2manyhobbies

I had returned to my motel, after listening to a wonderful speaker at the Oshkosh Sew-in, slightly depressed about my quilting compared to her phenomenal work. She has published many books and has won countless awards. My pieces, compared to hers, look amateur and very un-prize worthy. Granted, she has been at it 33 years to my 6, but I don't think I could have produced anything near what she has even if I had been quilting that long.

I turned on my Ipad and immediately found a post from a friend on Facebook. The post was a letter Kurt Vonnegut wrote to high school writing students. The second paragraph moved me instantly and I saw my quilting in a new light. Here is what it said:

" Practice any art, singing, music, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, essays, fiction, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money or fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow."

Beautifully said, don't you think? Yes, I have made mistakes in quilting. But I continue to practice, go to workshops, meet wonderful people, and enjoy buying even more fabrics for my growing stash. What could be better than that?

bigredharley

Oh yes, I absolutely agree, and I'm still in year 1

joyce888

I went to the Sewing and Quilting Expo in Atlanta yesterday. My husband said something that I know he truly feels; he doesn't want the perfect quilt. He wants the one that was planned, thought out, labored over , and was given with love, warts, and all.

Angellight

I have been to many quilts shows and saw many different levels of quilts. I have a friend that enters her quilting in smaller shows/fairs/?? what ever, and she has 1st place ribbons on many of her quilts. However, she is on disability and has a lot of time to "practice." When I was out of work, I sewed almost every day. But I need to work, so when I found a job, it has gone from 8 hours a day to 10-12 hour days. I don't have the time or even the desire most days.
I don't believe this makes us terrible quilters. Your speaker is a full time quilter, as is my friend. They devote most of their time to practicing/working on their craft, and I cannot do that right now. I don't compare my work to others, because it is mine, good or bad. And if I and the person it is made for likes it, then that is all that matters.
Happy Quilting!
susan

ube quilting

It is the doing it and the living it that makes any undertaking an adventure. K. V. has always been one of my favs'. Thanks for the memory.
peace

Jackie Spencer

Oh honey, I have been quilting since the mid 1970's, and I learn something new (about quilting) all the time.Quilting is constantly changing. Back when I first started it was templates and scissors, and we did it by hand. Also I had 3 little girls, 2 born in the same year 1974 ( not twins) so not a whole lot of time to devote to it. Now I have retired and spend almost every day in my sewing room, and I am still learning, and loving every minute of it!

KwiltyKahy

This is a man who gets it. Hang on to him!!

KwiltyKahy

YES, beautifully said.

Tartan

My quilts may never hang in a major show but that's okay because I enjoy what I am doing. Quilting and the need to create nourishes my soul. The Kurt Vonnegut quote is spot on!

PenniF

Here's another....a line from Desiderata - "if you compare yourself to others, you may become vain or bitter - for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself"
Your Vonnegut quote was really inspiring......and i'll remember it when i am feeling a quilting low.
I try to look at it this way....I want my quilts to reflect the vision i had - if there is something i don't like - i do my best to fix it. But i also know that if i practiced every day all day for most of my life - i could never paint the Mona Lisa....Same with quilting...mine will always be the very best work i can do - but my best will probably be shabby next to someone else's best. I'm ok with that.