Quilting tips, tricks and ideas

 Wave of Flowers

Quilting is such a tactile art form.  Your fabric is the paper, the needle becomes the pen while the thread is your ink. After years of pen and ink drawings I immediately fell in love with the process of creating a quilt. 

My mom had taught me to sew before I could drive. Sewing became a creative process I loved.  However, as a mom and a teacher I had very little time.  Every summer I would ask my sons to bring up my sewing machine, table and tools from the basement and I would create Christmas gifts.  The week before school would start, I would have them carry it all back to the basement for the school year. Instead of sewing I would write.  In the back of my mind I was developing a quilting story.

In the spring of my last year of teaching I was writing quite a bit for online publications which allowed me to develop a voice.  I felt I was ready to write my book.  There was one problem.  I didn’t really know how to quilt.  How could I write about something I had no real experience in?  Fortunately, the answer was right down the hall.  My teaching friend’s (-soon to become my quilting buddy.) office was right down the hall, and I knew she quilted. All I had to do is ask. (We all know creative people love to share.)  She soon had me in a class, then another.  I was hooked.  My sons, now grown, had move into homes of their own.  My husband created a place for me to quilt out of one of their bedrooms.  All my tools could be ready to use anytime.  As we travel I visit quilt stores, meeting with quilting artists in the area.  I take online classes, read books, joined a guild, and a bee.  Mostly, I listen to quilters, fantastic artists from all walks of life that inspire me to try new things with fabric.

When I began I would follow patterns and instructions faithfully. Soon I began veering off into my own creations.  Wave of Flowers is one of my original designs.  With the help of my son, his engineering ability as well as his 3d printer, not only could I create the pattern but a template. Now, when I walk into my quilting room my mind shifts from left brain mode to right brain. I am in my place of inspiration. 

Clear off both the kitchen table and your time to find your inspiration,

-R.Cratty