Bev’s Buzz

Third Quarter, September, 2010

Is sewing quilting?

Is quilting sewing?

I’m confused . . .

Recently I heard a quilter state emphatically that she was a quilter and did not sew.

I heard a garment sewer state just as emphatically that she sewed, she did not quilt.

HUH!

I’m glad I belong to the American Sewing Guild where I can do whatever kind of sewing I feel like doing at the moment. “If you can stick a needle in it, we’re probably sewing it,” I often say.

I started sewing when I was about five years old. My Grannie, our baby sitter, taught me to hand embroider and crochet. That’s sewing, right?

In junior high school, and following in my Grammie Cartwright’s footsteps, I learned (after MUCH angst!) to make clothes. We all know that’s sewing, right?

Thirteen years ago I took my first quilting class. I had to learn about 1/4" seams, but otherwise, I know that was sewing, right? I was delighted to discover that I could use the beautiful new quilting fabrics for clothing, and how many of my gorgeous garment fabrics were just right for my new art quilts.

So it confuses the daylights out of me when I hear quilters swear that they do not sew, and sewers swear that quilting is not sewing.

HUH!

What might quilters bring to the art of garment sewing? PRECISION! Quilters learn precision, which really comes in handy when you’re making clothing. The seam allowances are different, but the need for precision is every bit as vital.

How ‘bout the other way around? A garment sewer could whip out those curved seams, like the ones in drunkard’s path blocks, like nobody’s business. Curved seams – somewhat alien to quilters – are everyday sewing when you’re accustomed to armscyes, necklines and crotch seams.

I feel bad for anyone who would limit their joy of creating. Especially when we’re using precisely the same tools in our processes of creation. So much of quilting can be transferred over to garments, and so much of garment sewing can be transferred over to quilting. What a waste!

There is just nothing like the feeling of satisfaction you get from slipping on a creation you’ve made for yourself that suits you to a tee. Nothing beats the sense of accomplishment you get from viewing the beauty of a freshly completed bed quilt, magnificent, perfectly pieced and quilted, or a gorgeous wall hanging, your own artistic expression rendered in fiber and fabric.

If you consider yourself ONLY a garment sewer, or ONLY a quilter, give some thought to trying a bit of crossover. STRETCH yourself a bit! You might be amazed at the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment you’ll get from giving the sewing machine its head. There is help available to learn these crossover skills, definitely within the chapter, and probably as close as your own neighborhood group. Just speak up and let your group members know you’re ready to expand your repertoire.

And, in case you forgot – you get to build a whole new stash!

Thanks, Rick!

My husband Rick got his first taste of ASG annual conference this year when he came up to Atlanta to man the ASG Ocala fund-raising tble. He took four days away from the shop, and he was a hit! Those ladies loved him!

We made a few bucks for the chapter. Our original location was not conducive to great sales because it was tucked out of the way and attendees had to be curious enough about what was way over there to come check it out. We made a few sales while situated there, but on the last day I was able to get us moved to a table right outside the vendor mall doors and then sales of our special conference commemorative FussyCut 3in1 tools took off! We sold more that last day than the entire rest of the conference combined.

Another Year Older

Another Year Wiser

Carla Chapman and her committee are busily preparing for our upcoming annual meeting. You’ll read about that elsewhere in this issue. Suffice to say, it’s going to be a fun day with friends at the Crystal Ice House right next door to the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop. We will be done in plenty of time to let you hop on over and see what’s new at the quilt shop – and there is ALWAYS something new at the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop! We’ll vote in our new officers, share a lovely meal, be inspired by the fashion show, and catch up with friends we may not see nearly often enough. Y’al come!

I’m going to keep this a bit shorter than usual since my conference report is pretty extensive. Enjoy the newsletter, and see you at the annual meeting.