Resolve: To accept creative challenges in 2009!

 

Do you sometimes cringe when you tell people you quilt? It just seems like that stereotype of little old ladies in rocking chairs is the image others pull up when you tell them what you like to do. When editor Jennifer Keltner of American Patchwork and Quilting told me about their new program, I was really excited. Finally, we can all stand up and proudly say I am a Quilter! 

Jennifer has challenged every quilter to tell their story in fabric. To tell who you are as a quilter. I loved hers ... little fabric envelopes ...each containing something she loves about quilting. All the others on APQ's staff made their own 9x12 quilts and wrote a story about themselves as quilters. 

I was able to drag some of my pals into the challenge, too! Darlene's is a combination of fabric and wool ... Zeeda focused all on cats ... Chris has always wanted to make a sampler quilt. I love their stories as much as I love their quilts!

I still haven't gotten mine done ... but I have all of the components to do it! I'd love to have some company ... anyone feel up to a challenge? Perhaps we could meet one night to brainstorm and sew. Or at least just email encouragment to get the quilt done. Let me know if you're interested.

Form your own group to take the I am a Quilter challenge ... or do it on your own. Tell the world your story. Once you get your quilt done, have someone take your photo with it. I love how Jennifer said they came to decide the size ... it's about how big your head is! While you're working on your quilt, think about your own quilting story ... what leads you to be creative with fabric and thread?

I hope ... and I know Jennifer does, too ... that at the end of 2009 everyone will know that quilters come in all shapes and sizes ... all races ... all ages ... and that they aren't just a bunch of old women sitting around a quilting frame!

Comments

[Cherri House]

This is so exciting! I would love to participate too.

[Cathy Weber]

I am a quilter! The pic on your blog--that could be my grandmother and her friends making my sunbonnet girl quilt in the 1960's. Both my grandmothers and my great-grandmother were quilters and they're all up there in the heavens looking down on this New Years Day and they're mighty proud. I quilted my first quilt on the Grand Quilter my husband gave me for Christmas.