My Hobby

The art of quilting came to me by chance or maybe just by getting my mother off my back to "just try it."

Try it I did after a couple years of her pursuading me to at least attempt it. Frankly, I didn't have time. I agreed to make what she sent me just to get her off my back. The kids were keeping me busy enough as it was, how would I find the time to sit down and sew a million little pieces together? Hell, I didn't even own a sewing machine. Didn't want one! She upgraded her Bernina and thus, I inherited her not so old other Bernina. I took a day that was less chaotic and set out to create a lap quilt. Not far into it, as I was seeing something beautiful come together right before my eyes that I was making, I got hooked. Thanks Ma!

Over the years I have accumulated a walk- in closet lined with shelves that hold enough fabric to have a mini store. More fabric than I could use in my lifetime but it gives me so much to choose from when I come upon a pattern I want to make.

I do get commissioned to make quilts for others but it is not a steady business for me. Mostly because I haven't pushed my desire to make it full time work quite yet. That time is coming and that's what I'm most excited about.

Someone once asked me how many quilts I make in a year. You know, that really varies and I can't say I set out with a set number in my head that I want to accomplish. Each quilt takes more time than the other and I'm personally more about quality, not quantity. Depending upon the size of the quilt and the design, some go out to be professionally quilted. Some I do myself here on my machine. It depends on my time. Not to say there aren't smaller projects thrown into the mix of wall hangings, table runners, etc. that I do in between quilts. There is always the need for me to be working on something and that hasn't really been happening for me for the last 6 months.

Unfortunately, I have four quilt tops hanging in my studio that have been put on hold for now. I never like to have projects unfinished, it kills me. lol My plan is to take a couple with me to finish while I am away from my home.

My time here is coming to a close and I will be heading out soon. Mom's chemo started again and it's already hit her like a ton of bricks. You never know how a round will affect a person and I had her cycles pretty much figured out. Two days after chemo and getting sick has not been the norm for her. Chemo is a vicious bastard.

Quilting~ Try it, you might just love it~