Quilting Thoughts from a Writer (or possibly, Writing Thoughts from a Quilter) by Joylene M Bailey

 

The first time I ever attended the Quilting Club in the village near my country home I had a bad attitude. My husband can attest to my grouchiness as I packed up my sewing machine, half-begun baby quilt, scissors, thread, rotary cutter, seam gauge, pin cushion, extra bobbins, etc, etc, etc.

"I have a perfectly wonderful sewing station at home! Why would I pack up all this gear and haul it to the village hall, to sew with a bunch of strangers, only to pack it up again in a few hours?!!"

In truth, my irritability was masking my jitters. I'm an introvert. I'm happy with solitary activities. I'd only made baby quilts up to that point. These quilters were practically professional ... probably. And what would they think of my meagre efforts?

When I arrived, I discovered that all of the quilters were regular people, who loved their craft. They welcomed me with no preconceived ideas or judgement. Over the next weeks and months, I learned how kind and gracious and fun they were, generous with their time and guidance. Each quilter was at a different level, from beginner to practically professional, and every week I learned something new.

Since that first day over a year ago, I've looked forward to Quilting Club every Wednesday. I'm learning so much. In fact, because of their inspiration and encouragement, I tackled my first full-sized quilt (above). It took me almost a year to complete - choosing the fabric, colours, and patterns; cutting hundreds and hundreds of 2-inch-square segments; piecing them together. It is now at a quilt shop being professionally quilted (which, if you're not familiar with quilting, is actually the process of sewing all three layers--quilt top, inside batting, and fabric backing--together to make the quilt).

This week I watched as my second adult-size quilt was quilted on the club's long-arm quilting machine by one of the members of the Quilting Club. Another day of learning. By the time summer rolls around I will have finished two more. That will make four finished full-size quilts in a year. If you had told me a year ago that I'd accomplish such a thing, I wouldn't have believed you. 

But there it is - the power of a group of encouraging and like-minded crafters. 

And another thing ... I feel like I can hold my head up now and own the title, Quilter. But the truth is I was a quilter before I even set foot in the village hall that day. I just have more knowledge and experience now. And I'll continue to learn and grow as I hone my craft.

*****

I was a writer before I set foot in my first writing conference. I was a writer eleven years ago when I called for like-minded people to join me in my home to form a writers' group. I was nervous, but when five strangers showed up at my door that first day, I discovered that we were all regular people who loved to write. We ranged from beginner to published author, and we wrote in almost every genre you can imagine. We learned from each other, encouraged each other, and kept one another accountable to our goals. We published a book of our short stories and poems. And we became wonderful friends.

My writing wouldn't be where it is today without this gifted group of people, plus the extraordinary gift of my accomplished Writing Buddy, with whom I check in several times a week, and who has also become a dear friend.

My writing has deepened and grown. I have more confidence in calling myself Writer. This is the power of encouraging and like-minded people.

Who are your people? Even we solitary, introverted, and sometimes grouchy crafters need others who love writing as much as we do.

~~~~~

Photo by Joy Bailey

Joy quilts and writes from her home in lake country Alberta, where the grass is finally turning green and her thoughts are turning to gardening. Although, whether or not she can call herself Gardener is yet to be determined. Find more of her joy-infused writing at her blog, Scraps of Joy.