I mentioned some last week about feeling a connection between the Pioneer women and myself - through the knowledge of quilting.
The history of quilting is fascinating to me. Perhaps I find it most interesting because I feel a part of it.
Did you know that ...
... quilting can be traced back as far as Ancient Egypt?
... quilts played a role in helping the Abolitionist raise money to further their cause?
... African Americans, Native Americans, Hawaiians, the Amish, Mexican Americans and the Chinese Hmong all have their own distinct quilting traditions?
Here's a great site that has tons of history - Womenfolk: The Art of Quilting
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Toddlers and Quilting Don't Mix
(Cross-Post)
In case there was any doubt - toddlers and quilting don't mix.
This doesn't mean I'm giving up already, it just means that I'm already anticipating the problems and finding solutions (like the Super-Mommy I am ;) Well, thinking of finding solutions - none found as of yet.
Sitting down at the sewing machine last night, I had a flood of memories. A FLOOD as in "I actually wound up in tears."
Back when I was taking all of these classes and quilting so much, I wasn't a Mom. In fact, it hadn't been all that long since we'd found out about our whole "No Babies" status. It was the time somewhere after the debilitating depression days and just at the beginning of the hobby-and-travel escapism days.
I had an office just off the living room, with my computer and my sewing desk. I didn't have to pick things up at night, or after nap time, because there were no little hands to drop the magnetic pin cushion or figure out how to slide the rotary cutter open on his first try. It was my command center, and it was all MY space. I could sit there for hours at the sewing machine and lose myself in the order and the symmetry, the math and the rules. I think I liked it so much because it was something I could control. Cutting, stitching, pressing - creating something beautiful out of these little pieces of fabric was actually something I could *DO* - and a substitute, for a little while, of what I couldn't. And it was fun, too.
These days - instead of an office, I have a den/playroom that is N's space. Sometimes, I get to watch tv in there, but mostly it's just Sesame Street. I don't get to sew in there. Instead, I'm at the dining room table. I most definitely have to pick up the needles and scissors and rotary cutters when I am done. And I don't have the luxury of sitting there for hours at the sewing machine and getting lost - my time is limited.
I bet you think I'm going to launch into a trite-but-sweet sentence or two about preferring things this way. Well, yes, of course I do - but what I've really been thinking about last night and this morning is that I have to remember that it's okay to pursue these other things I love, too. I've missed quilting. Somehow, for some reason, it's the art form that speaks to me and satisfies a part of my soul. I'm thankful I found it when I did, that it helped me pass the time until I was meant to become a Mom. In the grand scheme of things, I think N will be better served by a Mommy who has her soul fed by her passions occasionally than by a Mommy who forgets about all of the things that make her, well, her.
Now - off to design a toddler-proof sewing basket.
In case there was any doubt - toddlers and quilting don't mix.
This doesn't mean I'm giving up already, it just means that I'm already anticipating the problems and finding solutions (like the Super-Mommy I am ;) Well, thinking of finding solutions - none found as of yet.
Sitting down at the sewing machine last night, I had a flood of memories. A FLOOD as in "I actually wound up in tears."
Back when I was taking all of these classes and quilting so much, I wasn't a Mom. In fact, it hadn't been all that long since we'd found out about our whole "No Babies" status. It was the time somewhere after the debilitating depression days and just at the beginning of the hobby-and-travel escapism days.
I had an office just off the living room, with my computer and my sewing desk. I didn't have to pick things up at night, or after nap time, because there were no little hands to drop the magnetic pin cushion or figure out how to slide the rotary cutter open on his first try. It was my command center, and it was all MY space. I could sit there for hours at the sewing machine and lose myself in the order and the symmetry, the math and the rules. I think I liked it so much because it was something I could control. Cutting, stitching, pressing - creating something beautiful out of these little pieces of fabric was actually something I could *DO* - and a substitute, for a little while, of what I couldn't. And it was fun, too.
These days - instead of an office, I have a den/playroom that is N's space. Sometimes, I get to watch tv in there, but mostly it's just Sesame Street. I don't get to sew in there. Instead, I'm at the dining room table. I most definitely have to pick up the needles and scissors and rotary cutters when I am done. And I don't have the luxury of sitting there for hours at the sewing machine and getting lost - my time is limited.
I bet you think I'm going to launch into a trite-but-sweet sentence or two about preferring things this way. Well, yes, of course I do - but what I've really been thinking about last night and this morning is that I have to remember that it's okay to pursue these other things I love, too. I've missed quilting. Somehow, for some reason, it's the art form that speaks to me and satisfies a part of my soul. I'm thankful I found it when I did, that it helped me pass the time until I was meant to become a Mom. In the grand scheme of things, I think N will be better served by a Mommy who has her soul fed by her passions occasionally than by a Mommy who forgets about all of the things that make her, well, her.
Now - off to design a toddler-proof sewing basket.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Quilting Glossary
I found this great glossary of quilting terms, apparently out of Australia. There are a lot of glossary listings out there - but this one seemed the easiest to navigate. If you're ever not sure of a term, this is a great site to bookmark and use as a reference.
Australian Craft Wiki Quilting Glossary
I particularly like their definition of UFOs (which is how I started this whole blog):
"UFO Shorthand for UnFinished Object. A project you started but have not finished yet. Doesn’t count if it’s just an idea on your mind or a pattern on paper. Some people tend to attract UFOs, and some repel. Most quilters have at least a couple. UFOs are a NON-GUILT-ITEM. You are obviously letting them age (like fine wine) while your creative mind is developing other projects."
Australian Craft Wiki Quilting Glossary
I particularly like their definition of UFOs (which is how I started this whole blog):
"UFO Shorthand for UnFinished Object. A project you started but have not finished yet. Doesn’t count if it’s just an idea on your mind or a pattern on paper. Some people tend to attract UFOs, and some repel. Most quilters have at least a couple. UFOs are a NON-GUILT-ITEM. You are obviously letting them age (like fine wine) while your creative mind is developing other projects."
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