Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Why I Quilt

Why do I quilt?  Why do I feel the need to cut apart perfectly good pieces of fabric into substantially smaller pieces of fabric and then sew them back together into larger pieces of fabric again?  It sounds crazy when you put it that way, doesn't it?  Even crazier, one of the main reasons I do quilt is for therapy from everyday life.

 Vintage Star Mini Quilt

Last night at dinner, my two oldest sons had a spoon wrestling match over the potato spoon.  Then, Levi decided to eat his whole piece of chicken right off his fork, caveman style.  The youngest entertained himself by dropping small pieces of potato in his "big boy" elephant handle cup of milk.  My husband helped out by burping over and over and over again.  Yes, I need some tranquility after that.  Do these kind of events happen in other homes, or just mine?  Did the original maker of the above star block stitch for a little sanctuary from everyday life?  Do you?

 Vintage Star Mini Quilt on the Flipside

I almost finished sewing this purple plaid sleeve to the back of the vintage star block last night, after all the ruckus, while sitting on the porch, the sun setting through the trees across the street.  The two younger boys were playing in the yard (Yes, my kids do play outside!).  My oldest was kicking the soccer ball with my husband.  A much nicer scene after the dinner hubbub.  I live in an ancient farmhouse.  I wonder if past generations of women sat stitching or playing music on this same porch ages ago while the children ran, played, and caught fireflies in the dusky evening light of fall.

 Another vintage quilt find, waiting to be finished.

I also quilt for personal expression.  I feel a primal inner need to create something.  Something that is unique and personal.  Something I can share with family and friends that says "This is me",  "This is my story".

This vintage quilt seems to tell a story about some one's life.

And I quilt for love.  Love to wrap up my family in.  It's like being there to hug someone, even when you're not there.  Warmth, comfort, and love.  Even the cats want a little quilt to curl up in on cool evenings.  When I tuck my boys in at night, we always end with "a quilt to keep the love in".  Good-night.

Excuse me...I have to go clean up the cat food and rocks the 2 y.o. just used to fill up a matchbox cars carrier case...time for more therapy!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like our home as the kids were growing. I think you've hit on a lot of the reasons why my wife likes to get lost, so to speak, in her sewing and quilting. A very thoughtful muse. Thank you!

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  2. Emjoyed your post. Sounds peaceful sitting on your porch. Sandi

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