I Didn’t Go to QuiltCon for the Quilts

Texas weather sure keeps me on my toes. I LIE - I’m always falling behind! I write to you happily stranded inside my Aunt Annette’s house in New Braunfels. If you remember, she’s the woman teaching me to sew and, after a dizzying day at QuiltCon (you can imagine the barrage of fabrics), being limited to my conference swag and a Vanderpump marathon is a treat. 

I never had an interest in quilting; I thought it was a generational hobby that was actively dying out. I was wrong. Although I was one of the youngest women at the conference (this is a definitely a girl thing), I noticed a small wave of younger women and modern influences trickling in. The minimalist approaches really turned me on to the craft. They forced me to realize that it's the embroidery that makes some quilts incredible, not the fabrics. (And that it's not just stitching squares together.) Notice the details in these:

     

       

I was also drawn to quilts with more obvious content:

I was hoping to find more than these darn blankets at QuiltCon and I did! Here are some other cool things I discovered at the conference that I will be writing more on soon:

• Lotta Jansdotter has a new book coming out.
• Daniel Johnston embroidery patterns by Sublime Stitching. 
• Massdrop for discount supplies.
• Lone Star Legends by Leslie Bonnell @ Stitch Lab

A Real Fine Place to Start

I had imagined the outcome of my first sewing project would be something I’d never want to see again. Something that would make a bad gift. Something I’d only keep for sentimental reasons and later find in a rag drawer.

But I got lucky.

I have an Aunt who is not only one of the nicest women I know, but also an excellent seamstress. Last time she visited, I brought out some fabric I bought at Stitch Lab in Austin - a Japanese print both bizarre and precious. “Someday I’m gonna make a pillow with it,” I told her dreamily. In my mind, I had to perfect my stitches, gain a thorough understanding of fabrics and find the right pattern before I could even begin. She had a different plan in mind.

On a beautiful 1968 Singer my grandfather bought her, we began our project without a pattern or any practice. The machine was cream and gold and, being built into a table, extremely steady. My dad claims he learned to sew on the same machine and could easily make the same pillow. I’ll believe when I see it. (My dad is burly farmer whose fingers are usually covered in dirt and grease.)

I’m a perfectionist to the point that I never finish anything, but any time I cried “I messed up!” and wanted to start over, my aunt was quick to chirp,“It’s fine!” And it was. We had to break out the seam rippers a few times but the outcome was two fabulous and quirky throw pillows with homemade piping and cool fabrics. 

My aunt’s confidence had inspired me. I learned that I need to let go of my notions of learning. Especially when I have opportunity to follow after an excellent teacher. I had secretly been hoping my aunt would make the pillows for me - since I liked the fabric so much and wanted to put it to good use. But I’m glad she wouldn’t allow that. I learned basic construction, how to make piping and even how to use a serger. And from the inside out, my pillows looked professional. 

This is a first project I’m not only keeping for sentimental reasons, but for aesthetic as well. I’m even giving one as a gift!