is gorgeous! Can't wait to see your other creations.
November 23, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Jenny
How beautiful, do you know I really want to learn how to quilt, it is something that I would love to do with my girls (boys may like it too) You give me hope to know it can be done without someone 'teaching' you.
A request please: Could you give me online classes? A how to start lesson:)
Erin
<- Last Page • Next Page ->
