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April 19, 2024

Comments

Mary

On Primitive Gatherings' latest Instagram post, Lisa asked how quilts are displayed in our homes. I listed mine; it really is like a padded cell around here. I have bought several quilt books on the secondary market in the past year. I have lots of ideas of what I want to make. God knows I don't need to sew more quilts! But my thought is to start giving them away. I've even told my family how they need to be distributed when I pass. I keep at making quilts because of love making them.

Congrats on 55 years!!

Kerry

Congratulations for your 55th!
Sometimes I think everyone loses their mojo a bit. It happens to us all and sometimes a break will make you feel refreshed. My friend had the same thing and she's back sewing again. She makes quilts for the Alzheimer's Association.

Nancy Watkins

Happy Anniversary! I wish you many more too!

Susan

I do not need anymore quilts either but the making of them brings me joy. Well, the piecing brings me joy anyway. There are lotsofplacesto donate even just tops…why stop making if you enjoy the process and can afford the goods? Healthier than drugs or drinking, LOL. Thanks for sharing!

Cathy

I still enjoy quilting as much as ever but I have slowed down and am not making as many quilts. I'm doing more hand sewing (English paper piecing), which I enjoy, and it takes forever to complete a top. I have two regular pieced quilt projects lined up but they are for designs I really want to make and know I will use.

Congrats on your anniversary! Either you got married as a child or you are older than you look.

Patty

Happy Anniversary! Truly is a landmark and accomplishment in these times! I have gone through a very similar thought process about quilting recently, wondering why I continue to sew, what to do with all that I make. I find sometimes I choose to make a quilt because I really want to try the pattern or I really want to use a particular fabric. I have done my share of sampler quilts and quilt alongs so I tend to shy away from them. I have been giving away quilts to charity for quite awhile so many times I will be making a quilt with no intention of keeping it. It seems an expensive thing to do but it gives me pleasure and hopefully the recipient also. I am really trying to purchase very little new fabric to be somewhat more fiscal!

Patty

Happy Anniversary! Truly is a landmark and accomplishment in these times! I have gone through a very similar thought process about quilting recently, wondering why I continue to sew, what to do with all that I make. I find sometimes I choose to make a quilt because I really want to try the pattern or I really want to use a particular fabric. I have done my share of sampler quilts and quilt alongs so I tend to shy away from them. I have been giving away quilts to charity for quite awhile so many times I will be making a quilt with no intention of keeping it. It seems an expensive thing to do but it gives me pleasure and hopefully the recipient also. I am really trying to purchase very little new fabric to be somewhat more fiscal!

Kerry L

Happy Anniversary!! How is 55years possible? You look so young!
Your bottle of Zinfandel is the perfect choice! Yummy! I too have experienced the “ quilting doldrums” thru out the year. I have finally stopped buying fabric for new projects and concentrating on using what I have. You have sewed a lot recently and maybe you just need a break! Enjoy your weekend!

Sherri C

I have 3 sons, no grandchildren and the "boys" have oodles of quilts. The answer is keep making them cuz we love making them.
I belong to 2 quilt groups that donate to different charities.
When my husband was in a hospital facility I gave them quilts and continue to give them quilts.(Hubby died last year)
Jo at Jo's Country Junction can hook you up with longarmeer who will finish you quilts and donate them to a charity in there area.
Don't stop doing what you love!

Betty

I am going through the same thought process about my quilting. I’m landing on trying to use what I have, give more away, make smaller quilts as baby gifts, lap quilts etc. I can quilt smaller quilts myself so won’t be investing so much. I also will sew less in the summer. Our winters are long so I quilt more then. One of my friends has chosen Quilts of Valor. So… what do I do if not quilting?

sue s

Happy Anniversary!I agree with the others; you don't look old enough for 55! I am also thinking a lot about my quilting habits. I am making more for charity now and trying to be happy with my stash. I have 2 big projects that I am/will be starting this year and am finishing up some tops. (I FMQ on my Janome domestic, so it takes awhile.)

CarolE

Good morning. How wonderful that you just celebrated your 55th wedding anniversary!
I just completed two small quilts (30x40) and donated them to a cause that just spoke to my heart, Comfort Cases for children in the foster care system. I got to sew some pretty quilts and use some of my fabric up!
Have a wonderful day.

Diane

I’ve gone through this also. I still enjoy quilting, but at a much slower rate. A few years ago I got out every project I have. I decided which ones I had fallen out of love with, and gave them away, as is. Then I picked a quilt a month to focus on mainly, and worked from there. I had a great sense of relief whittling things down, and at one point got all my projects done. Now I have about 5 projects in the works and no more than that. I try to keep that number down. It’s so much fun to work on new projects.
Happy anniversary!!

Lisa D.

