Sometimes after the hustle and bustle of holiday clean up and moving directly into Valentine’s Day, we forget to take the time to appreciate ourselves. Quilters are a giving community, we often will move mountains in order to complete a gift for a friend or a donation for a stranger before we take the time to make something for ourselves. No more however! Take a peek at these five great ideas and create something for yourself! Each project is designed to be filled with love to make a special and super comfy addition to your home!
While this project is perfect for a new addition to lay upon, who doesn’t want to be surrounded by the cuddliest of cuddle? This incredible simple design will test some of your knitting skills (Don’t Worry! Anyone can do it!) to produce one of the softest projects you’ve ever create!
Better than a photo album, the memory quilt will take your treasured fabrics and create a stunning quilt or wall hanging to celebrate your life. Use old ties, t-shirts or any fabric that is near and dear to you to immortalize your memories in an amazing project.
February is a fabulous month for heart themed quilts! The Tender Heart Quilt will make a great addition to your collection, whether you want to wrap yourself in love or create a stunning wall hanging for the holiday!
If your feet get cold while you’re snuggled up in a quilt, then the Blipper is for you! Part blanket, part slipper, the Blipper has a unique pocket at the end of the quilt designed to keep your feet toasty and warm during the cold month of February!
Show off your love for quilting while you’re out on the town with a handmade Reversible Bag! Quilting is usually an at home activity unless you’re attending a quilting bee or a retreat, so why not bring a little of that love with you wherever you go!
Still wanting to treat yourself but have too many current unfinished projects? No worries! Join one of our fantastic Missouri Star Academy instructors for an online education course to better develop your quilting skills! Pictured above, one of our phenomenal instructors, Courtenay Hughes, offers a course on Beginning Hand Appliqué and trust us, you won’t want to miss having her as your instructor!
Jenny loves to give quilts as wedding presents, but not super-fancy-never-to-be-used quilts. She gives picnic quilts! Jenny wants her quilts to be taken on adventures near and far. She wants them to be loved and used!
Summer Stars was created for a special grandson and his beautiful bride. It’s a cute picnic quilt made up of two of our favorite patterns: Summer in the Park and Wonky Stars.
Everyone has their own journey when it comes to quilting. Many of us were fortunate enough to have quilting passed down to us traditionally from our family members; learning the basic motions of cutting and sewing from the careful hands of those who once had to quilt from necessity. Others however are just finding their path. The technological boom of quilting videos and tutorials that has developed within the last decade has allowed many people to acquire skills which were once only taught by those close to us. Regardless of how we began our journeys as quilters, the skills learned have more benefits than you may realize.
A Healthy Activity
Quilting as a health based activity is becoming more widely recognized with an influx of scientific research claiming that the act of quilting, or crafting in general, is a therapeutic skill which is ripe with health benefits. From a recent study published in the Journal of Public Health:
Cognitive, emotional and social processes were uncovered, which participants identified as important for their wellbeing. Participants found quilting to be a productive use of time and an accessible means of engaging in free creativity. Colour was psychologically uplifting. Quilting was challenging, demanded concentration and participants maintained and learned new skills. Participants experienced ‘flow’ while quilting. A strong social network fostered the formation of strong friendships. Affirmation from others boosted self-esteem and increased motivation for skill development. Quilts were often given altruistically and gave quilting added purpose.
Whether we’re quilting from the comfort of our own home, or working with others to finalize a more demanding project, the benefits of quilting are abundant for one’s personal wellbeing. As we age, our health care routine becomes more poignant and critical than it once was and in today’s society we’re often faced with a fast paced and stressful agenda that leaves little room for personal growth. Social organizations and physical activities are often promoted from medical professionals in order to relieve these stressors and to continue cognitive functions as we begin to enjoy our golden years.
The Best Social Club
Quilting has long since been a social activity. Before the luxuries of machine quilting and personal home sewing machines, quilts were often stitched by hand at local quilting bees. Judy Anne Breneman notes that this allowed the participants to engage in a dynamic social activity which helped overcome the loneliness that many experienced while living in isolated, rural communities. While few of us still live in such isolated communities, the concept of quilting as a social activity still rings true today. Many quilters still participate in quilting bees; many now are even part of a larger quilting guild which organizes meetings for its members. Quilting retreats and events offer the opportunity for maker’s to share their experience with others while continuing to build their personal skill sets in a social and engaging atmosphere. Online quilting groups have also provided such an outlet, allowing makers from all over the world to connect with others to discuss their craft from the convenience of their own homes.
