Ref lections
Ref lections
with
My quiltmaking journey started in
the 1980s when I attended my first
patchwork lesson. It was a sampler
class in traditional piecing, using the
limited fabrics and colours of the
day. We learnt how to draft blocks,
cut templates from sandpaper and
accurately cut the fabrics with scissors.
We hand pieced the fabrics and hand
quilted the finished product. I loved
every stage of the process.
Soon I became more daring and
started to piece by machine. I learnt to
use a rotary cutter and mat after seeing
a demonstration of the new-to-Australia
tools at a craft show in the early 1990s.
I have even tried my hand at appliqué,
although the results were decidedly
amateurish (more practice required!).
Sampling all the new techniques in
books, magazines and workshops has
kept me busy for many years.
Initially following other people’s quilt
patterns, I often altered parts of the
design to suit myself. As I gradually
developed skills in different techniques
and clarified my personal tastes, I
started designing my own projects.
After completing several bed-sized
quilts, I realised that I did not enjoy
machine quilting large quilts. Like many
of you, I now choose to have my large
quilt tops professionally quilted, just
so I can use my time to focus on the
processes that give me pleasure.
Feeling adventurous, I made small
journal quilts and ATCs for a couple
of years. These enabled me to try
different methods and styles without
a huge commitment of either time or
materials. Through this experimentation,
I discovered a love of abstract
composition and unorthodox materials.
There are some styles of quilt that
still do not appeal to me – they leave
me unmoved and I don’t bother with
them. There are too many other styles
that I want to attempt, so I focus on
those projects instead. Gradually, it has
become obvious that I am not obliged to
enjoy every technique. Certain designs
I love may not appeal to you, and vice
versa. I do not think it matters. As long
as we appreciate that there are as many
options as there are quilters, and don’t
just dismiss the whole craft after trying
just a small part of it, we will all benefit.
That is why it is wonderful to be under
the quilt-making umbrella. We can
choose whichever style or technique
we want to explore. We can change
along the way or can stay with the
colours and styles that satisfy us. With
so much choice, there’s something for
everyone. Just as well that umbrella is
so enormous!
I always imagine
quiltmaking as an
open umbrella.
Under this umbrella
are myriad options –
different techniques
used to create quilts
in varied styles,
shapes and sizes.
If you don’t like a
particular style,
you can choose a
different one but you
are still a quiltmaker.
Read Erica’s blog at
creativedabbling.blogspot.com