Happy Anniversary! Such a special milestone. I'm sorry you are in a funk. I can't see you not making quilts, it's something you love so much! Hopefully you can get fired up about it again. I've started gifting more quilts so I don't have stacks and stacks unused at home.

Donna Murdock

I give away most of my quilts. We have an active group for our local high school booster group so I donate two quilts a year to them. Last year those quilts raised $950 for the football team, the girl's basketball team, and the cheerleaders. I realize that one quilt only made $250, barely over what I paid for materials, but still, it helps. The owners of the new quilts were very excited to help the teams. Other quilts are given to family members or charities. I like to give them to a local foster family group, too.

For me, it is the cutting, sewing, etc. that is the true joy of quilting. I do not need to line my walls with quilts. I realize I have a quilt obsession but it is still cheaper than mental health therapy! It keeps the arthritis at bay and I am still learning new techniques. So, at age 76, I feel like quilting helps keep me viable.

Ina

CHILD BRIDE!!! ;0 happy anniversary! lots of good advice in the comments. I make quilts because the process is so enjoyable. we have so many quilts stacked around here but I still love them.

I think a summer break to Ireland is just what the doctor ordered. clear your mind. see new things. catch your breath and maybe come home inspired to sew again. we've all taken breaks.

have a great weekend.

Bonny

Like you, I no longer need to make large quilts for myself or family. My Guild has several service projects focus to sew for: small baby quilts for the NICU babies. Lap size go to nursing homes, families in transition or shelters, hospice, rescue squad and deputies. I find the openness to whatever is donated gives me freedom to try a pattern, fly by the seat of my pants, go scrappy and I've become more aquatinted with my walking foot. Pillowcases can go to Ronald McDonald House. Walker bags also.Sewing is my feel good activity.

Michele Klein

Happy Anniversary! Like many others I have more quilts than I need. I have trying use only my stash although I will admit a new jelly roll or layer cake appear occasionally! I have been making baby size or lap quilts and giving to them to a local nursing home. This size is good as it won’t impede any wheelchair. I’ve also been making adult bibs out of 2 fat quarters. The seniors love them!

Sally

Oh congratulations on 55 years! What an accomplishment.

Lots of good advice from other readers here. Soon the doldrums will pass, you will have a fantastic time visiting Ahren in Ireland, and then we will see what happens in your future! :)

Linda

Happy Anniversary! 55 years needs to be celebrated!

Twyla

Happy anniversary !! I love the process of making quilts, it's truly my therapy and makes me happy. I have 100's of quilts and I only hope when I'm gone from this world my children and grandchildren will treasure them. I agree maybe your time on your trip will make you have a fresh outlook on your quilting when you return! I so enjoy your blog!

Nancy Alderman

Tell your husband that he should know there are laws against marrying a 10 year old 🤣🤣🤣
As for the funk, I have been going through the same thing. I have a VERY extensive stash but my daughter already has more quilts than her husband thinks she should have (but I don’t think she agrees 😉). I also have more than enough to keep me warm. However, there are so very many patterns I want to make and a number of samplers I want to join in on. So, what’s a girl to do? Go sew and donate! I have found some local groups that take tops so no quilting required. If my daughter, granddaughter or I fall in love with a top, well yay! Get it quilted and move on to the next project 😃. Besides, I’d miss your posts so I have to encourage continuance 🤣🤣🤣

Jill Matyastik

The same feeling has hit me of late as well. I’ve decided to make quilts for children who age out of the foster care system. Many of them are thrown out the day they turn 18 with a garbage bag containing their belongings. It brings me joy to think they will have at least one treasure to keep them warm. Secondly, I have only one quilt I made. So I’m making one for me, and also working on widening my horizons to include new techniques and styles. Perhaps some will end up on my colorful walls.
Happy anniversary. You must have married very young!


Jill Matyastik

May I suggest many of us do not tune in to see what you are quilting. We share that interest, yes, but I love your posts, especially the book reviews, Archie news and family stories.

Suzanne

Greetings from Australia, where winter is settling down firmly in Melbourne Victoria.
I agree with everyone’s comments regards stopping patchwork/ really?
It’s built in isn’t it. I’ve had those thoughts a few times over the years but can’t give it up. It’s my hobby, my joy- it’s me.
I have now given some quilts away to my sister( she took 7!!!! And had lovely photos and letter sent back to me from one neice)
My patchwork group donated to various charities so some manage to go there. I have too much fabric, it had to go and have started selling it really really cheap. I like it when it’s gone
Times change and so do we. I don’t machine piece anywhere near as much as I did years ago and now heavily into Applique which can use so little fabric and too much time but I love it and that’s the important thing. So have a break and come back refreshed
Happy anniversary to you both
Suzanne
Keep going, but distribute differently

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