small gestures
 

What is the best thing anyone ever did for you or gave you to encourage your sewing and quilting? I'm not talking grand gestures like buying super expensive machines or remodeling an entire room for your use. We all salivate over those stories. My mom, now gone 7 years, gave me a small sewing table (about 24"X48") with a recessed shelf to hold the machine about 25 years ago. The panel that covers the shelf when closed as a table swings out to the right side and provides a little more space to pile things. It's sort of portable, with a little sweat, very simple, but soooo useful. I thank her every day.

I'd have to say it's the encouragement my husband gives me. He tells me to buy the best, never quibbles over cost, and has patiently attended quilt shows whenever I needed him too.

Compliments from strangers who see me in costume at faire. I may not be the flashiest person out there, but compliments are nice. And as far as quilting, the kind woman who owns one of the quilt shops I frequent who said that I should sell my patterns. :)

This topic reminded me of an incident at my son's soccer game last weekend. I can't stand to sit and do nothing, and I don't bring handwork because of the chance that it could get muddy. So I crochet. The project I'm working on right now is very simple and easy, just a straight single-crochet blanket. One of the other dads at the game took a genuine interest in my project. He was asking me all kinds of questions - what kind and how much yarn am I using, how long will it take to make, how do I make the stitches, etc. He watched me for a while, trying to figure out how the stitches form, so I showed him, and even laid the blanket on his lap. He was amazed at how warm it was (another reason I bring it to soccer games!)

It was AMAZING to me how much his interest fueled my energy level. I crocheted all weekend long while watching football games, and added another 8 inches onto my project! I'm thinking I need to have him come over to my house so I can show him all my quilting UFOs - maybe I'll get some of them done!

When I began quilting, I had very little fabric and even less money! LOL. My father who is the one who really sparked my interest in quilting; decided he could not make quilts any more because of his eyesight and he just told me to go in and get whatever fabric I wanted, whenever I wanted. Plus a lady who I met through my blog, was going through her house and remodeling and asked if I would like some of the fabrics that she no longer wanted. Boy was I shocked when she sent me about 50 yards of material. Both of these gestures have made all the difference in my quilting and will never be forgotten!

Sounds like a keeper!

Compliments from strangers are the best, because you know they made the effort to reach out beyond their comfort zone, and they don't expect anything back. And, if I were you, I'd listen to the quilt shop lady.

It's always fun teaching someone. It makes us look at our own skills with new eyes.

Generosity is a sure way to achieve immortality in the hearts and minds of others. I bet your dad was delighted to have you carry on his tradition.

When I was 12 my Mom finally was tired of me re-designing as she sewed for me, so she said "from now on you make your own clothes". And she gave me freedom to use her sewing machine. I've been sewing ever since.

When strangers/new friends come to our home my husband points out whatever my latest quilt is that is hanging on the wall.

I love DH and Mom!

No one in my immediate family sewed, but I really was interested in learning.
When I was in High School, my cousin took me under her wing and taught me to sew. She was my mother's age so she was more like an Aunt to me. I took a bus trip to her house (she lived in the next State) and we spent a whole weekend sewing. I picked out patterns for dresses and skirts and bought fabric. She supervised my efforts and gave me many great tips. That was 45 years ago but I still think of that weekend fondly as a highlight of my life.

I started quilting when I saw a friend hand pieceing a quilt and asked her what she was doing after she told me what it was i went out got some charm packs put them together got some batting and backing tied it and I was hooked... all self taught :)

A substitute Home Ec teacher. I was making a jacket with a very fine plaid. I matched and pinned the set in sleeves perfectly. Then after I sewed them in I noticed the darts were now in the front. She told me "you won't learn anything by ripping that all out. I've here all day with time on my hands let me do it for you." The next day I came into class to find them all ripped out and ready for me to start over. In later years she became me 4-H leader.

I didn't learn anything by ripping out but I sure got a lesson on kindness that has stuck with me for over 30 years.

