Quilting is such a rich hobby to explore - and I think that's why I'm still obsessing about it a whole year after taking my first class. I will often pick a topic up, and go with it intensely for a few months, and then put it down. With quilts, I haven't lost that feeling of deep interest. There are so many perspectives to consider: history, art, women's studies, techniques, tools, fabrics. When I took my first quilting class, it focused on the piecing, but didn't get into the 'quilting' part of quilting. I didn't realize that quilting was in itself an entire subject, and could be divided into hand quilting and machine quilting! It is this part of quilting - the creation of pattern using thread - that first drew me to consider quilts. I continue to be fascinated by it, but I have found a new appreciation for the geometry and pattern that can be created through piecing. I soon found that applique is another area that I love to look at - with the lovely florals, and curves that can wander across the top of a pieced quilt, or be firmly seated in symmetrical splendor in a single square. I have fallen in love with whole cloth quilts from 15th century Marseilles, France (http://www.quiltstudy.org/collections/major.html/title/the-kathryn-wilson-berenson-collection-of-french-quilts and see the awesome podcast on iTunes from the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, NE). I have been intrigued by the history of the Gee's Bend Quilters. I am awed by the incredible handwork accomplished by the needlewomen of the 18th and 19th centuries. And it seems that the more I learn about quilts and quilt history, the more there is TO learn.
I will admit to lusting after a copy of EQ #7 (http://electricquilt.com/online-shop/electric-quilt-7/) - because I feel that I would learn so much more quickly how to combine fabrics into pleasing quilts. My first quilt did not AT ALL match my vision for it - primarily because I didn't know how to consider brightness when choosing fabrics. I wanted something soft and pastelle - and ended up with something bold and vibrant! I followed the directions in picking fabrics but was overwhelmed - and settled on a set without really understanding how they would all fit together. The interesting thing is that as I have travelled this past year I have visited many other quilt shops, and I realize that the quilt shop where we took the lessons was medium to small in size and selection. I can't imagine how it would have felt if we had MORE choices!
I'm going to the AQS Show in Paducah (http://aqsshows.com/AQSPaducah/) in April (just for a day), and can't wait - but I'm thinking I should come up with a 'theme' for my day just to help me make the most of my time there. I have a feeling that if I think I have been overwhelmed up until now - that this show will blow me out of the water. Luckily I am going with a bus full from our guild, so hopefully I will get some good tips from 'old timers' who have been before!
If you're going to be in Paducah - and are a fledgling too - drop me a line (fledglingquilter@gmail.com )! Maybe we can meet up.
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