For the male quilters

Hi Carissa (who is addicted to reading quilt magazines while pretending to work lol),

Was it the > Hi All,

Yes it was the second one, and that edition too but it was by the guy who makes the frames, ummm omg I forgot his name so I shall call him Mr Flynn. Now why would I forget it... because as soon as I hit send I will remeber grrrr lol

Was it the > Hi All,

On Jul 22, 9:54=A0pm, "Carissa" wrote:

I had an interesting exchange yesterday. My wife and I signed up for Tai Chi classes at a local senior center. (You know you are getting old when you frequent the senior center). Anyway, one of the women came up to me and asked if I was the guy in town that quilted. It surprised me, but I said yes. She said that she knew a mutual friend who told her about me. Her husband was sitting next to her and looked a little taken aback that there would be a guy that he could come into contact with who quilted, here in this little town of rather conservative bent, in Central Ohio. I explained that I used to be a woodworker/furniture maker and that it really was no different than that rather manly pursuit. (Although, there are of course some very fine women woodworkers). But in the context of this small area of the world. it is a pursuit that is outside of the norm for a man to engage in. I then explained that I was drawn to it by the similarities between furniture construction, and quilt construction, when I was looking for something to do in my retirement years. You cut a lot of small pieces (Precisely) and then you assemble them into a whole project. If you don't do precise work, it all can turn to naught. I saw the light go on in the husbands face and he said that it sounded interesting. I then saw the look of horror come into the wife's face, as she envisioned the possibility of the husband encroaching on her quilting room. We then laughed about that possibility, and agreed that if he saw fit to engage, in they making of quilts, he should have his own space. I offered to show him around my quilting studio/room and give him some pointers toward getting involved. Just one small step in the process, of making the world safe for male quilters. Thought you might enjoy this story.

John

John

Certainly did enjoy hearing the tale, John. . In message , John writes

I enjoyed it too; particularly the part about the wife having to share her sewing space with her DH. Not me, noooo. Mine is a 'take charge' person and I do not want Adult Supervision. My DH is welcome to borrow my tiny screwdrivers and other tools but I watch him when he visits 'my' space and growl like a narc dog. He knows. Polly

"Patti" Certainly did enjoy hearing the tale, John.

That town might never be the same after you have been there John. Trying to open one mind at a time it sounds like. I suppose it is easier to go from wood working to working with fabric. As I work with wood the dimension makes me work a lot more. Working with fabric has just become second nature to me but the woodworking seems to come with a lot more effort (and sadly less success). Some things we are just born with too. You clearly have excelled at both. Taria

I had an interesting exchange yesterday. My wife and I signed up for Tai Chi classes at a local senior center. (You know you are getting old when you frequent the senior center). Anyway, one of the women came up to me and asked if I was the guy in town that quilted. It surprised me, but I said yes. She said that she knew a mutual friend who told her about me. Her husband was sitting next to her and looked a little taken aback that there would be a guy that he could come into contact with who quilted, here in this little town of rather conservative bent, in Central Ohio. I explained that I used to be a woodworker/furniture maker and that it really was no different than that rather manly pursuit. (Although, there are of course some very fine women woodworkers). But in the context of this small area of the world. it is a pursuit that is outside of the norm for a man to engage in. I then explained that I was drawn to it by the similarities between furniture construction, and quilt construction, when I was looking for something to do in my retirement years. You cut a lot of small pieces (Precisely) and then you assemble them into a whole project. If you don't do precise work, it all can turn to naught. I saw the light go on in the husbands face and he said that it sounded interesting. I then saw the look of horror come into the wife's face, as she envisioned the possibility of the husband encroaching on her quilting room. We then laughed about that possibility, and agreed that if he saw fit to engage, in they making of quilts, he should have his own space. I offered to show him around my quilting studio/room and give him some pointers toward getting involved. Just one small step in the process, of making the world safe for male quilters. Thought you might enjoy this story.

John

John

I did, John! It's amazing how there have to be "pioneers" in what used to be considered "men's" pursuits and "women's" pursuits. But I think you did a fine job of explaining why quilting might safely appeal to a man. :)

The form we are studying, the only one offered, is Tai-Chi for Arthritis. Fitting, somehow, in that it is being offered through the senior center. I have already located another venue in a town a bit further afield, that offers the more traditional Tai-Chi. But, seeing as I have already paid for this one, I will take it to completion. It can't hurt as a first step.

John

I really loved your story, John. I reminded me of the time I asked my parents to fight for me to take wood shop in school. (I was the only girl in the class way back when). I wanted to get over my fear of power tools, and learn more about furniture contruction. I must admit, I made the worst lamp ever! but had fun in the process of it all. and in turn, lost my fear. Haven't had the chance to use a power tool since, except for my sewing machine!!

amy in CNY

Back in the 1950's, when I went to high school, They offered shop for girls, and cooking for guys. Some of the more adventurous guys did take the cooking class, but few of the girls took shop class. This was long before Title 9 and the leveling of the funding playing field. It was a wealthy school district, so they could afford to have classes with sparse attendance. The guys that took shop were the greasers, who used to make brass knuckles and other tools of adventure. I don't know what the girls that took the class made.

John

25-20 years ago, I took a couple woodworking classes through community education. I think there was another woman or two in the class. I enjoyed it -- made a small table and chairs for my little (at the time) daughter. I decided putting a board through a power saw wasn't so very different from putting fabric through a sewing machine. :)

Julia > >> Hi All,

You're absolutely right, John, and I hope you both enjoy it as much as I do! :)

Except, of course, for the possibility of taking off a finger or five, not to mention the kick-back, hearing damage from the noise, or lung troubles from breathing sawdust. Otherwise, yep, much the same ;) Turtle

Hi Julia,

Except for the damage it can do. I've seen a table saw impel a stick of wood into a concrete block wall.

I wonder... if you cut your fingers off with a power saw, could you sew them back on with a sewing mach... nevermind.

I have an aunt in AZ in her eighties who's been building furniture at her community rec center for over twenty years now. She's "just one of the guys" in the wood shop. Next time I visit I'll have to see if there are any men in the quilting club.

Doc

I figured the safety precautions were a given. :)

Julia in MN

Not sure where your aunt is, but there are quite a few male quilters here in AZ. There is even a LQS owned and run by guys, "The 3 (I think) Dudes". Several husband/wife set ups too. In Arizona we are equal opportunity quilters. (And the gents compete in the same categories as the ladies. Sometimes they win, too.) Guys in the fabric/quilt shops isn't all that unusual.

Have fun, Pati, in Phx