I was 'bitten by the quilting bug' around 2003. At the time, I was looking for a unique gift to give my then-fiance who was older, wiser, more domestically established, and generally didn't need anything that could be bought at a store. I was wandering around a JoAnn's store (looking for a sunday school craft supply of some type) and saw a fabric with sailboats on it. He enjoys sailing so I bought the fabric, some other fabrics that I thought coordinated, and said, "Sure, I'll make a quilt." After planning out a simple quilt on leftover chemistry lab graph paper, I borrowed my mothers sewing machine to put it together. I cut squares while sitting on the floor, with a terrible scissors, using measuring and markings skills and tools (or lack thereof!) that today would make my skin crawl, but somehow managed to piece a quilt top. I called on a college chemistry friend whom I knew quilted to help when my corners didn't match, and then called on my quilt-y aunt and godmother to show me how to layer, spray baste, and tie it. I am happy to say that my husband was floored with the gift and we still use the quilt around the house today. (I am actually amazed that it is still together knowing how I made it and how far my skills have come.)
Eleven-plus years later we have two daughters, a home in southwestern WI, and I have a gigantic extra bedroom that I get to have as my sewing room. Who would have known?! Both my daughters are learning to sew and craft in various forms, they share a worktable of their own in my sewing room, and are already indoctrinated that the best gifts are always homemade. There's no better feeling than when you surprise a friend with something you've whipped up especially for them!
I still quilt a lot, but have also ventured into clothing and general/home dec sewing. I love handwork so I enjoy embroidery and quilting by hand. Crochet is a more recent addition to the craftiness in the house.
My goals for the future are to become more comfortable with sewing clothing so that I can make clothes for myself. I am on a journey to learn to draft custom clothes to fit my skinny minnie shape. I would also love to piece a bed quilt entirely by hand. Someday. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment