Why I Quilt

People can be cruel.  It's a fact of life.  Competition and jealousy brings it out.  I know because as a twin, I was competing before I was even born, so yes, it starts from day one, or even before.  I'm fortunate to have loving parents who taught me not to be cruel.  I do think it's something you have to learn, to NOT be cruel and competitive and jealous.  I still am learning.

As a quilter, I often get compliments about my work.  But I also get the occasional cruel remark.  This makes me feel bad, so I thought I'd share some reasons why I quilt.

First of all, I do NOT quilt because "I have nothing better to do", or "have too much time on my hands".  I am NOT setting back the feminist movement.  I do NOT have more time (as in a snarky "It sure must be nice to have so much time...") than anyone else.  Like everyone else, I make choices about how I use my time.  I am NOT doing something frivolous that is without worth.  Why do people say these things?

I quilt because as a wife and mother, it's about the only work I do on a (somewhat) daily basis that STAYS done, unlike the dishes, the food I cook, the floors and bathrooms that I clean, the laundry and yard work that I do.  It's concrete. 

I quilt because I CAN show it to people.

I quilt because I love playing with colors and fabric.

I quilt because these fabrics take up very little space and can easily be moved and stored if needed.

I quilt because it makes me happy. 

I quilt because it adds beauty to a world that can get pretty ugly (see above).

I quilt because a quilt is comfort, and provides comfort and shows that you care.

I quilt because it forces me to slow down, and meditate on what is important.

I quilt because it nourishes my soul and brain in ways that I can't even explain.  It's like mental medicine for me.

I quilt to express myself.

I blog about quilting because I meet other people from around the world who understand these things.