To quilt or not to quilt

What is it about doing work with one's hands that is so satisfying?  When I used to pot, the feel of the clay on my hands as it went round and round on the wheel brought me an escape from reality, and the finished product usually brought some measure of satisfaction (or got smashed).  More recently, knitting and crocheting prayer and baptism shawls and blankets has been so good for my soul.  I relax more completely than in any other situation when I knit.  Actually, no day is complete without a little bit of knitting or crocheting, so there are always at least two projects on the go.  The patterns are uncomplicated or completely familiar, so my mind is free to wander.  Especially when I am using my favourite Sensations Angel Hair wool, which slips so easily through my fingers, all my senses are at peace. (Please, JoAnn Fabrics, do not discontinue carrying this wool!)

And then there is quilting, my latest endeavour.  As with most things, taking a course and learning to do it properly would be too easy.  Instead, I prefer to use the "try and try again" method, which leads to lots of ripping out and redoing. I realized that I wanted to try quilting when I received a quilt from "Victoria's Quilts" when I was going through treatment (thanks Arlis).  I hope some day to be able to make a few quilts for that organization, so that others may receive that very special gift. But I have learned that  quilting is not something that is in my nature.  I am not naturally a precise person - I have never followed the "measure a thousand times, cut once" school of thought.  However, I also hate to waste fabric, so I am learning patience and am learning to be more careful than I thought possible. I can't say that I yet find the peace and solace in quilting that I do in the other fabric arts. That may be because each time I quilt I am trying to do something different, so nothing is familiar.  I am also very much an amateur, a beginner, and have a long way to go before I reach my mother's level of expertise.  However, the satisfaction is there.  When I have finished a quilt, I love to spread it out and look at it, and to enjoy how the colours meld.

That satisfaction is fleeting, though.  I am also learning that as I work more on quilting, I am increasingly dissatisfied with past projects.  Those colours just aren't as great together as I originally thought, my stitching should have been much better, I could have cut that fabric with just a little more care.  To those who receive these early projects, ( and I have to give them away, because you can only use so many quilts) my apologies.  Hopefully these quilts will serve the immediate purpose of keeping you warm and cozy.  Hopefully also that in the future you will receive something made with a little more skill, but they will never come with more love.

                                                                   One in progress

A past project

The original family birthday quilt

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