Quilt Yourself to a Healthier Lifestyle

Quilting as a health based activity to promote social involvement, mental health stimulation and well being.

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.

So tell us, how has quilting benefited your life?

World Health Day: Make a Quilt to Celebrate Your Healthy Lifestyle!

Make a Quilt to Celebrate World Health Day!

Don’t eat sugar. Don’t eat carbs. Eat your veggies. Watch your portion size. Take your vitamins. There is a long list of things we’re supposed to be doing if we want to be healthy. But the truth is, sometimes it’s hard and sometimes I just want some chocolate!

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Did you know that today is World Health Day? It’s a great reminder for us to show our gratitude to healthcare professionals, medical researchers, dietitians, and all the people who have caused improvements in the health and well-being of our society as a whole. When we think of good health, we usually think of our diet, but there is more to good health than just what you put into your body. Good health is a lifestyle. To me, good health means filling your days with the things that make your life better and make you feel better (which may even occasionally include chocolate, right??). It means taking time to slow down and relieve stress, spending time outdoors, increasing your energy and strength through exercise and activities, and even exercising your brain!

I don’t know about you, but when I’m passionate about something (or maybe I just need a good physical reminder), what do I want to do? Make a quilt about it! So, I’ve decided to hand select some of our wonderful fabrics that might help you to celebrate the activities and habits in your life that contribute to your good health and happiness.

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Good Foods and Cooking

Ann Wigmore (1909-1993), a Lithuanian–American “holistic health” practitioner and raw food advocate, is known for her quote, “The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” Some say that may be an over-simplified perspective, but we know that the foods we eat can affect our energy levels, moods, emotions, level of focus, and so much more. Generally, the better we eat, the better we feel (though a little bit of chocolate can work wonders for our moods. Moderation is key, right?). Some people even find that the process of preparing those good foods to be therapeutic and relaxing. Here are some wonderful fabrics that represent good foods and cooking good foods (and make sure to make yourself a fun apron, so you can do it in style)!

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Gardening, Farming & Homesteading

Did you know that there are microbes and good bacteria in dirt that actually boost your immune system and improve your mood? While gardening, working, and playing in dirt, it is actually making our bodies stronger and less likely to develop asthma and allergies. Do it in the sun (with the appropriate protections), and your body will also get the Vitamin D that it needs (Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb calcium better, making our bones stronger — a deficiency can lead to more serious conditions).

farmfun

Become One with Nature

Fresh air! Hiking, camping, glamping (for those of us who would rather “rough it” with air conditioning), whatever it may be, we’ve got a fabric for it!

Majestic Outdoors - Majestic Eagle Multi Digitally Printed Panel

Slow Down and Enjoy the View

Nowadays, our society as a whole is expected to multitask, over schedule our lives, sacrifice sleep and then drink coffee necessary to stay awake. Even writing that sentence was exhausting and doesn’t sound fun OR healthy! If one of your healthy habits is slowing down to relieve stress, then you might enjoy these fabrics:

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Sports

Sports may not be for everyone, but they are a great way to introduce children to the benefits of living an active life! We have so many great sports fabrics to choose from including licensed prints like NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, NCAA College Sports, and so much more.

Sports Kids Fabrics at Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Patterns

When you’re working with themed fabrics, you might want to choose a quilt pattern that will really showcase the prints in the fabrics. Here are some great quilt patterns to choose from:

Share

Just like a quilt that is personal, individual, and unique, so is a person’s “healthy lifestyle.” Whatever it is that you like to do to stay healthy, we can’t wait to see the quilts you make to celebrate those things! I will tell you one thing… I believe that quilting keeps us young! So, add quilting and sewing to your list of healthy habits! 🙂 We would love for you to share your World Health Day-inspired creations on our social media channels using #msqcshowandtell! Happy quilting and Happy World Health Day!

Even if you’re not ready to make a quilt today, we’d love for you to share your favorite healthy habits and hobbies with us! Leave a comment and tell us what you love about it!