No Sewing Machine Will Stop Me

So, I may not have a sewing machine, but I have my hands, dedication, scraps, and a needle n' thread. I was inspired by Becky Shander's quilt, which is featured in the current edition of Somerset Studios magazine (which I recommend to any lover of crafts).

I had no idea how to approach creating a quilt of my own so I decided to "wing it". First I gathered scraps of fabric and items I've held onto over the years. Every component in this piece has a special personal meaning.

My challenge with this project was to not create something that was "beautiful", but rather meaningful. In essence, it was a practice in letting go. As usual, the craft of hand-sewing lent itself to meditation and thoughtfulness (and honestly, a wish for a sewing machine). I felt connected to my mother and grandmother, who both inspire me with their creativity and proclivity for fabric art. Beyond that, I felt connected to the spirit of women who had used sewing as a route to community and inspiration.

Each square was created separately. An overlay of fabric was placed on each square to provide a sort of protective barrier between the items and viewer. This was an act of my own assertion. I utilized burning for most of this piece, which greatly upset my husband who had to deal with the fumes (I'm crossing my fingers that they weren't toxic). After each square was created I decided to make each one it's own separate "pillow" (I didn't have money to go buy the traditional "batting" for quilts). I had no idea what I was doing, but was able to create a dimensional effect using cotton stuffing (some of which I had to steal from my dog's toys). So to all you crafters out there - grab some scraps, memorabilia, meaningful writing, and even trash - and make it special.