This sense of community has become empowering to makers, allowing an open space to discuss projects and praise the ingenuity of others. With community comes purpose, and a sense of purpose often develops within quilters that allows them to combat mental health issues. Clare Hunter in “The calming effects of sewing can help people express and heal themselves” from The Guardian says, “Sewing is increasingly becoming recognised as an effective way to combat depression, the absorption demanded by needlework – its flow – calming the mind and reducing stress. The sense of accomplishment can boost mental health and improve our immune system, as relief from the pressure of multitasking is replaced by focussing on one thing.”
Finding our Purpose
To what ends though can we identify ourselves as quilters? Following retirement, many adults tend to struggle with finding their purpose. After spending the majority of one’s life consistently contributing towards a goal through a career, it is sometimes difficult, and reasonably so, to find a purpose in what is supposed to be our best years. The introduction of hobbies to provide a much needed outlet in order for someone to develop a purpose has been attributed to numerous health benefits; we engage ourselves and find pleasure in creating and it directly affects our well being. A 2016 study from the Journal of Epidemiology suggests that, “having hobbies and PIL [Purpose in Life] may extend not only longevity, but also healthy life expectancy among community-dwelling older adults”. The best part about all of this though? Quilting is fun! Few of us originally find quilting as a means of self-medication and mental health stimulation, but we all have the opportunity to reap the rewards all while enjoying one of our favorite past times.
As makers, we have many titles. Whether we identify as creators, quilters or artists, it is hard to argue the benefits that quilting brings into our lives. If the opportunity to make something of your own, or to make a gift for someone in need wasn’t enough, it is evident that the intrinsic benefits of craftsmanship are well worth the investment. There are plenty of great resources available as well for those who do wish to quilt for a cause and give back to their community. So keep those needles to the fabric and remember during your next creative project that not only are we making something to share with the world, but we’re taking care of ourselves in the process.
A pixel quilt is just a charm quilt, really. The only trick is planning the layout. Luckily, Robert Kaufman did all the figuring for the Pixelated Heart Quilt, and you can download the pattern for free!
Watch Jenny whip up this pretty project. It’s so quick and easy, she finishes the entire top during the video! (Bonus: You’ll also get a quick lesson on perfecting your ¼” seam!)
Admit it, there comes a time in every quilter’s journey where they have to step back and realize they have too many quilts. Fortunately for the quilting community as a whole, quilters are incredibly generous people who give with love and share their talents with friends and family, wrapping them in the warmth of their craft. Sometimes though it’s nice to make something for yourself, stitch in a little of your own creativity and create something that is positively and uniquely you.
Quilting doesn’t have to be limited to just quilts. There is a world of options available that require no more skill than what you have already mastered in your traditional quilts. If you’re anything like us though, you want to be surrounded by quilts all day, every day! So thread your sewing machines and get ready to decorate with these fabulous and simple DIY Home Decor Quilting Projects:
A perfect edition to any sewing or craft room, the Little Stitches Wall Hanging will not only brighten up your work space, but also share your love of quilting with guests! The curved piecing really adds an incredible flair to this piece and Jenny’s Tutorial will teach you how to accomplish it with ease!
Show some love for the great outdoors by bringing this phenomenal collection from Riley Blake into your home. The possibilities are endless with such a gorgeous print, but Misty has some great starter ideas from pillows to canvas prints in the LIVE tutorial!
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, a fresh heart shaped wall hanging will surely bring a posh new look into your home! All you’ll need for this simple design is a layer cake of 10″ squares and some background fabric. Join Jenny as she teaches you how to quickly and easily make the necessary half-square triangles to create this wonderful scrap-busting wall hanger!
It’s never too early to start planning out your next holiday sensation! This Stars and Stripes Table Runner will undoubtedly be a hit at your next Independence Day event and the best news is, it’s incredible easy to create! Based off a previous design by Jenny herself, join Misty on Missouri Star LIVE as she demonstrates how to stitch up this cute and patriotic table runner.
Bring on the colors! All you need to make this bright, colorful rug is a Jelly Roll and some Quilt Batting! Each time guests step into your home, they’ll be sure to comment on the bright and vibrant rug that greets them. Watch the tutorial to see how Jenny makes this beautiful piece of home decor and don’t be afraid to pick your own colors and start your rug today!
