My first dabble in the world of quilting turned out differently than I expected! BruCrewDad had strongly encouraged me to quilt, maybe even to sell them. I struggled at first to figured out why. I came to realize that my children are abundantly blessed in the clothes dept. and sewing clothes for them when I think we have too many already would be aggravating. I do, however, find the hum of the sewing machine to be soothing, and the sense of accomplishment when a project is finished is incredible. SO many of the things I do are LONG term projects (like raising children) or continuous projects (i.e.-dishes and laundry) that it is immensely satisfying to finish a project and for it to be complete and not need redoing! When I'm stressed, I find concentrating on my seems fills my mind and blocks out all other things. I will have to guard that this doesn't turn into an obsession. For my first quilt, I bought precuts from my local shop where I get my sewing machine serviced. There were tons of 5" squares for $10!!!! It turns out that the quality of fabrics was not great, and the quilt has been quite frustrating at times. I was also struggling with who my first quilt recipient should be. BruCrewDad suggested donating it to our local thrift store. Since I occasionally visit the local thrift stores looking for fun things to repurpose, I didn't think I could handle that. What if they want to sell this quilt for $25? What if it sits there for 3 years and no one wants it? I began to pray about what to do with this quilt and for whomever would receive it as I pieced the top, and then, as I purchased the batting and the backing and began quilting it. I feel led to give this quilt to my closest center for abused and battered women. I figured they could use it, and I wouldn't have to wonder how much value had been placed on it at the local thrift store. There is also a local crisis center for pregnant women to help them choose life for their unborn babies. Maybe my next quilt will be a baby one! My local craft shop has some cute pink and chocolate brown precuts, and I know just the project for them! These fabrics are all the same quality, as opposed to what I bought before. Before that though, I have some gifts I have to quilt, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my fabrics by mail! One of the things I'm making is a wedding gift, and I saw that the wedding is only 16 days away, so I hope it comes together quickly!
