Sunday 3 June 2012


Yesterday I said that I do not consider myself a “quilter”.

I thought about this a bit and realised that maybe I am a quilter after all.  What lead me to this realisation? Well I have to explain something about me.  I have always been very fastidious when it comes to my house and in particular the housework.

Everything always had to be orderly, pristine and perfect.  I couldn’t even stand a coaster that was not lined up evenly with the corner of the coffee table!  I was so ‘anal’ that I had housework lists on the fridge.  Monday – sweep & mop floors, Tuesday – dust & polish, Wednesday – clean bathrooms & scrub kitchen cupboards.  You get the gist.  I know I am crazy but I actually enjoy doing housework.  I put on my favourite music and bounce around doing what has to be done and I love the feeling of satisfaction when it’s finished.

But something has changed….the quilting bug has firmly taken hold and suddenly the housework doesn’t seem important anymore.  Don’t get me wrong, my house is not a bomb site (well most of the time its not) but it certainly is not a patch on the showroom status it once enjoyed.  For me to ignore a dusty mantelpiece or not to sweep a floor that has a few specs on it or heaven forbid leave a bed unmade is a big deal.  But I am slowly coming to the realisation that it doesn’t matter.  I can clean like a maniac and it still needs doing a day later.  So instead of cleaning everyday, I am content with once a week or (gasp) even a bit longer if it means I have more time to sew.

It’s simple really - I would rather spend time in my little sewing room than doing anything else.  I don’t even need to be sewing – just being surrounded by my (albeit small) fabric stash and quilts in progress sooths my soul.  In fact quite often I can be found in there just enjoying a glass of wine and staring out the window.  It is my space, my haven – no boys allowed!    I fuss about, flick through books and move things from one place to another just so that I have an excuse to touch and play with the fabrics.  My new found love affair with scrappy quilts (thank you Bonnie Hunter) has also been a revelation.  For someone who liked everything so perfect, matchy and symmetrical, the fact that I love the sometimes disorder, chaos and mismatchiness of scrappy quilts is enlightening.  They just look so warm and welcoming which is just how my house is beginning to look now that it is not as clinical as it once was. I owe it all to quilting and you people out there in blog land. 


Yesterday I posted my very first picture on Facebook asking for some advice on borders for a quilt I am doing. I couldn't believe that so many wonderful people took the time out of their day to share their thoughts.  I received so many positive and flattering comments and I am humbled to the core. I love this new found online quilting community I have stumbled across.  

What a defining moment this is for me.  My secret is out – I feel like I am in therapy or at a meeting admitting my addiction.

 “Hi, my name is Sue and maybe, just maybe I am a quilter.”

5 comments:

  1. welcome to the world of quilters where house work always comes second...soon you will have lots of fabric and no clothes...there is never enough money for both...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sherry, its already happening! I live in Australia and fabric is really expensive here so I usually buy online from USA. Every time a new parcel arrives my husband hands it over, rolls his eyes and says "so, I guess its eggs on toast for dinner this week"!!

      Delete
  2. Hi Sue, you definitely sound like a quilter to me. It is a wonderful life creating soft, warm and cuddly quilts. What kind of sewing machine(s) do you have?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tammy, I have a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire and I can tell you it has been a long journey for us to learn to get along! Got it based on reviews without actually trying it first. Not my brightest moment but we are starting to play nice together! I also have an old Bernina 360 Record which I love but mainly use for piecing (so I don't have to continue changing needles, settings, feet etc.)

      Delete
  3. Yes, you're definitely a quilter! Having multiple sewing machines set up for different tasks is my favorite way to quilt as well, though the extra machines do take up lots of space in the sewing room with each being in its own cabinet. Having one's own room just for sewing does make such a difference - you can shut the door on the undone housework - and you're right, it always just needs redoing anyway, especially with teenage boys or pets sharing the house!

    ReplyDelete