I had sewing lessons as a teen, but always used my mom's machine. After I got married, I would go to mom's house and use her machine. When we bought our first house, my parents bought me my own machine. Nothing fancy at all, but it was mine. I set up my own sewing area in the basement. A few years later, my dad gave me a big coffee table book of quilts and $100 to help feed my antique quilt collection. Another thoughtful gift!

I have been interested in quilts for years and longed to make my first when I met the BF who encouraged me, enables all my purchases and my Mother and children who love the results and clamor over who gets the next one. The most shocking is the oldest who buys everything, her quilt is now her most treasured possession.

A fairly recent kind gesture was that someone here on the board gave me a pair of thread snips. I was thrilled! I think of her and her generosity when I use them! :)

What a wonderful topic to post - when I was a poor, struggling college student, the uncle of my beau at the time (now ex-husband) bought me a discontinued model of a sewing cabinet. Both sides unfold and open to make a 5 ft. long surface, with four drawers on one side. I have never seen a nicer, or sturdier one since. Thank you "Uncle D" :thumbup:

I joined this board at the time I first started learning to quilt . At that time I did not know anyone who quilted nor was there a quilt shop within 25 miles of my house. I was so blessed by the people on this board who gave me the confidence and encouragement that I needed to actually make that first quilt. I will always be grateful to them for their help.

I have to say it was the Quilting Board that helped me learn to quilt. I had an idea for a wall hanging a year ago and wanted to make it from fabric. The wall hanging is now up. I couldn't have done it without reading and learning from everyone here. This place is amazing. So much great information.

Another mother at my sons school, she encouraged me to just go for it. She is an amazing quilter and she didn't laugh at my efforts. Now I understand how gentle she was with me when i was a beginner.

I don't recall anyone giving me any encouragement until I found this site.

My husband always encourages me with my quilting. He is glad when I buy things and fabric. He even gave up his office space to accomodate my Tin Lizzie ( that he bought!). He built a closet for my stash and redid my son' s bedroom for my sewing room (after he moved out LOL). His best is by far his encouragement with time, he always reminds me that I need to spend more time for myself with my quilting. Hopefully he is not just trying to get rid of me LOL.

I was one of those kids whose mother handed a needle and thread to at a very early age.
Back in the day, 3 labels and 25 cents - or was it a dime? - sent off to Wright's Trim would
get you a package of various trim pieces. She did that for me several times and in my little
mind it validated the sewing/handwork process for me.

My oldest daughter. I had sewed for over 45yrs. but "quilting" was not a word I knew. She came for a visit, bringing some papers printed for a small crazy quilt pattern for a paper pieced potholder. She showed me what it would look like. I thanked her and started to walk away, but she said, "oh, no, Mother, you sit down right now and sew it like I showed you. If you don't do it now, you will forget what I said and you will never "get it". She was so right, and that began my journey into quilting.

I've told this story here in my introduction but will repeat it. It was one of my dear friends when I was a senior in high school. She encouraged me to start sewing my own clothes. I had fiddled around with some things before but never serious about it. Joan went with me to pick fabric to make a wool skirt and V-neck vest. I had said previously that her sister was a home ec/the sewing teacher at a high school. Joan was an excellent teacher and I wore my outfit a lot...I loved it.

How it got started was..Joan always wore something to school that I loved and I would ask her...where she bought it and the answer was always...I made it. It also helped that both of us had boyfriends in the U.S. Navy that we were so in love with and were planning to marry when they got out...but it didn't work out that way for either of us. LOL

I started 100% on my own--just happened. I studied books and felt my way through. But my husband's support of my hobby has been the best. He used a Joanne's credit card when we didn't have much money and the reward card was all I used for fabric... and now that the money situation has changed (we've gotten older) he never questions it if I but $100 of fabric, or more. He suggested I needed a bigger quilting room, and for years I told him I liked the room I had--that it was cozy. But we finally switched two rooms and now I have a quilting studio. Still simple compared to others--but it's perfect for me--all I'll ever need. He never comes in to see what I'm making, but he will come in if I ask him to. I'm doing a craft show in a few weeks, and he looked up who sold folding tables and he's coming with me to help. That's all been more encouraging to me than anything.

