I started quilting about 4 years ago out of spite. My friend was always dragging me to quilt stores and complaining about how long it takes to make a quilt and how much work it was. She started a quilt when she was in high school, we're in our 50s now. At that time, I knew absolutely nothing about quilting, nor anyone who had ever made or owned a real quilt, but I just knew it couldn't possible take over 40 years to finish a quilt.
Without telling her, I picked up a pad of paper and pencil, drew a design that looked logical, went to the LQS, bought 5 or 6 half yards of "farm" design material, batting and backing, got DH to dig out my old Kenmore, and within a week I had finished my first "birthed" quilt. I had never seen anyone quilt, nor had I taken any lessons, but the birthing process, then stitch in the ditch just seemed how it was supposed to be done. I later found out that I had done the Trip Around the World pattern. Then I showed it to my friend and she was stunned that I had done this without telling her. We now both spend all of our shopping or browsing free time in LQS all over NH (and we have some great ones).
I've always been somewhat crafty, but nothing ever appealed to my senses like quilting, but my tastes have changed a lot since I started. I used to absolutely hate the 1930s prints, and wondered why anyone would even consider them as they would certainly make old scruffy looking quilts. Now these prints are pretty close to my favorites, I melt when I see an old puckered well-preserved quilt. I'm working on a BOM of 30s right now and I have purchased yards more for the stash. I also love wild brights, anything with critters, have a ton of batiks, fabric I never knew existed 4 years ago. I found out that I'm very adventurous with colors and patterns.
I never noticed quilts before, now I see them everywhere, (they used to be just yucky old blankets to me). I belong to a very large guild in a neighboring town and enjoy "show and tell" the best. So yes, lots of things have changed for me since I started quilting, I have a great designated sewing room, large stash, new vocabulary, new friends, and an outlet for creativity.
My friend finally finished her high school quilt and a few more, I've finished over 40 quilts and have at least a dozen more tops waiting to be quilted, and I'm looking forward to meeting Carol Doak, (another NH resident) next month at my guild meeting. Four years ago I would have said, "Who is Carol Doak?"
Denise
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