Anna & G on the Road: Do You Need a Reason to Keep Quilting?

It seems lately when I am stitching in a group that the discussion will eventually circle around to how many projects one has or how big the stash has grown...and then, the inevitable mantra... "I don't need to buy another piece of fabric!!!" It seems that as a quilting culture we have developed the collective Quilt Guilt Trip! You don't see other passionate people guilting themselves out of doing what they enjoy! "I shouldn't run another mile because I have too many running shoes!" Or, "No more golf...I have too many balls and clubs and those rounds of golf add up!"

Do we really need a reason to continue quilting? Can we not quilt for the joy of quilting and the friendships that accompany this historical art form. Is it wrong to refresh the stash and thus revitalize our interest in a hobby we love? What is this craziness that when we feel wonderful quilt shopping, we also find the need to flog ourselves? Oh, I get it...if you have been quilting for a while, your accumulation can get out of control, but maybe balance would be better than deprivation. I say, share your stash...we do that with clothes. There is no problem when we are tired of clothing items we donate and purge...and admit it...some of those clothing items still had the tags on them!! But, for some reason when we look at our stash it has to have a payout...and, it seems the payout can't just be the joy of quilting.

Quilting is steeped in a utilitarian history that is stitched in love. Quilts were made for warmth, and sharing and this history needs to be embraced. So rather than limit the joy of quilting because you feel guilty about your quilting stash...start looking at ways you can share that stash. Enjoy the process and give the quilt away...it feels good. Or...sell your quilts, then you get the joy of creating and make a bit back. I know...I know...you can never sell a quilt for what you put into it...but, don't forget the joy.

The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show allows quilters to sell their quilts with a percentage of the proceeds going to support this FREE outdoor quilt show. If you have a stack that is taking up room, think about selling some in the 2018 quilt show. I know for a fact that there was one non-quilter (my sister) who bought a wonderful quilt at this year's show.

Exhibited by Dale Yamamura of Santa Rosa, CA and quilted by Trina Jahnsen, this wonderful quilt used the pattern Go Fish by Gail Abeloe and made one non-quilter very happy!

'Go Fish' exhibited by Dale Yamaura and quilted by Trina Jahnsen

Bee Happy, Bee Generous and Keep Quilting!

Click here for Anna's blog.

Click here for Anna's YouTube Channel.

Comments

#13 Melinda Capozza 2017-09-08 16:00

Having moved recently (aka "downsizing"),I 've been unpacking my extensive stash; laundering,sort ing,sending quite a bit to my good friend Nancy;whose quilt group meets at her house regularly.Accor ding to her,they are enjoying and using the yardage I've donated; including some projects I started and put aside.Some of that fabric made up as quilts for children's programs or women's shelters;which is satisfying and useful.On the other hand,I'm more careful about what kind and how much I buy of new fabric. I refuse to guilt-trip over my stash.

#12 klmayeda 2017-08-04 12:42

So true. I have only been quilting for a few years and I already have a room full of stash! Hard to resist the eye candy.

#11 Maride 2017-08-03 19:19

A few years back I was a member of a group and a quilter mentioned that she was throwing away a portion of her stash because it was getting out of hand. It made me upset because at the time my husband and myself were unemployed and unable to buy a yard of fabric. Quilting has kept my sanity in tough times. She asked for my address and sent me some real beautiful and very much needed materials. I will never forget how I felt. My situation is now much better and any time I can, I pay it forward. Were never know who needs what we have too much of. Share. It cost you nothing.

#10 Diane Turscak 2017-08-03 09:53

I have been quilting since the mid 70's. So my fabric stash is huge. I recently began making shirts for the NICU for tiny babies. 100% cotton on one side and 100% flannel on the other. I am using up tons of fabrics from my children's stash! I have made over 100, and am addicted to making them. Go to Twenty-fiveandf our.com and you too can use some of those older fabrics that make the cutest shirts for the tiniest of babies. It's like wrapping them in a hug!

#9 Diane 2017-08-03 08:11

Guilty! Great article. I definitely need to purge and gift some of my stash. I think we all just want others to commiserate with us when we say we have no right to buy more fabric..we can be the only ones with an out of control stash, right! Whew! Thank goodness there are many in the same boat! From now on I'm not going to say " I don't have the right to buy more fabric". Instead I'll say "look at this gorgeous piece. It will be great in my stash!" Thanks for the advice, Anna!

#8 PamL. 2017-08-03 07:03

The stash guilt was getting to me too, so I started looking online for a charity sewing opportunity to use up all that fabric that I know will never make it into a quilt. I stumbled upon Days for Girls, a group that makes and distributes washable menstrual kits (over 700,00 so far worldwide). Girls missing school when they have their period for lack of supplies is a world problem that is fixable! Every seam I sew lifts up a girl. Over 1000 teams worldwide and every one of them would love your stash donation so you can quilt without guilt! https://www.daysforgirls.org/search-maps

#7 Marie Z 2017-08-02 13:06

I began quilting in 1976 and it (as well as apparel sewing) has been the one constant in my life since then. I have purged much of my 1980's colors over the years and I give away fabrics as my personal tastes have changed over the years, but when I buy fabric I feel no guilt. I consider quilting to be both a utilitarian as well as an artistic outlet. I cannot I,aging my life, as I go forward, without quilts and quilting.

#6 marsuz 2017-08-02 12:49

I too have a huge stash and a couple of months ago a gal called an asked if I would like some fabric. No red blooded quilter turns down fabric so I said yes. Two friends and I went to see what she had and came out with over 1000 yards of fabric. It was overwhelming. I sent out a SOS to my guild to come and get as much as you want. Of course I kept some (who wouldn't) and my huge stash got bigger. Now I am at the point of thinning out. LOL

#5 Peg 2017-08-02 10:29

Great writing! And timely! I have a huge stash -about 300 yards ( I know because I just organized everything using comic book boards and I used 300 for 1yd plus pieces). I love my fabric and have lots of ideas for friends, family and charity quilts. However, in September I'm driving across country with a quilting friend from NH to Texas via PA and Missouri and I've been telling myself I can only look, I shouldn't buy- but the trip is planned around quilt shops on the way. I think I need to let that thinking go and be thoughtful in purchases but have fun too.
Thanks!!

#4 alex 2017-08-02 09:35

Yes Donna, Please give both TQS and Anna credit. She does a lovely job! You can also share on your social media with the buttons above.

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post

Daily Blog