Quilt Qwazy Queens

In honor of Worldwide Quilting Day, Marian of Seams to be Sew coordinated the Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop for all of us to share our stories of how we got started quilting. Thank you, Marian, for all your hard work putting this Blog Hop together!

I was delighted when Marian invited me to participate.  I find it fascinating to learn what makes a quilter.  As it happens, I fell in love with quilting by accident.

In the summer of 1990, my friend Rita and I were sitting in my kitchen drinking coffee one morning talking about afghans and quilts.  I made the comment, "I don't understand why anyone would make a quilt when you can just go buy a blanket."

"You're looking at it wrong," she said.  "You make a quilt one block at a time.  It's not just a blanket, it's art."

She got me to thinking.  As an artist I dabbled in all kinds of mediums, but had never given much thought to creating with fabric and thread.  Rita challenged me to try my hand at quilting and I accepted the dare.  I thought it might be fun, as well as practical, to make a couple of quilts and have them to cover up with during cold, winter nights.  But that's not what happened. 

Determined to learn how to make a quilt, I bought the basic tools, borrowed my mom's sewing machine, and checked out dozens of library books on the subject.  My first quilt was a simple Trip Around the World.  It was wall-hanging size and so full of mistakes, I decided I could do better and made another.  My second quilt featured alternating 9-patch and Churn Dash blocks.  I was so proud of this quilt, I made a Maple Leaf quilt and gave it to my mother, a professional seamstress. 

It wasn't long before I began designing my own patterns.  Soon I was seeing the possibility of quilt designs everywhere and began devoting every spare minute I had to quilting, even to the point of waking up early just so I could sew a little before beginning my busy day of being a working wife and mother.

I was hooked.

I made quilts for all occasions.  I was even commissioned by our local library to commemorate The River Theater, one of the oldest theaters in town, that had been bought by Buck Owens and converted into a sound studio.  I gave away most of the quilts I made.  Even now I give away most of my creations.

In 1999 my house burned down.  I had to start all over again to build up my fabric stash and quilting tools.

In 2003 my web site Quilt du Jour (Quilt of the Day) was born where I sold the patterns I created.  I met so many wonderful quilters all over the world -- Canada, Italy, Brazil, Australia, just to name a few.  Quilters really are worldwide!  Quilt du Jour was a labor of love, but it never took off to the degree I would have wished, so after a few years, I shut down the site.

I never gave up quilting though.  I began quilting just because, learning new techniques, like applique and embroidery, and designing and creating quilts as the mood struck me.  Currently I am working on a book of new quilting patterns.  Hopefully I can find a company interested in publishing it.  Time will tell.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by.  Be sure to visit the other quilters who are sharing their stories today, too.

March 24

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Just Because Quilts (you are here)

Moose Stash

Batts in the Attic

All Thingz Sewn
Kwilt Krazy

After you leave your comments at the above blogs

stop in to enter only at

Seams to be Sew

During this blog hop, the Fat Quarter Shop is giving everyone a 10% discount.  The coupon is good for one purchase for each customer and is not good for use with gift certificates.  When you check out, just use the coupon code:  seamstobe316

 

And don't forget to sign up for the giveaway!  Through Marian, all of the participants of this Blog Hop have giveaways.  My giveaway is an 18" x 24" Calibre Arts Self-Healing Cutting Mat.  (PLEASE NOTE:  The winner of this giveaway may be required by Amazon to pay for shipping and handling.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway