Where Do We Begin?

Sometimes the biggest challenge of all is where to begin...

Perhaps there is no better beginning than to establish who we are and why we are here.  With that in mind, allow me to introduce myself and set the stage for our journey together.  My name is Jan.  I am a forty-five year old woman that works full-time, has two grown children (Ashley 26 and James 23), enjoys Southern Gospel Music, is proud to be a growing Christian, and enjoys spending time piecing & quilting fabric together to make beautiful quilts.  I am a "quilt-a-holic" so to speak.

I have often heard more than one woman say "I'd love to learn how to quilt, but I simply don't have the time".   To that I say, poppycock!

While Women today are typically busier than our predecessors - working outside the home, caring for children, caring for senior members of our families, extracurricular activities that our children and churches are involved in, etc., there is a way to find time when you are determined and if you really want to.

I am a firm believer that if you truly set your mind to learning and doing something, you will find the time and since quilting doesn't happen overnight but is a process, the time you put in daily, weekly, monthly, is all up to you.  Part of the joy and experience of quilting are those small moments you allow yourself to be free from all else except the fabric and the stitches at hand (or at machine).  A quilt is not constructed overnight!  It is done over time.  The amount of time is completely up to you.

If you have a simple sewing machine and a hour or so to yourself each week, or even a small block of time daily, you can learn to not only quilt but to find sweet release in the time spent doing so.  Yes friends, you heard me correctly.  I did say sewing machine, which brings me to the next point I must make -- hand quilting over machine quilting.

I believe all of us would agree that the gift of a quilt constructed by hand is priceless.  It goes without saying that countless hours are spent piecing fabric blocks together to form a top and then even more hours spent pushing needle and thread through tightly pulled layers to create an heirloom treasure.  What I don't understand is the notion that a quilt that has been pieced and quilted by machine has any less value.  Now mind you I am not talking about mass assembly line quilts.  I am talking about a quilt that has been lovingly pieced together and quilted with love and attention to detail. 

No matter how it is assembled, by hand or by machine, there is considerable thought and planning put into the design and work of a quilt. From pattern design to fabric selection to piecing the top and then adding layers of batting and a backing, someone is taking time and adding love to every thought, every decision, every detail.  And, let's face it; in today's busy world many women would never have had the joy of completing a quilt without the use of a sewing machine.  So dust off those Singers and let's have some fun!

And to have some fun is exactly why we are here...  In this case, fun consists of learning a new skill, meeting new friends, strengthening friendships new & old, and creating a beautiful piece of art that will forever bind us to this journey and to each other.  A friendship sampler.

Over the course of the next several weeks, I will demonstrate the construction of  various quilt blocks that will hopefully build your skill levels and provide a firm foundation for future quilts and projects of your choosing.  First off, I am not a professional quilter.  I am simply a busy woman that found peace of mind and release in the form of quilting.  I will share with you what I have learned and hope we will all learn from each other as well.  Secondly, I am here to have fun and to make sure you are enjoying this art form as well.

My goal is to have enough interest and involvement from those of you following this blog so that we can establish "block buddies" for each new block and each end up with a beautiful "friendship sampler" quilt top that incorporates not only our own blocks but those made by our friends. 

You may be asking yourself "What is a block buddy?"

 A block buddy will be your partner for each new block project.  With each block we begin, I will ask every participant to construct two blocks the same.  One block you will keep for your friendship sampler, the second block you will exchange with your block buddy to add to their sampler.  Not only will this build your skill level as practice makes perfect, but it will also give you an opportunity to meet some wonderful new people along the way. Please note that since this blog and project is open to anyone that is willing to see the project through, you may have to mail your shared block to your block buddy. 

We will rotate block buddies each time we begin a new block pattern so that we have an opportunity to meet everyone and make new friends while strengthening relationships with those we have known for a while.
In the end, our samplers will have two of each block pattern that we learn -- one that you've constructed using materials you select and one each of your block buddies has constructed thus earning the name "friendship sampler".

Making sense so far?

Because I believe material selection is an important element individually - all participants will choose and purchase their own materials for each block bringing their own personality and characteristics to the blocks.

Once all of our blocks have been completed we will learn how to add sashing to assemble our pieced quilt top and then how to add the batting and backing and finally how to quilt and finish our tops.

I will set project deadlines and do ask that only those dedicated to seeing the project through to completion to sign up to become a block buddy in fairness to all who participate.  Remember, at the end of this journey our goal is for each person to have a "friendship sampler" quilt.  Participation is voluntary as is any information you share with your block buddy including providing addresses for block sharing.

If you are interested in participating please email me at janwest67@Gmail.com and sign up to "follow" this blog so you can comment and we can communicate openly as we go along.  Please do not just follow on Facebook. 

This blog is dedicated to the ladies (and gents) out there that truly want to learn how to quilt.  My goal with this blog is to introduce you to a hobby, a craft, an art form that I find truly rewarding and relaxing; in the hopes that you will enjoy it half as much as I do and make some new friends in the process.

Ready to start?