G is for Generosity

Ahhhh, the school holidays are over and I am back to being able to think about my sewing and writing again.  I have been mulling over my topic for the letter “G” for a few weeks now.  It is a tricky letter.

I thought about “G is for Grain” like the grain of the fabric and how tricky triangles can be cutting and sewing across the grain…those stretchy little monsters! Miriam teaches some great classes to hone your triangle techniques—for those who really don’t want to go there with the matchy points thing… her Superstar Quilt is, well, a super star.

Also, her sampler quilt has a smattering of triangles and other deliciousness to delight and build your skills….

Or “G is for Gingham” that beautiful checked fabric that I used to just think was soooo traditional and daggy, but looks really good in modern quilts, too like this little splash of gingham on my Jen Kingwell “Hebe” quilt.

I did my usual internet search to learn new tips or tricks or photos to pass on in this blog, and came across the usual amazing abundance of free resources out there… which led me to “G is for Generosity” …. Well, to be honest, my idea for G is for Generosity actually came before the internet search.

I think that since I began my quilting journey, the primary attribute of the quilting community that drew me in was “generosity” that manifests in so very many ways.

I so clearly remember my first quilt show (June 2012).  I was amazed by the colours, the fabrics, the talent, the style, the…. Everything … about the quilts… then I made my way through the vendors stalls.  Oh my!!  Everyone was just soooo nice… and I’m not just talking about the vendors, the shoppers, too.  Well, I was hooked (then had a fabulous child come into my life… fast forward to 2017 when I got back into it!!)

As my time freed up, I started making timid steps back into fabric shops and was WOWED by how amazingly engaged and helpful EVERYBODY was!! “Whatcha working on?”  “Ohhhhh my, that’s gorgeous!”  “I know just the fabric to go with that!”  “How about this?”  “Did you make that dress?, It looks fantastic!”  “Have you tried making a circle this way??? Comes out perfect every time!!”  “Hexies!! Sew hexies!!”  “Did you see the amazing quilt Liz did?”

It just makes me smile to have all of those wonderfully supportive statements and suggestions echoing around my head. Ok… I have to take a break from writing now. My cheeks are hurting from smiling so much as I’m writing!

I’m just thinking of the process of (nearly) finishing my HEBE quilt, designed by Jen Kingwell.  I had so much generous support from my friends in Textile therapy and the fabulous folks at CQW!  Sandy initially showed me the pattern… “Wow” I thought. “I can do this!”.

The help I had in selecting my fabrics for non-pieced blocks… how much fun it was to drag bolts of fabric to the classroom and get a chorus of “yeas or nays”, I love the variety of low volumes that the collective wisdom came up with… from playful monkeys, to staid zebras and fun otters and wavy greys!

Then there was the running back and forth for the border…how much Megan helped with the Jen Kingwell fabrics for the borders and circles…Annette for the help with the circle templates… and the amazing wild Kaffe back!!!

The cheers from the group when I unfurled it after Jane quilted it.  Aiyyeeee… my cheeks are hurting from smiling so much again!!   So much gererousity! For which I have so much gratitude! Ha! Look at that!! Another G.. . for gratitude!!