Inspiration from Pat Sloan
It’s OK to be you - that was the inspiring message from Pat Sloan when she visited our quilt guild last month. That leads us to the question - Who are you?
Pat described how she took numerous classes to make any type of quilt that was being offered. Especially if her friends were taking the class. She made a lot of quilts and learned a lot of skills and techniques. After a while she realized what she enjoyed most about quilting was different from what she was doing.
Pat took the time to analyze and define what she liked about quilting - asymmetrical designs, unusual color combinations, seasonal themes, etc. She decided to pursue quilting in her own way and developed a completely unique style... with the added bonus of enjoying her quilting more and more. Her folk art style, her wild print choices, and her comfortable attitude make her quilts so cheerful.
Premise - the act of quilting makes us happy. Conclusion - we stand to gain even more fun and fulfillment from quilting by defining our likes and dislikes. We need to concern ourselves less with what other people are doing, and put our time and efforts into what excites us.
Here are a few questions to help you along the way -
What are you most drawn to about quilting?
The colors, the types of fabrics, certain styles, embellishments, small quilts, bed quilts?
Do you love taking classes, going to retreats, quilting with a group?
What are your favorite parts of the process?
Choosing the fabrics, figuring out how to make the quilt, cutting, piecing, pressing, applique, hand quilting, stitching binding?
What is your “holy grail” quilt? The one you always wanted to make?
Do you love a new challenge?
So often we look toward the outside for ideas, but the best information may come from within. Take the time to answer a few of these questions and allow yourself to quilt your way. If you want to use that big bold print on the border of your quilt, by all means do it. If you love traditional two-color quilts, focus on making them.
In summary, define what it is you love about quilting and do what you love - the joy will shine through and the quilts will be even more beautiful.
