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The Road Not Taken: The Quilts You Will Never Make
The busy bee 21st century quilter/sewer/crafter is faced-or rather bombarded-with numerous choices each day. Some which will impact the time given over to sitting behind our sewing machines. Some which are not so directly involved with the creative process but still a factor. Some not at all.
That means many, many ideas or projects either will never be finished or even started at all. In my own life, that means I would design many, many potential projects and only a few could ever be completed. There are just as many reasons why:
So how do I deal with my limitations? I acknowledge my limitations and try to find out which one of the 4 reasons above is the culprit then work out some sort of solution or compromise. Or even better, I continue to make smaller samples of techniques and ideas that appeal to me. From this group, I choose the candidates that would best fit my situation I am currently in at that point in time. Let us know how each of you make quality time for the people, things, or situations that are the most important in your life in this new chaotic century. :p This suggested above tactic seems to always works for me! :p |
I think a lot depends on how many "other" demands a person has to deal with at a given time in his/her life.
What I am doing now at 78 is quite different than what I was doing at 28. I am in a "good bubble" at the moment - DH and I are fairly "able/competent" at the moment, we do not "have to" take care of anyone, and we have enough money to cover our immediate needs. When I was 28, I had four little kids and a big garden, wringer washing machine, outdoor clotheslines - I actually got a lot more accomplished then - as far as sewing goes, anyway. I think "can I do it?" would be my biggest motivator right now. After I figured out "how" - I would probably lose interest. |
I try not to over think it. I work with what I have. I notice that I am attracted to certain patterns and techniques when I browse, so I save those images for consideration just to get the idea out of my head while I finish up what I have going on. Quilting has taught me patience, to do what I can, and aim for improvement in my skills. I am lucky to be able to afford something if it is missing, like a neutral fabric or a backing, when I need it. I give away a lot of what I sew, so storage is not much of a problem for me. I have no suggestions for managing time. There is so much give and take in life.
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The constraints you mention are certainly true. I would add physical ability and stamina. The body often dictates limits that the mind, budget, or clock doesn’t .
I prioritize the quilts I make very selfishly, to be quite frank. If I think the recipient will appreciate it, that’s top reason to even start. . I’ve only made a quilt for one of my three sisters, the one I think is most grateful. The older one is a quilter but she is critical. I don’t want to be criticized, not even silently. My baby sister admits her love language is not gifts, so why put effort into making a gift for her? My grandtwins received a quilt each for being born. Their mom has only ever displayed the pink one. Guess I screwed up by making a blue one instead of green to match their pink and green nursery. Friends of mine going through chemo appreciated my quilts very much. No criticism there. Nieces play with my doll quilts so that’s all I need from them to feel my labors were worthwhile. Hubby and kids have said getting a quilt would not be a big deal. So donation quilts, by far, are my main focus. I hope each one is appreciated, but if not, what I don’t know can’t hurt me. Besides, there’s no deadline unless I impose one. |
For me progressive vision loss is a real issue.
Never did make the mariner's compass or pickle dish quilts I had planned on... but while perhaps my best workmanship is behind me, I am still able to sew and so sew I shall! The planning and piecing is the part I like the best so am not so concerned with getting them quilted down. I'm gathering what rosebuds as I may, and I will manage to store the completed tops that I am keeping. More are being given/donated than kept. I've always had financial constraints and yet have a grand stash by shopping my local thrift stores. The Seattle area is a very wealthy area even if I am not and I've found yardage of every designer you can think of. The only issue is you have to be able to deal with the available yardage and no, you can't really go out there looking for the perfect fabric for a particular project -- you have to be open to what the universe provides. While my productivity may ebb and flow, sometimes dealing with my health issues, my interest is generally there. I decided as a senior in high school that I wanted to quilt despite not having any quilters in my background. I've been quilting for 40 years, it and music are the constants in my life. |
I still find someone that would like a quilt. My choice of colors and pattern is all that work for me. I am making some girl quilts for our Great Granddaughter due in early October. My Granddaughter can pick which one she wants or how many she wants. Mostly I make for Foster kids in our county. If they don't like them I will never know. I just love to make quilts and I can't keep them all.
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Lack of skills would be on my list. I will never make art quilts or complicated patterns like Judy Neimeyer's. Appreciating other peoples talents is how I deal with my limitations.
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I was an apparel and home dec sewer for many years. I was introduced to quilting about 10 years ago by my now deceased dear neighbor. So everything I make has a little bit of her in it. I don't have any financial constraints, and no big storage issues. I have made quilts for all of my 6 grandchildren, and my adult kids, so now I make donation quilts for the Cancer Center at our nearby hospital. They are raffled off to the chemo patients monthly. My object in life now is to have fun doing what I love. I will never make a GFG, a Dresden plate, or any quilt with curves or circles in it. I spent enough years setting in sleeves that I have no desire to repeat that process. And I did applique long before there was fusible backing, so been there done that. I have honed my skills so I don't consider that an issue either. The present time is dedicated to reducing my sizable stash, including precuts and yardage. And if a need arises that someone can benefit from a quilt, I can gift one easily. I have about 50 quilts in various sizes ready for anyone who needs one. I love to challenge myself with a new pattern, but also just want to enjoy the process.
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Grann of 6, your story is so similar to mine. I have not gifted my entire family, but the younger ones have been promised a quilt when they get married or leave home, so they will have the choice of colors etc. Other than that, all of my quilts are donations to the cancer center. I'll probably never make a New York beauty of a reverse applique.
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I am so happy to have quilting in my life at this stage of life (retirement). It has given me many new friends and it certainly occupies a lot of my time. I was never one to sit and do nothing and I find I sew more now than ever since my husband died. I sew for my family and I donate to a group who makes quilts for a woman’s shelter and I make quilts of Valor. I still love to challenge myself and I signed up to make “Circa1800” by Pam Buda. I will not make another one when this one is finished! I love appliqué and embroidery and I plan to do more. I love scrappy quilts, 1930’s and Civil War reproduction. I have more fabric, sewing machines, sewing memorabilia than I need but will go to a quilt store when anyone want to go. I don’t think I will ever paper piece but I never say “Never!”.
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