Hmm--looks like I need to read up on the new rules on signatures. Headed to do that now. :-)

About 20+ years ago, a friend showed me how to sew lycra in order to making my daughter's skating costumes (she made costumes for other skaters, cheerleaders, etc.). I was a single Mom and had to watch my pennies. Even though it took income away from her, it also freed up time in order to make other costumes. She was so indulgent of my asking questions, giving encouragement, and was willing to pass her knowledge on to me. Haven't seen her in a LONG time, but will always remember her.

Same here: A kind member sent me some rotary cutter blades. They were about $14.50 each at the time and they are now $16.90. That sort of expense inhibits the amount of work we can afford to do. The gesture is very nicely thought of each time I work on a project.

I have to say my bff C we met because our kids were in the same home school group. When our girls were 2 I saw a beautiful quilt she had made for her daughter and I wanted to make one. I had sewing machine all ready because of many failed attempts at making clothes. Well, she took me to the store and then sat with me for 4 seperate days until I got it, made Yellow Brick Road. I have been quilting ever since and she is still teaching me great things. Just recently she taught me how to hand bind my quilts. She would have done it sooner but I really wanted to machine bind but mine never looked good.

My dh and mother are also good cheerleader but she was/is my inspiration and teacher.

My sister in law went for a visit down south (Alabama), I live in Ohio, she purchased a package of pre-cut 6 inch squares there were 4 sent in a package, she purchased them very inexpensive. Well, one set matched a set of sheets I recently purchased for my daughter. I asked to buy them from her and I would try to make quilt. She gave them to me I purchased the matching solid colors and used the top bed sheet for a backing, I tied the quilt. That was about 20 years ago. I am still quilting, not the best but I manage. I have no friends that quilt and everything I have learned is self taught.

Small Gestures
 

It hasn't been just one gesture, but many. My daughter encouraged me to start quilting when I could no longer hold a needle to Xstitch or needlepoint. She has been my teacher for many years now. She answers questions, gives suggestions on "how-to", helps with color selections, encourages me when I get discouraged, says "it looks good, Mom" when it really isn't that great and best of all, she layers all my quilts for me. Thank you, Tam.

I loved fabric, thread and needles from the time I was a tiny girl and used to drive my mother crazy because she was afraid I would hurt myself. Finally when I was nine she said "There's my machine (a Featherweight) and all of the sewing things I have. Go and do what you have to do". I've been sewing non stop ever since. I sewed clothes for years and started quilting to use up the scraps. Over the years, I've had many former stitchers give me fabric, sewing supplies and even machines. I've turned it all into gifts and passed it on.

My Momma teaching me how to sew when I was young. I clearly remember the very first dress I ever made all by myself, I think I was around 11 years old. It had a circle skirt that I hemmed by hand...I remember think I would NEVER get finished! Momma has encouraged me through out years with praise, advice and sometimes oodles of fabric. Also the questions and compliments from people outside my family. My children tell their friends I can sew anything. I haven't tried to discourage their opinion of my awesomeness! LOL's

yes, this would have to be my answer as well. Aren't we lucky?

Not much feels as good as having someone show confidence in your abilities (your mom) except when someone acknowledges your value and talents (your DH). Green with envy!

Time -- that is often the greatest gift of all. How often we forget.

The first thing that comes to mind as the best ever gift, "my grandmother" told me I could not make a star quilt because they were too hard, then again maybe my Grandmother herself was the best gift. I was young and stubborn, I think she knew I would just cause she said I couldn't.

I love it!

Well, this sounds bad but the best thing my mom ever did for me was leave me alone. When I was 5 I started taking sewing lessons and sewed for about 9 years with my mom over my shoulder telling me what I was doing wrong, that the color didn't look good on me or that I didn't have the fit right. Sometimes she even took over the project. When I was in junior high school I met the girl who would become my best friend. She sewed and we both began to drag the sewing machine, iron and ironing board into our rooms and then get on the phone with each other to talk sewing and make things. Bless her heart my mom left me alone and I learned so much from the mistakes I made and the way that I fixed them that I turned out to be a pretty darned good seamstress. :D