As I sit down to recount my early quilting days, memories of colorful fabrics, late-night stitching sessions, and the warmth of handmade quilts flood my mind. It’s a journey that began with the simple act of learning how to sew from my mom, but little did I know it would evolve into a passion that would shape my creative endeavors for years to come.
It all started when I was around 10 years old, eager to learn how to use a sewing machine. My mom patiently guided me through the process, starting with a humble project: a pair of pajama shorts. Surrounded by my friends, we made a day of it, stitching our way through fabric and friendship. Those early days were filled with laughter, mistakes, and invaluable lessons that would lay the foundation for my future love of quilting..
Fast forward to 2009, during my time in grad school in Austin, Texas. It was here that my path intersected with quilting in a serendipitous manner. Joining a book club led me to discover that some of my friends were avid quilters. Intrigued by their craft, I decided to dip my toes in, not knowing that it would soon become a lifelong passion.
Armed with determination and fueled by curiosity, in those early days, resources were limited. This was before YouTube became the go-to place for how to’s. I found inspiration and guidance in the most unexpected places—blog posts and photo-sharing platforms like Flickr. Looking back, I chuckle at the nostalgia of those times, reminiscing about the excitement of discovering new techniques and patterns in the vast online quilting community.
As you might suspect, no journey is without its hurdles, and mine was no exception. One particular challenge stands out vividly in my memory—my initial struggle with fabric selection. In a stroke of luck (or perhaps fate), I stumbled upon a treasure trove of free fabric on Craigslist, eager to jumpstart my quilting endeavors. Little did I know, I was working with upholstery fabric, which explained the difficulties I faced in my early quilting attempts. Once I made the switch to quilting cotton, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
What began as a hobby quickly blossomed into an obsession. I found myself immersed in the world of fabrics and color palettes, eagerly exploring endless possibilities with each new project. There’s something truly magical about hand-selecting fabrics and watching them come together to form a beautiful patchwork.
Amongst the various stages of quilting, two aspects hold a special place in my heart. The first is the joy of selecting fabrics and creating harmonious color palettes—an exhilarating process that ignites my creativity and sparks endless inspiration. The second is the meticulous art of hand binding, where every stitch is infused with love and care, transforming a quilt into a cherished heirloom.
While quilting has become a central part of my creative expression, I’ve also ventured into other textile arts, such as cross-stitching. The meditative rhythm of cross-stitching offers me solace and satisfaction, serving as a compliment to my quilting endeavors.
Reflecting back, I’m filled with gratitude for the moments of learning, growth, and camaraderie that quilting has brought into my life. From those humble beginnings of pajama shorts to the bold shapes of patchwork quilts that adorn my home, each stitch tells a story. As I continue to thread my needle and piece together fabrics, I’m reminded that the true beauty of quilting lies not only in the finished product but in the journey of creation itself.