Quilting Therapy

Have you ever thought of quilting as a stress buster?don't need to be a shopaholic to enjoy purchasing
Had a bad day, and just want to escape to yourfabric. And any quilter can tell you just how addictive
studio or quilting cubby and de-stress? Yup, I can hearquilt fabric can be! The car seems to automatically turn
most of you saying aaaaaahhhhhh! And the ones whoin at the nearest quilt shop. Mind you, there's nothing
are shaking their heads and saying noooooooooo arewrong with that! And there's no reason you can't shop
the ones who need some help with their quilting - theonline in your jammies too. I love it when the anticipated
block isn't coming together as it should, or your quilt isn'tparcel arrives with my new fabric or latest quilting tool
square and you don't know how to fix that. You arein it - it's just like Christmas!
the people I had in mind when I decided to create myAnd what about Friend Therapy when we head off
website Quilt Lovers Guide I truly want to help.for a retreat. It's a few days of pure bliss, -- sewing
Quilting is a wonderful way to create a thing of beautyand problem solving with our best buddies! Yah, that's
(although beauty is in the eye of the beholder!) either towhat it is all about - talking and sewing into the wee
give as a gift or to use and love and then leave as ahours. Of course a glass of wine does no harm either!
legacy to your family. Lucky are the ones who inheritAnd chocolate, don't forget the chocolate!!!
the quilts. None of my ancestors quilted, but since ITrouble sleeping? I don't know about you, but when I
began about 25 years ago, a few relatives havehave things on my mind, sleep is elusive. What do I
come on board the quilting express and are creatingdo???? I go to my studio and play with fabric or piece
masterpieces in their own right. It has been a pleasureblocks or rearrange the blocks on the design wall. And
to watch them progress and achieve their goals.while my hands are busy, my mind is slowly dealing
I've become aware that many breast cancer survivorswith the backlog of things that kept me awake. Once I
start quilting after their treatment as a form offeel I have accomplished something on the design wall
Recovery Therapy. Learning to quilt occupies the mindor at the sewing machine, or I have just relaxed
and keeps our hands busy. It also provides a sense ofenough, then I can return to bed and drift off. Talk
achievement and pride in ourselves and our creations.about therapy - that's Sleep Therapy!!!
Creating a gift for a loved one who is ailing canYes, quilting provides a lot of therapy for me and
provide therapeutic relief from worry. And I am certaincountless other quilters too, I'll bet. It may even be
that putting all that love into a comforter for them,beneficial to our children. Often when I'm sitting on the
contributes to their convalescence. Sometimes wesofa doing some hand quilting, one of my children will
can't be there in person to help them, but we can sendsit down with me and talk about their day at school or
our love and support in a quilt. Not only does it makesome problem they are having. It seems as if the
the recipient feel better, but we too feel betterserenity of quilting affects them too and they can
knowing we have done something to help.relax, open up, and talk it over with Mom. They knew,
What about those other special gifts, like a memoryalthough my hands were busy, I was there for them
quilt for a 50th anniversary or a special birthday? It canand they could talk about their important issues while I
include photo transfers and bits of fabric orquilted. It's a Norman Rockwell moment!!
memorabilia from the recipient and bowl them overSo keep on quilting or start now and teach your
with the uniqueness. I guarantee you will get smiles andchildren to quilt. We will all be rewarded with a little
hugs, and what can be more therapeutic than that?sanctity (or is that sanity?) in today's world of hustle
Yes quilting is therapy, for both the creator and theand bustle. Take your Quilting Therapy where you
recipient.may!
There's Retail Therapy involved in quilting too. You