Through Live Journal, I came across another blogging quilter that goes by the name of Diva Quilts. She is a fantastic quilter. She makes and posts a new quilt almost every single day! I wish I was as productive as her! While reading her blog the other day, I found out about this other blogger; Park City Girl and her Blogger’s Quilt Festival. Blogging quilters post a little story about their “favorite” quilt that they’ve made and then put the link to their post on the Quilt Festival page. There are also some prizes to be won. Click the photo below to go to the Festival page to either check out the quilts entered or to participate yourself.
It seems like a really great thing and something that I want to be a part of. A way to find (”meet”) other quilters and bloggers and a way to get more people to my blog and Etsy shop.
The quilt I’ve decided to “enter” doesn’t really have a story that I can tell yet. I chose it, though, because it is the one baby/lap quilt that I’ve made so far that I am the most proud of.
Being a disabled quilter, in a wheelchair (I have Muscular Dystrophy), I am physically incapable of cutting fabric with a rotary cutter. I just simply don’t have a way to do it or enough strength to put the amount of pressure on it that it requires. Because of that fact, I have to have someone cut my fabric for me. Or do it myself by hand, with scissors. As all quilters know, using a rotary cutter makes cutting fabric much easier, faster, allows you to cut multiple layers at one time, cut a very straight, even line and have a nice, smooth edge after. Cutting by scissors is kind of difficult, takes a long time and doesn’t guarantee a clean, straight cut.
When I got the idea for this quilt, I decided I didn’t want to wait around for someone to cut my fabric for me. I was in a quilting mood and didn’t want it to pass me by. So far I don’t follow any patterns. My quilts have always started with an idea in my head, stemming from a fabric color and I draw the pattern or design out on paper with markers that I think will best showcase the fabrics. With this quilt, I had purchased some pre-cut, white squares with pink, purple and yellow polka dots off of eBay. It just so happened that I had some pink, purple and yellow fabric in my fabric collection that matched the polka dots perfectly. One day, while sitting in my bedroom watching TV, I cut more solid white squares and all the pink, purple and yellow strips. It was a lot of work and took me a while, but I did it myself and that was all that mattered to me. Some people don’t consider a quilt a quilt unless it’s “quilted” or has binding as a border. I know this quilt is kind of simple and plain compared to some more talented, experienced quilters work, but I like it. I don’t know how to do actual “quilting” and don’t have the machine for that. I use ties with embroidering floss at each corner instead. I do love the quilted look and hope to learn how to do that some time in the near future.
Growing up disabled, I never liked having to depend on others for things. I have always prided myself on being independent and I try to do whatever I can with the least amount of help possible. I do realize though, that there are some things I just can’t do. But if I can, I will.
I love quilting and making things. I make baby and lap sized quilts, mainly because I can’t physically handle sewing anything larger than that. But I also love the thought of making things for babies.
Making quilts makes me realize that there is something in this world that I can do, and be good at. Just because you are disabled doesn’t mean you should let that keep you from doing what you love, even if it means you have to have a little help now and then. Just do what you can, try your best and be proud. While making this quilt, I was disappointed in my cutting job, was worried that the strips weren’t even, that it would make the sewing difficult and the corners not match up. I wanted to give up a couple of times, but I did the best I could and sewed very carefully and it came out fine! It’s now one of my favorites.
One day I hope that whoever either buys this quilt from me, or whoever I give or donate it to, will appreciate all the work and dedication that was put into this quilt and be grateful that it’s theirs. I’m sure they will create their very own story for it. 
(Although, as other quilters probably know, it is difficult to choose one favorite out of all the quilts you’ve made. I fall in love with all of my quilts. Please check out my Etsy shop for more beautiful quilts and thank you for stopping by!)
Have you ever seen the Quilts of Gee’s Bend? They are amazing! And they’re all sewn up a little wonky, and most of the pieces were probably cut by hand. And they are incredible because of these things. It adds to the character. You should look them up – I have a the book and reference it all the time for inspiration.
Also, if you wanted to have your quilts machine quilted, I’m sure you could send them out to be done somewhere with a machine. I think this is how most people do it.
You should look up instructions for hand quilting though! It’s really not that complicated – it’s just a matter of sewing through all the layers (backing, batting, top) – and using a really big hoop to keep the layers straight and even. It’s just time consuming, but great busy work when watching a movie or somerthing. And the results are lovely. If a quilt is “quilted” I always prefer it to be done by hand. Personally I think machine quilting makes the whole thing look and feel more like a coverlet than a cozy handmade quilt. I like ties! Don’t feel like you’re cheating by doing that! (There’s a few great Gee’s Bend quilts that are made from huge blocks of fabric, but covered in a grid of ties. I love it!)
I think you should do more hand cutting and just start sewing and see what happens!
Don’t sell yourself short, this quilt is beautiful! I’ve been thinking about putting down the rotary cutter & cutting by hand. It seems more unique and creative some how.
Definitely check out the Gee’s Bend quilts! Pick up a book about them at the library & see if they inspire you. Their quilts are great.
You should also check out Denyse Schmidt style improvisational piecing if you haven’t before. It’s a more modern style quilting but it’s really perfect for scraps and scissor cut pieces!
Don’t be afraid to try out free-motion quilting on your regular sewing machine. I was a little hesitant at first but it is so fun. There are some really great tutorials online to get you started. As long as you aren’t doing huge quilts it’s not that difficult to maneuver around.
You could also attach bindings by machine. I haven’t been brave enough to try that out yet, maybe one of these days.
I look forward to seeing more of your work!
-Jaclyn
PS- Your cat toys are so cute!
I’m certain you’re right–whoever receives this quilt will appreciate all the work that’s gone into it, and create their own stories and memories with it!
I love that your desire to create pushed you to do it the only way you could, by hand! Modern tools are great but obviously not necessary–at least you had electric lights to work by instead of kerosene lanterns or candles, like many generations of quilters before you:) Thanks for sharing your quilt’s story. And yes, it is a quilt, it is a TIED quilt!
It has a top and a batting and a back… Its a quilt. Great work and be proud of your accomplishments
Well I think you’re looking at things the wrong way. Your strips aren’t uneven, that’s a special design feature you put in.
Thanks for showing us that very soft and pretty looking quilt.
I’m so glad you shared this quilt and your story! I think its wonderful that you do what you are able to, and make sure that you give yourself credit for that. Very lovely quilt.
It’s beautiful. I love the way you have arranged the colors.